Track season is in full swing

 We keep having bad luck with Pete's braces. So far in a month and a half he's had 7 brackets come off. This past week when number 7 happened I insisted we see the orthodontist. She could tell I was frustrated, but pretty much brushed it off and said it happens. I was fuming and wishing we could just go somewhere else, but when your insurance is double covering braces at only this office - we're stuck for now. They decided to put bands on Pete to force his jaw back. It's earlier that they should be doing this, but it was the only option the ortho gave to "help" the situation. 

Kenal had her a meet at the school for the deaf and blind the first week of April. It was a crappy weather day, and her back seized up during her first run and affected her second run so she didn't end her day with good times. This past week her meet was in Filer, her first run was decent, and her second was on the slow side. It was a hot and sunny day. We're hoping she can get in gear and step up these next few weeks without injury. (I wasn't able to make it out to Gooding because of work meetings, so the pictures are just from Filer this week.)

We had a relaxing couple of days watching conference last weekend. It was so good to hear the messages from the leaders of the church. 

- "We engage in God's work, not because God needs us, but because we need God and His mighty blessings. - Elder Shumway

- "He delights to forgive because to Him you are delightful." Your worth is constant. It never changes. It was given to you by God, and there's nothing you or anyone else can do to change it. Obediece does bring blessing-that is true-but worth isn't one of them." "You are not the voice in your head or the mistake you have made." Sister Ruina

Pete had his first meet this last week at Kimberly. Casey was chatting the night before about how good Pete is looking this year and he's excited to see what Pete can do. Pete got second in his 800 and mile. Third in Tripple Jump and first in his 4x4. He's looking forward to this next month of meets and seeing where he can get! 

I finished my TMT math class this past week. It was the last class I needed to take to get my teaching / Idaho certification. I just have to finish this school year with a mentor and I'm official! I had a hard meeting the first week of April that made me sad about the library's future in the middle school. New principal + teachers that don't want to do the program / the same thing has made things hard and we left with a lot of question marks and me feeling like my job was of little importance to the principal. I'm still processing that and what I can do going forward to better serve students when it comes to the library. I did get offered another 1/2 day position at the middle school so I will officially be a full time paid teacher at the middle school next year! I will be doing the exploring academics class (aka math help for struggling students). 

Kendal got awarded for good grades this past week! 

Our friends "Egged" our house this weekend. 

Thundercloud is in full bloom right now and It's just the best! 

We don't need a pet, we've got Pete. ; ) He make life interesting in his own ways. 

Nana

 My beautiful Nana has been an amazing presence and example in my life. I was asked to give a memory of Nana for the funeral and had a hard time of narrowing it down and keeping it brief. My earliest memories of my grandparents were when they lived at the cinnamon bear (calico craft store). From there they moved to Still Meadow in Wellsville. That house was so full of family, celebrations, and memories. From simple Sunday dinners, to sleepovers, cousin time, to family filled holidays that house holds a special place in my heart because the love that I felt there came from my Nana and Papa. Nana's most often recalled memory of me was finding hidden roll crusts behind couches in her home (what can I say. . . I hated hard rolls, I still wanted dessert, and I wasn't bright enough to use the trash as a little kid).

 I have so many memories of my grandma's store. From hiding and playing around the various rooms (Christmas, holiday, craft, kitchen, etc) to growing up and "working" there (aka dusting, vacuuming, and other various simple tasks) to earn jelly bellys, beanie babies, or other things sold there. 

Casey and I dated and got married towards the end of the still meadow years. (Casey even lived in the barn for a couple of months before we got married.)  My grandparents loved him and my Nana thought he was simply the best (which I think so too). 

Kendal is the only one who had time with papa since we moved and he passed not long after Pete was born. 

My kids know Nana from her time out in Nibley and at Legacy. We would go spend time with her to visit, play, and enjoy her company. They each have memories of her over these many years and we'll always look back on with fondness. Nana loved my kids unconditionally and that meant the world to Casey and I. She thought the world of all of her posterity. She prayed for and cared about us all. Her years after Nibley have been harder with to many hospital visits and broken parts to mend, but continue on she did. These past few years at legacy have been good yet hard, we know Nana would not be with us forever, but we were grateful for the time given to us to glean from her stories, wisdom, and heart. 

Nana has been an incredible presence in my life. I look up to her and am so grateful for her example and love. She loved the gospel and had a strong testimony and faith in her life. Her family meant the world to her and she served and loved them in all ways. She was truly the heart of her family. 

Nana has been a refuge for me, a source of comfort and endless love. I will miss her in so many ways and am grateful to have her watching over my family and I. Toodleoo and Luva, luva, luva you forever Nana.