Graduation Announcements
May is just as busy as December but when you have a graduating Senior however, it is busier. "I'm dreaming of a green summer.... with every graduation announcement that I write..."
The inside of Mallerie's announcement showed her through the years. Sigh, all grown up. It happens.
Mother's Day Elko Nevada May 8, 2016
We stayed at the Marriott but had to check out a couple of hours before church on Sunday. We drove through town hoping to catch some of the Pioneer Museums open. I guess we can't complain that they were closed.
What a glorious weekend we had. On Saturday Scarlett was baptized and confirmed and on Sunday we got to hear Raegan's farewell talk. Both were very special events to be a part of.
After Sacrament meeting the youth brought Symphony bars around to all the RS sisters. I made sure I grabbed one with nuts. Sadie was busy talking to well-wishers and missed the candy drop. They ran out of the bars with nuts. She said disappointedly, "Ah man, it was my suggestion in ward council that they only give out the candy bars with nuts." I held on to mine tight.
I didn't have a square to spare.
I didn't have a square to spare.
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| My Aunt Chris and Uncle Jake surprised us with a visit on their way to California. |
This was the best mother's day I have had in years I suppose. I think staying in a hotel is key;) The whole weekend was great. The kids swam with cousins; I shopped and visited with my sisters. We ate out. Elko always provides a real nice time for us. Always.
Time spent with cousins is always time well spent.
We never could catch up with the rainbow on the way home.
Grayson turns 13! May 9, 2016
We got back pretty late and did a quick set up for Grayson's birthday table. The very next morning he woke up a teenager.
It is a good thing it was a school day. This gave me a chance to go to Walmart and buy some things to put in those gift bags :)
I didn't think we would spend the evening at the mall shopping for a new suit for Grayson AGAIN. He grew like a weed this last year. I thought for sure he would get a couple of years out of last years suit. (I will post a picture of him in it at a later date. I never had a chance to get a photo of him wearing it after church. As he was putting his bike away, he fell into the pool.)
On the way home from the mall I suggested we stop at Provo Beach for some Laser Tag. Everyone was game for this but Gray! We went anyway. He ended up liking it all right.
Grayson is most comfortable AT HOME. We cut the cake and he was finally in his element. He marches to his own drum.
Here is an expert I recorded about a typical day when Grayson gets off the bus:
"I am laughing again at Gray. He
bolted in the door from the bus stop trying to DITCH his friends. They will
come straight here and start playing ball and he likes to relax and have a snack first. He even dead bolted the door. I asked, “Are they going to come back later?” He said, “I hope not!”
But you know they will! They can’t read that he actually PREFERS to not be with
friends, they drive him batty. But he also knows that if he never hangs out
with them they will go away all together, which he decided is worse, so he humors them."
I passed the park and saw him playing baseball with his friends. Seems lovely doesn't it? I asked him when he got home if he enjoyed it, "No! Everyone was being so irritating! " 
Here is something else I can tell you about Grayson though. He has really impressed Matt and I in his leadership abilities. He was made Deacons Quorum President and got right back to the Bishopric member with who he would like as his counselors. He attends presidency meetings and organizes fast offerings. He makes reminder calls and delegates. He shows up to every meeting expected of him. When it comes to Home Teaching it is the same. Matt is thrilled to finally be able to be companions with his son. They take turns making appointments. When it is Gray's turn he sets them up without being reminded. It has really been remarkable to watch. He has learned a lot about what it feels like to have people flake out on you. I don't think he will ever be that person. I really don't.
People. They are the worst;)
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| Above: Grayson called his quorum and got them together to help an elderly sister move. Way to go Gray! |
3rd Grade Disney Program May 10-12th, 2016
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| "Thanks Granny and Grandpa for coming to see our child in the Disney Program for the fifth time. I bet you could get up there on stage and not miss a beat. And sorry Grandpa that our cat jumped up on you out of the blue and clawed holes in your martini shirt. Really, it was very random and sad." -Abby |
Graham had lots of support. Different family members were at each performance even if it meant they had to be checked out of school. But who do you think was at every single performance? MEEE!
Hippopotamus in "Just Can't Wait to be King"
(I can spell dog, I can spell cat, but I can't spell Hippopotomus;)
Dog Catcher in "Cruella Deville"
Grayson wore this same costume.
Jelly Fish in "Kiss the Girl"
I was one of the moms who pulled kids out of class to work on the dance number for "Kiss the Girl."
I thought for sure I had a photo of Graham walking down the hall in his high water pants with his tentacles blowing alongside him. Then I remembered it was a mental snapshot that I took. Guys, it was the cutest. He literally had a spring in his step.
The students at JR Smith wait like eager beavers for the time they get to be IN the 3rd Grade Disney Program. It really is where all their dreams come true.
Graham third from the left on the front Row for the number, "We're all in this Together."
It is a tender, fun time that Disney Program.
Puerto Vallarta on the horizon
Through the business of May we had a getaway smack dab in the middle. I turned 40! We decided on a trip Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. As you can imagine it deserves a post all of it's own, but I texted this pic to Matt that I was getting ready to go!Region Cross Country Track Meet
Mallerie qualified to run region at Salem Hills High School on May 12th. I had to leave immediately following the afternoon performance of the Disney Program but I got there in time to see her run. I was so glad. She ran her little heart out and placed!
She placed 6th in Region for the mile!
Callie's First Grad Talent Show
Callie signed up to play a musical number during her classroom talent show. Back in December she wished for a violin. She didn't get one. Instead she received a melody harp with a note, "This might be easier for you to play." SO, now she calls the melody harp her practice violin. When Mrs. I asked her what she would be playing her piece on she said, "My practice violin." I am sure her teacher had something very different pictured in her head.
