There are weeks, and then there are weeks! This has been one of those weeks. So many ups and downs. I was totally taken by surprise at how emotional and heavy the passing of my dad was for me. After talking with Dad and Becca, I came to realize that I was grieving and mourning for what should have or could have been and for what I was holding out hope would change in my relationship with my dad. Those things never happened and won't happen in this life. That was a very difficult realization, even though I didn't know that's what all the grief was about at the time. I hope you are all very grateful for a dad who loves you and cares about you and tries to be involved and do what he can to make life good and happy for you.
I was very grateful for Lori who called me during a low point right after I learned about my dad's death. She thought she was calling to tell me about Jake (and I was happy to hear he was doing well after falling out of our truck and landing on his head on the street!), but I'm sure she responded to an impression and she came to my rescue and blessed me, and Emma as well. I am so thankful that the Lord is mindful of us and sends the right people at the right time to do just the right thing to bless our lives. It was a sweet experience.
Well, we are not enjoying anything from our garden. Nothing has been planted. The garlic is growing well, but we won't be here when it is ready to harvest. But we hope to plant something somewhere else! We now have another rental option that may actually work out better than the others. We will make our decision tomorrow about where to move and when. We will be out of our HP HQ by the end of this week. The basement is entirely empty, except for the washer and dryer - thanks in great measure to Elise and the boys! The spare bedroom and most of the livingroom have been packed. The hard rooms have been left for last - the kitchen and our bedroom. Hopefully, we can make a big dent in that tomorrow and have time to get to the cemetery and put some of our lovely irises on my mom's grave.
Thank you for the texts and prayers and phone calls this week. They have been very encouraging and helpful. I love you all and appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness. We will let you know where we end up and hopefully get to see some of you before long!
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Hart Happenings
Happy Memorial Day everyone!
Some weeks just blow by, don't they?
This was one of those. Alex was gone to California the first part of the week, sight-seeing in San Fransisco and cheering on his basketball team, the Golden State Warriors. The boys were delighted by the paraphernalia he brought back with him. He and his buddies had a great time!
While he was gone, the boys and I enjoyed a get together with our favorite homeschooling buddies. It was good to see them and plan our next round of Great Brain get togethers. It is such a blessing to know wonderful people!
The boys and I had a nice, albeit brief, trip to Utah to help Mom and Dad with some packing. Hopefully we were helpful. It's weird to see the basement all cleared out of stuff, it makes it seems like something is changing......
We cut down a couple of pine trees which resulted in subsequently having to repair the chicken run which took a hit. The pond is up and running now, and the garden has been entirely planted, which is a problem because looking at it yesterday I realized that there are no beans anywhere, so now I have to figure out where to put our beans now that all our garden boxes are full. Hmmmmm.
Ruth and Garrett celebrated their anniversary on Friday night, so we hosted the kids here. Alex took them for scooter rides, which they loved, and honestly I'm not sure what else they did. They kind of disappear when they are here and then resurface later when it is time to go home. It's a pretty sweet gig.
Our ministering brethren came tonight and brought some really amazing binders with them which contain a gospel habit building framework that one of them developed over years of working with students at BYU-Idaho and has since passed on to his grandkids and now our family. It is really cool! These men are the most amazing ministers this family has ever seen!
Jenn, we should be enjoying lettuce from our garden this week too! So fun to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labors already!
Love to all!
Some weeks just blow by, don't they?
This was one of those. Alex was gone to California the first part of the week, sight-seeing in San Fransisco and cheering on his basketball team, the Golden State Warriors. The boys were delighted by the paraphernalia he brought back with him. He and his buddies had a great time!
While he was gone, the boys and I enjoyed a get together with our favorite homeschooling buddies. It was good to see them and plan our next round of Great Brain get togethers. It is such a blessing to know wonderful people!
The boys and I had a nice, albeit brief, trip to Utah to help Mom and Dad with some packing. Hopefully we were helpful. It's weird to see the basement all cleared out of stuff, it makes it seems like something is changing......
We cut down a couple of pine trees which resulted in subsequently having to repair the chicken run which took a hit. The pond is up and running now, and the garden has been entirely planted, which is a problem because looking at it yesterday I realized that there are no beans anywhere, so now I have to figure out where to put our beans now that all our garden boxes are full. Hmmmmm.
Ruth and Garrett celebrated their anniversary on Friday night, so we hosted the kids here. Alex took them for scooter rides, which they loved, and honestly I'm not sure what else they did. They kind of disappear when they are here and then resurface later when it is time to go home. It's a pretty sweet gig.
