Memorial Day

We went cemeterying this weekend.

We met practically all of the DeMartinis up at Grandpa De's gravesite.

It's always nice to be together and remember those we love and have lost

but who are still with us in our hearts.

Yard Cleanup at Mom's House

Mom is away on her mission and her yard has needed attention. We gathered today to do some work outside, weeding, trimming, mowing. As many hands make light work, it wasn't terrible. It certainly went quicker than the weeding I did alone last week. We came away feeling good about the backyard at least. We only wish Mom had been there with us.

Group of children who were helpful by staying out of the way.

Sunday Selfie on a Saturday

This is a good look!

Me and my best boy

Last Day of School

Today was the last day of school for 8th and 10th grade. Where does the time go? I hang my head in shame, but I didn't take a last day of school picture, mostly because I think we were all over it. But here are some of the good things that happened for the kids during the past year.

8th: choir; participating backstage for Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang; drama class 

10th: Being on tech crew; playing Ultimate Frisbee during the fall; driver's ed; foods class

Those are not lengthy lists, but as I said, we're all over it.

Top Gun Maverick Movie Night (Finally!)

Tonight, Brandt and I had movie night with Mikayla, Guy, and Blake. After months and months and months of waiting, seeing more than one trailer many times, and being almost certain it was never actually going to come to theaters, we saw Top Gun: Maverick. It was TERRIFIC!! We all really, really, really liked it. I will recommend to one and all.

This picture is a twofer.

Last month we saw Dr. Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness 

but we didn't take a picture.

This makes up for it.

Tech Crew Selfies

With the end of the school year comes the end of Tech Crew. Some people seems happier about it than others. 

Giving the Dog a Bath

 

When we picked up Moo Moo from Utah Valley Animal Rescue, she was filthy. She had clearly spent a lot of time outside and her fur was really dirty. Thing is, she had just been fixed and we couldn't get her wet for a couple of weeks. I wish they had given her a bath before they took her in, but there were many dogs at UVAR, so I get it. 

Today, enough time had passed so that Moo Moo could be properly washed. Blythe has been watching many dog grooming videos and insisted she do the bathing. I went in for moral support and to insure the dog didn't leap out of the tub and get water everywhere. 

She really was filthy. The water was gross when we finished. We almost didn't recognize the dog when she emerged from the bathroom. She smelled good, her fur was soft, her white bits were much whiter, and she was clean. And she tolerated the whole ordeal with patience and resolve. 

Blythe says she's going to make it a monthly activity. I'm sure Moo Moo was thrilled with the news.

Coming Home?

Kent had to take Richard to the hospital tonight. His blood sugar plummeted and he couldn't be revived and it was a thing. I didn't know when he would be getting home, and Moo Moo certainly wasn't anxious to kicked out of bed. In a text, I sent Kent this picture and said, "Coming home soon? Moo Moo is wondering."

He didn't make it home before we were both asleep. But when I woke, Kent was beside me, not the dog, so he must have kicked her out of bed when he got home.

Wild Hair Selfie

 

Brandt takes a lot of selfies.

Like A LOT of selfies.

Last Choir Concert

Blythe had her last choir concert of the year tonight. It's my birthday, but I love to watch Blythe sing, so we incorporated the choir concert into our celebrating. It was a concert of fun music and we all enjoyed it.

Not a brilliant picture

Blythe is on the top row, fourth from the left.

Drama Banquet

Brandt has his annual drama banquet today. He same home with a paper plate award that said, "Brandt Barrus A Demotion." I asked for an explanation. He told me he would jokingly say to people, especially Josh Partridge, "Owp, you're demoted." Josh would jestingly protest. At the drama banquet, Josh's aware was "A Promotion." Too funny!

Weeding

Mom's yard is a mess already. Spring hit and so did the weeds. I went over today and spent a couple hours weeding while I listened to an audiobook. I felt really good about my efforts and sent this picture to Mom so she knows something good is happening in her yard. It won't last, and other parts of the yard don't look like this, but for the moment, I'm pleased with my efforts.

Rock Canyon Extravaganza!

