Richins

 We just got back from a week at Lake Powell with my siblings and their families minus one sister-in-law. My mom was able to join us for part of the week too. My dad opted to stay home and work since the forecast was hot for that week.  It was a fun break from the everyday grind of life. I have more pictures than I know what to do with.  Some of the highlights of the trip were- renting a boat with wake surfing capabilities, Cousins playing together and cheering each other on, Finding a great spot with a sandy area for the kids to play in and also good hiking, Older cousins and sibling helping a younger sibling/cousin when fear got the best of her, A spot with everything shaded by 2:30 in the afternoon, Cloud cover and light breezes, Paddle boarding and exploring with Glen, All my kids trying and being successful at surfing, except for Beth who didn’t want too, Being able to get up surf by myself and with Ruth  No internet for a week, Family pictures, Late night chats...

 On Monday, the 14th, Glen and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary. That means our relationship is all grown up and an adult, or something like that. Since I sometimes think I am still around that age, it is kind of crazy.  We did something that seemed very adult like and was just what Glen wanted. With the help of Glen’s co workers we took sod that was cut from one coworkers mow strip and took it to our house. We put it down the east side of the house between all the curbing we put in. It looks great.  We also went out to eat as a family to celebrate us being so grown up. Lilly got home that day from her Orlando trip so we had all of our crew. It seemed fitting to celebrate with everyone this year.  After eighteen years of marriage, I have lived more of my life knowing Glen than not knowing him. It’s a good thing. He makes my life better. He usually still laughs at my dumb puns and jokes and tries to get me to laugh when I am taking life or myself too serious....

At least that’s how many my kids started with. They were a little bummed to find out they did not have 104 days like it says in Phineas and Ferb title song. Now we are down a week. Oh what a week it was.  Lilly left us to go to Orlando with her Theater teacher and 98 other people. If no news is good news she is having an excellent time.  Glen went to Brady’s memorial service. He said it was very nice. The kids and I have had several conversations about the expectations and opportunities of summer and how to make the most out of summer while getting along as much as possible.  Lucy has taken the opportunity to deep clean the room she shares with Lilly while she is out of town. Daryl got extra rugby practice with a couple players from the Utah Warriors Rugby team.  We have spent lots of time at Evelyn’s. We watched the first half of The Sound of Music movie with Evelyn. She loves that show, still after all these years. My mom says she went to the theater to see it when...

 I titled this post with a song about pansies when I filled it with pictures of roses. It must be because Evelyn would sing that song and occasionally still does and Roberta loved pansies. Those ladies have been on my mind a lot this week as well as many other things. There is a lot of good and a lot of hard from this week.   We made it to the end of school. What a year.  Before it ended Lucy got awards at school for academic achievement in PE and for being an 8th grade SBO.  Beth is finished up her online preschool. I didn’t do nearly as good getting her to do it this year as I did with Ruth and Daryl. Dang.  While my kids finished up their school year, I am in the middle of my semester and trying to keep up. I don’t know if I will do a summer or spring term again. It is rough. I am learning a lot.  Roberta’s birthday was the 3rd. Marian and I planted a rose for her on that day. It seemed fitting. Her rose garden is beautiful and such a pleasant remin...