The Nitty Gritty

Our Spring Break Coronavirus Edition was last week. Grandma Lisa and Papa John came and spent the week with us. Initially, they were going to fly, but when things started getting crazy, they opted to drive instead. Each day, there was a big story in the news--earthquake in SLC, I-80 closed due to blizzard conditions, COVID-19 spiking in Italy, local restaurants and movie theaters now closed, social distancing a must, etc. However, we didn't let the stress around us stop us from having fun! Isaac and his mom baked so many delicious things. I happily offered my custodial services while they did all the baking. :) We watched a movie every night and took a walk every day. We taught Grandma and Papa how to play four square. Best of all, it was great to just be together. Making Strawberry Hand Pies Playing Blokus Walking on the UCM campus and seeing the first signs of spring Will's smolder selfie Playing the game Van created, "Fantasy vs. Reality". ...

We had an awesome weekend! Or should I say EPIC weekend! Trish, Colin, and Garrett came to visit us. Last year, Colin and Trish asked Garrett which temple he'd like to go to when he turned 12. He said, "Kansas City! Then I can go with Will!" SO, that's what we did! Union Station Someone asked us if we were sisters. We both said, "No, but it feels that way!" I met Trish on my first day at Westminster over 20 years ago. My fondest memories of our friendship is when she and I lived close to each other in West Jordan. Our two oldest boys were born nine months apart. We had so much fun going for walks in the park, going to story time at the library, and trading kids when we'd sub at the schools. She's always been such a support to me, especially during the major events in my life---the birth of my boys, my dad's passing, returning to the classroom to teach full time, moving to AZ and Missouri, my boys' baptisms, everyone's birthdays...

It's March and I feel like a new woman! The weather has turned to spring-like weather and I want to pack up all my winter gear and store it away for good.  I'm looking forward to being outdoors A LOT this year. My sister Lana shared with me a podcast about the science of storytelling-- to share a moment(s) in your day rather than recounting everything that happened. So, I'd like to do that with this post. William: Today, I went to William's hockey game. The PE teacher at his school does something similar to intramural sports. 3rd grade does soccer, 4th grade does handball, and 5th grade does hockey. The classes play against each other. The students take turns playing different positions. I was so impressed with Will! In first grade, he played soccer for a season and it was tough. He had so much anxiety about the ball hitting his head (due to a traumatic experience of a kid throwing a rock at his head and cutting it open). It was painful as a parent to watch my chi...