Spring Break, Part 2

Our Spring Break continued with Charlton amazing us on Thursday.  Last summer, he would rarely go into the swimming pool, and even then only if I would accompany him.  I have been so busy with the older children trying to help them develop their talents that I had slightly neglected Charlton's talents or needs.  Well, my friend and I found a coupon on line for a four-day swimming lessons that took place during spring break, so we hurried and got those.  Charlton liked the fact that it was just him and his friend, and that translated in him feeling more comfortable in the water.  Well, by Thursday Charlton and Mckinley could float and dive in all on their own!  I was so proud of my sweet boy.  We made sure we registered them for the next eight weeks, so by the time summer comes they will be able to swim alongside their siblings.

Friday was a beautiful day.  After resting on Thursday from my dental ordeal, I was ready for some outdoor activities.  We biked, roller-bladed, and walked to the barber shop and got our boys to look clean and handsome.  And then took off for the park, where the kids played soccer, catch, roller-bladed, and had fun in the sun.  I read while breathing the fresh air.

When we got back home, the kids played with bubbles and enjoyed each other's company.

On Saturday, we watched Conference at home.  We all felt the Spirit as apostles and prophets, the Lord's spokesmen, gave their inspired advise and thoughts.  James and Charlton sat quietly drawing, Gillian wrote a lot of her feelings down, and Jefferson embarked into making a model of a temple with legos.  I was really grateful to have well-behaved children who allowed me to listen and be inspired.  Here are some of my favorite statements that meant a lot to me:

"Just because the nation may change its laws to "tolerate legalized acts of immorality" does not make those acts less spiritually damaging". Elder Boyd K. Packer.

Here is also Jefferson's finished model of the temple:

 

After conference, Elijah got ready to attend the Priesthood session, and I had the kids get ready to do some fun outdoorsy things with me.  It was after six when we left, and we decided we would drive up to Mount Diablo, and then hike or play on some hill on the way down.  When we got all the way to the top, we were the only people there.  The kids had a grand time exploring and taking the whole scenery in. 

As we drove down, we kept looking for one of our favorite spots, a clearing with a couple of trees on top with mostly beautiful green grass to run through and play.  We named it the Leprechaun's Landing, and when we found it, the kids didn't wait for me but left running and racing each other.  It was terribly beautiful and scary at the same time.  It was overwhelming to me to be the only human beings amongst such a vast naturalistic environment.  The city girl in me thought it scary, but the little speck of country in me thought it marvelous to breath the fresh air, to be on your own without noise and distraction, to see the kids run and climb, to admire the beauty God has made for us.

While the kids were climbing this very tall tree nearby, I was distracted by the gorgeous view of the sun disappearing over the hills.  I couldn't resist but take some fun pictures:

I aided the kids down the tree and reluctantly said goodbye to our surroundings.  It had been a beautiful experience and had given me the time to ponder the words I heard in conference.  I'm truly grateful for the blessing of motherhood and the knowledge that I am a daughter of God.