Lear's artwork

This is something Lear made at church for my dad. The teacher spelled "Janes" wrong - easy mistake. We've called Cory's dad Papa and mine Grandpa Janes to differentiate the two Grandpa Ja(y)neses.  Lear was so proud that he drew Grandpa's glasses and brown hair. The text on the reverse side says basically that Lear loves Grandpa because he goes down the scary slide with him. Considering my father's disability, it goes to show how much he loves his grandchildren, and that he will do anything for them. My father may be a man of few words, but his heart is big nonetheless. 

Lear quote: "Mommy, why do your eyes always look so tired?" You can always trust a child to be brutally honest. My reply? "Because you and Ella never let me sleep in."

Ella quote: "I not a pin-cess, I a cupcake!" I had called her my little princess, but she objected, because she was wearing her cupcake pajamas, not her princess pajamas.

Easter pics

As per my mother's request, here are pictures of Lear and Ella on Easter. Ella is my mother's only granddaughter (she has three and a half grandsons), and she is having way too much fun shopping for adorable little girl dresses. Ella is better dressed than everyone else in the house.

Lear quote: "Mommy, why are some people bad?" How does one answer a question like that?

Ella quote: "I not a drama queen! I a drama pin-cess!"

Be Careful What You Wish For

For all of you who haven't had the (dubious) honor of hearing me complain lately, here' the rundown of my schedule for the last month or so:

18 rehearsals

10 concerts

18 flute lessons

3 houseguests for 1 week

2 birthdays (Cory's and mine.)

1 dinner party for my grad school flute teacher

One year ago I was complaining that I didn't have enough to do. I was praying for more opportunities to play the flute, for validation and a little confidence. I won my first audition in several years last August, which has lead to many, many opportunities for me. I 'm thankful that my prayers were answered - although I'd like to spread out the blessings a bit, so they're not so concentrated in the same 33-day period. Now my last wish is to get paid for more than about 10% of it! How about more like 90%?

Ella quote: "Mama is my best friend!" (I hope she still says this when she's 16! And the rest of her life, for that matter.)

Classic Lear quote: "That scared my P.P.!" (P.P. has always been Lear's word for his privates. He said this when were driving fast over the part of Redwood Road that goes by Utah Lake that goes up and down a lot like a roller coaster.)