Week 1 without Aaron

Aaron's back in Colorado for two weeks finishing up his reserve duty for the year. We had one of the best weeks we've had while Aaron was gone and I think the reason is because we had little things to look forward to each day. 

Monday - After school, we all dropped Aaron off at the airport.

Tuesday - We went to the park for a little birthday party. 

Wednesday - we went to the library and had fast food for dinner. 

Thursday - Deb and Dave, our neighbors from Colorado, visited us for the afternoon! Oh we love them so much. They were truly like grandparents to my kids while Aaron was deployed and gone so much. They were driving through on I-70 and asked if they could see us! We enjoyed visiting for hours and had BBQ for dinner. They made us feel so loved and it cheered up our hearts! 

Friday - We picked up three kinds of milk shakes and had a taste test. Oreo cookies and cream and Butterfinger were the winners. 

Saturday - After completing chores, we went to Watkins Woolen Mill State Park. We haven't been there before, but I've heard it's a great path to walk with a stroller. We packed a lunch and jumped in the car ready for an adventure. Aaron has taught me so much about the importance of being in nature. It's good for my soul as well as for the kids'. 

It was suppose to rain all day, so we were pleasantly surprised when it was a gorgeous day. I had dinner in the crockpot already so we had an impromptu dinner with our neighbors outside. Adelaide got some dinner too! 

And Sunday we went to church for the first time without being required to wear a mask! Yay! The hymn books were out as well and the kids were so excited to follow along with the songs. I teared up during the song, "Be Still My Soul." A year ago, I felt so confused about what was happening during the pandemic. On Sunday, I felt so happy seeing so many smiling faces! 

Do we miss Aaron? Oh absolutely! I told the kids we can either be completely miserable without him when he has to leave, or we can make memories together and tell him all about it when he gets home. Hopefully we can survive, I mean thrive, until Aaron gets home on Saturday night!! :) 

Mother's Day

 Dad tickle attacks are the best. 

Eleanor had a little music recital to show her family what she's been doing at music class each week. It really has been a great class for her and me to do together. Each Tuesday we walk down to Ms. Meghan's house and have music class for 30 minutes. Eleanor has a special love for music that I hope will continue throughout her life. She is often found singing and dancing her way through the day. She especially loves to make up songs when she's in nature. The world is her stage. Eleanor looked so cute in this yellow outfit that Judy bought her. She played her finger cymbals, a bell and drum and sang with a smile. I love finding ways to help my children gain confidence and this was something that was a great fit for her. 

Mother's Day! Oh how I love being their mother. I fall into bed exhausted every night, but they make it all worth it. They drew me pictures, gave me presents from school and sang two Mother's Day songs during sacrament meeting. I felt so loved! I yell and make mistakes often. They're quick to forgive me and also quick to apologize when they've done something wrong. 

Adelaide woke up from a nap just in time to be in the pictures with us!!

After church, Aaron delivered flowers to some of the women that weren't at church to receive one and then I told everyone to get in the car because for Mother's Day, I wanted to go on a walk together. We walked on this path close to our house that we haven't been on before and we all loved it. I miss the sunshine and mountains of Colorado, but I'm realizing how much I love how green everything is here in MO!

Eli turns 8!

Eli turned 8 on April 30 and his baptism was on May 1! As a missionary, I remember realizing that Satan must know that someone was preparing to make a sacred covenant because so many things would come up in that person's life right before making a covenant. There was a lot of details to work through with Eli's baptism because Micheal was also coming out here from Utah to be baptized, but Micheal wanted to be baptized in the pond at Grammy and Grandpa Volk's property. Anyway, I felt overwhelmed and confused and cried and realized that I was losing focus on what really mattered. 

Eli said he would like to be baptized at the church font because he didn't want to be washed clean in dirty water! We're grateful two of our neighbors attended the baptism as well as ward friends and family in person and over zoom. 

A year ago during the pandemic, I remember wondering what Eli's baptism would be like. It turned out better than I imaged. 

Eli is a bright light and strives to do what's right. He is quick to raise his hand to give an answer and is a great singer. I cried thinking about the day he was born and how Aaron and I thought about his baptism in 2021. 

My parents flew in and we enjoyed a few days with them before the baptism. 

Eli woke up early on his birthday and couldn't wait to open his presents. 

Mary Beth and Spencer arrived as well as Mary Beth's twin sister and parents. 

We had a pizza party with cake and a fire outside. The evening was lovely!

Aaron baptized and confirmed Eli a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Grandpa Volk gave a talk and beautifully talked about the plan of salvation. He also said that when he was a boy, his mother would have them clean and have a spotless house for company so they would feel welcomed and comfortable in their home. He compared a clean home to our bodies and how we must to our part to keep them clean so the Holy Ghost will want to dwell with us always. 

Eli, Austin, Eleanor and their cousins sang, "I Will Walk with Jesus." It was powerful and I pray they will always remember the words to that song. 

After the baptism, we rushed home so the boys could prepare for their last football game. They each improved so much and had a blast playing this year. 

We then drove up to Grammy and Grandpa Volk's house where Micheal had his baptism. It was peaceful and simple. 

And now Eli is baptized! I've noticed a difference about his. He seems confident and mature and I love watching him grow into who he's suppose to be.