Our ministering brethren came tonight and brought some really amazing binders with them which contain a gospel habit building framework that one of them developed over years of working with students at BYU-Idaho and has since passed on to his grandkids and now our family. It is really cool! These men are the most amazing ministers this family has ever seen!
Jenn, we should be enjoying lettuce from our garden this week too! So fun to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labors already!
Love to all!
Flake Fun
First off, it was very sad to hear about Grandpa Larsen but I'm so grateful for Mom's example of putting family first and doing everything to make sure that family relationships are put at the forefront of everything. We are so fortunate to have her as a Mom!
It has been a fairly good week. We were able to finish planting our garden and things are looking good. We have been eating lettuce & spinach from our garden all week! YUM!!! So much better than store bought! We haven't gotten any rain but we are trying to keep everything watered and alive.
We went on a walk this morning & saw an owl. We think it was a horned owl. He just sat on his branch and stared at us.
Love you all!
It has been a fairly good week. We were able to finish planting our garden and things are looking good. We have been eating lettuce & spinach from our garden all week! YUM!!! So much better than store bought! We haven't gotten any rain but we are trying to keep everything watered and alive.
We went on a walk this morning & saw an owl. We think it was a horned owl. He just sat on his branch and stared at us.
Love you all!
Manning Moments
Well we just have to say that the family gathering was a huge success. You all amaze me! It is so fun to get together.
We have been busy with trying to keep up on the yard. I am learning that yard work is a different story when you're pregnant! But it is nice to be outside and Wesley is becoming quite the athlete with our front lawn soccer field.
Wesley is learning about missionaries with Emma being gone and he loves to see her pictures. When we ask where Emma is he says, "at MTE. A mitionary. Talk about Jesus." It is very cute.
Nick is finishing up his last week of teaching and he is a little burned out. He did a great job of teaching this year and has some really great stories about his students and success he has seen with them. He is a great seminary teacher! They will be working full time during the summer but he can do a lot of prep work and hopefully not be sick for a couple months like he is all school year!
Our chickens are growing very fast and they are fun to have around. We may have a rooster but we will see.
We just got back from the Lehi cemetery where Nick's grandpa Manning is buried. I had no idea he was from this area. So that will be fun to get to know more about Nick's family history.
Happy memorial day!
We have been busy with trying to keep up on the yard. I am learning that yard work is a different story when you're pregnant! But it is nice to be outside and Wesley is becoming quite the athlete with our front lawn soccer field.
Wesley is learning about missionaries with Emma being gone and he loves to see her pictures. When we ask where Emma is he says, "at MTE. A mitionary. Talk about Jesus." It is very cute.
Nick is finishing up his last week of teaching and he is a little burned out. He did a great job of teaching this year and has some really great stories about his students and success he has seen with them. He is a great seminary teacher! They will be working full time during the summer but he can do a lot of prep work and hopefully not be sick for a couple months like he is all school year!
Our chickens are growing very fast and they are fun to have around. We may have a rooster but we will see.
We just got back from the Lehi cemetery where Nick's grandpa Manning is buried. I had no idea he was from this area. So that will be fun to get to know more about Nick's family history.
Happy memorial day!
Sunday, May 20, 2018
HP HQ Highlights
This has been one of the most monumental weeks in our family history. Our last child leaving home (even being allowed by the missionary department to leave home!) and packing up our belongings to go to who knows where just feels like a lot of major changes happening all at once. If feels almost surreal to me.
But, among the few stable and happy events was a delightful family gathering! There were things I had planned that didn't happen (food I forgot to prepare to use up some stuff in the freezer, the hike that got rained out, and some special songs I had planned to have you sing on Sunday), but it was wonderful to be together, despite those things and Emma's little accident. In Elise's words "And it was amazing that we were able to get everyone from everywhere together! Thanks for making the effort, especially those of you who had to travel a LONG ways to get there. It isn't that same if even one of us is missing." Dad and I are truly grateful for the effort and sacrifice you make to come and be with us. I don't think we will ever regret getting together. Thanks for enjoying each other so much and wanting to support each other. I have many parenting regrets and wish I could do a lot of things over again and do better at it, but when I see how much you enjoy being together and how much effort you'll make to gather, it is very satisfying and I feel that we've had some success! It helps me feel forgiven somehow for all the dumb things I did as a young mother. Thank you for being so great even with all of the mistakes and failures I had along the way. What wonderful adults you all are - truly amazing men and women!
