Life has been flying by these last few weeks.  Laura is up and going--the cast is itchy, but she can still get around just fine with it.   She only needs the cast for three weeks--and that is quickly approaching.  Today in church we figured out that we could color on it with crayons (twistables to be exact) and she was quite distracted all through sacrament meeting.  She didn't get to perform in her gymnastics showcase yesterday, but they gave her a medal anyway.  She was so proud:

 

 

We said goodbye to my youngest sister who left this week to serve an LDS mission in Spain.   We are going to really miss her!  Once Addie told me that Kirsten is her favorite person in the whole wide world.  Kirsten was six when I left on my mission!  Where has all the time gone?  



And then we have my cute doggie who loves the dirt and mud as much as my kids do (is it possible?)  We have a giant garden area in the middle of our backyard and the kids (and all their friends) think that the dirt is the best thing about our new house.   As soon as they start to dig, so does the dog.  Oh, and speaking of digging, there is a gopher going to town in my backyard as well.    Most of the tunnels you see are thanks to the kids though!

 



Steven does have his new leg now and it is awesome!  I can't believe I don't have a picture of it yet--I promise one soon!   He did get his wish to have a thermometer on it.  If you have to ask why, then you don't know Steven very well.  One of my cousins asked him and he looked at her like she was crazy and said, "Because it's cool!"    When we wondered about the temperature today, all we had to do was ask Steven--and it was about 60 degrees, in case you wonder too.  

So things are good.  I've been stressed, but mostly just a heap of little decisions and things that aren't that critical.  I sometimes wonder if it isn't still the grief or maybe some depression that rears up it's head in unexpected ways.   I have a way to go with my mental and emotional health--really.  I think I was doing better when Steven was undergoing treatment than I am now.  But I haven't lost hope and I get up and going everyday--even when it is hard.  Its harder to keep up with my laundry and dishes, but there are (usually) dishes to eat on and clothes to wear. 

Every day, spring inches a little closer and I feel this overwhelming sense of hope with each new green plant that makes its way out of the ground.   I have been so touched by the hope of the resurrection and eternal life.  It means more to me than ever now.   I love the longer days and I truly move forward every day because I know the next day will be a little brighter.   Bring on the spring!