Once again, I am refraining from Facebook during Lent, and yet again this time is showing to be a smorgasbord of productivity.
First, I picked up crocheting again- sort of. I am not any good. My mother has been trying to teach me how to crochet since I was, like, five years old. I never got the hang of it until now… and it is a very loose grip, I warn you. At first I kept getting to the third row of stitches then I would undo that work and start again. It just didn’t look right. I confided my issue with my mom and she sagely told me that “Nothing looks good before the 6th row. Just keep going!” I put a lid on my inner-perfectionist and forged ahead row after row. And wouldn’t you know it, my mom was right. (You’d think after almost 29 years with the woman I would wise up by now!) I mean, the project isn’t proper- I am lousy with counting, so the edges are very uneven, but the middle looks fantastic!
That’s life. Lots of fringes but the middle tends to be nice. And, to be honest, I am still waiting to get beyond the initial rows of stitching here in Texas. Some days are good, but most days I want to rip it out and start over. Don’t misunderstand. Texas is lovely. It is a very happening scene- lots to explore. But, it just doesn’t seem like the place for me. I am aware of some ways the Lord is trying to make this place my home- I enjoy my calling, it is not burdensome or demanding. If it is not the 3rd Sunday (when I am assigned to teach) I am substituting in Primary- which, as you know, I love. It doesn’t fail- each 1st, 2nd or 4th Saturday someone asks me to substitute. It makes my weekend.
I also accepted the 40 Bags 40 Days challenge, so I have been purging our apartment of stuff. You’d think my home would be cleaner for it but NOPE.
During Spring Break we had a much needed Family Day at Zilker Park in
Austin. We packed a lunch, played hard, and rode the miniature train.
Afterwards we headed to the University to see Michael’s office and the
campus turtle pond.
That night Michael and I went out on a date to Top Golf, which I recommend to anyone! I stink at golf and I even won a game. GO ME! A server brings you drinks and food while you lounge and play. We ate waAaAaAaaaaaay too much and had to roll home. I have said it before, but I think days like that are hard on Mike because he sees what he has been missing during the semester- US. Here’s to “sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven,” right?
That Thursday I took the boys to the temple. An hour and a half drive without traffic to San Antonio- but this is Austin, so there is always traffic on I-35.
I love taking the boys to the temple though, completely worth it. The visit is a wonderful reminder for them about the importance of our family and home. We ate lunch on the temple’s grounds and walked around. I asked the boys to look for squares and other features and asked them why those elements were chosen to adorn the temple and its grounds. These interactions make me smile and give me a glimpse into the depth my children possess.
You know the song, “I Often Go Walking”- there are only a few Church songs that make me tear up (because I am an emotionless samurai, afterall) and they all come from the Children’s Songbook- and this is one of them. As I take my children to the temple and have these conversations with them, I hope I am instilling in them a love for the temple and preparing them to hold dear the covenants and the symbols of God’s love found therein. Because I figure-
For if I love temples, covenants, and serving,
I learn how to love them, dear mother, from you.
I learn how to love them, dear mother, from you.
We also celebrated Caleb’s birthday early since his birthday falls on a Wednesday this year. For his celebration he wanted it to be a family affair. He wanted to go to the neighborhood park and fly his newly bought kite (purchased with his own savings) and have a pizza picnic.
For gifts he received the usual fair- play dough tools and legos, but also received a full-size keyboard from Grandpa and Grandma Kappes with headphones (thankgoodness!) Since Caleb is at school during the day, I have been practicing playing the simplified Primary songs found in the Friend magazine- only my right hand though! I feel very accomplished!
Besides finding a few new gray hairs on top of my head, nothing else to report, really.
I am in shock that I will be turning 29 this summer! {eeek!}
I miss my blog and I miss my friends! Love ya!
