April 2012

April has come and gone, and I can’t believe a third of this year has passed. We’ve had an eventful month. Easter was a lot of fun. The kids blew out eggs and decorated them. I made the kids each a fabric bag to be “church bags” full of things to do during sacrament meeting. They were simple but making them brought me a disproportionate amount of satisfaction. I can sew! Domestic endeavors always surprise me that way. I made lemon cream stuffed croissant French toast topped with strawberries for Easter breakfast. They were beautiful and indulgent, but the kids weren’t interested because they were new. Ha!

Easy does it, Ty!


As fattening as it looks.


Sunday bags.

The day before Easter we went to the farm and enjoyed an easter egg hunt and dinner. Isaac and Rachael borrowed goats from the neighbors and had baby chicks incubating. The kids were in heaven, as they always are when they are at the farm.

Next General Conference. We’ve been learning about the apostles and looking forward to Conference for a long time. I remember Dad always had a spread of delicious food on General Conference and acted like it was the biggest holiday of the year. I like to try to recreate some of that. We played games to keep the kids interested in what was being said. I hope it felt important to them. What a thrill and a joy it is to hear General Conference and listen to those words of peace and hope.

We also celebrated April birthdays, including Bryce and Teresa’s. I made Teresa a gluten and sugar free cake, and coconut almaretto ice cream that was also sugar free. We had Sunday dinner together at Moms. It was a stunning Texas spring day. I walked into the back yard and it took my breath away. The canopy of trees, green soft grass, children running barefoot with Grandma’s dress ups on, and all the aunts and uncles talking and chatting in the shade. We are lucky to have so much family and to have these opportunities for our children to make memories with them. Mom and Dad Linton are absolutely incredible at creating joyful gatherings.
Happy Birthday, Teresa!


Mom and Dad's beautiful back yard.


Cousin bliss.


Cousin Dovie on the swing.


Good things are simple.


I.am.handsome.

The next week Mom came to town for her spring break. It is always so fun to have Grandma Janet! We spent a lot of time home hanging out. Unfortunately, I was sick that week and we had several showings, so this trip may not have been her most entertaining visit to Texas, but she’s one of those that just appreciates being with you. Thanks mom!

The third weekend in March all of the Linton sisters and sisters-in-law gathered for a sister’s retreat. On Thursday morning we all had breakfast at Mom’s. Mom asked us to all study a chapter in the “Daughters in my Kingdom” Relief Society book. We all shared what we learned. IT was the best part of the weekend. That evening we stayed at a hotel downtown and attended Time Out for Women in Arlington, a conference of LDS speakers for women. Beautiful music, inspiring speakers, and good food! It was sad to say goodbye and have the weekend come to a close.

I taught preschool for a couple weeks this month. I teamed up with 3 other moms to do a co-op preschool twice a week, and we teach for 2 week intervals. They are such a good group of kids. It is so much fun to have them over and have an excuse to plan things to learn and do with them as a class. I’ve been so grateful to have this preschool which has saved us money and allowed Tyler and Anslie to be in homes of people who care about them. I’m so grateful to my cousin-in-law Katie who organized it and got it up and running.

I’m having to readjust my thinking here in Texas. The weather right now is STUNNING. I’m making plans for summer in my head, then realize that in the summer we will have to be inside all the time! NOW is the time to be out! So this week we tried a new park. It felt good to be out, though we all came home with red, swollen eyes. These Texas allergies are serious business!

Anslie at the farm.

This last weekend Freeman surprised me with an AWESOME date. He took me to a fantastic Italian restaurant (which of course, he got a deal on), and then to a concert. We heard “The Priests”, a trio of 3 Scottish Catholic priests who sing together. They sing mostly religious music like “Pie Jesu,” “Ave Maria,” and “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” I’ve been wanting to hear them live ever since he and I happened upon one of their televised performances. It was a relaxing, indulgent evening. I even wore heels and curled my hair. How bout that?

Sunday we joined with all the family in the area to celebrate Austin Stolle’s Eagle Scout award and attend his court of honor. I do so much love about the Lintons how they support each member of the family. There were easily 25+ family members at the meeting. I have a tender place in my heart for Austin. He is a boy with so much desire to do good. We are proud of him!