This is definitely the week of tragedy around the world, and also the Week of Hope... the week Christ rode triumphant into Jerusalem, then finished his preparations and ministry. He gave us His ultimate gift this week, 2 millennia ago.
The week started off with my cousin Ryan & his friend Dayton finishing 4th in the duo category in the Boston Marathon. So many tears were shed reading Dayton's account of the event and how he feels about Ryan.
That night, Notre Dame burned. We mourned with all the world.
Some of our church leaders talked about the countless times people received witnesses from God and felt closer to him by worshiping in that cathedral. And they're right. No matter what religion people belong to, when they show faith in Jesus Christ, and come to Him, He blesses them.
Tuesday, Chloe got a haircut - she looks so cute again! Let's be honest. We love her more when she looks cute.
Wednesday, Connor had a pack meeting. He's such a cute Wolf!
For Mutual, the Beehives & MiaMaids participated in a project with the RS... such a fun night of tying quilts.
That night, Miranda had Emily time. Slumber party, at which they probably didn't do much slumbering. =)
Thursday, we had Jared & Stephanie from Cochabamba over, as well as Hermana Gheertsen (aka Sage) and her new husband Mitch over for dinner. They are all so awesome!!
Haha - I guess you'll have to wait a few months to meet Mitch. He's not in these pics
Friday, we moms checked out our tinies that are besties: Connor, Nathan, Walker & Christian, from school, and took them to the park for lunch. I have to say, Kristen's brother Brigham from NYC, from whom I post many memes, was in town, too. We were so lucky.
That night, Connor had Nathan over, and they made themselves an impossible game of Poison Ball. How in the world would you ever be able to not let the balls touch you?!?!
Also that night, Connor showed Jeff his Minecraft Temple. He built a temple with an Angel Moroni on the top. It has really cool things inside, for people to congregate together and hang out. We'll have to expound in future letters. I want to see it for myself. Here it is on the theater downstairs. =)
Early in the morning, after the Easter Bunny had come, H&K had their soccer game. Halle:
And hard to see, but the ball is in this picture with Kierste:
When we got home, we woke everyone up to find Easter baskets & eggs. They were all so thrilled!!!
Then we had 2 more soccer games of 2 more sons. The Dark Knights are at it again.
And so are the Green Vipers. That's my little goalie.
This is the week that Washington's State Senator opposed a bill that would require rest breaks for nurses in hospitals, and was quoted saying nurses spend a lot of time playing cards at work. The nation is in uproar; some great memes have come from it.
In other news, for real, this happened this week. Talk about tragedy:
Meanwhile on Saturday, Miranda & Sage went ice-skating with Stephanie & Jared!! They're here for a month, and are trying to squeeze everything in, including a trip down to Disney & the beach.
Miranda went on a cookout with friends:
And Carlie asked Eli out, then after other friends bailed on her, let Jeff & me take them out to dinner & a movie. I cannot believe we forgot a picture; who does that. But here's a teaser poster for Shazam. We loved it!!!
Easter Sunday started. Miranda with her roomies. Rachel, Gizelle, Freya, the best one, Emily, Jackie - or JackWellen, she likes to be called, not kidding.
And with her entire RS. Last Sunday together!!!
At church, we had a pop-up choir performance. The choir got a few hours' notice, and then anyone was invited to come up and join, and we sang the last verse with them. It was kind of amazing. I was proud of Carlie for hopping up and joining.
At church, we heard about the deliberate bombing of Roman Catholic churches in Sri Lanka during their Easter services. Between the 3 cities bombed, at least 207 people have been killed. It is horrendous. There is so much tragedy, sin and evil in the world right now. But amidst all of that, is the message of ultimate hope that the Atonement gives us. We talked in our home study and at church about how the Atonement can help us with 1. our sins; 2. our weaknesses; 3. our illnesses; 4. our death. When we fully use the Atonement, we can be cleansed of sin, strengthened to overcome/bear our weaknesses, healed/comforted from illness, and risen from our death. All the things of this world, no matter how ugly and terrible, will be overcome and will be as a memory, when we leave this life and return to our Maker.
Here is an image of the bodies covered at one of the churches. So so so so horrible and sad.
And then we came home and celebrated another great life: JEFF! His bday is rarely on Easter, but this year he's so lucky. =)
He got lots of doggy stuff, since he's getting a PUPPY in a few weeks!
He's going to train Solo to hunt and gather deer antlers, to give him something fun to do on hikes.
And, of course, he got Han Solo stuff, too.
And Spidey. Actually just wanted to get all the kids in here.
And look away if you can't handle a little PDA that might have happened.
At his mom & dad's house, he got a lot of touching Nice Talk, and a GC to the Harley Davidson Store, his favorite.
Since we were celebrating 3 bdays, we put all kinds of numbers on the cake to represent the 39 year old Alex (Higbee), Jeff's 41 year old sister Keri (Higbee), and Jeff, 46. Guess if it was yummy cake.
MEMES on last email!!!
He who takes note of a sparrow, knows what you're going through today.
HAPPY EASTER!!!
We love you! This is our 3rd to last letter to you. Can't believe it. xoxoxooxoxooxox, us
