Happy Mother's Day!

Quinn & Elsie - heading to the bus stop before school.

Elsie has been fortunate this year to get a ride to school most mornings with Brinley.  It isn't exactly on the way but at least the middle school and high school are on the same side of town.  Though she rides the bus home after school, occasionally Elsie joins Quinn in the morning and then transfers to a different bus at the elementary pick-up.  It's also been a blessing to have Jantzen able to drive himself and Anna to the junior high each day.  Ahh, my morning chauffeuring was greatly reduced when Jantzen got his driver's license.  Hard to believe the kids will be out of school in less than two weeks!

Heather, Anna, Aaron after 1600m race

The district championships in track & field (7th-8th grades) were held last week and Anna competed well in all three events.  Even with wind, she placed 2nd in 1600m - 5:46 on Thursday.  She came back on Friday to finish 4th in 800m - 2:36 and her relay team took 1st in 4X400m where she anchored (65.30).   It was a fantastic start to a new sport and it's obvious Anna has some talent in this area.

Back: Mikelle & Whitney
Front: Anna & Ainsley 

Kevin & Gena, LaVerne, Aaron & Heather

Look who's back in our 'neck of the woods'!  We helped move a bed, chairs, table, clothing, etc. from LaVerne's house over to the Homestead Assisted Living earlier this week.  He has returned from St. George and has agreed to 'try out' a new arrangement this summer due to the encouragement of his children.  Currently, none of them live around here so Aaron and I will be keeping closer tabs on LaVerne this summer.  He joined us today for Sunday dinner and the updated report on his new digs wasn't exactly promising.  Of course, he needs to give it more time but feels slightly out-of-place with some residents not keeping 'their wits about them' and said the food is 'hit and miss'.  He still has his driver's license and hopes to go golfing tomorrow.  We shall see how this goes....

Nothing says "Happy Mother's Day" quite like a freshly sectioned Texas ruby red grapefruit on Sunday morning.  Thanks Aaron!  With 9am church and sleepy-head teens, there was no breakfast-in-bed this year - haha!  The kids did write nice cards and Anna gave an awesome talk in sacrament meeting (topic of gratitude) which is about the greatest gift a mom could receive (hearing her child's testimony).

After church Mother's Day picture in front yard

Our last video call with Tanner was a significant highlight of the day.  Unfortunately, the picture doesn't show Tanner's face very well but he looks great, sounds great and is totally committed to the life of a 24/7 missionary.  We enjoyed hearing more about his current area and those preparing for baptism and how the work is progressing.  There are a lot of changes happening in the Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Mission as they absorb 1/3 of an Ohio mission that is closing down this summer.  We sure do love our missionary and have been greatly blessed by his faithful obedience and diligence in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.

Saying our good-byes!

We'll be saying our 'hellos' to him in 3.5 months - but who's counting?  His mother:).

It was fun to skype with our missionary moms/g-mas out serving the Lord as well in Missouri and Hawaii.  Happy Mother's Day to all of the amazing women who have influenced our lives!