Is there some unwritten rule that we only fix up our houses when we are moving from them??!

It seems like every time we are moving, that is the time we remodel the bathrooms, or repaint the house, or update the kitchen.  

In our case we are refinishing the floors.  I hate the fact that it isn't for our benefit really, other than getting people in the door.   We pay the money and get it done finally, just in time for us to move.  We have wanted to refinish the floors for years, and yet have never done it, until now.  $1500 for someone else's benefit... I am not bitter or anything.

We have to be out of the house for 3 days while they do the actual varnishing since it is toxic to living things.  Nice, that...  We are going on a much needed vacation in the meantime.

This is what they accomplished before we actually got out the door for our trip:

I have been warned that when I get back I will have to thoroughly re-clean my house since sawdust will be everywhere.  Sigh... My work is never done.

These two poems came home from school on the same day, from two different kids in two different schools:

This one is from Ansel, who is at Willamette Primary School:

This is from Levi.

Who is at Rosemont Ridge Middle school:

Both talk about their dad's in gushing ways.

They must be REALLY missing their dad right now.

These poems speak for themselves.

Soon boys! I promise.  We will all be together again soon.

The second/third grade classes put on a Musical this year for their concert.

They performed Go West.

Ansel LOVED being able to dress up as a cowboy all day at school and then again that night.

They did a great job.  Although the speaking parts were weird.  She had them all say/chant the words together, which didn't really work out since none of the kids were together and so it just ended up being a bunch of nonsense that none of us in the audience could understand. Ha! Oh well, they were still incredibly cute doing it.

Gavin and Ansel, a couple of regular 'ol Cow hands....

The following pictures are fun because they are just still shots of him singing/ acting.  It was fun to watch him go through the song in still shots, preserving his sweet expressions more effectively than video.

Good Job Ansel Grant!  You can sing for me anytime!!

I can't believe number 3 is already up for baptism!

Where did the time go?  How can I be at this point already?

I feel like I am flying at warp speed now.  My young boys are already becoming young men.  I know that I will blink and be a grandma.  PLEASE slow down time... PLEASE???

Ansel was baptized on February 18th, 2012.  It was the Saturday of Presidents day weekend.  We chose this date so that both sets of grandparents could make it out.  And that was a success.  We got them there. Unfortunately, a lot of people in the ward were gone on vacation so the general turn out was low.  But the important people were there and that's what matters.

This little guy has a big spirit and heart.  I have long said that he is the heart of the home.  He feels everything so keenly and has great empathy for everyone around him.  I loved feeling the spirit present at his baptism as he prepared to take the next step towards eternal life and happiness.

It was a great day.

I had SO much help from friends and family for this baptism.  I am so grateful for their willingness to step up and help me during this very crazy time.  Getting the house ready without Joe around is no small task, neither is preparing for a baptism and also a sacrament talk for the next day.  I know that I could have said no to the latter, but I just knew that it would be a blessing to me if I said yes.  And, of course, it was.  Thank you Heavenly Father for helping me make time for the spiritual side of life.

They provided all the refreshments and spread, and it just added that extra special oomph for Ansel's special day.

These were the best cookies!  Thank you Kelly for having these made.  They were so special and made his day!  Loves...

Seriously!  How cute is that?? Ansel cookies?!

Ansel's sign in table:

Grandpa signing in:

Kelly and Kian:

Kian is my buddy! He loves to eat my necklaces every Sunday during primary.  He is such a cuddly guy!

Great Grandpa, Great Grandma, and Grandpa Severson!

What a lucky boy to have great grandparents still alive and kicking!

Great Grandma teaches all four boys piano, and she conducted the music for his baptism.

Great Grandpa was a witness.

Grandma Severson was the pianist.

Getting ready to go back!

The Hunsaker's and the Severson's.  BFF's

Sandy, on the left has been helping me almost everyday, getting the house ready to sell.  She is an amazing women.  I will miss her so much! Leslie and Tess are good friends, Leslie to me, Tess to Ansel (they were in school together)

All done!

Grandpa gave a great talk on the Holy Ghost.  I wish that I could just get up in front of people and give a fabulous talk sans notes!!  Not a skill I have, I am afraid!

The Bishop gave a fabulous welcome talk.  It was so inspired.  He said that as he was praying about what to say in his talk and an image kept popping up in his mind, an image that he felt was very important so share with Ansel, that image was the Golden Gate Bridge.  He talked about how baptism is like the Golden Gate Bridge. It links us from one place to another.  It takes us from this Earthly life to our Heavenly eternal life.  He said that when we move to California, every time Ansel looks at the Golden Gate Bridge he wanted him to think of his baptism and the covenants he made that will get him safely to the other side.  It was so perfect for Ansel.  He, of all the boys, has been the most distressed about moving to California.  It was like Heavenly Father was telling Ansel that this move was okay and that he was meant to be there. I think that talk did more, single-handedly, to help Ansel come to terms with moving than anything else.

I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for showing his love for Ansel so specifically.

 

Ansel's brothers sang a song for him, well two of them did, Kaelan got more intrenched in NOT singing the further along the song went!

Great Grandma conducting:

Ansel listening to everything:

KK and Grandpa Lindorff

Four generations of Severson Men:

Grandpa and Grandma Lindorff with Ansel!

Grandpa and Grandma Severson with Ansel:

The best dad in the WORLD

Levi and his cousin buddy, Michael:

My dear friend, Shona, who also happens to be the primary president:

Ansel and Reese:

Allen and Aimee Wood

Shona and I

Thank you to all who came, Thank you to all who helped, Thank you to Ansel for your great spirit and wonderful choice, and Thank you, most of all, to a loving Heavenly Father that made it all possible.