Entry 4

Wow - it's been a long week. Where do I start?.....

Easter did not turn out at all the way I'd hoped. We didn't make it to church. Adam slept through lunch...I didn't find any cascarones...and it wasn't really much of a family day at all. Sarah probably summed it up. She said, "Easter was Grandma's favorite holiday...it won't be the same without her."

I flew out to El Paso the very first thing Monday morning...that was a 12 hour day. Tuesday was a 12 hour day, and Wednesday was a 13 hour day. We saw some cool stuff -- incredible mountain top views and ancient petroglyphs. But, sunburn, windburn, frustration, and long hours certainly have taken their toll this week. My feet and ankles are swollen to the size of softballs, my allergies are killing me, and I'm exhausted. But, I am so glad to be home with my sweet family and in my own bed.

I had a great time tonight at Hannah's choir concert. They did such a great job. I'm so impressed with the directors and the choir program there. It almost makes me wish I could go back to middle school and be in the choir again (except I remember how miserable the rest of middle school was). Joshua's band did well at their competition and he's going on a trip with them this weekend. I'm glad he's going, but I feel a little weird about him being gone. I'll miss him and I'll worry....I guess it's just my nature.

Joshua and I had a really neat conversation tonight about prayer and how that was my mom's ministry. We talked about how amazing it is that she prayed for so many people who had no idea she was even praying for them....and yet her prayers still had an amazing effect on their lives. Then we talked about how we pray and what we pray for. It was really a neat conversation to have with my sweet 16-year-old boy.

I'd like to write more, but I'm tired. I will say this --- I'm slowly learning to take care of myself. When I feel myself getting stressed out with the busy-ness, I'm learning how to say no to things. I'm hoping I continue to get better at that.