But, among the few stable and happy events was a delightful family gathering! There were things I had planned that didn't happen (food I forgot to prepare to use up some stuff in the freezer, the hike that got rained out, and some special songs I had planned to have you sing on Sunday), but it was wonderful to be together, despite those things and Emma's little accident. In Elise's words "And it was amazing that we were able to get everyone from everywhere together! Thanks for making the effort, especially those of you who had to travel a LONG ways to get there. It isn't that same if even one of us is missing." Dad and I are truly grateful for the effort and sacrifice you make to come and be with us. I don't think we will ever regret getting together. Thanks for enjoying each other so much and wanting to support each other. I have many parenting regrets and wish I could do a lot of things over again and do better at it, but when I see how much you enjoy being together and how much effort you'll make to gather, it is very satisfying and I feel that we've had some success! It helps me feel forgiven somehow for all the dumb things I did as a young mother. Thank you for being so great even with all of the mistakes and failures I had along the way. What wonderful adults you all are - truly amazing men and women!
As you can tell from her email, Emma is doing wonderfully well. She sent Dad and me a separate email with a couple of details that were missing from the one I sent to you. She said she was very happy to be in Provo. I'm sure there's a reason she didn't go to Mexico - even if we never know why. She can't carry her food tray and is embarrassed to ask help from her companions, so she isn't eating much. She wants me to send her some snacks. So, it will be a challenge to be at the great big, new MTC, which she says is even bigger on crutches! Right now she has a very positive, happy attitude and approach to things. President Durrant gave her a wonderful blessing when he set her apart for her mission. He told her that her knee had been protected so that her mission wouldn't be delayed. She really feels like she's been given a miracle and has been abundantly blessed. I feel the same. She's off to a good start. You can email her any time you want. She'll probably only respond in a main email to everyone, but she might have time to respond individually. Her email address is:
emma.belliston@myldsmail.net
After nearly two full days of looking at houses and finding some lovely ones that we really liked, but not finding the peace and reassurance we are seeking to feel good enough to offer to buy them, we have put house hunting on hold. We are considering renting a house in North Logan that Megan Kenney texted me about. It is 2 or 3 houses west of the Bradleys, so it's in a nice area. It will be okay for a few months while we wait for things to calm down and for clarity to return to our minds. It's certainly not the thing we wanted to do at all, but it may be the right thing for now.
That's truly all we've done since getting Emma off to the MTC. Take a load to Idaho. Look at houses. Pack boxes. Wash walls. Go to the temple and think about houses and boxes and walls. Today we went to a Temple Workers Devotional and listened to Elder Pearson speak, which was phenomenal and so nice to think about something else! It was a fabulous talk and reminded me that there are some really important things in this life, like getting revelation and following the prophet and my current concerns seem quite insignificant in comparison. He reminded us that the restoration is ongoing. It didn't end with Joseph Smith. He mentioned that Joseph Smith received all the revelations he needed to get the church going, but that there is more revelation to come. He said that President Nelson has said several times recently that he is hardly able to sleep these days because of the constant flow of revelation and he has to write as fast as he can to keep up with what is coming to him. He said the Savior will be doing more from now until the time He comes than He has ever done before! One thing I thought was interesting was when he was talking about the need for more temples on the earth. He said the saints on the Wasatch Front are not using the temples as much as they should, but the church could use 50 temples in Africa right now. He said that we need 10 times more temples around the world. We currently have 160 temples. Imagine having 1,600 temples!! Dad and I have talked about that before and have some ideas of how to make that happen! I don't suppose anyone will ask us for our ideas, but when they do we will have some answers :)
Well, enjoy this blooming spring time! It is a delight to all of the senses here in Cache Valley! Not a lovelier place at this time of year. Love you all and hope to see you again soon!
Flake Fun
It was so much fun to see everyone last weekend! We miss the chaos!
Going back to work was not fun but we somehow survived. The weather has been quite warm and dry.
Yesterday we went out branding. One calf got out but we branded 40 calves and had a fun time with family and friends.
Our garden is taking off! We have even eaten some garden fresh lettuce on sandwiches!
Going back to work was not fun but we somehow survived. The weather has been quite warm and dry.
Yesterday we went out branding. One calf got out but we branded 40 calves and had a fun time with family and friends.
Our garden is taking off! We have even eaten some garden fresh lettuce on sandwiches!
