I thought we were doing okay (always a bad omen!) and the next morning the boys awoke with green mucus and coughs. Allergies? A cold? How do we know! We’ve all attended church together once in the last 7 weeks-ish. This morning we had a family prayer that we’d all be healthy enough to go to church and not infect people. When we got in the car to go, the mucus and coughing stopped. When we put the boys back in the car, the mucus and coughing started again. We count it as a big blessing. Three minutes before the meeting started we found out that Wes was being released. A new young men’s presidency has been called—hurray for them and the boys!—and Wesley will continue working with them at mutual until we move.

We celebrated spring break with Wesley this week by going on a light hike to McKinney Falls. The boys tasted their first hot dogs. They rejoiced in the tall, super green trees, the blue bonnets (and array of other flowers). They found sticks and “cut down” the trees. They “skipped” rocks in the creek. They loved looking at and touching the waterfalls. Lincoln conked out in the hiking backpack halfway through. He drooled on Wesley’s neck but blocked sunburn (Lincoln was well covered with a hat, too!). A gorgeous outing. We want to go again.

Tuesday our friends came over to teach us “Agricola.” I liked it more than anticipated and Wes is calculating when they can come again for a rematch. We got to bed after midnight; the boys woke up not too long after! Hehehe. We should expect these things by now.

Our other generous, generous friends gave us their piano. Yes! I’m serious! I’ve been so excited I think my skin fell off; Levi is even more excited (we put his skin back on, though). He can show you middle C. He sits at the keys, happily plunking away, singing at the top of his lungs. Lincoln contributes also—but still stretches to reach. Wesley plays. I tried to remember the instrument. Levi stopped me and said, “Mom wait. Dad can play.” Well. I guess I will have to renew my lessons when Levi begins!

Nina flew away today. We made cinnamon rolls for the people who helped pack up her truck yesterday. Wes helped coordinate the event.

In between times, Wesley worked. He visited a chiller plant and loved seeing the reality of the things he models. The chillers are longer than our house and about the height of a one story house. Cool. He caught up on a bunch of stuff that he hasn’t had a second for. He even studied his C++ for Dummies as a supplemental skill. He’s glad he could have a break to do necessary things without gaining more work—especially as he is now ready to jump back into the game tomorrow. This semester just plows forward! Wow. He also scheduled his preliminary defense with his committee. It will be May 3. At this meeting he will give an overview of his research, where he plans to go with it, and then defend his direction while gaining needed feedback/questions from his committee. Go Wes!

Levi and I finally finished sanding the chairs. I painted them last night. They need another coat to cover the splotchiness. They need a sealant thing to make them less sticky. But—for never spray painting anything before, I’m pretty pleased. But man, they are green! Outside they looked fine, inside it looks as if we want Wicked to be part of our daily lives. (Wes said ogres and orcs come to mind…) Hopefully they’ll look better when I make the seat covers. Will stripes and denim tone them down? Maybe not. A good adventure, regardless.

One of my primary kids was baptized yesterday. I love baptisms. She bore her testimony today in class about how the Spirit clarifies everything—even your vision! “Michael’s white shirt is just sooo bright. It almost hurts my eyes.” They’re cute.

Levi's "RedshirtredSHORTS!" that he wants
to live in.

Levi told us that he wants to go to a restaurant to get food. (I guess I need to up my wares!) One morning, he climbed into bed with Wesley (I was downstairs), and talked talked talked. I walked in on Wesley saying, “Why don’t you like Mom? I like Mom.” Then they both laughed. Oh dear. I take heart because Levi later climbed into bed when I was still there, turned my head, and basically sucked my face off. “BIG KISS!” Good luck to his future wife.

A normal stance for Lincoln

Lincoln discovered running. He only wants to run. He’ll hold on to us if we run, and keep running. He ran all the way to the mailbox and back clutching Wesley’s fingers. He ran to his diaper change. When he fully gains his balance I’ll have to learn how to hurdle, sprint, and long distance all over again. Already he climbs couches, beds, shelves, then tries to lounge and roll. Between his big brother and his normal approach to life he is constantly bruised and too often bloody. Thankfully resilient as well. You should see him bounce back. If we hug him too long, he pushes away like, “Okay, okay, get off already!” Then off he runs. You should also see him grab a tissue, hold it to his nose, and blow everything but his brains out. He’s refining the skill—we’re all very impressed. People always comment on his sounds: Levi tells us he’s singing. I think we all are in our own way.

Love you.

WCJL

P.S. One of my students wrote a booklet years ago called, “Your Parents Want You to Have Sex.” Of course I had to ask for a copy. Good stuff. I’m trying to convince her to publish it so I can hand it out at family reunions. Be(a)ware! It’s totally awesome!

McKinney Falls

Ah, tulips

PIANO!