Spring Has Sprung

LEWIS FAMILY

MARCH 2013

Spring has definitely sprung in our neck of the woods, and we are loving it. The days are longer, the flowers are blooming, the birds have become our early morning alarm clocks, and the kids are begging to spend every waking minute outside. I’m sure you’re wondering what we’ve had to complain about, living where we live now, but we actually had a pretty cold winter here! That sounds silly coming from Utahn’s, but with a lightly insulated home, damp air and a heat bill that seemed to have no limit, our home has felt frigid cold the past few months. We have happily welcomed the sunshine and warmer days with lunch on the patio, flip flops and a freezer stocked with popsicles.

Peri’s favorite bedtime song recently has been “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” that goes “Whenever I hear the song of a bird, or look at the blue, blue sky ….” She loves to sing it as we lie in her bed and talk about all the beautiful things Heavenly Father created for us. Our walks outside now are spent discovering all of the creations in that song … lilac trees, blooming roses, butterflies, birds, etc. … and we feel so fortunate on a daily basis to live in such a beautiful world. I love seeing our kiddos learn to appreciate the beauties around them.

Our little bird watcher.

Jensen gave a wonderful talk in Primary in March. It was about Heavenly Father’s plan for us to come to earth to gain a body and be tested. He did such a good job with it. He worked so hard to memorize it and spoke with such confidence and expression. We were so proud of him! The kids have also been working on memorizing the Articles of Faith and can breeze through articles 1-4 with ease. It amazes us how quickly and easily they seem to learn and retain things. They are so capable of so much more than we give them credit for sometimes! Bennett gives an especially powerful and emotional recitation of article 2, and enthusiastically ends each verse with “… and in the Holy Ghost.” I included a link down below of Jensen's talk.

Our handsome Child of God.

We had a fun St. Patrick’s Day celebration with a visit from the cutest leprechaun I’ve ever seen. We had our green smoothies and green pancakes with yogurt for breakfast and the traditional corned beef and cabbage for dinner. The kids loved having a free pass to pinch each other for a day, and Jensen exhausted every method and means he could to catch himself a pesky leprechaun (to no avail). Climbing into bed that night, he was already formulating a plan to catch one next year that we’re hoping will bring him more success. It was a fun day!

Top of the mornin' to ya!

Our lucky green breakfast.

His first leprechaun trap.

Jensen has also taken up a new hobby! He started tennis lessons this month and is absolutely loving it. He is doing so well. He listens to his coach and takes direction and correction like a pro. It is so fun to watch him scampering around the court, jumping into form, picking up balls, high-fiving his friends. It’s adorable! Plus, he has two of the cutest little fans there each week to cheer him on.

Peri got invited to her first "friend" birthday party for a little girl in our ward. She was sooo excited! It felt so strange dropping her off on her own, seeing how independent she's becoming. Bennett had just as hard of a time as I did; he was not happy to be left behind and for the next two hours kept asking for his sister. At one point while playing outside with Jensen and Jeremy, and after apparently waiting long enough for her to come home, he hopped on his little motorized jeep and headed down our street. When we caught up to him and asked him where he was going he said, "I'm going to get Peri." Friends forever. There's a link below to a cute video of them singing the monkey song.

Heading to her first party. Big girl.

Talking to each other on their banana phones.

My little ballerina.

All gussied up for a daddy/daughter date.

We had a wonderful Easter/Birthday weekend. We took Jer out to breakfast for his birthday that morning to a fun café we had heard about, then headed to an Easter celebration put on by some friends in the ward. They held it at the outdoor pavilion at our church building and had all kinds of games, crafts and food for everyone to enjoy. They ended it with a pretty intense egg hunt that the kids loved participating in.

Bennett collecting pine cones instead of Easter eggs.

Later that afternoon we enjoyed the much-anticipated arrival of Uncle Landon, Aunt Britt, Sai and Riggs! They were so sweet to make the long drive to come see us, despite Landon’s poor, injured foot. It felt so good to spend time with them and boy, did we do our best to cram as much into our day as we could. We hit up the park near our home that Britt and Sailor spent their summer at last year. We ordered in some gourmet pizza for dinner. We colored eggs. We opened presents. We hid eggs and prepped Easter baskets. We watched March Madness and made a late night frozen yogurt run. And in the middle of all that, Jeremy headed up the delivery of a new piano to our home with the help of Braden and several of his strong friends. It was a busy but wonderful day. The kids had such fun playing together, and none of us could get enough of little Riggs. He was so happy and so fun to play with!

The birthday boy.

Easter Sunday was another busy day, but it was a wonderful one, too. The kids woke up so excited to see if the Easter Bunny had come, and boy did he ever. The Easter Bunny that came this year (from Fresno, I think I heard) was quite clever and the kids loved having to really hunt for their treasures. One of the many things I absolutely love about little Sailor is her enthusiasm for things. You could just feel the excitement racing through her cute little body that morning! It was so much fun. 

After church Dianna, Braden and his girlfriend Kristen joined us for a yummy Easter dinner. We had quite a crowd gathered around our dining room table and it was awesome to be amongst family we love so much on such a special holiday. We’re so glad we got to spend that time with Landon and his family and love them so, so much.

Ready for the hunt.

Cute Sailor bunny.

Cute Rigg's bunny.

Cousin Pals.

Ready for church.