Nilsson News
I feel like I'm a long ways behind on summer projects but I don't know how that could be since summer hasn't really started yet. The weather has been a bit strange like Elise said, but we are loving the sunshine when it comes around. I have been working on this endless chicken coop project. In order to give us more limber for the project, we had to demo the last bit of our back porch. Now you have to be careful going out the back door so you don't fall on your head. Building stairs is on the list for next week as is a picnic table. I really get the project itch when I see delicious wood and hardware just lying around shouting my name. I was excited to help Elise with her bike rack because we started and pretty much finished it in the same afternoon! I need to make one for us now.
Addy finished off her clogging and will be advancing to the intermediate level next year for which she is super excited about. She also had her big piano guild which she has been preparing for since last fall. She had to play seven memorized pieces, transpose a song into two keys, play major and minor scales and sightread a piece. It took a lot of effort but she felt really good about the performance.
Emerson and Henry enjoyed the Father and Sons campout with Garrett this past weekend. I just knew that Henry was going to fall into the fire or start a fire or do something crazy drastic. I think we are going to hire him out for mischief maker. If any of you are lacking some mischief in your life or if your life is just a little to dull and quiet, hire Henry! We can't go five minutes without Henry doing something momentous. Just a few minutes ago he came in and said in a matter of fact voice, "Mom, I let the goats out." Did you really Henry? Yes, there they are, on their way over to the fruit trees. "Addy!" And so it continues...
It was so fun to see all of you at the Gathering! Hopefully we can see each of you again soon. Good luck with the house hunting, packing and moving to those that it applies to. I would love to come help with the moving but I think I would be most helpful just staying home. Love you all!
Addy finished off her clogging and will be advancing to the intermediate level next year for which she is super excited about. She also had her big piano guild which she has been preparing for since last fall. She had to play seven memorized pieces, transpose a song into two keys, play major and minor scales and sightread a piece. It took a lot of effort but she felt really good about the performance.
Emerson and Henry enjoyed the Father and Sons campout with Garrett this past weekend. I just knew that Henry was going to fall into the fire or start a fire or do something crazy drastic. I think we are going to hire him out for mischief maker. If any of you are lacking some mischief in your life or if your life is just a little to dull and quiet, hire Henry! We can't go five minutes without Henry doing something momentous. Just a few minutes ago he came in and said in a matter of fact voice, "Mom, I let the goats out." Did you really Henry? Yes, there they are, on their way over to the fruit trees. "Addy!" And so it continues...
It was so fun to see all of you at the Gathering! Hopefully we can see each of you again soon. Good luck with the house hunting, packing and moving to those that it applies to. I would love to come help with the moving but I think I would be most helpful just staying home. Love you all!
Hart Happenings
As I write this I'm listening to the boys creating something in the kitchen. Limeade, I think. We have some nice strawberry jam gelling on the counter and a roast in the crock pot. So much of our life revolves around food! And I think there isn't anything that gives me such a sense of accomplishment or a giddy sense of well-being as some food that we make that turns out delicious!
The strawberries came to us via Ruth, as did our new bike rack. I went over yesterday, dove among her scrap lumber, found some perfect pieces, and we assembled the rack in about an hour! Hopefully this will solve the problem of bikes littering the yard and driveway. They can park them all nice and neat. Hmmmm, looking at that last sentence I can see how that might be an unreasonable expectation, but here's hoping!!!
Shout out to Ruthie. Everyone needs a Ruth nearby. Don't know how I got so lucky, but you all are welcome to move up here and share. She is amazing!
It is has been an interesting week, weather-wise. The mornings are beautiful and warm in the high 60s/low 70s, but come afternoon, storm clouds roll in and bring rain. I think this is actually what spring is supposed to be like, but it is throwing me for a loop!
Business is booming, Alex has more going on than ever but he manages to stay on top of everything and still make time for the projects I need his help with. Superman, eat your heart out.
Highlights of the week:
*We got our bees! They're lovely!
*A visit from mom and dad which resulted in a trampoline for the boys and a freezer in the garage. Thanks a million! I got home from watering the plants at the mall the day after their visit and couldn't find anyone in the house. No breakfast mess, no boys in their beds, when I happened to glance out the window and saw them jumping on the trampoline. And that's where they've been for the rest of the week.
*Lots of soccer! Peter's practices kept getting canceled due to inclement weather, which was a bummer. But their games all went really well. They're getting pretty good, and it is really fun to watch them.
