Zanna sure loves her Daddy. She is such a sweet and loving girl. I have really enjoyed spending time with her this week, especially snuggling and talking, but playing Casino together is lots of fun too.
Sammy came over on Sunday to bring Andrew and Daniel home. They had spent the night with him. They had a ton of fun playing games and going to the park, feeding ducks, etc. It was wonderful to see so much of him. We miss him around here.
Bros
Gram and Papa came by that evening. Freddy snuggled Papa to sleep.
Every once in a while we just have to brush out Sara's hair and take a picture.
We love her beasty hair!
Monday, after school, Sara and I picked up Grammy and went to the Celebration of Art in Scottsdale. Our friend, Tyson Snow, invited us and got us free tickets. Tyson is an incredible sculptor and painter. I am amazed by the beauty he creates!
He told us about this fountain that he sculpted. It is 57" x 17" x 8" and it is made to hang on the wall. He told us that it was inspired by a poem about the blind windows designed by Michelangelo inside the Medici Library in Florence, Italy. Blind window are not actually window, they are window frames on a wall. The poem talked about how trapped and hopeless the poet felt in a room with these blind windows. Tyson thought about how we all feel trapped at times, but that water can permeate into closed off places and that water brings life. On a more spiritual side, he talked to us about how Christ is the Living Waters and that He can reach us and restore us no matter how closed off or trapped we feel. He has the blind windows in this sculpture, but added a woman at the top of the stairs pouring water, or bringing life to the room. It sounds so beautiful as the water trickles down the stairs. I love how meaningful his art is and how tender Tyson is.
His story made me think of a song we are singing in Chamber Singers at school. It is called, "As Torrents In Summer" by Edward Elgar, the words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
"As torrents in summer,
Half dried in their channels,
Suddenly rise, though the
Sky is still cloudless,
For rain has been falling
Far off at their fountains;
So hearts that are fainting
Grow full to o'erflowing,
And they that behold it
Marvel, and know not
That God at their fountains
Far off has been raining!"
We had been practicing the first verse for a few days, and I loved it. I didn't know that it was about anything more than a flash flood caused by rain in the mountains. When we got to the second verse, we had sung it a few times before I really heard the words. I got emotional.
It is true that there are times when our hearts feel faint or dry, and that they can be filled to overflowing by God, who can at times feel far off. It is also true that in those times when we are filled during trials or difficult times, others may not be able to understand how that could be, and they marvel at our joy in the midst of despair. What a wonderful gift it is to know we are never closed off or alone, when we have God in our lives.
The art show was absolutely fantastic! We spent several hours there and didn't even make it to 1/3 of the artist. They were all kind and helpful, teaching Sara tricks of the trade and sharing their stories and art journeys with us. It was amazing!
This one is by Jennifer Vranes.
Leo Posillico
Thane Gorek
Mac Stevenson
Grayson Foulger
Martin Blundell
More Grayson Foulger
Sara talking with Martin Blundell. He was so great and introduced us to Leslie Duke and Santiago Michalek. They were wonderful as well. All of them were so encouraging and sweet to Sara.
The clouds on the way home were very artistic as well.
Laney got to celebrate her upcoming May birthday along with all of the other girls at church who have birthdays between January and May. They wrote things about her on the chalkboard. Laney does really love to talk about chicken nuggets and hotdogs. She is such a goofball!
Vivi loves her sweet Sammy, and we love them both! She sends me cute pictures. I love it!
Leigh sent me this one of her growing baby bump. We can't wait to meet this little guy!!!
Sara and I went to the temple after school on Friday. It was so peaceful and renewing. When we came out we found Nan, Madi and Justin. It was Ryan's first time in the temple. He and Ben came out a few minutes later. It was a great treat to see them there!
My Bubba
Adorable, sweet Ryan
The poppies were so beautiful!
Saturday, Sam and Vivi came over. Vivi made the most delicious Thai yellow curry for my birthday! It was amazing! Everyone LOVED it!
Then they headed outside to play some badminton with the kids.
Gwen and Susanna spent the day together being twins. Gwen braided their hair so it matched and they dressed alike, both wearing musical shirts and matching pants and shoes. I'm am so glad they have each other!
Gram and Papa, Gavin and Cadie and their kids also came over for a while. We visited a bit and then walked over to the house Gavin and Cadie will be moving into in a few months. IT'S IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!!!! We are thrilled!!!
We were surprised to have Josh, Miles and Ethan walk in our front door. They came out as a surprise! Ethan was here for the weekend from California. It is probably the last time the Kuzudes (their band name) get together for several years, since they are all planning to go on missions.
I love these crazy dudes!
They had fun trying to decide how to pose. They tucked in their shirts and pulled up the their pant waists...
And did their signature pose...
Then a real one for me.
The groupies
And finally everyone together!
Andrew and Daphne were being so cute together!
Sam and Vivi were taking it easy. I think they were worn out from the school and work. They are the sweetest. I love them bunches!
Of course there was music. Gavin went through some of my songs with me earlier in the afternoon, which was tons of fun. And then later we played around with the Kuzudes. They are pretty incredible musicians.
Ethan and Daniel treated us to the Piano Man by Billy Joel. It was awesome!
Sarah came over for a little while before she, Freddy and Daniel went to the church dance.
Josh insisted on washing the dishes. What a guy!
I'm not exactly sure why Freddy pinned Sarah to the floor, but it was hilarious.
More musical fun with Josh on guitar and Sara on piano.
They played Smash Bros for awhile. We talked gospel, meditation, self improvement, and politics. These kids are incredible thinkers and are so invigorating to be around. Lilly Jensen and Nicolas Summers joined us for the rest of the evening.
Then there were demonstrations of all sorts of push-ups, pull-ups, arm wrestling etc.
Josh was so sure he was going to beat Freddy, but Freddy was great at holding him at bay. Then Josh let up a bit to let Freddy think he could win. They swung their arms back and forth a few times and then Josh accidentally let Freddy win. It was so funny to see his face. There was no way Freddy could have beaten him fairly, but it was funny all the same.
Then they tried left arms. It was the same balance as before, no one could win, but Josh was stronger than Freddy.
The kids came home from the dance and brought the Summers girls, Kyli and Kensie, with them.
Everyone left by midnight. It was a wonderful day!
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