More than A Moment
We've all felt it. For ourselves, for our spouses, for our country, for our children, for our football team. The moments swell into a palpitating rush and then somehow fade into 'Remember When's'. I watched my 54 year old mother walk across the stage at BYU-Idaho two weeks ago and receive her diploma. That kind of pride you can't forget.
A mother's struggle and sacrifice doesn't fade into future recollections. It shows in every laugh line and worry line in her face. A decade of worry, sacrifice, hiatus, achievement, success, failure, commitment and recommitment deserves more than a few handshakes and a stroll across a raised platform. One moment of acknowlegement hardly tells the story of how she obtained it. But we knew. Her 18 grandkids knew. Her professors knew, as manifested in their tears and well wishes.
I remember passing her in the hallway 10 years ago at what was then Ricks College. It was the ending of an era for me and just the beginning for her. She was excited; I was exhausted. I remember watching her drop it all when the demands of motherhood outweighed everything else, wondering if she would ever be able to return. I watched her labor to find time, her way, her passion. She struggled. She survived. 
I suppose she exited the stage with something much more than a certificate of achievement. In her hand she held a monument to 10 years of trying Faith. She exited the stage as someone completely different. She is accomplished. She is confident. She is determined. She is smart. She is capable. She is my mother. 
A mother's struggle and sacrifice doesn't fade into future recollections. It shows in every laugh line and worry line in her face. A decade of worry, sacrifice, hiatus, achievement, success, failure, commitment and recommitment deserves more than a few handshakes and a stroll across a raised platform. One moment of acknowlegement hardly tells the story of how she obtained it. But we knew. Her 18 grandkids knew. Her professors knew, as manifested in their tears and well wishes. I remember passing her in the hallway 10 years ago at what was then Ricks College. It was the ending of an era for me and just the beginning for her. She was excited; I was exhausted. I remember watching her drop it all when the demands of motherhood outweighed everything else, wondering if she would ever be able to return. I watched her labor to find time, her way, her passion. She struggled. She survived. I suppose she exited the stage with something much more than a certificate of achievement. In her hand she held a monument to 10 years of trying Faith. She exited the stage as someone completely different. She is accomplished. She is confident. She is determined. She is smart. She is capable. She is my mother. I love you Mom. Way to Endure. 
The Easter Bunny made a generous drop of chocolate, jelly beans and this stuff:
Luke: Elmo phone
Last year we were rearranging the office into what would soon be Luke's new bedroom. Max was rarely ever in that room and we kept this photo on the bookshelf. He was helping us (as far as 2 year olds can help) and he pulled that photo off the bookshelf and said "Dad, Jesus in there." Ryan looked at me and said "Did you teach him that?" I replied that I had not.
We were just stunned. We later learned that in his nursery class they had been speaking of the resurrection. We were so touched, and still quite shocked that he could make the connection between coloring pages from nursery and a real life photo of the tomb.
Dying the eggs was great fun, the egg hunt was exciting, and finding the boys new church clothes for Easter is always joyful. But nothing compared to getting to teach our son about the Savior's love and sacrifice for us. And then to top it all off, we were able to spend the weekend watching Conference and feeling inspired to be better parents to our kids. 
Aunt Jolea of course had a BatMan costume and for a brief 5 days, we were relieved of the land of Scooby Doo and enjoyed the world of Super Heroes.
Max loved the party. Due to inclement whether, the party was postponed. BatMan had to wait for many 'tomorrows' but the big day finally arrived.
He loved meeting up with Spiderman (aka, Sammy, the Bday boy) and was especially pleased with the giant Spidey bounce house.
I was especially pleased with the Seminario's creative costumes, like Miranda Seminario, as "Super CTR Girl".
Max has asked me at least 5 times when we are going back to Sammy's house. I don't blame him. Who wouldn't want to be around this bunch?
Only 3 weeks left...
A week after I brought Ryan home from the hospital, our little Luke had to have a little surgery of his own. After earache, after earache, after earache it was obvious this kid was going to need tubes. His appointment was at 7:15 am, so he was already kind of out of it when we got to the hospital, but the minute we took him to the back room and put that gown on him, he knew something very unpleasant was about to take place. It was so cute and so sad to see him in that little hospital gown. It made me grateful that aside from extremely large adenoids and bad drainage issues, our little guy is relatively healthy.
Well, the dishwasher was finally fixed. I actually tried to fix it myself as I didn't want to pay some guy to show up and tell me that I had a kink in my hose and that's why the water wouldn't drain. I actually got the water to drain out a couple of times, but every time I would start it up again, the same issue would happen so Ryan called a repair man. $145 later, we learned we had a kink in our hose and a lime in the disposal. The kink just happened to be in the part of the hose that was concealed by the cupboard so you couldn't get to it. Arrrghhh. Oh, well, Max got to put his tools to good use once again.
MOM=DAPHNE (for obvious reasons)
MAX=SHAGGY (the author of our new world)
LUKE=SCOOBY DOO (because Shaggy gets to tell him what to do)
Yesterday the dishwasher decided it wasn't going to drain water anymore. THIS of all things, has been the thing that has just about pushed me to the edge. So much for trying to do my part to contribute to the GREEN movement. Costco, you will be getting a visit from me tomorrow and I will be leaving with 500 ct. paper goods. Maytag repair man...I hope you are free tomorrow.
We've been so blessed by so many of you during this time in our life. We thank all those who have called, visited, emailed, text, babysat, brought meals, and of course for all the prayers and fasting. Sometimes you forget how many great friends and family you have until you need the help and then you are reminded of how wonderful YOUR people are. Our peeps are the greatest.