*Jack and I rode our bikes to scouts on Wednesday but then had to ride them home in torrential rain and sleet. He screamed the whole way, but it was fun!
*Alex and Ian went camping with their scout troop in HUMVs to the sand dunes. They had a blast driving those machines up and down the huge dunes. And they all came back alive, which was nice.
*The lilacs are blooming and the world smells lovely!
*We chopped down 2 pine trees that were shading the garden pretty significantly and it is amazing how much longer the sun lasts there now! But man were they a hassle to remove! Our chicken run took a beating in the process. But nothing that we can't repair! Right Ruth? kidding.
Mom, how to we write to Emma on her mission? Do you have an address for her? Mail and email?
It was so lovely to see everyone at the Gathering. I'm so glad that we have established that tradition. I know we look forward to it every year. You are our favorite people of all time. Emma did such a good job with her talk, dealing with her injury, and making some good memories with the nieces and nephews. And it was amazing that we were able to get everyone from everywhere together! Thanks for making the effort, especially those of you who had to travel a LONG ways to get there. It isn't that same if even one of us is missing. Mom, thanks for the delicious food and preparing everything for us. You are such a gracious hostess, grandma, and mom.
Well, we're going to choir practice, so I'd better run.
Signing out.
The strawberries came to us via Ruth, as did our new bike rack. I went over yesterday, dove among her scrap lumber, found some perfect pieces, and we assembled the rack in about an hour! Hopefully this will solve the problem of bikes littering the yard and driveway. They can park them all nice and neat. Hmmmm, looking at that last sentence I can see how that might be an unreasonable expectation, but here's hoping!!!
Shout out to Ruthie. Everyone needs a Ruth nearby. Don't know how I got so lucky, but you all are welcome to move up here and share. She is amazing!
It is has been an interesting week, weather-wise. The mornings are beautiful and warm in the high 60s/low 70s, but come afternoon, storm clouds roll in and bring rain. I think this is actually what spring is supposed to be like, but it is throwing me for a loop!
Business is booming, Alex has more going on than ever but he manages to stay on top of everything and still make time for the projects I need his help with. Superman, eat your heart out.
Highlights of the week:
*We got our bees! They're lovely!
*A visit from mom and dad which resulted in a trampoline for the boys and a freezer in the garage. Thanks a million! I got home from watering the plants at the mall the day after their visit and couldn't find anyone in the house. No breakfast mess, no boys in their beds, when I happened to glance out the window and saw them jumping on the trampoline. And that's where they've been for the rest of the week.
*Lots of soccer! Peter's practices kept getting canceled due to inclement weather, which was a bummer. But their games all went really well. They're getting pretty good, and it is really fun to watch them.
*Jack and I rode our bikes to scouts on Wednesday but then had to ride them home in torrential rain and sleet. He screamed the whole way, but it was fun!
*Alex and Ian went camping with their scout troop in HUMVs to the sand dunes. They had a blast driving those machines up and down the huge dunes. And they all came back alive, which was nice.
*The lilacs are blooming and the world smells lovely!
*We chopped down 2 pine trees that were shading the garden pretty significantly and it is amazing how much longer the sun lasts there now! But man were they a hassle to remove! Our chicken run took a beating in the process. But nothing that we can't repair! Right Ruth? kidding.
Mom, how to we write to Emma on her mission? Do you have an address for her? Mail and email?
It was so lovely to see everyone at the Gathering. I'm so glad that we have established that tradition. I know we look forward to it every year. You are our favorite people of all time. Emma did such a good job with her talk, dealing with her injury, and making some good memories with the nieces and nephews. And it was amazing that we were able to get everyone from everywhere together! Thanks for making the effort, especially those of you who had to travel a LONG ways to get there. It isn't that same if even one of us is missing. Mom, thanks for the delicious food and preparing everything for us. You are such a gracious hostess, grandma, and mom.
Well, we're going to choir practice, so I'd better run.
Signing out.
Monday, May 7, 2018
Manning Moments
Life is good. We haven't been sick for a whole week! We are getting some allergies but we can handle that!
Yesterday was our Stake Conference and it was great! We had Elder Budge from the Seventy come and he was delightful. On Sunday he talked a lot to the youth about how the gospel can really make you happy. He used tons of scriptural examples about things we need to let go of and things to hold onto that will bring us happiness in a true gospel sense. The things we need to let go of that make life harder than it needs to be are: Pride (thinking you know more than God), Guilt (Sins), Grudges, and Unmet Righteous Desires. He then talked about holding onto the Word of God and increasing our capacity to have the Spirit with us. It was a great meeting.
