A Dance for Sarah

Several months ago a good friend (who is also a dance instructor) offered to help Maren create a dance in honor of Sarah.  Maren performed this special dance at a recital yesterday.  The dance was set to Celine Dion's song, "Fly".  Maren gracefully expressed the feelings of her heart and love for her sister as she danced.  Through her many hours of practice, Maren performed a memorable personal tribute for her beloved little sister.  To view the dress rehearsal of "Sarah's Dance," Click here.

Butterflies in her hair reminded us of Sarah.

    We stopped by Sarah's bench on the way home.

Lyrics to Fly

Fly, fly little wing

Fly beyond imagining

The softest cloud, the whitest dove

Upon the wind of heaven's love

Past the planets and the stars

Leave this lonely world of ours

Escape the sorrow and the pain

And fly again

Fly, fly precious one

Your endless journey has begun

Take your gentle happiness

Far too beautiful for this

Cross over to the other shore

There is peace forevermore

But hold this mem'ry bittersweet

Until we meet

Fly, fly do not fear

Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear

Your heart is pure, your soul is free

Be on your way, don't wait for me

Above the universe you'll climb

On beyond the hands of time

The moon will rise, the sun will set

But I won't forget

Fly, fly little wing

Fly where only angels sing

Fly away, the time is right

Go now, find the light   

The Return of the Butterfly

They said goodbye for a short while, but the butterflies have returned more beautiful than ever.

A Pig Problem!

Our community has been invaded by wild pigs.  You may think this pig is related to the cute Wilbur from Charlotte's Web, but it is definitely not!  The past two Friday nights our flower beds have fallen victim to the pigs' ferocious appetite for grubs and other insects.  Their strong snouts and tusks dig and destroy plants and flowers while removing landscaping rocks and mulch.  

They bring along their wee babes to teach them the art of destruction!

BEFORE

AFTER

The pigs chew on the root systems of plants and flowers, making it impossible to replant.

"The High Tech Pig Detector" by Graco

Brian and I place this small piece of equipment in the front yard so we can detect any future pig invasions.  We hope the "pig detector" (really our baby monitor) picks up snorting in addition to the croaking of frogs and noise of passing cars.  Will these creatures return tonight?  We're keeping our fingers crossed that their hunger will lead them to other green pastures.  

      

Word on the street is thirty pigs have been captured in our community this year, four last weekend.  We're hoping those four were the demons that destroyed our yard. 

Happy Mother's Day

I am so grateful for the sacred calling of motherhood.  

My mother taught me...

...to believe in myself.

My mother taught me...

...to appreciate all of God's creations, both small and great.

My mother taught me...

...how to bake.

It is quite obvious how thrilled I was with my new Easy-Bake Oven. Where was my mother's good fashion sense when she purchased my eye glasses?!

One of my favorite things to bake

Sarah's Cookies
1 cup butter
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
3 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1-2 cups chocolate chips (optional)

Cream butter and brown sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Stir in dry ingredients adding oats, nuts and chips last.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10~12 minutes.

I baked these cookies for Sarah the day before her passing.  I fed her small bite-size pieces soaked in milk while she laid comfortably on the couch, wrapped in her pink blanket.  While mixing the ingredients together in the kitchen, I remember her quiet, weak voice asking, "Mama, you making cookies?"  These warm cookies were my last gift to her.         

My mother taught me...

...by her example, that you can choose to be happy even during difficult circumstances.

She wore this head brace for five months while her neck healed from one of many surgeries related to rheumatoid arthritis.  While wearing this awkward, heavy contraption she continued to take care of her family, attend church meetings, and of course smile!  

   SUPER MOM!

Spring Concert

Nothing compares to the sound of forty fourth graders performing Old MacDonald on the recorder.

He may have been the only one in blue jeans (my mistake)--but this boy can blow!  

Nathan's looking forward to one more year on the recorder.  He has expressed interest in playing the trumpet in the junior high band.  Go Nathan!

My mother taught me...

...how to love and care for babies.

My mother taught me...

...how to plan a party.