Happy Birthday Ruth

This is a picture of Rebekah, with my Aunty Ruth & Uncle Gordon,
taken few weeks ago in their back garden.

Today is a big day for Ruth - it is her 70th birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RUTH

Ruth is my Dad's older sister, and has been an amazing big sister to him, and wonderful Aunt to us. I remember lots of fun times with them when I was younger and we all lived in England - but even after we moved they took many a vacation to foreign lands - only to spend the entire trip helping my parents work on their house or garden! Even when they visited me (in 2007) Ruth worked like a maniac cooking, cleaning and doing all my ironing! Seriously, you want Ruth as a house guest.

In addition to being all around super organized and energetic, Ruth keeps track of all of us, never misses birthdays, writes lovely long letters regularly, AND reads all our blogs! Really, it's one thing when your brother gets married and has 8 kids to keep track of them all - but when they all get married and have kids too ... amazing.

It's evening here now, so late in England and Ruth, you are probably in bed. I hope you've had a wonderful day and were spoiled rotten - you deserve every minute of it. We love you.

T-Ball

While I was at swimming with Emily, Rick took Jacob to his first ever T-ball practice. He is so excited to be playing T-ball! His team name starts with the word "mud" and you get to throw a ball lots!!! Two of his friends are on the same team as him - which makes it even better !

Fortunately for us, one of those friends has a sister on Emily's swim team and we car pool - so now whomever is driving for swimming, the other can drive for T-ball ....

Not all of the games are on Saturday mornings, so I'll be able to go to many of them and I'll be taking him to practice. Other than that, Rick is on T-ball duty and couldn't be happier.

My big boy playing ball - a very good thing.

100 Laps

This amazing little eight year old swam a mile and a half today!
Non stop. In an hour.

On Emily's All Star team, they had a "mile challenge" back in December - 66 laps of the pool in an hour. Emily did 68 and I was so proud of her - so was she when she got her certificate.

Today was the "mile and a half" challenge, 99 laps. I was nervous for her. This was 31 more laps than she had done just 4 months ago. Could she do it? 31 laps more is a lot.

When it comes to swimming, I totally live vicariously through my children. I love to swim. I am a good swimmer - but these days am too out of shape to do more than a dozen laps and then gasp for breath for 20 minutes, but even when I was in good shape, I was never a great swimmer. I love to watch Emily swim - especially freestyle, which is her best stroke. Her technique is perfect, she has a great stroke and is just beautiful to watch.

Well, she did it. She swam 100 laps, which she is sure to point out was more than a mile and a half. Her stroke was perfect all 100 laps, which I knew was just pure determination by the end. I snapped this picture with my phone as she came out of the pool, tired but happy.

I love you Emy and am SO proud of you.

Urinetown

Ok, I confess.
I am currently unable to keep up with my own life.
The one I created. The children I bore. The activities I signed up for.
Sigh.

So my blog is totally neglected - which I wouldn't care about, except it is a great way to keep a record for my kids and keep in touch with far away friends and family. I hope to regroup, get back to being organized and catch up the blog. Eventually.

Until then, I had to let you know that tonight is opening night for

It's all we've been thinking / talking / singing about over at our place.
If you live near me head over to the High School for some great entertainment
and to see bek in action!

Friday and Saturday at 8pm. Sunday at 2pm.
Tickets available at the door - but they're already 1/2 sold with advance sales, so be early to be sure you get a seat.

You're awesome bek!

Easter

We've had a beautiful Easter.

A wonderful Sacrament meeting where the primary children sang - and their spirit was so sweet it brought me to tears.

A lovely dinner with Mum and our neighbor, Elaine.

Many opportunities to feel so blessed today, and so grateful for the atonement.

You can see this on You-Tube or on the church's website,
but on this special day, I also wanted to put it on here.