Easter!!

We were fortunate to have several family members in town for Easter: Jase and Ellen and their two boys, Evan and Eli, Jared, and Janelle. Saturday morning Jenna, Josh, and I went to go clean the church, because it was our group's turn (again). We had gone the last two times without Rick since he had been out of town and so I thought, "finally, he will be there to help this time!" But apparently he had a meeting at 8:00 am which ended up going two hours and so he was not there again. I was a little miffed about that.  

We came back and ate lunch and then did a little Easter egg hunt for Evan, Eli, and Roze (Shantell Boulter's daughter). Janelle had gone to a bridal shower for her boyfriend's future sister-in-law, and so she missed it. Josh had gone to play pickleball, but made it back in time. It was fun watching the kids do their Easter egg hunt. Apparently this was like Evan's 5th Easter egg hunt, or something like that, ha ha. He had even done one at the park that morning. Rick went shopping and bought the food for tomorrow. Then I realized that I hadn't planned anything for dinner Saturday night and wished I had added that to the list. Janelle and I put together a pasta, chicken dish from whatever we had in the pantry and freezer.

Then Rick and I babysat the boys while Jase and Ellen went out. Grandpa must have the magic touch because both boys went right down for him at 8:00! He gave them a bath, put them in their PJ's, and had a mini movie party with popcorn, and then put them to bed! 

Sunday, March 31st was Easter. We had the kids come out for their Easter baskets. Ellen had put together cute baskets filled with toys for Evan and Eli. Rick had gotten Maracas for the kids in Mexico during this last cruise. Ellen made cute bunny pancakes for those who were eating. It was fast Sunday for us because of General Conference next weekend. I was a little disappointed that they put our fast Sunday on Easter because it messed up the usual musical program. I guess not all wards had fast Sunday today, and so maybe it was up to each Stake to decide when they would have it, I don't know. 

I had several musical numbers planned for Easter, but then we had to move it up a week, which changed things, since those who were planning on being in town for Easter were not planning on being in town for the 24th. So we only ended up with two musical numbers last week for our Easter program. Jenna, Clarissa and Audrey Williams, Kinzie Anderson, and Sophie Rasmussen sang "Risen." Rebecca Gulbranson had put it together and accompanied them. It is a really pretty song! It was nice of Rebecca to give up her time in order to put it together. Paige Allred also sang a beautiful arrangement of "I Stand All Amazed" with Brooke Ence accompanying. It was beautiful! It was a nice program last week though, and the talks were all really good. 

Today we had Rebecca and Shauntel Anderson do an organ and piano duet of "He is Risen" with the congregation singing for the closing song. That was really nice too. Even though I was a little disappointed at having fast Sunday today, it was a really nice meeting with lots of neat testimonies shared. Josh even shared his testimony, which was a very nice surprise, as that is the first time he has ever shared his testimony in sacrament meeting (I think anyway). Juanita Frei, a sweet older lady in our ward, passed away very early this morning and so several of the testimonies talked about that. They had been expecting it for a few weeks, but I guess she decided to wait until Easter morning! 

Jase and Ellen and their boys left to head home before church, but everyone else came. After church we came home and had a nice dinner with ham, cheesy potatoes, salad, vegies, rolls, and pie for dessert. I took a nap and went for a walk and then Jenna and I drove Janelle to Washington Fields to bring Janelle to meet up with Bryton, so that he wouldn't have to drive all the way to Santa Clara to pick her up. It was nice because Jenna got some driving practice and I got to meet most of Bryton's family, so that was fun! They seem like a great family! 

Rick had been out of town all week and it had been a busy, stressful week for me, with a lot going on at work. This was his second cruise this month. He and I got into a tense, emotional exchange over the weekend, which definitely put a damper on my Easter. We didn't even have an Easter lesson like we usually do. But we finally had a long talk Sunday evening and discussed a lot of things. We were able to clear the air and have an enjoyable evening together after that. I was glad that we could talk things out, because I hate it when things are tense! 

Soccer Games!!

Ellen had come down the week before Easter with the boys and stayed with her parents and siblings at a place in Washington since it was their Spring Break. Jase joined them late Thursday night and we were able to spend some time with them over the weekend.

Thursday was a stressful day at work. I had just found out a couple of days ago about a presentation on campus that would require interpreters today. We were already short on interpreters since a couple of interpreters were out of town this week and almost everyone else was already working. So I had to interpret for it and do some re-arranging to get my regular class covered. I was a little nervous for the presentation, but it went well. There was just a lot going on today and several last minute changes to the schedule, which was stressful. Later in the afternoon, after work, I went to my friend's adoption party (they had just adopted two children). It was a ways away and I had Jenna drive me there for driving practice. 

