It's Spring!!

A few weeks ago now, Elijah and I headed up to Washington with some friends. We stopped on the way to Seattle where we stayed with Katie and Jim. We got in late but we had a good visit in the morning before we headed out. Elijah and his cousin Jimmy really hit it off. It was really fun to get to see Jimmy and witness his astute personality first hand. He's darling. I was able to meet Audrey for the first time and she's such a doll. She was going through a clinging phase and didn't really want to be held by anyone but Mom or Dad. I persisted though and when Katie stepped away for a few minutes she warmed up to her aunt Ruth. I miss Katie and it's hard to be so far away from her. We didn't give her and Jim to much notice and I appreciate their accommodating us. When you are separated by time and distance even a few hours visit is worth while. And of course Katie and I stretched it out into the wee hours of the night until the call of the baby cut us short.

Jimmy trying to evade the camera.

At mom's house I was able to connect with Ramona and Aiden. The Mom and the "mini-me" are always fun to see. I'm sorry I didn't get any picture's of the two on the film that I've recently had developed. I have another camera I need to use up and hopefully I'll have some more pics in the near future. Ramona was so wonderful and provided transportation for both Dorothy and I. She's also been a huge source of support for Mom and Mark, which with her schooling has been a big juggling act for her. This is my call for applause. She's doing an outstanding job. Congratulations by the way on your acceptance to the University of Washington. Well done! I also got to see Jason who I haven't seen in a few years. It was great to see him. He is a great daddy and a wonderful companion to Ramona. Thank you.

Dorothy and I had a good visit while trying to organize and clean Mom's house. We basically staged things to be loaded up and moved into storage. We had great help from the Elders Quorum at their church and were able to move a truck full of boxes and furniture into storage. This has opened up some room at the house and will hopefully enable Mom and Dad to be able to be ready to go when the times comes for them to move. It was a good visit. Elijah and Gavin really enjoyed each other. In spite of the difference in age. Eli doted on Gavin, and Gavin looked up to Eli. It was great to connect and re-establish these family bonds. Such as The bond of Swiss Chocolate ice cream shared between cousins.

As Mark was in the hospital during this time we really didn't get to spend any quality time visiting him. I did spend several hours at the hospital with him and appreciated the care that he was receiving from the skilled nurses there at Swedish. Mom was able to rest easy (in a manner of speaking) knowing that they were working around the clock giving him the best care.

I'm sorry that I didn't have more time to spend with Mom. In spite of the brevity of our interaction together - it was a quality visit. I felt like I was able to provide valuable service to her. It's hard to be so far away because I'm limited in being able to do those kinds of things. I love my Mom and Mark so much. I know that they're are being blessed (in spite of the appearance of things). I hope that we won't always be separated by so many miles.

Yesterday was Mother's day. Usually this comes in the midst of spring - however Utah has had a difficult time deciding if spring has arrived this year. Yesterday my kids put on their swimsuits, put the sprinkler under the trampoline and decided that spring had arrived. Today the weather is hemming and hawing again. But we at least had some fun outside.

Later we went to Aaron's grandparent's to have a family Mother's day celebration. These pictures are from that time. Unfortunately before I had a chance to really take any variety of pictures, the new digital camera that Aaron and the kids got me for Mothers day, went kaput. So here's what I have. The guilty camera will be returned to Wal-Mart and hopefully replaced by a fully operational model. I hope this means that there will be regular posting of photos here. Only time will tell.

On this Mother's day I'd like to shout out to the special Mothers in my life. To my Mom who is the glue right now - you're amazing! Thanks for keeping it all together. She's been doing a great job taking care of her family for longer than I can remember. Most recently she's be keeping it together for Mark who has been struggling with major health problems. I love you and am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments!

For Lo, I am so glad that you have pulled dad down to the Southwest. I am grateful that the two of you have your Utopia to build together along with a beautiful array of friends, interests, and activities. Although you're not much (or any) closer than you were before it's nice to be able to head in a different direction to come and see you both. You have added great dimension to my life and given my a bold standard to measure myself by. I thank you for all of your love and support.

I also want to mention Aaron's mother Dani. She always has said that she picked me out from the first moment that I extended my hand to her (she was my co-worker) and said, "hi, I'm Ruth Roberts". She has been a great support to me and loves my in spite (and sometimes because) of my contrary-ness. And finally Aaron's grandmother Roene who has been a great example of love, loyalty, and hard work. I know that his family opened their hearts to me at a time where they were extremely vulnerable and I appreciate their trust and their love. I have grown to love them as my own family.

Motherhood is a curse and a blessing. A curse because once you're in you're hooked for life and beyond. A blessing because it's a bond to your children, other children, and other mothers. I believe that motherhood binds the world together - for the most part. I've got a long way to go with becoming the best mother I can. But the more I try the better I do. Thanks to all the mother's in my life for their great examples. I'm learning!