SpringBreakthrough

Last day before our mini-Spring Break--we got to see Spencer in the Utah Program--still my favorite of school programs, and Spencer had a last minute speaking part (since someone couldn't make it last minute) AND his portrait of Brigham Young was chosen for the "Y" slide in the Alphabetical journey through Utah :).  THEN, we were off for an awkward Friday-Tuesday Spring Break.

Saturday, we drove some YW to do temple baptisms, while I took the Under 12 crowd with me to see an old friend Sarah, who had just moved out of the ward, and right around the corner from the Bountiful Temple--it was peace to my heart to visit with her, and the kids had a great time playing while we waited on the youth.  Being up there in the mountains, and having backup plans of a hike (in case Sarah wasn't home), we decided to try a hike as soon as we could over the break.  The sun was feeling wonderful, but we kept having short bouts of snow, which did not melt in the mountains like it did on our driveway, so we were greeted by a lot more snow than we had planned on!--and it was warm enough that it kept dropping in huge plops as we slip-slided under the trees.  It was really beautiful, but as soon as all of our shoes were wet enough, we tried the Farmington Bird Refuge to hike a bit in drier conditions and eat our picnic lunch.  Thank goodness for energetic and happy children that weren't slowed down much at all by minor things like weather! (Brent and Maddie stayed home to work on homework--they know my history too well).  It seems against all laws of nature for us to have a "normal" outing (at least one that I plan myself), but it still felt great to be outside--wet shoes and all.  I also got to enjoy breakfast w/ Aunt Sarah Tuesday morning (while cold rain returned), which was more medicine to my soul (something about Sarahsalve that weekend!).

After Spring Break came Spencer's Breakthrough to DOUBLE DIGITS!! He got a skateboard, airsoft pistol, cool moustache shirt + basketball shorts, and some cash for his birthday.  He requested crepes for breakfast and cowboy pizza for dinner, and Tunnel of Fudge Cake for dessert! It's hard NOT to love Spencer, and as we all went around the table in our Birthday tradition, sharing things we love about Spencer, Brian pointed out that Spencer never teases others--which is quite true, and at age 10 (and in our house!) SO remarkable! We put big "Happy Birthday" banners all over the van w/ magnets, and I downloaded an AWESOME Birthday Song that was personalized w/ Spencer's name to blast on the cd player as we carpooled to school that day :).  (By "awesome" I mean that when Brent heard it, we reached a new level of eye rolling and moaning that also reflected a sick gratitude that I'd found this talent AFTER Brent was done being driven to school :). )

We then enjoyed a great Conference Weekend, having dinner with Nate and Stacey between sessions on Saturday, and with some neighbors on Sunday.  Such feasting! Maddie was assigned a digital baby for her Child Development Class that weekend, that would cry randomly for feeding/diaperchanging, and burping.  She missed most of Captain America 3 that she had gone with friends to see, and also missed a lot of nighttime sleep! I had to keep my distance, because the suffering was too close to my own to imagine her going through--even in practice.  When she was up late Saturday night trying tiredly to finish homework past MY bedtime, I told her she could cry if she needed to, because that's what I would be doing! Probably how Mom feels watching me go through labor :).

Brian was really excited to get an interview for this County Prosecutor position that finally opened up, and that came the Tuesday after Conference.  As work weighed down on him more and more (poor communication with partners, short funds, feeling trapped in a branch of practice that depresses him, etc.) the prospect of a government position shone brighter and brighter, and between all of the positive connections he's had with people in that office over the years, and his skills in prosecuting, he felt his chances were as good as they could be.  How surprising then, the day after his interview, to talk with some people and find out how very stiff the competition had been--more than ANYone expected!--w/ people coming from Salt Lake with 20+ years of specific experience, etc.  It really sunk Brian low--even before we had heard anything.  When the letter came the next day ranking him #8, (and out of the top 5 that could proceed) he had already come to terms with things, but it was still quite a blow!
It was quite a breakthrough then, that he found enough strength to carry on, and in talking to his partners, that were thankfully really gracious about everything,--asked to be able to take over some smaller parts of the firm and see if he can't grow them in good ways to replace his family law practice.  So, not on the path we hoped for, we're finding ways to get fresh starts and have new hope :).  It sure is a lot easier in Springtime! and Brian's had fun playing basketball at Regionals this weekend, I took some of the kids to hear Lois Lowry speak (such fun!), and we hosted for the Ward Progressive Dinner last night :).  We're glad to have messages like Pres. Uchtdorf's call to live in Gratitude, and Elder Bednar's teaching us "It is the load that gives us traction to progress" ringing in our ears at a time we dearly need them! Life is such a school!!