Thursday, April 12, 2012

Another Month in the Life of....

It has been another eventful time... some trials and many blessings.... some fun and some sober times.  
My niece, Wendy, lost her husband Garth to cancer.  It was a quick breath taking time from the time he was diagnosed in November to his loss in March. He was just 48 years old and his loss devastated her and the family for her.  He was such a blessing to her at a time in her life that she needed to find stability and joy and know that she was thoroughly and unconditionally loved.  Her children, especially the youngest who has known no other dad, will miss him greatly and his children were nearly inconsolable. They were all raised in the gospel though, so they know that he lives on and will be there for them in spirit and to greet them at the end of their time here on earth.  


The week of March 19th through the 24th was very, very busy!  The Boise Philharmonic Orchestra and Master Chorale performed Brahms Requiem.  Monday, Tuesday & Thursday we had rehearsals; Friday evening, Saturday morning and Saturday evening we had concerts.  Friday evening was out here in Nampa at NNU; then we did a Saturday "casual" matinee partial performance in the morning at The Morrison Center followed by a full performance Sat. evening there.  This music is absolutely glorious! Most requiems are about funerals and death... kinda dark.  This requiem looks at death and the ones left to grieve. It was so very beautiful and moving. One solo is about a mother's feelings and assurances to her son that is grieving.  This music spoke to my heart as I imagined my grandmother reaching out to assure us from heaven.  It was probably the most challenging music I've ever participated in by far... and some of the most rewarding. I feel so blessed to be a part of this great choir.  

For spring break this year Mike, Heather and the kids came to visit.  Heather and Mike went on to Seattle for a little getaway and the kids stayed with Gramma and Grampa!  We had so much fun!  The kids were very good and they were especially good for Grampa and aware of his need to rest throughout the day.  Each time he would go to the bedroom to rest, they would all calm down and Molly would go in to "check" on him off and on.  Grampa was very touched by her concern.  
One of the activities we did was making pictures on our V-Teck art game that you hook up to the TV.  Mikey didn't try it-- it looked a little babyish to him, but the girls loved it.   We also have a whiteboard easel that they love to draw on and a huge stock of paper, crayons, markers, colored construction paper, glue, glitter... but we didn't get to the paint!  Oh well, I think the kids still had a blast!
 Fun at the park!  There was this spinning thingy that the kids just loved... as you can tell by their faces!  We had kinda gloomy weather, but the day we went to the park the rain cleared up and it warmed up just enough for us to have a fun, fun time!
We had a bubble day too!  It was super fun... Molly and Maddy really cracked me up wearing a couple of my jackets... they drowned them, but oh how they loved wearing them!
While the kids were here, it was interesting that Maddy just kept loving and loving on Scooter. Molly was afraid of him for a bit, but she finally warmed up enough to pet him too.  Of course Scooter LOVES it when kids come to visit!  The funny thing is he's getting old too!  He plays for a bit, then he has to take a break just like Grampa!  

 Of course it's not complete without some input from the other kids too!  So while the Barlows were here Gramma got picture messages from the Lindsay boys  (being crazy as always---can't wait to get crazy with them) and from River with her "flat" smile we all love so much and doing the army crawl!  
 I just had to include these pictures of the girls and gramma with our masking tape whiskers... we actually did this when I was down there for Garth's funeral... it was a moment of fun that lightened the purpose of this trip. It actually started with Molly... but we soon all joined in.  Except Mikey... he just watched us and laughed at us - but check out his "rock star" pose with the pink guitar!  he he he!
In closing- I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!  Hope everyone enjoyed conference (it was truly wonderful this year and very family oriented)-  
Here's a picture of River on her first Easter- looks like she's saying  "Hi Gramma!"  

 And here's a very happy, tired out Brooke Anne on Easter... with chocolate and yummy showing on her face... he he he.  


Will be posting again soon.... heading back to Blackfoot, Poky, IF this weekend...   posted with love and gratitude as always by a Gramma who loves her family and feels so blessed!