The Most Beautiful Thing

I am not a well traveled man, but I have seen some pretty cool things in my life.  I have canoed down the Snake River enveloped in mist while a Bald Eagle watched me from it’s perch.  I have watched the sunrise from the rocky mountains, and seen it set over the pacific ocean.  I sat in the bead of a truck, in the middle of the Australian outback and watched the stars come out.  The milky-way and the southern cross brilliant splashes of white across an inky canvas.

All of these things were stunning, they all evoked a positive emotional response from me.  Which in this author’s mind is the definition of beauty.  An object or scene might be nice to look at, or amusing, heck it might even be downright gorgeous, but if it doesn’t make you feel and think, then it isn’t beautiful.

So the most beautiful thing under that definition happened this weekend.  A busy saturday morning.  Lots of company, lots of bustling, the rush to get ready for an event.  I walked down my stairs and turned the corner looking into my darkly lit, messy, family room.  In the corner my sister-in-law was on her knees, arms folded, head bowed deeply.  A familiar position for many.  My brother-in-law was seated behind her on the couch, his head deeply bowed as well, with his hands placed on his wife’s head.  Both of their postures somehow conveyed two messages simultaneously.

The first was complete and utter despair and sorrow.  They had delivered a stillborn daughter earlier that week and were minutes away from burying her.  The sorrow radiated from the arched backs and bowed heads.

The second was power.  Many have found that one of the most submissive and humble positions in this life, on your knees, is the most powerful.  Her trust was so powerful and evident in her kneeling and pleading.  His hands laid gently on her head, his bowed, powerfully whispering.  Together they were completing an act of pure faith.

Tears leapt to my eyes, which is sort of a novel experience for me.  I about faced and quickly jogged up the stairs, my chest full of the image which I had only glimpsed.  Few times in my life has an experience effected and affected me so quickly and with such force.    

I've never wanted something so earnestly

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Jo Graduates from Kindergarten

I forgot my camera for the actual graduation program (this is my first kindergartener... didn't actually know it was a graduation!). But I took these pictures as soon as we got home. Be assured, Jo blew me a poison dart kiss when she accepted her diploma. Wish I had a picture of that. 

Danica was Jo's first friend from class and comes to play at least once a week. I'm grateful she's so outgoing and helps Jo make other friends too!

And everyone NEEDED to be in the picture.

Last day of school with Mrs. Miner.

Jo cried just about every day that last week of school. She loved kindergarten and her teacher. Just not the homework. I for one was excited to get a break from 8:30 drop offs each morning! Hooray for summer!

Details

Instead of blowing kisses the way we're all taught... with a flat hand for lift off... Jo's doing it her own way. She kisses her hand, rolls it into a fist with a small opening down the middle, and blows the kiss out through the hole. It's like a poison dart. Poison dart kiss. I love it.

Atticus is incapable of going to the bathroom without dropping to all fours and doing an animal run. He just  did it again. Only this time instead of running he did some sort of rabbit/kangaroo jump. All the way down the hall. Think of what a social outcast he'll be if he never out grows this. 30 years old. Church. Work. Everywhere. Running on all fours to the bathroom. Oh please bless.

Margaret is no respecter of persons when it comes to cuddling. She latches on to people and drowns them in her snuggles. Sometimes her kisses get a little more intimate than I'm comfortable with. But the stage is sweet.

For such a beautiful little baby Abigail is scary. I call her the "Scary Voice Baby" (It's like a super villain). EVERYONE comments on her growls. And she's got that deep laugh. So unexpected every time. She also keeps her feet up by her ears when shes relaxing. Because that's comfortable....

More kid stuffs (Hey, they are my life after all) and my attempt at using Andrew language correctly.

When I was pregnant with Tic the two names we debated between were Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes) and Atticus (from To Kill a Mockingbird). We chose the character we hoped our little boy would one day admire and try to be like. But right now the first name seems much more appropriate. LOL

So one of Ryan's sweet co-workers found a pattern online and made Atticus a little friend named Hobbes.

And they are indeed friends. It's a BROMANCE. You might not understand.

Posed and Adorable as always (except often between the hours of 7 and 8 PM...)

The Ab-i-dale on her totes adorbs (ha ha. ha ha ha ha!) quilt made by her Grandma Hoffman.

About 8 months.

Mag-a-dale Mag-a-dale in a dish.

We love her too much baby. She's cra cra. (seriously though, she is actually insane.)

Jo as "Mulan."

Besties for life.

One afternoon Jo pulled out her birthday gift from Grandma Strong- a stuffed animal maker. It might have been her FAV gift ever received. Nailed it!

Being an EXTREMELY sweet sister, as always (literally always, even between the hours of 7 and 8) she let Atticus make one of the two animals. Like a BOSS!

She named her Unicorn Banilla Ice Cream.

And she loves it. It is her new sleep buddy.

Tic also adores his new doggie, Clues Clues.

 

They dress up every day. This crew of pirates attacked shortly after lunch. So terrifying. YOLO.

Some serious bath time. It was EPIC.

I was going to use "LMAO" but .... cursing peeps... I don't usually do that... and that ain't none of your brosness! (Did that one work?!? Bit of a stretch?)

He's become a BYU Fanatic

Ever since Ryan started his job at BYU Atticus has been obsessed. 

I freakin love his old man hat. 

He keeps all his BYU clothing in a green bucket in his bed with him. So even when he's asleep it's very near. 

Such a dork. We love him. 

And I think he is SO very handsome in this last picture. Like- is anyone NOT going to be crushing over this boy someday? Even if he does threaten to crush all their snails in a hungry fit? I'm just sayin.

Drew's competition

The beginning of April Ryan and I watched Andrew compete with his quartet, "The Anonymous." They were fabulous. I kind of have a crush on my little brother. How is he so so cool? 

Do I look excited? Like a slightly too obsessed fan? I thought so too. And I am.

You can't MAKE this kind of awesome.

And as luck would have it at the end of the night they called up 5 on the spot volunteers to sing for 30 seconds. Ryan pounced on the opportunity and rocked the house.

He sang "Johnny Be Good." And I love him.

It was a really fun night! Love to watch so much talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmICGJ7tI5o