Other than that we are trying to get our yard in shape and stay on top of little things. Wesley is just enamored with balls and we had a little birthday party for him that revolved around balls. Mom gave him a basketball blanket that he loves to sleep with. His other grandparents gave him a small basketball and baseball. We gave him a basketball hoop and he is one happy boy! Wesley has started to say the prayers in our family and he always remembers to bless the garbage truck and sometimes his balls. Very cute! Can't wait to see you all in a few days!
Yesterday was our Stake Conference and it was great! We had Elder Budge from the Seventy come and he was delightful. On Sunday he talked a lot to the youth about how the gospel can really make you happy. He used tons of scriptural examples about things we need to let go of and things to hold onto that will bring us happiness in a true gospel sense. The things we need to let go of that make life harder than it needs to be are: Pride (thinking you know more than God), Guilt (Sins), Grudges, and Unmet Righteous Desires. He then talked about holding onto the Word of God and increasing our capacity to have the Spirit with us. It was a great meeting.
Other than that we are trying to get our yard in shape and stay on top of little things. Wesley is just enamored with balls and we had a little birthday party for him that revolved around balls. Mom gave him a basketball blanket that he loves to sleep with. His other grandparents gave him a small basketball and baseball. We gave him a basketball hoop and he is one happy boy! Wesley has started to say the prayers in our family and he always remembers to bless the garbage truck and sometimes his balls. Very cute! Can't wait to see you all in a few days!
Sunday, May 6, 2018
Flake Fun
This week was fairly normal. Nothing much to report. Our garden is coming up which is fun. That's all that we have to report! Can't wait to see everyone next week!
Nilsson News
Hello all! I just have to say how much I love the warm, sun-shiney weather! It is so fun to sit and listen to, through an open window, the kids playing in the backyard. They are much more pleasant when they have freedom to run and explore. Henry however, seems to be growing more and more defiant. Lately when I ask him to do something, he turns and scowls and says, "Let me do what I want!" Oh boy. The agency thing isn't going so well for us.
Addy had her final clogging recital this past week and she did terrific. We had fun seeing grandma and the Harts. We also enjoyed seeing Ian perform in his very last Tavaci choir concert. School things are starting to wind down and summer is winding into full speed.
Our chicken coop is coming along. Slowly. The chicks are growing. Not so slowly. The greenhouse plants are growing. Slowly. The weeds are growing. Not so slowly. Yesterday we went and picked up a load of railroad ties that we found for a good deal. You had to purchase them in bundles of 20 and the ad said to bring your trailer and they would load it for you. I guess we had the wrong kind of trailer because when we got there, they couldn't load them using the forklift and we had to load them one by one. Approximately 3,000 pounds worth. When we got home, we had to unload them one by one. 3,000 pounds worth. Definitely a work out! Thomas, add that one to your circuit! I have a many great plans for these railroad ties so let the projects begin!
Mom, I wish I could be more help with the house hunting. It brings back all sorts of anxious memories from two years ago when we moved. But I learned the Lord always pulls through at the very last minute. I think he finds humor in our hopes of planning ahead and being in control of our lives.
We are super excited to see all of you in just a few days! This has really snuck up on us but we are looking forward to it!
Addy had her final clogging recital this past week and she did terrific. We had fun seeing grandma and the Harts. We also enjoyed seeing Ian perform in his very last Tavaci choir concert. School things are starting to wind down and summer is winding into full speed.
Our chicken coop is coming along. Slowly. The chicks are growing. Not so slowly. The greenhouse plants are growing. Slowly. The weeds are growing. Not so slowly. Yesterday we went and picked up a load of railroad ties that we found for a good deal. You had to purchase them in bundles of 20 and the ad said to bring your trailer and they would load it for you. I guess we had the wrong kind of trailer because when we got there, they couldn't load them using the forklift and we had to load them one by one. Approximately 3,000 pounds worth. When we got home, we had to unload them one by one. 3,000 pounds worth. Definitely a work out! Thomas, add that one to your circuit! I have a many great plans for these railroad ties so let the projects begin!
Mom, I wish I could be more help with the house hunting. It brings back all sorts of anxious memories from two years ago when we moved. But I learned the Lord always pulls through at the very last minute. I think he finds humor in our hopes of planning ahead and being in control of our lives.