Our Easter dinner gathering.

Bennett taking dessert into his own hands.

As you can see, March was a great month for us. We missed being home in Utah to celebrate all the March birthdays with everyone ... what fun celebrations it sounds like you had. We love you all so and miss you like crazy! Can't wait to be together again. Until next time ... Keep the faith.

 
3 Little Monkeyshttp://youtu.be/5pMIrvpnF2w

Jensen's Talk
http://youtu.be/pxMZzsAktrI

Many March Memories 2013

                          Yeah!!!!  SpRinG is here!!! 

It seems as though March is always a month of cool temperatures, mixed with rain, wind and snow...but a few days of sunshine, blue skies and warmth, signal us that Spring is on it's way and life is returning to all those 'dead' trees and wilted plants....and ME!  There is no doubt, I am a SPRING person.  These signs surely lift my spirits and make me excited for warmer days, yard work and planting, the return of Buddy's beautiful, shiny coat, sandals and pastels, lighter and longer days, bird's babbling and of course.....my birthday. 

I'll begin with my yard.  You must know I can hardly wait to get out in the dirt.  Here are a couple of past and present pictures.  Things are coming back to life and after living in my home for a year now, and knowing just what is 'out' there I want to work a bit harder at making some changes and getting things under control.  I've decided that I gain great gusto from trying to surround my little world with beauty.  I keep peering out my window for new color and life and get excited for each new bloom.  I love adding one more little touch in my home which pleases my eye.  It makes me feel happy.  Perhaps I can share the 'awakening' of my little yard with you through our blog. 




Early Spring....



.....A few weeks later!



Anne invited me to take a gardening class with her at the college.  She broke her elbow and backed out on me, but I was excited a pleased to find a new gardening buddy there....Jamison Fargo.  He's been a good coach.  This is my new little greenhouse and I'm currently growing lettuce, spinach, peas and basil in the basement.  It has been so fun to watch.  We'll see what happens this year. 

                                                            

Well, the BIGGEST excitement for the month, came with the celebration of my BIRTHDAY!!!  It was amazing!  I can't really feel too badly about having one, because the love which pours in from my sweet family makes it ALL worth it.  I can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed your phone calls, cards, surprises, drawings, party, yummy food, songs and generous presents.    
I truly 'felt the love'.  Thank you so much. 

People at work were so kind.  I hurried home and dove in to the task of repainting my bathroom.  It was actually fun.  Taryn must have inspired me and given me confidence.  Shelley and I had done two coats previously, but I wasn't happy with the color.  Well, I think the third time was the charm.  You won't be able to tell by this pic, but I love the results this time.

Hummm!  This really doesn't tell the story.  Guess you'll just have to come see it.

On Sunday, we gathered and Jeremy and Mand's house.  It was wonderful.  Everyone contributed fabulous food....chicken salad sandwiches on foccasia bread, veggies, chips, delicious green salad, fruit and the 'best ever' Lemon Curd Cake.  Yummm!  My mouth is beginning to water.  The children played so cute together and Haillie strummed her guitar and sang some new songs for us.  Her talent is exploding!!!  The biggest shock and delight was opening up the astounding surprise!  Thank you so much, Britney and Cass, for creating an amazing lasting memory of our 'ADVENTURE' to Lake Almanor.  I can't wait to share it with each of you.  So many fun pics and cuddily cousins having a great time.  What a labor of love!  Thank you. 
In the near future, I hope I can be typing this BLOG on an updated computer.  You were so sweet to contribute to that investment.  I know it will simplify and expedite things.  No playing the piano while I wait for things to 'boot up'.  It was a wonderful birthday and I truly give THANKS to each of you!



Jensen shared this fun pic.  Look at ALL the detail he drew!!!

 See what I mean?  We sang a little Beattles tune about "When I'm 64!"  It was great.  Thank you ALL so very much.

Next, Casha's birthday followed.  It was wonderful to share in her celebration.  Hope she'll share some pics of that.  Her little family really made it special for her.  Aren't children the BEST?

Easter came the very end of the month, and I was treated to a visit in North Ogden with the Stowers family.  I wish I had taken my camera.  There were a lot of children who enjoyed each other and hunted throughout the backyard for surprises.  Art, Nate's dad, gave a beautiful message and we enjoyed a delicious dinner.   

I am so grateful for the many blessings which surround my life.  I know that the challenges we have, build character and refine us in ways which will bless our lives if we stand strong.  My upcoming Relief Society lesson teaches that "if we have established a proper character, we can confidently invite God to search our hearts."  It is the consistency between what you say you will do and what you actually do.  It is who you are and what you do when no one is looking.  We will work on it for our lifetime...and beyond.

I have wanted to choose a family scripture to serve as a source of motivation and inspiration for us.  I would welcome any suggestions which you might have.  Here are a few I want to consider:
1.  2 Nephi 31:14-21
     Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father:  Ye shall have eternal life.
2. Mosiah 2:41
    And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.  O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
3.  Mosiah 5:15
     Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all.
Please share any ideas which you might have.
Well, April is flying by.  Lots of fun events coming up for you.  Thank you for participating in our BLOG.  I think it is great.  Let's keep trying to aim for the 1st week of each month.  I'll try harder next time.  This time was SOOOOO much easier, thanks to some good tutoring.

Love you all so very much,
Mom/Nana