March 2024 Part 1 - Twins turn 8, Great Grandma Clift's funeral and visiting Nana and Grandad.

March 6 - Melissa arranged a lesson for the homeschool group at the Discovery Center in Monticello.  A member of our ward started working there, so he showed them the bone, scat and track collection. 

Hannah spent some time on the wall. 

March 9: Melissa's craft room is coming along. 

March 11: Monday off work, Atlas Crate!  We were learning about Spain, the colorful pile is a cubist sculpture following Picasso's example. 

March 13: NERDS!! Just chilling midmorning. 

March 14: Homeschool at Sand Island.  They hiked east along the river bed to explore something new. 

Lilian found a heart rock!

Then they all found mud.

Something about a lady and her dog, so regal. 

March 16: I ordered a positive pressure paint booth for make these epoxy projects easier.  Melissa has just finished covering her Ikea table for the craft room.  Hours later, when the epoxy was almost hard to the touch... a thread drifted down from the top of the paint booth!  We just can't catch a break with epoxy. But the design looks great. 

March 17: Monday drone club!

Followed by a trip to White Rocks.  Water was flowing across the trail, so the kids all played. 

While the kids were at White Rocks, Grandma Jack dropped off their birthday cards and a Beanie Baby for each. 

March 23: The big day!  Hannah and Finn's 8th birthday.  Melissa decorated Lego Elves and Lego technic cakes.  The kids made the topper with their new sets they opened that morning. A Saturday birthday is pretty convenient for celebrating ALL day. 

They had their party at gymnastics...

with a bunch of friends...

and wrapped up with a piñata in the parking lot.  The kids had all been asking about piñatas for months, whenever they saw them at the grocery store. Hannah gave the final blow, separating the body. 

After their party, it was home to watch Grandma Clift's funeral.  Grandma passed away Sunday March 10th and everyone thought the funeral would be Saturday the 16th.  It ended up scheduled for the 23rd. I (Melissa) was super sad because I was planning on going to Grandma's funeral, but it was scheduled on Hannah and Finn's birthday. I talked to the kids and they really wanted me there.  They prayed for me that night that I would know what decision to make.  After I left the kids with Andy to finish up reading books for bed, I went to ponder on my dilemma.  My mother-in-law, Lindsey, texted and told me that the kids weren't being selfish in wanting me there for their birthday.  I am their world and they just couldn't imagine me not there for their special day.  She also said that my grandma would understand, and she would want me with my children.  Right then I felt the Holy Ghost tell me in my heart that this was right. I immediately felt at peace.  Throughout the week and on the day of her funeral I still felt at peace and I didn't feel like I was missing out. We watched the funeral online and I loved seeing my siblings and cousins there. I would have loved to be with them, but even after seeing them and their Facebook posts I still knew I'd made the right decision. 

March 24: The kids all sang with the primary at sacrament meeting. After church we hit the road to Nana and Grandad's.  After all, with baked Alaska waiting, we weren't going to waste any time.  Plus, we needed to get ready to celebrate Nana's birthday!