We started our week off at the new house with the inspectors. I looked at flooring options for the basement while they did their work. Some minor repairs need to be done, but the current owners are going to take care of most of it (including repairing our replacing the roof). I was sick most of the week. I did my best to get ready for Beverly’s baptism and having both sets of parents here, but I will admit, my house wasn’t as clean as I usually make it before guests because I just couldn’t do it. It’s kind of humbling when your body won’t cooperate as much as you want it to. Thursday, I felt awful. I was nervous that I was going to feel that awful all weekend, but my a tender mercy, I woke up Friday morning feeling much better and continue to feel better each day. I was able to enjoy our parents and Beverly’s baptism day. It was a beautiful service. Both grandmas gave talks that were heart felt and touching. The music was beautiful by my friend Krista and Maverick, and Beverly looked beautiful. The spirit was very strong. When she received the Holy Ghost, she was blessed to be a nurturing mother that would remind the world through her example of the importance of mothers. I was very touched by that sentiment. Our world often struggles to value women unless we are “doing it all.” It used to be uncomfortable for me to answer the question, “What do you do?” Now, I answer in confidence: I raise four beautiful children. It is interesting that now they are in school full time I am more confident in that answer than when I was in the thick of baby and toddler-hood when they needed my help in every physical endeavor. Now that they are in school, I find that I am tremendously busy after school, but even while they are in school, my days are filled with errands, doctor appointments, keeping myself and my house running, and when I’m in my normal routine: my writing. But I still value my work as a mother. I wish that our world would celebrate it more, because it is easy to get caught up in the “am I achieving anything?” When you don’t see your children progress overnight. It doesn’t come with a paycheck. Most of the time you don’t get awards or acclamations… except for the very precious mother day cards that when asked “What does your mom like to do in her free time?” They answer, “Clean my room.” While I do like his room to be clean, cleaning it is not my favorite thing, but yet, the fact that Harvey thought that I liked cleaning his room brought a smile to my face. I am glad that they think I like helping them with their chores. I know that Beverly will be a wonderful mother someday. She already thrives on nurturing her brothers–even if she does pester them sometimes. Beverly had a lot of practices this week for her upcoming recital. I really think she’s improved a lot this year. She has such beautiful long limbs, that it’s fun to see her do ballet.
We got to celebrate Beverly’s baptism with a bang! It was Thunder over Evans this weekend (which is why I picked this date for Beverly’s baptism so everyone could come see the show). I was floored at the show last year and wanted Andy and our parents to be able to experience it too. I was right in assuming that it would blow them away too (quite literally as the explosions were felt from clear across the park). The day and night was incredible, even if Andy had to step in and breakup a gang fight leaving some dumb kid’s blood on his shorts. I told him that these kids were really stupid to pick a fight in the middle of a crowd of veterans. There was another gang fight after that one, but once the fireworks started they seemed to knock it off. It was giving me flashbacks to my time as a student teacher in one of the most challenging middle schools in Houston.
Harvey graduated from Kindergarten, which was mostly sweet, but a tiny bit sad for me as he is my last kid to go through kindergarten. Five to six year olds are such a fun stage. I’ve really enjoyed this stage with him. He is counting down the days till we move into the new house so he can have his very own big boy room.
A little painted turtle crossing the road on my way out of our new neighborhood after the house inspection. It’s a sign ;). In our household, turtles are good luck. 
I still love hanging out with my parents. Watching shows with them reminds me of my time as a teen. We’d often watch period dramas together in the evenings. 
Grandkids saying goodbye. They sure love their grandparents!