We are super excited to see all of you in just a few days! This has really snuck up on us but we are looking forward to it!
Hart Happenings
This week passed by in a blur! Alex and I came screeching into Saturday night looking at each other confused that we were at Sunday again already!
The Farmer's Market opened this weekend which is something I really look forward to every year. The Harts + mom came and represented at the Community Garden table. So fun! Lots of sunshine and garden chatter. Doesn't get much better than that.
Mom came up to check on one of those 4 new babies and snuck in Addie's dance recital and Peter's soccer game while she was at it. She is one busy lady and we are always so grateful to see her!
We acquired a new addition to our family this week. It is a Raleigh Classic Cruiser in all its 1960's glory. We have had so much fun riding bikes together around the neighborhood in the nice weather.
The trees are in bloom, the lettuce, peas, and garlic are up in the garden and the chicken have been relocated to their newly-refurbished, fortified, high-security chicken coop. Hopefully nothing will be able to get in this one.
Alex is really happy about the fact that he got to mow the lawn this week.
Ian performed in his last Tavaci concert this week. He has officially graduated from the program and is looking forward to his next ventures.
The kids' garden classes that I am in charge of commence this coming week. It'll be fun to get things rolling there. It looks like we will have a good group of kids and some enthusiastic volunteers. Cheers!
Can't wait for the family gathering. Always my favorite time to rub shoulders with my favorite people!
I just finished reading a great allegory about life and deepened discipleship. It's about this little crippled girl named Much Afraid who lives in the Valley of Humiliation with all her relatives, the Fearings. She lives with her Aunt Dismal Forebodings, and surrounded by other cousins like Pride, Bitterness, Resentment, Self-Pity, etc...All Much Afraid wants to do is go to the High Places with the Shepherd, and the allegory is about how that ends up happening. Such a good story! The book is called Hind's Feet on High Places. Highly recommended!
Anyway, love to everyone! Enjoy the sunshine!
The Farmer's Market opened this weekend which is something I really look forward to every year. The Harts + mom came and represented at the Community Garden table. So fun! Lots of sunshine and garden chatter. Doesn't get much better than that.
Mom came up to check on one of those 4 new babies and snuck in Addie's dance recital and Peter's soccer game while she was at it. She is one busy lady and we are always so grateful to see her!
We acquired a new addition to our family this week. It is a Raleigh Classic Cruiser in all its 1960's glory. We have had so much fun riding bikes together around the neighborhood in the nice weather.
The trees are in bloom, the lettuce, peas, and garlic are up in the garden and the chicken have been relocated to their newly-refurbished, fortified, high-security chicken coop. Hopefully nothing will be able to get in this one.
Alex is really happy about the fact that he got to mow the lawn this week.
Ian performed in his last Tavaci concert this week. He has officially graduated from the program and is looking forward to his next ventures.
The kids' garden classes that I am in charge of commence this coming week. It'll be fun to get things rolling there. It looks like we will have a good group of kids and some enthusiastic volunteers. Cheers!
Can't wait for the family gathering. Always my favorite time to rub shoulders with my favorite people!
I just finished reading a great allegory about life and deepened discipleship. It's about this little crippled girl named Much Afraid who lives in the Valley of Humiliation with all her relatives, the Fearings. She lives with her Aunt Dismal Forebodings, and surrounded by other cousins like Pride, Bitterness, Resentment, Self-Pity, etc...All Much Afraid wants to do is go to the High Places with the Shepherd, and the allegory is about how that ends up happening. Such a good story! The book is called Hind's Feet on High Places. Highly recommended!
Anyway, love to everyone! Enjoy the sunshine!
HP HQ Highlights
I have been laughing and crying and trying to absorb all the news I've read this morning from the latest blog posts we've missed reading recently. Thank you for the inspiring thoughts. How grateful to be reminded that one sin at a time is all we need to work on and that the Lord is always available regardless of ... And, "oh my heck" (Dorothy Seamons), who in the world reveals kitten genders??!! I can't stop laughing about that one....
Anyway, my brain has been so full and the days so busy that I'm feeling quite dysfunctional - can't figure out what to do first. Not that I've been extremely functional in the past, but it is worse now than ever! I spent two weeks trying to get overdue babies to come, and they finally all came! Four babies in six days was a bit crazy! Then I have to take care of them afterward, so it is busy still. Glad they are all here, safe and sound and happy. It really is a miracle each time and I'm grateful to have a hand in it.
