Happy Easter! And Happy Conference! What a great way to celebrate the resurrection and Heavenly Father’s plan for us. All week we have studied Christ’s last week during the boys’ personal scripture time. Keller runs around pretending to wave palm leaves shouting “Hosanna!” Lincoln wants me to be the donkey. We dyed Easter eggs yesterday; they enjoyed the prospect of it, but the reality was only eh. Tomorrow our neighbors and friends are coming over for an FHE egg hunt in the yard.  

Don’t you love Conference? Levi was so excited he shivered. He kept comparing the speakers with the pictures on the wall of the apostles. They thought President Uchtdorf’s German conducting was hilarious. We missed hearing more from President Monson and Elder Scott. Levi concluded the day by informing us that he’s going to grow up to be an apostle and the prophet. “I’ll do a pretty good job.” Lincoln said maybe he’d work for Levi, but he still thinks “Satan has a nice face” (in the New Testament stories book)...The boys did awesome this Conference. We even heard some of it! As always we look forward to reading the talks over. I’m so grateful we have six months to study and digest it. It is like the Savior telling us to go to our homes and ponder His words, try to master them, then come back on the morrow for more. I love that “saints are sinners who keep trying.” Phew! I love my Savior.

Of course the rest of the week can’t compare to Easter and Conference.

Wesley was in Houston from Monday until late Wednesday for a conference on clean power plants. We missed him, but this was a really quick trip. I was almost surprised when he returned. I love having him around. He brought us home fruit twists from HEB (the Texas grocery store) because I love them. (Whenever I start feeling lonely for Texas I think of scorpions near my babies and big hissing cockroaches and no mountains…then I feel better). Wes is the best. I love that we see him so often. I love that he’ll work extra so I can volunteer in Levi’s class. I love that when he’s home, he’s 100% home. I love that he talks to me about work and that we counsel about everything. Perhaps this would drive other people nuts—but I learn more about him every day and I know in 10 years I’ll be even crazier about him than I am now. If that’s possible!

While he was gone, the inspection for our new house happened. The girl who was going to watch Keller and Lincoln slept through her alarm and doorbell, so my friend took Levi to school and kept Lincoln with her. As we drove out, Keller screamed, “I WANT TO STAY WITH CHERYL! I WANT TO STAY WITH CHERYL!” She’s completely won them over. Keller played very happily in the house and Venice was happy once I put her down. Thankfully: no major problems! Buying a house means buying a list of exciting projects. So…if anyone is interested in helping us knock down a wall or push out our fence in the next little while, we’ll feed and house you! I met the owner. He seemed really nice. He told us that the area has a ton of little kids and they’ve loved it for the last 20 years.

One of the best moments of the week happened when Levi woke then ran to give me a big hug and kiss. That night when I was in and out with screaming Keller, Levi rolled over and said, “Mom, I want to hug and kiss you!” Thank you, Levi! He struggled readjusting to school, but loved the weekend. He helped clean up and helped take care of Venice and just helped. He read a book then helped Keller pretend to read it. Super cute. Such a good, emotional boy.

Lincoln, oh Lincoln, how do you live? He left a wave of destruction behind him. Not that this is abnormal. This week the wave just felt huge. If we were characters in a picture book, he would be the one running through with scissors cutting the world apart. And then he smiles, and I think: Did he really just hit me with that shovel? Did he really just shove Keller over and beat him with a stick? Did he really just steal all the baby toys and hide them? “I’m not going on a mission. I’m going to marry Venice and kiss her on the mouth!” For his personal time he wanted to fold clothes and pack, though. That was awesome. He’s quite the help.

Keller has been gunky but happy. Screaming but “I okay.” Mischievous and dangerous. He climbs into Nissy’s crib and jumps. She’s not a fan. I’m not a fan. I swatted his bum so hard I almost cried. I hate doing that. I’ve given up keeping clothes on him except when we eat and when we go out. He comes out of a nap in only underpants when I put him down fully clothed. He willingly puts them on when he’s hungry—which is often lately. I think he’s growing. We spent three nights screaming that his legs and arms hurt. And when he’s tired he runs into things—so his toe bleeds, his knee bleeds, his back hurts. Oh yes, and Lincoln shut the door on him, which resulted in a huge black-yellow bruise.

Venice is also gunky but happy. She officially crawls! Forward! She started yesterday. Today she crawled out of the toy room, into the hall, and into the bathroom when she heard the tub going. I can’t keep her sitting because she needs to move. She can’t eat because she’s so distracted by the wonderful world around her. She joins the chorus of loud ruckus. I’m glad we’re moving so she can crawl more safely. She’s such a sweet little creature, and part of the crew!

We’re a circus over here: happy, sticky, and out there. Buy tickets to the show.