A Day With Daddy

I spent all day Saturday at our stake's Youth Conference. Jake had Tessa from sun up 'til sun down. They partied. Jake got out Tessa's little pool, a bubble machine, went and bought what he deemed "a fun tub toy" (plastic butterflys that swim around in water when you pull a string and a net to catch them) and played. He blamed this hairstyle on her nap. (I'm just happy he tried.) It was really fun to hear Jake tell me about their day.
I had a great time with the youth. It's usually nice to have a day that is different from what usually goes on. We started the day running the 5k. I have mentioned before that I'm a really slow runner, but I'm determined to not stop. I came in 52nd place out of maybe 130 people. First half? I'm happy.
The day continued with some fun activities, speakers, happy chats, a sunburn, etc. and ended with a testimony meeting at the outdoor amphitheatre. The walk there was like something out of a dream. The stars were brilliant, but the most amazing backdrop were the fireflies. It looked like glitter falling from the trees. It was almost magical. The testimony meeting was nothing short of awesome. I am not kidding when I say that these kids were fighting to bear their testimony. There was never a pause. Time ran out before everyone in line was able to speak. It ended at eleven and could have gone on for at least another hour. What a blessing it was to have been able to attend. There's nothing like a youth conference testimony meeting to give you absolute faith in our future, even if during the day I wanted to swat a few of them. I was privileged to have witnessed these kids sharing powerful truths with one another.
I had a wonderful day and became even more grateful for my calling and felt a deeper love for my ward.
Now for the more mundane.
Second set of petunias: deceased
If anyone can think of a flower that I might be able to keep alive outside, please let me know. I am not ready to resort to the plastic flowers, but I'm getting there. :)
Our fence: still covered in graffiti
We are going to have to paint it. Our poor fence. It already is decrepit and needs to be replaced, but we aren't financially ready for that yet. So, painting is the only option. I need to get on that fast because I can't stand the thought of whoever did it walking by and laughing about it. Grrrr.
Job watching Hudson: paused for summer
I'll be watching him for another school year. He and Tessa have gotten to be close friends. So cute. She's been a little confused as to where his car seat went and why he isn't around when she wakes up from her nap. "Duddo go?"
Summer vacation to Utah: very excited
It's time.