In the middle of the birthing times, we managed to make an offer on a house. It was rejected. They wanted us to be a back up offer, but for a lot more money. No thanks. Now we are looking in earnest. Around and around this valley we drive. Perhaps we'll end up in Snowflake or Idaho Falls or Utah County, after all! Keep your eyes out for a house for us, wherever you are!!
The lovely fragrant weather is wonderful and has pulled us outside where we (mostly Dad) weed, mow, clean, prune, clip, dig, organize, sneeze and wheeze. I love these first ventures out in the spring. So refreshing and wonderful. It does feel a little strange not to be planting something in the ground, though.
Emma has moved home. It is very nice to have her here. There are still several things to acquire and accomplish before next weekend, but we'll get them done, I'm sure. I had hoped we'd have purchased another home before she left on her mission so she would at least know where she'd be coming home to, but unless that happens in the next couple of days, it will be a surprise when she returns!
I know I've mentioned it to some of you, but perhaps not all because of my brain fog, so I wanted to be sure you all are aware that J R Allred passed away. I miss him. Lots of changes in our neighborhood in a short time. Iva Lou Balls turned 94 last week and is not doing real well. Emma plans to visit her and several of the older ladies this week. They likely won't be here when she gets back. Sad, sad thought. The changes are good for those leaving, not as easy for those of us still here. It is really changing the dynamic of our neighborhood. I suppose that's inevitable.
One of the dumbest things I've done occurred last week. I purchased airline tickets for Thomas and Victoria to come for the family gathering. It didn't go through, so I purchased them again. Well, apparently Thomas and Victoria cannot both have two seats for the same flight for one price. It did work the first time, so I unknowingly duplicated the purchase - urrrrggggh! We are arguing with the airlines to see if they will refund the tickets that cannot be used. I really don't like it when I do things like that.
So, the family gathering. It will be loads of fun! Watch for an email today. TODAY, I say. It will come today and tell you everything you need to know.
I love you all and can't wait to see you in 5 days!!!
Anyway, my brain has been so full and the days so busy that I'm feeling quite dysfunctional - can't figure out what to do first. Not that I've been extremely functional in the past, but it is worse now than ever! I spent two weeks trying to get overdue babies to come, and they finally all came! Four babies in six days was a bit crazy! Then I have to take care of them afterward, so it is busy still. Glad they are all here, safe and sound and happy. It really is a miracle each time and I'm grateful to have a hand in it.
In the middle of the birthing times, we managed to make an offer on a house. It was rejected. They wanted us to be a back up offer, but for a lot more money. No thanks. Now we are looking in earnest. Around and around this valley we drive. Perhaps we'll end up in Snowflake or Idaho Falls or Utah County, after all! Keep your eyes out for a house for us, wherever you are!!
The lovely fragrant weather is wonderful and has pulled us outside where we (mostly Dad) weed, mow, clean, prune, clip, dig, organize, sneeze and wheeze. I love these first ventures out in the spring. So refreshing and wonderful. It does feel a little strange not to be planting something in the ground, though.
Emma has moved home. It is very nice to have her here. There are still several things to acquire and accomplish before next weekend, but we'll get them done, I'm sure. I had hoped we'd have purchased another home before she left on her mission so she would at least know where she'd be coming home to, but unless that happens in the next couple of days, it will be a surprise when she returns!
I know I've mentioned it to some of you, but perhaps not all because of my brain fog, so I wanted to be sure you all are aware that J R Allred passed away. I miss him. Lots of changes in our neighborhood in a short time. Iva Lou Balls turned 94 last week and is not doing real well. Emma plans to visit her and several of the older ladies this week. They likely won't be here when she gets back. Sad, sad thought. The changes are good for those leaving, not as easy for those of us still here. It is really changing the dynamic of our neighborhood. I suppose that's inevitable.
One of the dumbest things I've done occurred last week. I purchased airline tickets for Thomas and Victoria to come for the family gathering. It didn't go through, so I purchased them again. Well, apparently Thomas and Victoria cannot both have two seats for the same flight for one price. It did work the first time, so I unknowingly duplicated the purchase - urrrrggggh! We are arguing with the airlines to see if they will refund the tickets that cannot be used. I really don't like it when I do things like that.
So, the family gathering. It will be loads of fun! Watch for an email today. TODAY, I say. It will come today and tell you everything you need to know.
I love you all and can't wait to see you in 5 days!!!
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