A new Spring

Finally the lull of my life has ended. For months I have not wanted to engage in anything on my down days other than Netflix and my computer. But alas, I just recovered from a week of the flu and new life has beseiged my soul. I up and applied to finish my BYU degree through the BGS program they offer (I only have 25 credits till I have my bachelors.) I've planned to do that for years, so why the ambition now? I actually feel driven to move forward in my Hebrew studies so doors will open easier to return to Israel, and this is what urged me to send in my application.

I started reading again. After creeping through two or three books this last half a year that I still haven't finished and turning down month after month of two different book clubs, I picked up a book called The Faith Club which I have wanted to read for years. It's engaging for me since it talks about the relationship between Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

I am working on several songs with my voice teacher in anticipation of a Spring/Summer concert at the temple visitors center in Maryland. Two of the songs are in Italian (considerably easier to learn than French) including a long time favorite, "O Mio Babbino".

I started a personal history at dad's request, so that he can include it in his own autobiography. Dad asked for four or five pages from each of us, however I am at six just on my first eight or so years of life. I am really enjoying this, and trying to make it well written.

Along with this project I have felt a renewed fervor for scrapbooking which I haven't done for years. I want to put together my own pre-married life scrapbook now, since each of the boys have one of their early childhood years.

And now, here I am in my jammies at 11:30 Saturday morning working on my third post for the day. You know, it must be that I am finally on top of this virus that layed me and my kids up for a week.

Anyhow, we'll see how long this motivation to be overly occupied lasts. Life is so full, so rich already, these distractions can most often add to the joy but can on occassion get in the way. I think the ebb and flow of it all is natural and good, and if one thing is certain, we should not feel required to overextend ourselves by comparing or guilt.

Happy Spring! We look forward to our cherry blossom and Dogwood visitors!

Creme Brulee

We had a fun evening of making creme brulee. I bought the torch two years ago but only now got it out of the box. It was Jonny's idea. He begged me for a week and later admitted he just wanted to try the torch. But the dessert was delicous! I try creme brulee at restaurants whenever I can and endorse the Zoom creme brulee in Park City, perhaps also available at the Tree Room at Sundance. But ours was pretty darn good. We put a little too much sugar on top, but as a whole, with fresh berries, it was a success. I ate two and a half.

Knights in Shining Armor

Na na na na na na na na na na na na....BATMAN!

Matthew as Iron Man with the tin foil rolls for weapons.

The wicked pringleator!

Weilding the swords with my meat mallet.

My boys love weapons. It's all about the gear! I would rather put it this way than to say that they are violent. They just really dig action. Last week I bought three boxes of aluminium foil and they forged swords and armor for themselves, (and Peter put on his Batman gear.)