With All My Love

Happy Easter Elder Schenewark!

This weekend could not have been more beautiful in Texas. Because of earlier fall rain, the bluebonnets, red Indian Paintbrushes, and all the other Texas wildflowers have been in bloom for two weeks, peaking this week. The weather was a balmy 80 degrees, and I spent as much time as I could outside.

Spring is peak mowing season in Texas, although provisions have been made to not mow the yard portions where wildflower management is practiced. That took me two days. The tractor has been out of commission since the fall, but your father had the brilliant but simply obvious idea to take out the battery. Cooper took it down to AutoZone to have it recharged - that's free - and found out it wasn't holding the charge. We bought a battery for $25 and the tractor is back up and running, just in time to help me finish the backyard. We put the wood benches on the fire pit, put summer backyard toys on the deck - all in preparation for summer fun. 

And, Cooper's party on Monday. There's been no school since Wednesday, kind of a Good Friday extension. He invited his Weatherford friends to the beach Monday afternoon, and they'll finish up at the house for a barbeque - all for a surprise birthday party for Hunter Dewey.

Yesterday we also dyed a few eggs, checked the fluid in all of the cars, changed fluorescent light bulbs, picked up some flowers for the front planters, vacuumed the cars, fixed a broken kitchen drawer...so productive when everybody helps!  

I'll sum up a few more items. Sawyer had his basketball banquet, this year's in the Hidden Oaks Country Club. It might have been done just a bit better than yours, but he's not a senior, so it really didn't matter. Breyer was my date, as your father was at Cooper's regional tennis tournament.

Jarrod left Tuesday morning, shortly after the bus left the high school, for Lubbock, and the courts at Texas Tech. I think he Cooper played right at noon the next morning, and unfortunately lost. It was not an easy game, and the advantage was the team from the Lubbock area that was used to the 40 mile per hour wind that kept their lobs landing long. Your father came home Tuesday evening, and Cooper Wednesday, ending his illustrious high school tennis career.

With this culmination of after school obligation Cooper was up early Saturday morning, and at Stumpy's, applying for a job. Sawyer followed along, but won't be starting until school and baseball are over. Sis. Counts assisted us in the application process. Pass Go, and just say hello.

Sawyer had double header baseball games Monday but it seems so long ago, I'm having difficulty pulling up memories. He played with the JV team, he played second base. He had a couple of doubles, a few RBI's. He always got on base - even if it was a dropped third strike or walk - and scored. He's quick. And he can slide. He had a great play at second base, an over the shoulder snag and a great throw to first for the last out of the final game.

Poor Miller. Sawyer wraps up his season Monday, and Miller's games have all been rained out. He'll be playing a whole season's worth in three weeks.

I don't know if you've heard yet, but your cousin Joshua Hutchins was called to serve in the Brazil Salvador mission - leaving in July. Brazil has claimed two of your cousins, two of your brothers, and one uncle.

Tanner is going to Australia for the month of May for a lawyer-ly internship, focusing on business law, versus the trial law he'll experience here in Fort Worth later.

Your father is headed out to Utah for Hunter's graduation Tuesday morning. Miss B is accompanying him, suitcase already packed, and excitement level off of the chart.

I think that's the week in a few words. Every year I prepare myself to be less busy but life is as chaotic as ever. We take it day by day, but yesterday, truly was a glorious day, having every one home and busy around the house together. I loved it. Rubbing shoulders with my children is one of my favorite things to do. Work hard. Rub shoulders with your companion, and finish strong. And safe.

Love,

Mom