Glen's bday, seminary graduation, snow

Today is Glen's 56th birthday. He wanted pie and ice cream instead of cake and ice cream. Happy to oblige...only I proceeded to drop them on the floor. (we ate them anyway and they were yummy). Happy Birthday Sweetie!

Glen's berry pies became berry crumbles

Our last child, Alex, has followed in the footsteps of his older siblings and graduated from seminary. Congratulations to all 5 of our children for getting up early their entire high school careers and completing all of their requirements to graduate. You are all awesome. May you always remember the lessons you learned and keep your testimonies burning bright.

We've had rainy, coldish weather this week. Coming home from seminary graduation tonight I noticed the mountains to the east of us were covered in snow again, so we stopped to take pictures. We might be in for another wet week, too.

Two weeks and counting.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful women in my life: my mother, sister, daughter, daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, friends...I am richly blessed. I appreciate your love, great examples, and friendship. I don't know where I'd be without you all. Thank you!

One woman missing from the list above is my mother-in-law. Yesterday marked one year since her passing. Glen and I went and visited her for a bit last evening. It's hard to believe a year has passed already. Miss you, Mom!

One of my sub jobs this past week was in the Yearbook room. I found an old yearbook (1998?) and looked up the drama page. There was a funny photo in it that I took a picture of:

This past week was Teacher Appreciation Week. As part of the festivities, there was a meeting where the teachers were given their recognition pins. Glen got his 30 year pin. Congratulations, Honey, on surviving for 30 years! Good luck on surviving the last year!

And this week was the student art show at WNC. I put in two pieces, a little vase and my alligator whistle. My whistle got a "special recognition" ribbon (but I do have to admit it was a very small art show this semester, so there wasn't a lot of competition). Anyway, I finished my snail at the end of last semester and then this semester I made him some friends. Some whistle a lot better than others, but I really love my project.

my snail, turtle, quail, dinosaur, lady bug, gold fish, and alligator

There is a summer session for pottery studio that I'm planning on taking. Last semester I had a lot of time to play with my clay, but barely had any time this semester. I hope to really improve my wheel skills over the summer.

Three weeks and counting!

playing catch up

Henry turned 4 a few weeks back, and Andrew and Heather had their 6th anniversary! Andrew's school year is almost over. Then he'll have a very small break before he starts teaching at a summer school type program.

Andrew and Heather took their family on a little hiking/camping trip in April

Very soon it will be time to put in guesses as to where Alex will be called on his mission. He has 2 interviews to go before his papers will be submitted. We're hoping that in a week or so they will be able to be sent in to Salt Lake. Then it might only take a week to hear back from Church headquarters. Exciting times!

Yesterday my pottery class had a raku pottery firing event outside at our teacher's house. So fascinating. We used special clay and glazes for raku. You make your item, fire it, glaze it, and then it's ready for the raku treatment.

There is a special kiln where the pieces are fired to 1800 degrees. You take the pieces out and put them in trash cans that have newspaper in them (which immediately catches on fire) and shut the lids, which creates an oxygen-less environment. You take the pieces out, cool them down by spraying water on them, then wash the soot off. You never know what you are going to get as the same glaze doesn't necessarily produce the same results.

I only had 3 bowls to fire, but the other students (many of whom had done this before) had made some really cool items...sculptures, wind chimes, flower pots, etc. It was really neat to watch.

Loading the special propane kiln

the trash cans (reduction chambers)

the pieces are then cooled down by misting water on them

some of the finished pieces

my 3 pieces

Only 4 weeks left of regular instruction at school and then it's finals week. The end is in sight! (but meanwhile, things are very busy)