Abi to NY, Owen Earned a Party

Abi left this morning for New York.

She is performing with Lyceum in a Concert on Saturday at 7pm. "Celebrate Easter by experiencing this profoundly spiritual and stirring show centered around the life and redemptive mission of The Redeemer Jesus Christ at one of the premier concert halls in the world — David Geffen Hall (home of the New York Philharmonic). Grammy-Nominated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker and special guests including Dallyn Vail Bayles join The Lyceum Philharmonic and The Intermountain Choral Artists to present this inspiring multi-media concert event. The glorious music composed and arranged by Kurt Bestor features familiar hymns, soul-filling original compositions and magnificent portions of Handel’s Messiah." Pretty cool huh! She was up late packing last night. She reluctantly took my red luggage bag, cause the suitcase she wanted to use wasn't here. Ethan had it - he took it for his honeymoon. She had to be at the airport at 6:45, so I figured leaving home around 6? I asked her what time she wanted to be woken up, if she needed my help (she does, everyday). She said 5:30. Perfect, cause that's the time I'm awake already. I have really loved studying the Book of Mormon this year. I have been feasting most consistently at the kitchen table between 5-7 am.

I like that I'm able to put my scriptures, pens, journal and other books in the bench (although most days I just leave it out all day.) I have been waking up pretty consistently at 5:15, so I'll read as I make oatmeal, and will read from 6-7 if I'm taking carpool at 7, or after I get home at 7:15 if I go climbing at 6. Natalie went climbing with me yesterday! Here she is trying V4. I was impressed that she was determined enough to wake up at 5:30 to go with me!

I'm enjoying my mornings, even though it's dark. I've recovered from daylight saving time, and know that I will be loving it even more in the summer. I have been behind in the Come Follow Me the past few weeks but finally caught up and am in Jacob now, ahead of schedule, woot! 

Some of my margin notes this morning, writing out other verses pointed out to me from the book "True Versus Truth". I want to chase darkness from my life!

Katharine has been sleeping pretty consistently with Natalie up on Natalie's bed, and I'm impressed (and grateful) that she usually sleeps through the older kids getting off to school. When she does finally wake up, I'll hear some cute sounds from the top bunk and go in to see a little head smiling at me. 

Waiting by the ladder.

We had some breakfast (BeReal, I still love pink lady apples) and K is so cute!!! 

And then we went and took some treats to some sisters in our neighborhood. I had a nice visit with Donna. She's in her 80s and isn't able to come to church much lately because her husband is suffering from dementia. I think it always helps the elderly to see cute little kids like I have with Peter and Katharine. They were being silly eating lunch today - top ramen is a typical lunch around here. 

The socks on the hands isn't a typical, but not surprising. Made me laugh. Made Peter smile too. We think Katharine is so silly!

Owen earned a friend party again. Last one was not well documented by me - no pics or anything, since it was held on a busy day and I put Hyrum in charge of it. Last time Owen invited Zander, Isaac J and Nolan. This time he invited three friends from the neighborhood, Joseph, Harry, and Oscar. They played some games while we waited for Harry~ 

...then had pizza and ice cream cones while they watched the Mario movie. They are good kids. 

Good job Owen, being a hard worker. I've appreciated his diligence. I didn't sign off on all the things this time, which might be why he seemed to be done with the whole 30 items quicker that last time. Corey's also been awarding him Minecraft time in equal portions to his trumpet practice time. I think we'll just do that for now on, I don't want to sponsor another party for what I think is just so-so work. But again, I do appreciate that he's put forth an effort to play along. Picked up Owen at school for his trumpet lesson - it was raining. 

And a few last photos of Katharine upping her game of getting into things that I'm trying to keep out of her reach! 

"Yeah, good luck with that mom!"