Well, I am sure that Nathanael's birthday was memorable as this was his first birthday away from home and in another country. I can't believe that I became a mother 19 years ago. I still remember when Nat was turning 3 and he had seen a toy magazine six months before and picked a little truck to ride in outside. That is the only thing that he wanted and he talked about it for six months! That was his first birthday in our home. Now he is a great missionary and I am so grateful for his decision to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and that he is working really hard and doing his very best. It also has been nine months since he left. I know that the new memories that are "springing up" on his mission will be very dear to him for the rest of his life.
Lindsay has had new memories "spring up" as she went to Washington D.C. on tour with the A'cappella choir. Travis was able to go be a chaperone and he loved being able to spend time with his daughter and experience some really cool things with her. Lindsay also said that it was fun to have her Dad on tour with her and that she enjoyed spending time with him as well. She also had new memories "spring up" as she was invited to attend her high school junior prom. Her date was a good friend that she feels very comfortable with. He picked her up and they went to get their pictures taken at another friend's house. Then they went to dinner at the Lion House. It was catered and in a private room. Then they went to the dance at the state capitol. Afterwards, they went back to another friend's house for games and dessert. They did not have a day date the next day which was wonderful because Lindsay was exhausted from her choir trip and a huge test in one of her classes. She really needed to sleep and get some rest and get caught up on homework. Although she had a great time at prom, her dress was not what we had expected. She rents dresses and jewelry and shoes etc. from a very talented woman. The dress that she picked needed sleeves added. Because two of the local high schools had prom Friday night and Saturday night, the only time Lindsay could pick up the dress was Friday afternoon, the day of the dance and instead of sleeves, there were thick straps. It was too late for me to really do anything about it. She was still very modest, I just have higher standards and we agreed that next time, she would choose a dress that already had cap sleeves at the very least. Lindsay's April was full of new memories "springing up". I know that she will always cherish that time that she spent on tour with her father.
Ethan also had some new memories "spring up" this last month. He was able to participate in musical theater this semester and perform in the school musical. They did "Shrek, the Musical". Ethan did a great job. He played the character, "Tweedle-Dum" and a guard. There were a lot of talented kids that were in the show. However, "Shrek" is not my favorite. Regardless, Ethan was able to "spring up" some great new memories a lot of new friends and having fun performing with them. He also had a new memory "spring up" by scoring the final goal in a recent soccer game. He has played defense for many years and this year has been able to play in a different position where he has a few opportunities to shoot. I got to be there to see it! I don't always get to go to his games because of the other kids' schedules and Travis is his coach and so at least one of us is always at his games. He also had some new memories "spring up" when he attended his first multi-stake dance. When I went to pick him up, he and his friend were in great moods. They had a wonderful time. He isn't my little E anymore. I know that he will look back on this time with fondness.
Over spring break, our family decided to switch and "clean sweep" the kids' bedrooms to give them more space. Ethan went into Nathanael's old room. Clarissa moved out of the room that she and Lindsay were sharing and moved in with Zachary. It was a big change for her and she was sad to leave the room with Lindsay. She had had so many great memories with Lindsay but she is starting to really love her new room. She is "springing up" new memories with Zachary and really enjoying the space that she has to herself.
Zachary has new memories "springing up" with sharing a room with Clarissa instead of Ethan. I am so grateful that Zachary is so close to his siblings even though he is our little caboose. They have a special "movie night" every Friday night and he asks everyday how close we are to Friday. He lives for Fridays! This is a special tradition that has bonded them and Zachary has benefited so much by spending this time with his siblings.
My "moment of joy" was a little bittersweet. In order to move Ethan into Nat's old room, we had to pack up his stuff and put it in the storage room. It was the end of the day and and I sat on the couch downstairs feeling overwhelmed because of the memories that accompanied his things. It was the realization that he will never really be coming home to stay in his room and in our home. He will come home and begin his adult life and it was the reality that our family is in a new phase of life. It does make me feel sad and I must admit, it is difficult to adjust, but at the same time, I felt so grateful that Nat is teaching the people of Chile. I am also so grateful for my other children and the people that they are turning into. As I sat reflecting on the past and having memories of my little ones flood my mind, I also felt excited as to what the future holds and the new memories that will "spring up" as our children start leaving our home and this new chapter in our family continues.
