Violin Love

 Summer discovered the little violin at Kenna's lesson. 

And wouldn't let it go. 

Scariness

There are moments when time freezes. Everyone has these. When a sudden realization or piece of bad news makes your heart stop, your stomach drop and your blood run cold. Shivers race up your spine when you accidentally hurt a loved one or learn of some shocking heartache. Such a strong, automatic physical and emotional response to something your mind perceives. It's awful.

I feel like I've been privy to a lot of these lately. Summer proudly, silently feeds the baby raisins while I'm in the other room. What if he had choked instead of vomited? We lost Summer for almost 10 minutes at a crowded Sydney Harbour last month and I about vomited as the minutes ticked by spurring ever more terrorizing scenarios in my head. A new friend tearfully shared how her daughter died of SIDS years ago, still adjusting to the question, "How many kids do you have?" This was just five minutes after a new acquaintance clutched my baby, disclosing how it helps her heal from a miscarriage caused by sexual assault last year. A good, sweet friend of mine was killed last week in a motorcycle accident while on 2nd honeymoon with her husband in Hawaii. Jubilant soul, mother of four, Primary president, gorgeous dancer and generous friend with the most infectious laugh. And then there's the seemingly perpetual news that cancer has yet again, plagued a loved one.

That such things happen to people, always throws me. That some are forced to lose a spouse or a child, sometimes instantly, violently... it's just too much. Through even my brief glimpse and imaginings recently, I can hardly absorb the thought. Yet people have to live such nightmares, day in and day out, all over the world, every day. My heart breaks. And my prayers are markedly more earnest lately for peace to rest on their souls - to guide them through to the other side. Where I hope and believe with all my heart, that they will be reunited in their loved ones' embrace and all will somehow be made right. Until then, let us be gentle with one another - one never knows what deep heartache another is suffering.

Energy Balls

These are the best snack and I can't make them fast enough! My daughter who HATES muesli bars (and honey) is my biggest fan of these, which are virtually the same idea...

ENERGY BALLS

2 C oatmeal

1 C coconut

1 C chocolate chips

1/2 C flax seed (pulse in blender first for more accessible nutrients)

1/2 C chia seed

1 C peanut butter

1 C rice krispies

2/3 C honey

2 t vanilla

Mix all ingredients together, then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Form into balls. Store in fridge.

* I soften my PB and honey together in the microwave first for easier mixing. Would probably be great with coconut oil for half the PB as well. Mix/match or opt out of whatever you don't have and use more oats. Throw in some dried fruit even. Possibilities are limitless. Recipe inspiration HERE.

Spring Has Sprung

 And it sure feels good to be out in the thick of it!

The kids played very well in netball and soccer, and were thrilled for their medals, plaques and "golden boot"s...


 but we are very pleased to have our Saturdays back!

 While waiting for spring, we still had a raucous time indoors.

Yes, Summer AND Des are asleep on Dad.

Obstacle courses were assembled. Many a gymnastics meet was hosted and judged. Playdates were had. Desmond was blessed. Twister was played. Freezing dips in the neighbor's pool for the brave of heart.

First smiles :)

That Twister mat kept them occupied for hours.

 But for the most part, we've been living outside and loving it. Stromlo Bike Playground is the best. All sorts of ridges, logs and skinny raised platforms to test your biking skills on. Great place to prove your balance, agility and courage. It takes guts, man. Many tears spilt and triumphs claimed. (Bless those kind gentlemen who offered to spot brave Kenna on her first go at the tipping see-saws. Dad was home with Sums, so me with Des in the Bjorn was obviously no help at all for that imminent disaster.)

U.S. Labor Day enjoying Dad's sunny nap on the grass outside Questacon

Memorial

The Embassy hosted a very nice memorial for 9/11. They always honor each casualty individually, represented by their country's flag taped along the front gates. It's a beautifully humbling reminder I'm grateful we could be part of. Ambassador Bleich spoke eloquently as he honored their memories and then candles were lit out on the front lawns for all to see.

the news cameras caught Sums helping put up flags

 My kids may never understand why I "drag" them to these things, but I doubt I'll ever stop attending such memorials.

Birthday Weekend

 Turned the big 33 last Friday. Fairly under the radar, seeing as it was full of last-day-of-term excitement and parties (but I pretended those were for me so it was all good.) We did head up to Sydney for the long weekend and my fam was gracious enough to let me call most of the shots - like following our friends to the Olympic Aquatic Center for a swim, and hitting the beach on the way home. (How on earth do my kids all of a sudden not like the beach?? It was just me and Summer in the waves... Dad's winning them over slowly, darn it all.)

 Bless that Krispy Kreme. We fairly got in an accident trying to maneuver out of the turn lane when we saw the sign. Then we bought an extra dozen for our friends, only to discover in the parking lot that they'd just done the exact same for us! So awesome. Sign of a true friendship :)

 Highlight of the weekend though was getting to accompany our sweet friends, the Klenkas, through the temple and witness their sealing afterwards. What a sweet and special privilege. We love them. (Still waiting on a pic...)

Will getting swarmed with the bucket'o'gelato

 Hot day. Can you tell? This guy stole an hour of our lives that we'll never get back. But the last five minutes when he juggled fire, knives and apples on his bike was cool.

new view of the Opera House and Bridge from far side of RBG

Of course the kids love staying at the "temple hotel" and were thrilled when the Sorensons stayed as well. They hosted games in the rec room and even sleepovers at their place - what a fam :) I'm a nerd and didn't even snap a pic of the pj parties. Maybe because I was running back and forth trying to nurse two babies and a sick child to bed. First night was the worst, got in late, settled down later and Summer bed-hopped until dawn. There is simply nothing like trying to keep a 2 year old occupied or even remotely quiet in a room full of 5 other sleeping people at 5am. You know what I'm talking about. Brutal. I kept snatching cat naps between 10-minute episodes of Curious George on Youtube because I was too delirious to think of any brighter ideas. The next two nights everyone slept through until 9am though, so no complaints. They were so zonked that Annie fell off her top bunk and Kenna "sleep-barfed" into the bucket by her bed - neither of them remembering a thing in the morning. Now that's running 'em ragged.

 So yes, we swam, bungee-tramp-ed, hit Darling Harbour and the Royal Botanical Gardens, then showed them the Nan Tien Temple and beach on the way home. Great weekend. Loved it all, especially quality time with the kiddos. Darren's fond of blasting the music during long drives (mostly The Killers new album this time, which is mega-awesome) and rolling down the windows - all enveloped in it together. Good times. I think their favorite part was actually the buddhist temple, though. Annie said, "All these Chinese people were saying stuff in another language and sitting down in strange positions and looking at us thinking, 'what are these white people doing here?'" Too cute, that girl.

It was a lovely weekend and I'm so glad I got to share it with the fam in an awesome place. :)

Mmmm. First tumble in the waves and right back at it.