It was Rock Canyon Extravaganza day today. Wahoo!! Mikayla has been in charge of the Extravaganza as the PTA president-elect, and even though I work, I have been trying to help her out as I can. She bought some balloon arches and yesterday evening Brandt and I went over to help blow up and attach balloons to the little clips that go around the arch. There were A LOT of balloons! We watched  Uncharted as we put balloons together. 

 

Brandt was seriously all-in when it came to helping--he volunteered to be Rocky the Roadrunner. The costume is sort of falling apart in the back, the zipper doesn't work, and the head doesn't stay on very well, but Brandt wasn't deterred. In fact, he was fairly delighted. Because he couldn't see very well, Kent stayed with him as he walked around the event, high-fiving lots of children. He even came into the cakewalk where I was helping the last hour and did some crazy dance moves. 

Eugene and Sharae brought Blake, Makenna, and Collin to the Extravaganza

and they all came in to do the cakewalk while I was there.

Blythe and two of her friends helped throughout, mostly doing concessions. 

They worked hard!

They took it easy the last half hour or so and helped fun the music for the cakewalk.

We all stayed to help clean up, 

including Blake, Makenna, and Eugene who walked balloon arches 

home to Mikayla's house.

It was a terrific event that made, in the end, over $10,000.

 

Sound Technician

 

Brandt was working a dance performance at school and saw the Elders. They were there to see Ashlyn dancing. Brandt, being ever kind and interested in people, asked if Caleb, Brady, and Benson wanted to come to the back and see the sound board. Boy howdy! did they ever. Elizabeth sent me this picture, which I love, and told me the boys thought it was totally cool. Elizabeth said how nice it was of Brandt to show them all the stuff.

Mother's Day

It's Mother's Day and I miss my mom. I'm glad that she has been serving a mission because I know she felt that was what she was supposed to be doing, but I really wish she was home. 

I'm so happy to be a mom. I love Brandt and Blythe, I'm grateful for the things they teach me, and I'm grateful for the ways I grow as I parent. That's not to say any of it is easy. It's not. There are moments I would like to be alone, without the responsibilities that come with parenthood. But the children are wonderful people and I am blessed to be their mom.

Brandt made chocolate mousse for dessert today. YUM!

The Moo

 

We have a goofy dog that sits strangely, possibly because of her back left leg. But maybe it has nothing to do with her leg. Maybe she sits strangely because she's strange. Either way, we love our new furry friend.

Choir Festival

Blythe has been in choir this year, singing in the girls' choir. She has really liked her teacher, they have sung fun songs, and she has friends in the class.

Today they participated in the state choral festival in Farmington. I thought about going up as a family, but Blythe didn't really want us to go, so in the end, she just rode the bus with all her friends, sang, then rode the bus back. I asked her teacher, Ms. Williams, for some sort of pictorial evidence, and she sent me the pictures below.

?, Emma Bradford, Blythe, Hailey Hall

???

?, Addie Lepinski, Lauren Wilkie, Maggie Davidson

A Patriarchal Blessing

Brandt had the marvelous opportunity to receive his patriarchal blessing today. Brandt is so good. He has a strong desire to do what's right. He's making good choices, he's trying to keep the commandments, and he's following Christ. It makes my heart happy. He is our beloved son in whom we are well pleased. 

We all went fasting to see the patriarch, Brother Hansen. We had a lovely visit with him and his wife and then received excellent counsel about our blessings. Brother Hansen encouraged us to read them often and prayerfully. He also told us that the blessings are for this life and the next, and that they are not the only things our Heavenly Father wants to bless us with. Additional blessings are always possible as we continue to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The blessing was beautiful. I cried through the whole thing. I think Brandt did too. We had a not-so-funny moment in the middle of the blessing, however. Brother Hansen had asked if our phones were turned off so as not to interrupt the spirit. Kent and I had left ours at home, and Brandt assured us his was turned off. Turns out, Brandt's phone was on silent, but that doesn't effect the alarm, and in the middle of the blessing, the alarm, playing "Back in Black," went off.  [insert motherly eye roll]

Brandt came away feeling reconvinced of the need to serve a mission. I was comforted in the promise that he would be able to support a family. We were all grateful for patriarchal blessings and to feel our Heavenly Father's love.