What am I doing?

The series of events goes a little like this.... Dr. Horbach (my surgeon) says, "You look great! Live your life!!". I come home happy and relieved. I go to the gym and tinker around for a couple of days and then, it happens... I LOOKED at my house. The three months of "waiting" have piled up everywhere. EVERYWHERE!!!

It is no one's fault. I didn't expect anyone to go through our STUFF. The pantry, my kids' closets, the dining room, the laundry room... Stuff everywhere. I am, however, not discouraged. I am empowered. I let it sit for months and months so I could heal and now.... I am on the road to a better me. It was all worth it and I am happy.

Eric is out of town for an extended period of time. Perfect timing actually. I have started to dig out and feel great about it. The lack of sleep is worth it. If he were home, I would want to be with him so... I am being quite productive.

I do get distracted. I see other projects and start on them. I have been hanging stuff all over my house, something that is usually Eric's job. We are starting on Eric's office soon and I finally want my house to look "complete". I am going to spend some serious money and am excited about that too!! Anyway, the dining room table is lingering the longest because paper takes so much thought and energy from me. I am a paper addict and all of it is important. Filing it away or throwing it away takes so much effort, but my goal is to have it done and that entire room cleaned out by Monday (when Eric my love comes home).

I feel so blessed, busy and happy. I haven't been this happy for a long, long time. I am focused and reassured of my path. I love my family. I even love the paper. I am so thankful for a healthy recovery. Normally my blog is really about my awesome boys, but sometimes it is about little ole me. I have a lot ahead of me and a big smile to prove it!!

Priesthood Preview.

On Sunday, Eric and I attend Priesthood Preview. Coleman will be turning 12 in October and will receive the Aaronic Priesthood. A good father and friend in our ward gave such a sweet, meaningful talk to the boys. He said that there are four events in these boys' lives that are pinnacle to their plan and path in life. They are 1) Getting baptized into the church, 2) receiving the Aaronic priesthood at 12, 3) going on a mission/receiving the Melchizedek priesthood, and finally 4) getting married in the temple. Four wonderful and necessary goals and events to either have done or to look forward to.

I sat there listening with my heart so full of love for my son Coleman. He is such a good boy and is growing up so fast. He has such a sweet, sensitive, deep soul. I also was completely moved by the spirit I felt during the meeting. I am so blessed to be a Latter Day Saint and know that I do have a plan while on this earth. Heavenly Father knows ME and loves ME. I have struggled with so many changes for the last couple of years and sometimes forget this. It is so nice to be reminded and then to want my children to have the same realization. I am so thankful for the gospel and for the priesthood. Coleman and my boys are surrounded by so many wonderful, worthy men. I couldn't ask for more. We are also blessed with good family.

I am working hard to be a better, kinder mother. I love my children more than anything or anyone (except Eric, my soul mate) in life. They are each a gift. I sometimes dread them growing up. Time flies by and I want it to slow down. I am grateful that they will grow up in the gospel, knowing the importance of choosing the right and loving their brother Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven. Life is good.

Batter up!!

Gabe has just started t-ball. He is having fun and has a lot of friends on the team. It is bound to be an interesting ( hee hee) and exciting season.

Go Athletics!!!

There is beauty all around,

When there's love at home.

And you know, there is a lot of love when the Pavuks are around!!
I didn't take a lot of pics this week.... not sure why.
But I will make up for it when we venture to Maine this summer and have our annual two week stint at Owlettes.
We had a lot of fun with our dear friends.
I appreciate their love, help and most importantly their friendship.

Did I mention...

that Tate is playing 10 memorized songs at Guild?
Wow and double wow!!

Both boys are AMAZING at piano. It is hard to believe that this is only their 2nd school year playing. Coleman is a very strong, serious player and Tate can memorize any song in a short, short period of time. They impress us both so much. They have a wonderful, skilled teacher. Guild is in 4 weeks and then they have recital. I will post some video of my little darlings playing so they can knock your socks off too!! I love you Coleman and Tate!!

Good news!

I went to my surgeon and all is well!!

I am so happy and thankful to many!!

We're going to the zoo zoo zoo.

How about you you you?

You can come to to to.
We're going to the zoo zoo zoo.... with THE PAVUKS!!

Yipee!!

Sadly, Finn and I stayed home. It was a little cold for my bones and Finn desperately needed a long nap (which he got). Afterwards we played a little toddler basketball in the freezing cold.

We sure are glad the Pavuks are here for spring break! We love love love them!!

Mother and FATHER Goose

Birds of a feather flock together,
And so will pigs and swine.
Rats and mice will have their choice,
And so will I have mine.
~Mother Goose rhymes

Our choice is CHICKENS and GUINEAS. Look at all the action. The chickens are cute, but the guineas are adorable. They are the smallest guineas we have ever hatched. We have two rare, white females and I think we got a couple of white offspring. Darling.

Watching these little birdies is a sweet testament to the wonder and beauty of life. They struggle and peck to break out and after they finally make it out, they lay in their own filth... exhausted, relieved and I would like to think happy. I can relate to that! We learn big lesson from small happenings. Life is definitely good!!

Gabriel loves to watch the chickies hatch. He is very patient. He is also a little rough with them once they are out... but you can't have everything. (O:

The first chicken to hatch

Almost....

A new member of our family!

Notice the drool on the chin. I love that!

Finn is saying, "Egg!"

One week old keet

11 chickies and 5 keets (with 13 more incubating)

I helped this guy break out. You are not supposed to help them, but it struggled for days and was looking quite hopeless. He/she seems fine and was only about 3 inches when born. So small and sweet. I simply could not help myself.

Sunny fun day

Thanks Julie for the great pics!!

Spring is bliss!!

Au Revoir Sweet Julie

Sweet Julie had to go back to BYU-Idaho. Sad. She was very helpful and we miss her terribly. The boys adored her, but Finn really took to her and loved her so. I am very appreciate of her service, kindness, time and patience that she rendered to my family.
Thanks Julie!!

The British are coming, the British are coming!!!

For the past 10 years, the 5th grade at Darnestown Elementary School has studied and participated in Colonial Days. This was our first one and I hope all my children get to be colonial boys at DES. The parents and teachers build a mock (and quite impressive) village. The children dress in costume and spend the day at Colonial Day centers and even eat an authentic Colonial lunch. In the evening we returned to Colonial Darnestown to watch the 5th grade vignettes.

In a few weeks, they will all go to Williamsburg to finish the unit. It is wonderful and I am so glad that Coleman and hopefully my other boys get to learn hands on about our founding forefathers and the important era of their time.

Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom. ~John Adams, Defense of the Constitutions, 1787

I really love....

our new sandbox!!

Built by Daddy with love.

Finn is one happy, snappy boy!!

We love the evil green knight!!

We went to Medieval Times with the Markoff/Hansen crew. It was really fun! Our knight was a "bad guy", but he was a great performer. Evil or not, he was our man!!! Go green knight!!

Smarty pants

Eric knows our boys inside and out. He dashed out late Saturday, tired and spent only to come back home with treasures galore. On Sunday morning, the boys scampered around the house searching for their baskets and then after finding them carefully went through each gift with awe and excitement. Eric is a smarty pants in all the positive sense! I am impressed and happy that he can do this with such ease and knowledge of our boys' different personalities and desires.

Thanks Eric. You are wonderful.
We are ALL very happy!!