This year I have felt so good that I took care of all the yard work. There were a lot of bushes to prune but the John Deer and trailer made my work a little easier.
April 3 - Conference Trivia
We got together for some Trivia after the last session of General Conference. I was pleasantly surprised at the questions that everyone came up with. Brayden came and watched the last session with me and I was so proud watching him take notes for the game.
Before Conference Trivia, we ate ham, funeral potatoes, carrots, salad, and home baked rolls. A traditional Easter meal, which is always a big hit. This year we had a choice of three desserts. Most of us had all three. Cherry Cheesecake, Rootbeer Floats, and Strawberry Shortcake.
Grandma's little munchkin
I'm so happy this little guy loves me as much as I love him! James knows grandma is always willing to share her food with him.
April 4 - Firewood for sale!
A suprise met me at the driveway of Audrey's house today.
Firewood for Sale!
These kiddos were serious about earning money for a trip so they came up with a plan to sell "firewood".
It was so stinkin' cute. All three kids had a specific assignment in selling and held up signs for customers to read.
Emmy's sign: Put money in here please.
Alia's sign: Get some firewood 8.00 each.
Ben's sign: Need some help carrying. Come here.
I love these kids. They are a chip off the "old block", meaning grandpa Bates. He would be so proud!
Brayden, Makaela and I went to the Bear River Bird Refuge today. I had never driven the refuge before, only visited the education center. It was quite a treat. We packed a lunch and armed ourselves with binoculars, a bird guide book, and a camera. We saw over 15 variety of birds. The Canadian Geese are some of my favorite.
By the time we had driven the entire refuge, almost 4 hours had passed. Time passes quickly when you are surrounded by nature. It was a beautiful, quiet, peaceful day. Only us and the birds.
April 9 - New trees
Dave solicited the help from his brother, Robert, to plant new trees. Dave helps him prune and shape his trees every year and it was nice to see Robert return the favor.
Peach Blossoms
While Dave and Robert were planting and pruning the new trees, I drove around on the 4-wheeler capturing pictures of our orchard in blooms. Beautiful!
April 13 - Brayden and Bo
It was my last day to pick up Brayden and Bo from school this year. And, sadly, this is the last
year to ever do so. They are graduating from the Charter school in Perry and will be riding a school bus to Brigham City Middle School next year.
I am so thankful to have had this opportunity to spend some one on one time with a cherished grandson. Today, when I dropped Brayden and Bo off at the house, they took off running for the field by the house. I thoroughly enjoyed watching these two life-long friends running and chasing after each other... doing what boys do together. My heart was full of joy watching these young friends do what brings them joy. Some friendships are never broken. I have a feeling these two will always remain forever friends. These two have some stories to tell!
Mom's Garden Gloves
I have proof that I have been working hard in the yard this year. I put on mom's garden gloves and wore a hole right through the tips of the fingers!
I don't think mother minds it at all. All the while I had her gloves on I thought of her working along beside me and the beautiful works that she was performing in her own garden on the other side of the veil.
Rewards
The rewards to pruning and shaping plants and bushes, and weeding and cleaning is... a beautiful yard.
Raining Blossoms
The wind came up and blossoms started falling from the trees. It was raining blossoms. Beautiful!
The Season of Spring
Spring at our house in just plum beautiful!
I couldn't say it above. Not this topic. Not Suicide. But it's our family's reality. And, it's still so hard to believe that my son was so sad and felt so much pain and hopelessness that he decided it was better for him to leave.
I can't bring him back, but I can do something to change the tide for someone else. Kelsey is always my inspiration. She drags me into community service. Always helping. Always educating. Even in our own pain and grief, we get involved in making a difference, however small it may be.
We have been attending a Suicide Survivors meeting and was asked if we would sit on a panel discussion at an upcoming Suicide Awareness Conference. We did. We shared Steven's story. Our story. We shared our son and brother's life with others. We brought remembrance and honor to a life lived the best he knew how. He still lives! And he lives forever in our hearts. His story does not end here.
I have a feeling that Steven has also learned things that will help change the tide for other loved ones. His love and influence can reach to this side of life. Earth life.
Together... we can spread the word of love, forgiveness, hope, and healing. We are all connected, here and there.
I was thankful that my sister, Leslie, came all the way up from Blanding to give love and support to us. As hard as Suicide is... talking about it and sharing our remembrances of Steve is healing. Father In Heaven has blessed us and put us in the right places, at the right time, to provide help and give comfort to others. The same as when Shaniel was taken from us. There is always something to learn, others to help, and hope to give. The Lord's love for us compels us to love also.
April 26 - Grandma's office
It's just not for doing computer and creative work, it's also about playing. Audrey and the kids often accompany me in the office. While Audrey and I get on line to search out things of interest, the kiddos play... with the roller rack, the rocking chair, Raggedy Ann and Andy, and wooden toys. My office is full of fun too!
We couldn't end the month without a trip to Treehouse Museum. The fire truck is always a center point of interest. Ben the fire chief and James at the wheel. Hope he gets them there! Emmy is always happy go lucky and finds joy in supporting all play. Today they found an old time boat that the pioneers crossed the sea on. Alia put on her bonnet and apron and cleaned that old boat up nice and tidy!
I love watching these kiddos play. It makes my heart happy.
Month In Review
One April Birthday
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