There was a time, however, when my husband and I weren't sure our Bryce would reach 29 days old, let alone 29 years.
Long time readers, and I guess there are one or two of you out there, will know that this particular kid's birthday brings out all the feels....the highs and the lows.
His birth was scary, his life has been a struggle at times. He carries with him life-long difficulties, but he has worked his way through it.
He has brought joy to my life, and gratitude. One of my daughters-in-law wrote this week that she had a realization on a day when things were a little crazy that it was her job to love her kiddos. I have prayed Bryce's whole life that his burdens might be lighter, that I might know what I could do to fix certain problems. I've never gotten a concrete answer to that prayer. It's never been revealed like a lightening bolt some specific way I could help make his life easier. What has come is a very quiet prompting to just love him. I can't solve some of his issues. I can't smooth some things out. It's my job to love him.
I am blessed he is my boy. I love him in a way that brings every emotion to the surface and makes it spill out my eyes....as I love all my children. Happy birthday to my Bryce!
A Friday version of AHTW, since tomorrow is a special day.
So around here this week...
Spring is just bustin' out all over. The hyacinths are really blooming up a storm. These bulbs have naturalized themselves over the years, so I get a big snootfull of them coming through the craft room window when it's open. Love that.
Mostly this week, it's been all about this. This particular moment was one when they both fell asleep by themselves, without any jiggling. It doesn't happen often.
Little baby feet are so cute!
This was another morning while they were having what my daughter calls "playtime." A brief awake period for both of them, when they were both just happy to be kicking around on a blanket. This doesn't happen very often, either, but it's sure cute when it does.
Have you ever wondered what it's like to try to comfort twins? Here you go. It's hard, and my daughter is a champ.
When there is an extra set of hands or two to help, it often looks like this.
The Easter Bunny came to visit the boys.
Bryce and his wife were with us for the holiday weekend, so they got all the chocolate, since my daughter is avoiding it these days.
It was General Conference weekend and man it was tough on Sunday afternoon. He swears this was the best conference talk ever, though. I really look forward to these weekends. Such great messages.
Sent to me from the kids and grandkids this week, I got this shot of Evan's vinyl fence, which is a little worse for wear after a weed burning session. Lesson learned....always have a hose with you when doing these projects.
Cookie came to meet the family for Easter dinner. One thing you might not know about my mother is that she loves animals. She tells the story of visiting a cousin's farm one summer when she was a child, and carrying around a chicken she named "Chickie" under her shirt. It's a memory that stays bright with her when some others don't these days.
Eric's April Fool's joke.
There were still remnants of this when they came over for Easter.
My grandsons are losing teeth all over the place. Emmett lost his first one this week. Isaac also has his first one that's really loose, but he's not letting anyone touch it much at the moment. His mama texted asking which uncle was going to volunteer to pull it. Eric says he'll bring his Leatherman. I still remember my uncle pulling my first tooth out. Of course, he was deceptive and said he just wanted to wiggle it. I was 5 and fell for that hook, line, and sinker as my older cousins stood around and laughed.
From Collin's family....his house sits across from a huge empty field and one morning last week a hot air balloon landed in it.
Of course the boys were fascinated
...and got to explore all the angles,
....including getting it stuffed back into its bag.
John got a Dr. kit in his Easter basket and had a good time listening to hearts.
Spring is getting ready with its big show. The first daffodils are blooming. I'm hoping the deer-eaten tulips in the back will survive.
My husband had a birthday and Collin's family sent this very Allan-esque celebration video.
Yeah.....don't ask. But if you did ask, I would tell you a story about poor, starving newlyweds who bottled trout, and a husband who wanted to give it another try. And a wife who's not sure it's as good as his memory thinks. It turns out kind of like canned salmon.
Sent to me from the kids and grandkids this week, meet Cookie. Evan's family procured a puppy for their family.
I think Cookie's going to get plenty of exercise.
Collin's family went to the Luray Caverns. I've never heard of them before, but he took these reflection pictures that I thought looked really amazing.
The interesting thing about these caverns is that someone devised an organ console from 37 stalactites in the caves. The sound is made by rubber mallets tapping the stalactites to produce sound. There's a recording of Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" here.
If you look closely, you might see a little bookworm here.
Evan's family might have Cookie, but Marc's family has this baby. It's a gas-powered pizza oven that cooks them in about 2 minutes. He's very excited about it and may have already named it as well.
I got these pictures of Jude, who had fun with his brothers decorating cookies with sprinkles.
And this is Jude cleaning out every, single bit of broccoli out of the serving bowl at dinner. Totally normal toddler thing to do, right?
Lastly, this picture of a very worried Leo. We're not exactly sure why he was so worried, but it's pretty cute.
