Let's Go Fly a Kite

If you haven't flown a kite recently you probably should.  Montana is always so windy this time of year and last Saturday we took full advantage of the wind.  I've never seen such a big smile on our little girls face.  She had so much fun and later wrote about it in her journal.  It's moments like this that make me think of Mary Poppins and the magic of kite flying.  It brought all of my best childhood memories to the forefront of my mind, when Saturdays seemed to go on forever and never end.  We would rollerblade till the sun went down, build forts, play baseball, basketball, soccer, and wade in the irrigation ditches.  We walked to the fruit stand almost daily with the money we found in the couches, coming home with Surprise Bags, Tootie Fruities, Sour Patch Watermelons, and occasionally a peach that Sister Stratton would offer.  We were always off on another grand adventure, thinking back it makes me miss my siblings.  

As a Mom I hope I'm providing the same childhood experiences for Audrey.  I feel like in some sense it lies on my shoulders because she has no siblings to do those things with.  I'm the one out with her saving the worms from near death on the sidewalk after a rain storm.  The one rolling down hills with her in the park.  The one riding bikes and swinging with her.  I hope that I'm a good replacement for now.  I'm happy we are so close and I'm glad she's keeping me young.  

I'd have to say that kite flying is among my favorites.  Last Saturday almost lasted forever, just like it used to. :)

One year older and hopefully wiser...

Paul asked me a month ago what I wanted to do for my birthday.  I didn't know.  For weeks I thought about it but never arrived to any ideas.  I don't do well on decision making when the options are endless.  In the end Paul made me breakfast which was so good.  He knows how to make the most amazing Spanish tortilla with sausage and a good Spanish cheese on the side....I could eat it all day!      I opened a gift and watched Audrey decorate the house.  For lunch we headed to Texas Roadhouse, and then to Costco where we bought some books to read.  We were going to go to a movie but ultimately decided to come home, finish opening gifts, and eat cake.  Paul bought me a nail kit so Audrey and I sat an did our nails all afternoon.  Later, Paul watched Aqua-man with me and we ate more cake.  I received so many calls and messages from family and friends who were so sweet to reach out to me on my day.  Thanks for making it a special day guys!  

I feel so blessed in so many ways but mostly this year, I'm grateful that we are here with each other and that we have today.  Every moment spent with Paul and Audrey is a blessing.  I love them so stinking much!  Happy Birthday to me!  

Audrey

Last week I was looking back at posts from when I first started this blog.  I was so grateful in that moment for the things I have written which have long since faded from my memory.  Sometimes I feel like some of my sisters and I are the last of the blogging world.  Instagram isn't enough for me.  I need a place to write my thoughts and this is the easiest journal I've ever kept.  Someday soon I hope to print these pages in a book.  I know for Audrey it would be the most loved book in our house.  Her favorite thing is to sit in my lap as I write and then she begs for me to read previous posts.

Last night I was thinking about how much Audrey has grown. She is so tall and so independent.  Her incessant loud singing warms my heart except for when it's vocal warm ups that go on and on and on, the blessings of having a mother who is a voice teacher I guess.  

She loves to make people laugh, including herself.  I've noticed over the last week that she'll say something and then if she thinks she was especially clever or funny she'll repeat it to herself in a low murmuring tone and then giggle to herself.  I find myself smiling every time I overhear her doing it. 

She has a voracious appetite for learning by reading.  She has read all of the children's scripture readers at least ten times each.  She's getting closer to baptism age and because of that she's had a lot of questions...as she should.  I love answering her questions and teaching her but sometimes I fear that I'm not good enough.  I pray often that Heavenly Father will qualify me for my role as her mother. 

As I talked with my sisters and listened to this last general conference I received the answers I felt I needed to answer her questions.  As a result we've begun an adventure of seeking truth which has been just as good for me as it has been for her.  We've been reading the Book of Mormon together daily. When we finish reading and discussing our chapter for the day we draw pictures of what it was about in the margins and over the verses in colored pencils.  She has grown to love our study time together. I hope in the end her questions are answered.  I hope that she feels the spirit often as we read and especially as she asks if what she read is true. 

I love that she challenges me everyday and I'm learning right along with her.     

Spring Zoo Trip

I have a good friend who's a super busy doctor.  It's not often that she gets time off during the day.  I was so happy when she called to invite us to the zoo with her.  It was the best field trip for Audrey and it was good for both of us to step away from the daily grind of school. 

I told Audrey that I was going to try to put together a field trip a month for the last couple months of school.  Wish me luck, there's not much to available in this little town of mine.  I have no problems going on nature walks though.  :)

The zoo was super fun.  The one here is pretty small but it's such a beautiful quiet place.  Especially in the spring before school lets out.  We met and touched a hog nose snake.  We saw a Kookaburra bird which made it's creepy bird sound for us.  Look them up online.  Most of the time their sound is something that could come out of a haunted house.  We saw a lot of other birds and snakes and then it was on to the farm animals where we met a horse, a crazy goat, a peacock, and some lamas.  

The new exhibit of buffalo had one buffalo.... I giggled a little.   Then we met a lion, red panda, wolverine, grizzly bear, eagles, and a lynx.  When we got to the wolves they seemed so tame that I offered to take one home and trade in Poppy.  She would put on a better show for the zoo comers I'm sure.  I pictured quiet days with my pet wolf sleeping peacefully.  

It was a beautiful spring day with good friends and lots of giggling from these two little girls. This week I guess I wasn't aware of the my need for a friend.  I'm so glad Anna invited us out.  She truly has been such a good friend to me.  When I need a someone she always seems to call and invite me over to cook with her.  We make extravagant baked goods and then eat them while we chat.  When we leave here I will miss her.  I wish I could take all my friends a long with me every time I move.

After the zoo we shopped together and ate lunch.  I think I'm going to make a habit of schooling outside where I can feel the sun on my face.  Until next time friends...I hope all of you are enjoying the spring weather as much as I am.