HAPPY MARCH!  Such a great month and so many good things and great people to celebrate ~  Blowing out the birthday candles this month are Grant, Kim, and Ben - the first day of Spring is March 20th - Spring Break - Phantom of the Opera at the Buell Theatre - and finally, week #13 of American Government (that means the last of those "dang worksheets" 😁. 

    Seriously, March has always been a month of hope for me.  Working our way through the winter months, seeing more sun, and feeling more warmth.  I know General Conference is on the horizon, and Easter, and all that it means to me.  If you are tired and weary from Winter, just know that good things are to come. 🌸

  It has been so fun to have Max and Amelia here with us this week.  Paul has kept them busy with hiking, pickleball, laser tag, and lots of board games.  They leave tomorrow morning, but we hope they will come back again soon. We love you both ❤

 Adam smoked some delicious ribs for us tonight, and afterwards the "younger ones" cleared off the table and set up some games, while the "older ones" were on their phones 😂

Max's missionary companion, Levi, who is a Senior at the Air Force Academy, also joined us.  

 

 We don't get to see him too often either, but it is always a treat when we do, 😊

Friday, Jake didn't have school, so we got to spend some time with him.  He helped me do some last-minute pick-up before Max and Amelia came, and then we went on an adventure to find a roller park where he could practice his roller hockey skills.  We found a one really close by, and while Jake skated, I basked in sunshine and 64° temps.  Jake is amazing, and really, it was the best de-stressor ever! 🏒

Grandkids are the best, and Ben outdid himself this week with this ingenious invention - tacos made with a gyoza press 😃 .  That's right!  You lay part of a taco shell on the press, fill it with carnitas (you can add cheese if you want), fold it over and press - Voila - you have a mini taco ready to pop in your mouth.  For more detailed instructions, watch the video below 😂

Something I thought you might enjoy - 

  Mike is the most wonderful brother, and I have the fondest memories of when we were young, however, what I don't remember is how mischievous he was. I am so thankful that my mother was such an amazing letter-writer. Her letters are now treasures, and Ruthis was able to consolidate some of the letters she wrote to Francie when she was in her first year at BYU. Mike was born in 1956, and Francie was in her first year of college in 1960, so these are just a sampling of what Mike did to our Mom 😂

    Oct 5, 1960 - "Mike seems to be getting a cold tonight. He helped me wash the car today, then filled is wagon with water and climbed in. He was wet from head to toe, so if he has a cold, I won't be surprised. I told him I was going to write to you and asked him what he wanted me to tell you, and he said, "Tell her I'm a good boy" 😀

Oct 13, 1960 - "Today, I cleaned house really well, and while I was sweeping the kitchen, Mike went into his room to play, and by the time I got around to his room, there was a big puddle of water on the floor. He had poured water into his toy chest, for what reason I couldn't figure out, and everything in it was just soaked. I took it outside (it dripped all the way) and dumped everything in it on the grass to dry. While I was cleaning up his room, he came out in the kitchen and got out all the measuring cups and spoons and poured water in them, so half that floor was a big puddle too. So went the day - "

Oct 13, 1960 - "Tonight, when I took Mike to the bathroom before putting him to bed, he 'wet' in every direction, including straight up! On purpose! and thought it was a big joke". 😩

So glad he's all grown up, and Mom and Dad were always so very proud of him!  Yesterday, he sent me this podcast from BYU radio.  It is so interesting and so good. When you have a minute, click on this link -

Diving into History

Thank you, Angella, for a great Sunday Selfie!

What a week our world has had! Between the cartels and riots in Mexico, and the bombings in the Middle East, we realize the thin thread that can hold a government together.  It is so sad to me that the hostilities and absolute lack of tolerance people have for each other continues to grow.  My team teacher in Primary this year, Heather Clonninger, is amazing! I think she is best friends with everyone, not only in our Ward, but in our community as well.  She is also very liberal and doesn't hesitate to express her views.  Today, though, she was telling our class that she wants to be a "bridge-builder".  When she meets people that she knows have different ideologies from her, she says, "let's find something we do have in common", and that is the foundation of new relationships.  I love the idea that we shouldn't limit our friendships based on differences, but instead find a common ground - It doesn't mean our beliefs are any less relevant than theirs, it just means we can learn from and respect the ideas that are important to them.  

I think we should all be bridge-builders!  The Savior was probably the greatest example of this - He loved unconditionally and formed relationships with those who completely opposed him.  

This week, be a bridge builder ❤