I brought Jenna to and from dance (with her driving for driving practice) and then we went to Josh's soccer game. Ellen and Evan were already there. Jenna's dance was scheduled to finish later than usual tonight and then still went over and so I was chomping at the bit because I didn't want to miss the game! We didn't make it to the game until halftime, but I was glad that we made it for the second half. Josh's team played Desert Hills. It was a close game, which is always nerve-wracking, and we ended up winning by just one point. It was exciting with the lights and music and lots of cheering! It was so much fun -- just what I needed after a busy, stressful day! 

Jenna, Snowboarding

Jenna went snow boarding for the very first time today! She went with the young men and young women to Brian Head. She LOVED it!! Now she wants to buy all the gear and so again, ha ha! She is also very sore!! 

Jenna's write up: 

I got to go on a snowboarding/skiing trip with the youth from my ward and it was SO FUNNN!!!! At first I was a little nervous about snowboarding because everyone said it was very difficult to learn but I was so glad I chose it. Since I had never been before, my young women’s leader, Paige, said she would teach me. It was a bit terrifying because my feet were strapped to the board in the boots, and it was hard to control. We had to get on the ski lift before I even knew how to snowboard. I was dead. Me and Clarissa were on either side of Paige and we both pushed into her and we all came crashing down hahaha. At the top of the hill she started to teach us what to do to keep balance and stuff. Clarissa got it down pretty good and left down the hill. 

Paige’s son Ethan came up to her as she was teaching me and said that the guy he was teaching just wasn’t getting it at all. She said, “I will go help him, and you help Jenna.” I was so scared at this moment because me and Ethan liked each other the year before, and things didn’t end well so I was sure he hated me. But he ended up being a really good teacher and he wouldn’t let me give up even if it hurt. I was so surprised at how much fun I was having with him and how we clicked so easily again. Clarissa and Andrew were snowboarding together and so were me and Ethan and I was so happy. Me and Ethan started texting again after snowboarding, but I eventually stopped texting him because I didn’t want last year to repeat itself.

Each Life that Touches Ours For Good

Friday 16: Today the kids were out of school for a teacher work day, so they got to sleep in! Rick and I still had work. I interpreted for several hours at UT and then hurried home for a quick meal and then Rick and I went to an interpreting workshop at the deaf center for three hours. It was on how to interpret for deaf-blind people. It was really hard! Then we went home and fixed dinner. We were planning on doing something with Janelle and Bryton tonight, but they ended up getting here really late. Rick was going to bed when they finally arrived. We met Bryton and visited with him and Janelle for a bit. He seems like a nice guy! 

Janelle and Bryton went on a hike to Elephant Arch this morning and then they came here for a couple of hours to eat lunch and practice the song for the musical number with Jenna. Janelle and Jenna are singing, "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good." 

 

Jared came down with Hallie's family and they dropped him off for a while this afternoon, which was nice so that we could get the scoop as to what is going on with those two! Then I drove dad to the airport for his cruise! 

Sunday 18: This morning Jenna and Janelle practiced their song some more and Rebecca Gulbranson came over to go through it with them a few times. They sang, "Each Life That Touches Ours For Good." I think it is a really pretty song, and they did a great job -- especially for just learning it the day before. They got tons of compliments on it. 

It was nice to come home from church and take a nap!! Janelle left to go to some activities with Bryton's family and then came back for an hour or so in the evening to go to a practice with Jenna for an Easter song that a group of YW from the ward are doing. They are singing "Risen" by Shawna Edwards. It is really pretty! 

Our family is going to sing for Easter also. We will do "Easter Hosanna/I Know That My Redeemer Lives," an arrangement that Rick wrote years ago. (Side note, we didn't end up singing the Easter Hosanna song because Easter ended up being on Fast Sunday and so we had to move the Easter program to the week before and our family members who were in town for Easter were not in town the week before Easter!) 

Monday 19: Today was President's day and I had the day off work and the kids had the day off school. So that was nice!! Tomorrow will be back to busy!! 

Spring Break!!

Spring Break was pretty chill this year. Rick was gone on a work-cruise (interpreting). He said it was pretty easy (unlike the one he did in February, which was extremely busy). 

Josh had soccer training for the Snow Canyon High School soccer team Monday through Wednesday. Part of their activities included a hike up the Turtle Wall trail, pickleball, a motivational speaker, an alumni game, a polar plunge, awards etc. 

Monday, Jenna and I went with Allison and Clarissa and Audrey for a little hike in Snow Canyon. Snow Canyon is SO incredibly beautiful! We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful area!  

Then we went to a place called "Berries and Cream" in the outlets. I had never been there before. You just pick what berries you want and then what kind of cream you want and that is it! It was really good! 

Then the girls wanted to go to Fashion Runway since we were right by it. Jenna ended up getting a whole bunch of t-shirts!!

Tuesday I ended up interpreting most of the day. I had a medical appointment in the morning and then ended up at a last minute job at the hospital in the afternoon. Jenna and I had prepared a gluten free lasagna yesterday and then I cooked it tonight when I got back from the hospital. Jenna's friends were over and so we all ate some and then I ran Jenna and her friends over to the movie theater because they had tickets to go see a horror movie called, Imaginary. 