The class was shushed as Callie played "Away in a Manger." I didn't know Callie also planned on singing.
The class was shushed as Callie played "Away in a Manger." I didn't know Callie also planned on singing.
No More Work
Ever since I was put in as Young Women President in April I started to feel like I was white-knuckling my life. In taking an evaluation I realized it was working from home that was giving me that feeling. I had a lot of Young Women stuff to do on the computer and there was always that nag that I could be getting in more hours for work. I would end up working later in the day and that pushed other chores or errands even later. One night I was grocery shopping at 11 pm and felt like bawling. I was exhausted. I wasn't doing anything all the way, just getting by. I told the Lord that it felt like something had to give. Soon after, we were told about a mandatory conference call at work. I had a glimmer of hope. Could this be the end? I was ready to be done but it is such an easy job and easy money that it is never something I could walk away from on my own. In the days leading up to the call I really got myself excited about the prospect of not working, especially going in to summer. Sadie and Lindsey who also have the same job from home and ironically who are also Young Women President's felt the same way. We breathed a huge sigh of relief when the call was in fact to inform us that the funding for our project had come to and end. After May 31st we would no longer be employed at Inthinc. Phew.
I worked my little tail off those next weeks to get in as many hours as I could and probably really burned myself out so that when the job did end I was beyond ready. School didn't get out till June 3rd so this gave me a few days to myself. Finally. I knew I needed to show my face in Callie's classroom one more time, but I wanted it to be on my terms. The second to last day of school I texted her teacher and asked if I could come read some stories to the kids after lunch. She was delighted!
Seminary Graduation May 22, 2016
Because we had returned from Mexico only the day before, we were pretty beat. Matt was glad he wasn't in charge this year. It was nice to just sit and enjoy. Of course we are very proud of Mal who received her Four-year Seminary Graduation Certificate. The learning done in a seminary classroom represents a deeper value than that learned in a school classroom.
Wasatch High School Graduation May 25, 2016
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| A big dubba-ya |
I showed this picture to Ava that I took randomly, "Ava what were you laughing at? Graduations aren't that exciting." She said, "Here, I will take a photo of you laughing too."
It looks like everyone was enjoying themselves, well almost everyone. You see Grayson looking at the program, "How many more names???"
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| Of course my dad knew who he was sitting by. He was an old neighbor from Northridge. |
We were witnesses to some tough words between two women before the program started. A woman was saving two rows of seats near us. She seemed to be a nervous wreck trying to bat people away in the moments leading up to the ceremony. It looked exhausting (I, as you know, am not a seat saver). A Hispanic family walked up and saw all the empty chairs (the nervous lady had disappeared momentarily). The Hispanic lady asked us if we were saving the seats. We answered her honestly, "No." She sat down with her family. When the nervous lady came back she BEGGED, rather un-lady like, for this woman to PLEASE MOVE!"
She was literally banging on the chair.
The Hispanic lady held her ground, "We are here, your people are not." Finally the nervous woman stormed off. I spoke to the Hispanic, "I am sorry you were treated like that, it is not okay." I think I calmed her nerves enough but I think we were all a little rattled. People, don't save rows of seats!
Mallerie stepping off the risers.
Mall is the one shaking hands with the man wearing the yellow boutonniere. She said when she shook hands with the principal he said, "Best girl in the school right here." She is.
I was so glad Matt videoed this! I feel like in the moment I was trying to find where she was and I felt a bit like the nervous seat saving woman for a moment, and then the moment was gone.
We love the accomplishments of our Mal (Honors!)
Granny and Grandpa came up the canyon again to support. We appreciate.
We got in a few family photos and the rest were dozens of pictures of Mallerie with her friends, "Mom get one of me and her, and her, and him, and this teacher, and these friends!"
This man epitomizes a stellar teacher. Because of him Mallerie wants to teach High School English and coach Cross Country just like him. As a mom, I feel forever indebted to Coach Foster.
Mallerie and Vickie adore him.
Walking back to the car before dinner. As you can see, it was such a pretty night.
Mallerie's dinner choice: Zupa's in Provo. We are nuts about the Nut's About Berries Salad.
My cousin Rachel had the most beautiful celebration bouquet sent to our home for Mallerie.
So thoughtful. (It made my bouquet seem rather dinky)
Mallerie loves Swig sugar cookies. Who doesn't? I wished that I had time to go down the canyon to pick her up some but I didn't. Instead I ran in to Day's and found these that looked almost as good. What we learned? Cherry flavoring does not belong in frosting.
Another time Mallerie was really craving Swig sugar cookies while working on the train. She wished that somehow she could have one. When she got home from work somebody dropped off a plate of Swig cookies for her anonymously with a note that read, "You get the awesome person award!" She took this as a sign that a loving Heavenly Father is aware of her. It was something small but she felt the love.
Memorial Day(s)
Saturday, May 28th Salt Lake City Cemetery.
Visiting my Mom's side.
We picnic'd next to the graves. There are 10 of our family members buried here.
Monday, May 30th Provo City Cemetery
Visiting my dad's side. There are about as many family graves here as well.
The dudes
The gals (and Ollie)
The next generation. Oldest and youngest grandson's: Grayson (13), Adren (12), and Henry (1).
We tried a new place for our picnic afterwards, Bicentennial Park. It was really great. It is just so nice to be with family and let the kids play in a relaxed atmosphere.
"Callie Marie Bocanegra Hess: hi I am Callie I love mi tyos thae are so much fun wen mi frens cum ovr we ride bics and we play maicindols wen it is 6:00 ocloc we pic up mi toys and ven we go hoom the end."
It is too bad when Memorial Day falls on a school night.
Well, it wasn't a school night for Mal and she made sure we knew it.
Well, it wasn't a school night for Mal and she made sure we knew it.
"Bye-bye!"
