Jaqu-a-lina (it's a French "Jaqu")

Oh how far I've come. This is our pet black widow. Jo affectionately named her Jaqualina. I caught her a few weeks ago thinking she was dead. Wanted to show the kids a black widow for safety reasons. But once in the jar she became VERY much alive. And scary. 

We fed her a fly one day. She devoured it. 

I know I promised people coming into town that she'd be dead before they got here... but today is Julie day... and our pet still lives. I am sorry. She's too scary for me to kill. Thus, she has become apart of our family out of my own cowardice.

A poem I wrote for my Relief Society lesson yesterday

Homemade

By Amy Strong

I was made at home, between four walls, by a mother

Cuddling me in her loving arms, she made me

She bathed, kissed, and dressed me

Taught me to be kind and loving to my brothers and sisters

And to understand that the most important thing to remember

Was that I was important

And her’s, homemade.

She grew me up with homemade meals

Homemade conversations about God and friends and boys

She guided me through confusions, mistakes, and hurts

She made me dresses

And she made me beautiful

She kept me tucked by her side,

So close I could learn from every word and every deed

She taught me how to become a maker like her

So that after I left home

I could make something homemade too

A living room, with spring colors and a cinnamon scent

Cheesy bread dipped in Tortellini soup

And babies, four of them, I made them and I am making them

They are all homemade.

I am still being made at home, between temple walls, by a Father

Having secured me through Christ’s sacrifice, He’s making me

He’s washed, anointed, and endowed me,

Sealed me to my husband and children, never to part

He wants me to understand that the most important thing to remember

Is that a family is so very important

And His.

He’s growing me up with quiet impressions

About this life, and faith, and charity

He’s guiding me through confusions, mistakes, and hurts

Filling me with truth and light

He’s making me beautiful

In His temple I’m tucked right by His side,

So close I can learn from every covenant and every promise

He’s teaching me how to become a maker like Him

So that after I leave this earthly home

I’ll be ready to make something too

Worlds without end 1

An increase of glory and light 2

And babies, innumerable as the stars at night 3

All homemade by me.

References

1.        D&c 76:112

2.        D&C 76:56

3.        D&C 132:30-31

Jo's 6th Birthday- Inja style

Jo's birthday was actually just before we left for Idaho... but I mixed up the order of things. Every year we've given our kids the option for birthday celebrations: a friend party or fun family outing. And this is the first year Jo picked a party. When we asked what kind of a party she wanted she thought hard and then responded: INJA CAKE. Ha ha. 

When all the girl's had arrived we told them there was a special treasure in our backyard... but only inja's would have the skills to find it. So they had to become injas.

 First the girls made inja headbands at the kitchen table.

Then they went into the living room for inja moves training by Ryan. We played songs like "Eye of the Tiger" and "Be a Man!" Everyone was very focused.

Then they headed downstairs for a little bit of sneaky training. First a hall of laser beams they couldn't touch, and then some "I see you, I don't see you!"(red light green light)

Ryan might have yelled a few times "BOW TO YOUR SENSEI!" just for good measure.

Finally their training was complete! They went out back, followed clues to the treasure, fought off Ryan with their sweet fighting skills, and enjoyed their booty.

Then we went inside for cupcakes.

 

 

After the party ended and Jo's friends had gone home we gave Jo our present.

Unfortunately she hasn't seemed terribly excited about the bike. Oh well. Maybe she'll become more interested this summer!

Overall it was a very successful birthday.
 Hooray for Jo!

Trip to Tyler, Casey, Taigan, and Connor

Sometimes you just need to drop your life and take a 6 hour drive to see those peeps you love and miss. It can be a need. I know. Casey and Tyler live in Boise and were very sweet to let us stay over Easter weekend. It was wonderful to be with them and have Ryan with me 24/7.

Maggie and Taigan were born about 3 weeks apart.

Feeding the ducks.

And playing at the park.

Easter morning and bubbles with Uncle Tyler.

 




Monday we headed to the Boise zoo which was, surprisingly, really great. We actually enjoyed it more than the Hogle zoo. It's smaller but the animals were more visible and pretty active.

The comodo dragon is one of Tic's very favorite animals... if you can't tell. He's watched that segment on the Life documentary quite a few times. Big eyes.

Cute kids.

And... I told Casey it was only for kids to take pictures on... but she didn't get it...

This monkey had us laughing out loud. He just resembles Tel (Matt and Denice's oldest). Reminds us of that Christmas Eve about 6 years ago when he got PJ's. "No! No, it's sad!"

Did I mention I'm in love with this boy?

It was truly hard to leave him behind. I offered Casey a straight trade for 3 weeks. Connor for Maggie. I asked during a Maggie tantrum. Surprisingly... Casey declined. Weird.

Thanks for all the games, good food (Easter Ham!), and twilight mocking. Love those rift tracks. We had a wonderful time!

St Patrick's Leprechauns

March 17th the kids woke up and found at least one leprechaun had entered through our magical door during the night and created mischief. He'd turned couch cushions, he'd dropped coins and gold nuggets, he'd gotten into our flour, he'd turned our milk and poppyseed bread green.

Go Leprechauns.