During this time I started to feel SO sick to my stomach!! I decided to go for a walk to see if that would help. It didn't. I finally decided to go check the ingredients of the lasagna noodles. Rick had purchased a whole case of gluten free lasagna noodles for us. Well, turns out that they were NOT gluten free! This particular brand carries both gluten free and regular noodles and the packaging looks exactly the same except for the gluten free has a gluten free label on it. I remembered that he had ordered them for us and didn't check the label. Lesson learned -- ALWAYS check the ingredients!! 

I was finally able to throw up and that helped reduce some of the discomfort. My eyes started swelling up and I thought, "Oh no, not again!" Last time this happened it lasted for three days! Thankfully it didn't swell up too bad and was okay the next day. I was grateful for that. Now we have an entire lasagna in the fridge that Jenna and I can't eat. And a whole case of non-gluten free lasagna noodles that we can't eat! Ugh!! Somehow, thankfully Jenna didn't get sick tonight! 

Jenna came home and slept with me because you know -- scary movie and all that. She also slept with me the past couple of nights since Rick was gone. I was okay with that, ha ha! 

Wednesday Jenna went with Clarissa and Audrey to get their nails done. Allison had set up appointments for all of us, but when I learned how expensive it was I bowed out. I am not a nail person and had no idea how much it cost!! Jenna's came to $70.00! To me that is a total waste of money!! I met them all at Costa Vida for lunch when they were finished and then ran over to the hospital again for another last minute appointment (gotta pay for those nails somehow, right? Haha!) 

Wednesday night Josh and I went to see Legally Blond at St. George Musical Theater. We went to support Bridget Layton in it. It was really cute! 

Thursday I brought Jenna driving and then she spent the rest of the day with friends (Josh, Manny, Bria, Claire). I picked her up from Target that evening and she drove to Cortnie's house. I was glad that we did our hike on Monday, because today was cold! Friday I worked and ran errands. Jenna hung out with friends and I brought them all to the mall. I got a night to myself and watched a Hallmark movie. Josh worked at Tuacahn Thursday through Saturday. 

Saturday I worked in the yard for a few hours and filled up a whole garbage can with weeds. The little girl from next door came over and helped, it was so cute. She is around 9 years old. But she only speaks Spanish and so we couldn't really communicate except for hand gestures. 

Saturday night Jenna helped to serve food at Drue and Colin's reception from 6:30 to 10:30. She said it was so much fun!! 

The reception was so pretty! It was cold, but at least it didn't rain! It was been raining off and on throughout the day and so I was worried that it might rain during the reception. It held off though -- tender mercies! They had heater's set up throughout the reception. 

It was set up so that you walk through the Allred's backyard (through an archway of lights) into the Gulbranson's back yard (since their yards are back to back). Drue and Colin had their infamous cars on display and also had platforms set up with vintage furniture. They had decorations and photos on display. They even served a full dinner -- brisket, pork, salad, rolls, and drinks. They also had churros. (The dinner is what Jenna and her friends helped with.)  There It was fun to see a lot of our friends from our old ward. After the reception I went to Mari Purdy's birthday party. It was fun to visit with her and see her kids. I also visited with Michelle Joines, who I haven't seen in a long time.  

Sunday was a really busy day for me. I got called to fill it at a last minute interpreting job (for another church meeting). Then I hurried to our ward for Roy and Karen's missionary Homecoming. They did a great job and Jenny Awerkamp sang "This is the Christ," and did a beautiful job. After church I hurried to help Josh with his mission papers. He said that he only had like one thing left, but there was a lot more left than that, so we were scrambling to try and finish before his appointment with the Bishop. 

I was trying to hurry and scan in all of the forms and upload them and the website kept saying that the files were too big. Finally we got everything done and he met with the Bishop. Now he just needs to wait for the Stake President to contact him, and at that appointment his papers can be submitted! Exciting! 

Anyway, after all that I took a nap and Jenna surprised me by fixing dinner. Yay, Jenna!!! We had a nice taco dinner and then I hurried to the church for the RS Devotional. It was good, but went over time and I was stressing a little because I still had a lot to do. I came home and Josh taught the Come Follow Me lesson and then I picked up Rick from the shuttle place since he was just getting home from his Cruise. He got delayed and so I had to wait around for him for twenty minutes. I should have not left until he told me he was closer. Oh well. Busy day!! 

Monday the kids had ANOTHER day off since it was a teacher work day. I was scheduled to work all day, but then most of my classes cancelled since one of the students was sick. That worked out well for me, because I needed to go shopping and get food for the Josh's team night tonight. I drove Jenna to dance and then brought the food over. Then we had our weekly call with Jaiden and then picked Jenna up. Then we had a family meeting tonight to discuss the church history trip this summer. So....that was my Spring Break!! 

Janelle: A Series of Unfortunate Exams

 You will have to listen to her voice memo for the context!