Picnic with Professor Howard

Tonight we had the privilege of having a Picnic with Professor Howard of UVA. He was gracious enough to host us in his garden behind his home. It was a perfect spring day here in Virginia. The weather could not have been better. Nate was the master mind behind it, and ordered the food - chicken and pulled pork barbecue, and invited all of our law school friends. Families brought sides and blankets, and we all enjoyed sitting and eating together. One thing Nate appreciates so much about this school is the amazing staff. Professor Howard clerked for the Supreme Court with Rex E Lee which is why we ended up having this picnic with him. He was gracious and generous and spoke so highly of Rex E Lee. Both Nate and I are amazed at what a humble man Professor Howard is. He not only was one of the main drafters of the modern Virginia Constitution, but travels around the world, assisting other nations in drafting their Constitutions as well. He is one of the leading constitutional law experts, and it is a blessing to be associated with him here in Charlottesville. He even invited us back next year for another picnic. Loved this night and loved being with our friends who have become more like family here in Virginia.

on the soccer field

So much fun enjoying this spring weather with my boys on the field! 

Sometimes he likes to ride, sometimes he likes to push.

He loves to gather every dandelion and make a wish. That day he made several I think. (I make sure he blows them in the direction of the road so that he doesn't plant more ;).

Trying to figure out this whole bike thing

I can't wait to go to his sports games someday

Talk with Pop

Nate and I are both very lucky to have very supportive Dads. Apart from working with us, playing with us, and worshiping with us, they also took time with us to chat one on one. In Nate's family they called it 'Talk with Pop". In my family we called them Father - Daughter chats, or something like that :). We talked about our goals and how we were doing.

This Sunday Mason had his first 'Talk with Pop'. It was so cute to see how excited he was to have time just with Dad. They went over his weekly chart, and divided his money between his different envelopes of tithing, savings, mission, and spending. They also talked about his goals for this week. Mason and I decided to incorporate them into his chart for this week. He loved his time with his Daddy.

This little Stanley loves his oranges. This is him walking around with oranges on Sunday morning.

Mason got his first assignment to give a talk in primary. This is him practicing his talk with Daddy.  Is he giving talks in primary already??? He is growing up so fast. P.s. He's not wearing a shirt because we took it off during dinner time. We usually put other clothes on, but Stan was already taking a nap and we didn't want to wake him :).

Berry Waffles

As a little girl I used to wake up on Saturday mornings to the smell of my Dad's pancakes. That was his way of showing love and helping us get excited for a day of work in the garden. Even though I don't get to send my boys out to work on a farm, I still like to keep up the tradition of making Saturday morning pancakes (or waffles), and cleaning our house.

Here's the recipe:

http://www.boastfulbaker.com/2008/04/06/raspberry-waffles-might-be-better-than-blueberry-waffles/

(i used 1/4 c of greek yogurt and 1 c of water instead of the milk - and it made it so yummy)

Today I was a little disappointed because I was looking forward to attending two of my friends' baby showers, but instead I was asked to step in and help with the music at a funeral as no one else was available. I knew this was an answer to my prayers to serve, but instead of being grateful, I was feeling a bit selfish. Nate was kind enough to be my pianist, and another good friend watched our boys while we played (she is the best). My heart changed however while I was there. It was so good to play 'The Lord is my Shepherd' from the 23rd Psalm and feel Heaven's love for this family, even though I didn't know them. Even though in the beginning I wasn't excited about missing my friend's baby shower, I was so grateful I knew that I had done the right thing. After the funeral, the sister of the man who had passed away mentioned that her Mother who is not a member of our Church, had felt the spirit during that song. That made me so happy. I always hope that perhaps one person will be blessed by my music. It was fun to practice at home and have Stanley and Mason listen to us enjoy making music together. I hope they will get to make music together someday, too!

back on the farm

This week I took the boys to the park, and we happened to see a tractor there. I let my boys pretend to ride it for a second. It made their day. It brought back a rush of memories to my mind of my Dad letting me ride the tractor at our family farm in Utah. Those were the days. The hot sun, and time with my Dad. I love those days. I'm so happy that my boys appreciate country life as well. There are a gazillion pictures here - but I just thought they were so cute!!!! Mom problems.

One of the best parts about going to the Park today though, was meeting another Mom there from Nepal who was a refugee. It was so fascinating to hear about her experience, and how I could help refugees in general. It was an answer to prayer, because I have been wondering about how I could help. She answered some of my questions. IRC (International Rescue Committee). I've also enjoyed researching the website 'Iwasastranger.lds.org', that was put out by the Relief Society from the LDS Church. These refugees are extremely courageous. I admire them, and when I meet them, I think of my ancestors who were also refugees, as Pilgrims in Holland, and as Mormons in Quincy, Illinois. Those communities kept many of my ancestors safe and taken care of. They kept them alive. It was a time of trial, and others came to their aid. I am so grateful for them. I want to give back, and help others who might find themselves in similar situations - thrown out of their homes, and fleeing for their lives. If any of you have any other ideas of how I can help, please let me know!

going down the slide together

Having a go at it himself

Stan is off to the softball field again

These two!!! My heart.

Rainy Day Basket

As everyone knows, April showers bring May flowers, and when it rains, it makes it difficult to go outside sometimes. Charlottesville is green, but it does rain often. With the beauty comes the sacrifice :). That's why I keep this basket handy. Although I try to take my boys out every day to do something - to the park, to the store, to the library, or to a museum. In moments when we can't make it outside because of the cold, or rain - we like to pull out our basket. Inside I keep activities like play dough, bubbles, paper with scissors and glue, stickers, crayons, paint, etc. It has come to the rescue on many occasions - and I like to keep it right in my kitchen. That way, rainy days are fun days, too!

my little focussed Stanley...he has really been getting into painting lately :)

I divide them into gallon size bags, so I can pull them out for easy use.

Here it is with Nate's ice cream maker (which he pulled upstairs from the basement), right next to my wheat grinder. This is SO us you guys! I love that guy. Thank heaven for Nate!