Halfway to 90!

 We celebrated Jason's 45 birthday on Saturday. Victoria lovingly reminded him a few times that he is now halfway to 90. 

Lucky him, his birthday was on a Saturday, but it also happened to be one of the first very busy days we've had in a while and he had a talk to write for church the next day, so maybe not so lucky for him? 

Since we're finally opening up more around here, I was happy for a busy Saturday. Also because I know there are not many of them left before summer and less busy Saturdays again. I think he enjoyed it as well.

It started with early soccer games for both boys at different locations, but luckily they were at the same time, so Jason went with Erik and I went with Austin (we usually switch off games for them. This was my first one alone at Austin's since my concussion and I was nervous.) Before we left, I had Panera Bread delivered for breakfast (breakfast sandwiches for Jason, Victoria, and me and cinnamon bagels for the others). There's free delivery this month and it was so nice because I could still go for my run and have breakfast ready and there when I arrived home! 

Both boys won their games. Austin 3-1 and Erik 9-1 or something. Erik even scored two goals, so that was his birthday present to Jason. He's usually on defense, so it was very special for him to score those. 

After arriving home we had to change clothes for Victoria's violin recital. It was at the church and our family was in charge of opening the building and setting up the Zoom meeting for grandparents and the actual teacher, who lives in AZ, but used to live here and has been teaching a handful of people from around here. 

On the way there Jason picked up 5 Guys' burgers and fries to eat while Victoria and others were warming up. When she was done she had to eat quickly and rush off to her dance recital practice. She did an excellent job on her violin performance, the best she's done on that song, another gift for Jason!

More about the recital later.

It's been a long time since we've hung out in the church!

When the rest of us returned home Jason had to work on his talk and Austin and I mowed the lawn so Jason could have the day off yard work. 

Jason took a break from writing his talk so we could celebrate with music, dinner, cake, and presents. He requested what we have called Rachelle's Recipe for over 20 years now, but is really maybe called creamy chicken, though I'm not sure! We got the recipe from my friend Rachelle, who reads this blog, over 20 years ago. We haven't had it in a while, so he was craving it! It was a good choice because it's in the crockpot and I didn't have much time to prep dinner, though I did stir fry some green beans to go with it. 

He opened some clothes from me, candy from Victoria, and nice homemade cards from the kids. I also got him a carwash pass that he wanted, though it's on the car I usually drive and we can't switch the sticker from one car to the other, but at least my car will be very clean this month! (I also took his car to be washed on his birthday). 

Luke's gift to Jason.

Victoria made Jason this awesome card that indicated he is now on the "oldness" phase of life, as opposed to the "normal" phase of life!

Carrot cake!

Karissa made this awesome card comic. She drew the meme that was attached to the QR code below.

It totally worked and he could view the meme from scanning the code! 

After carrot cake, we watched part of Torra!Torra!Torra! An old movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor that we all enjoyed very much. We finished it the next evening when we were all super tired. Jason gave a great talk too!

Movie time!

SJ5K

 Each year, for the past 5 years, there is a race called the SJ5K. This what it is:

"The SJ5K Foundation was founded to serve the SJ5K Club at the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park. The SJ5K Foundation is a volunteer board whose mission is to promote youth leadership and to aid families in crisis through the efforts of the SJ5K race each year."

They choose 5 families who have a loved one going through health challenges. It is named after a student from the first year they held the race.

"In December of 2010, then-Canton sophomore Jesse Lindlbauer (known as Super Jess) suffered a near-fatal brain injury.  Despite no previous symptoms, Jesse fought brain trauma, meningitis, and other complications brought on by what believed to be a mild sinus infection. Jesse spent eleven weeks at C.S. Mott Hospital, surviving two emergency brain surgeries, and then began his long road to recovery."

Every year the race is on a Sunday, making it hard to participate in the actual run, though we usually donated money to the cause. Last year it was virtual and the participants got to run, bike, or walk their 5k anytime during the week of the event. We participated in that last year and some of us did this year as well. The nice thing about it being virtual is that people can choose to ride their bike instead of run if they want. That's what Erik and Karissa chose to do. I did the run.

Karissa's choir and Autin's choir each sang a song in honor of the recipients, though I don't know if they posted the songs somewhere, or if they recorded them for us to hear another time. I need to look into that. If anything, I'm sure we'll hear the songs at the choir concerts.

This year's event had a little more meaning since one of the girls who was recently diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer in her chest, neck, and armpit is the girlfriend of a boy in our ward. This boy, Spencer's mom had brain surgery in the fall to remove a tumor and has been recovering since then. Not only that, but her sister-in-law had liver cancer and went in for treatments around the same time Jennifer had her brain surgery. We just found out that Jamie is now cancer-free! Jennifer's sister, Anna, at pretty much the same time, also had a brain tumor and had it removed about two weeks Jennifer had hers removed. Needless to say, this family has gone through a lot this year! Luckily, we have only heard good news recently and all are on the mend.

We were so happy we could support the students who were sponsored for the SJ5K!

Erik ran a practice 1 miler with me and decided that he didn't want to run the 5k, but bike it!

Karissa chose to bike it too. It is all good!

Mother's Day

 Mother's Day had a different feel about it this year, and that's just fine. Instead of the moms of the ward going to a special lesson at church, they actually started the first Sunday of second-hour meetings, which meant some moms were teaching the Primary kids (as a group), Young Women's (obviously), and Relief Society. There were no special gifts given out and that was just fine! In fact, I didn't even go to church. Our family wasn't assigned to sacrament meeting (we go 3/4 of the time in person, rotating between two other groups). If it's not our family's turn to go, then we don't attend the second hour either. Except for the Young Men and Young Women. They can go to all the second hours. If they don't drive themselves like Victoria did, then their parents and Primary-aged siblings can go with them, otherwise, they just show up. Jason, being in the Bishopric, went to sacrament meeting while the rest of us watched from home. Then Victoria took Karissa and Austin to the second hour while I watched the broadcast RS class from home and talked to my mom and Erik watched a singing time on Youtube. That was very relaxing. 

Jason brought me flowers and gave me the pants I had picked out for myself (and were on sale). Victoria gave me a balloon and my favorite candy: Red Vines and Swedish Fish. Jason, Victoria, and Karissa made me blueberry pancakes for breakfast and stir fry for dinner. We watched some home videos of when I was younger, which was so fun! Victoria really wanted to watch Jason's and my wedding day- also really fun. Since it was raining and cold, we also watched The Wizard of Oz.

The best part of the weekend was on Saturday when Austin was able to complete his homework and help mow the lawn, way before he usually does. Victoria and Karissa had completed very successful work weeks at school, so they were in good spirits. Erik had things to keep him busy and when Austin was done with his homework, they had lots of time to play outside together. 

Having my kids feel that sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in the simple things in life really made me happy. I think that's what makes mothers most happy, is having their children find joy in the simple things in life. 

This is what everyone else ate for dessert, but I made myself a berry cobbler because I wanted that instead and no one else likes that kind of thing around here!

My breakfast. I really like berries!

Homemade card- beautiful!

My flowers from Jason.

This was a few days beforehand with my baby Leia who was getting cozy with me.