Night at the Movies

Friday night we saw an interesting movie, The Soloist, with Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Fox. You probably already know the story line: Downey plays an L.A. columnist, Steve Lopez, looking for a story and happens upon a homeless, mentally-ill man, Jamie Fox, playing a two-stringed violin. The columnist is intrigued with Ayers, the homeless man after he mentions that he attended Julliard. The story tells how Lopez pursues Ayers for his column and even tries to help him, although his ex-wife, who happens to be his current editor at the paper, accuses Lopez of exploiting Ayers for the sake of his column. It is a true story and the music is beautiful. There is some language, but it's not excessive and the scenes of the L.A. ghetto and its sad population of the down and out are so realistic and tragic. I really want to read the book entitled The Soloist: a Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music.

Here is the website for the trailer: http://www.soloistmovie.com/

It was vastly different from the movie we saw last week, 17 Again, but I liked that one too-- although it seemed more of a made-for-TV movie.

Here's the link for that one: http://17againmovie.com/

pack your bags

The Legend of the Dogwood

Here is a picture of the little pink dogwood we planted recently. I love dogwoods! Their blooms seem to welcome the spring season and they last for quite some time. The blossoms flutter and dance in the breeze and the limbs of the trees are so graceful. Our trees have now leafed out, but I'm so glad that spring is finally here.

I also love this little "Legend of the Dogwood'" that suggests the symbolism of the tree and its blossoms and reminds us at Easter time of The Savior and His Atonement so that we might live with Him again. Here we have "The Legend of the Dogwood..."

In Jesus' time, the dogwood grew
To a stately size and a lovely hue.

'Twas strong & firm, its branches interwoven
For the cross of Christ, its timbers were chosen.

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:

"Never again shall the dogwood grow
Large enough to be used so

Slender & twisted, it shall be
With blossoms like the cross for all to see.

As blood stains the petals marked in brown
The blossom's center wears a thorny crown.

All who see it will remember me
Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree.

Cherished and protected this tree shall be
A reminder to all of my agony."

Mom, I thought you might like this...

easter boys

Easter Surprise!

I was all ready for church today and I walked out into my bedroom where I discovered a huge Easter basket and beautifully wrapped package just for me! My first Easter basket in maybe 40 years or more! What a big surprise! It was filled with several fitness aids like a jump rope, a fitness ball, an elastic strip and of course, chocolate! The package was a stair step so we can do the "Deni" workouts from BYU TV. Evan really surprised with this one...I felt bad I hadn't thought to do anything for him except make Easter cookies. Oh well...there's always next year....



Here is a picture of Evan and me at the Bullard Chapel ground-breaking on Saturday, April 11. So exciting! It will be a big, beautiful Legacy building.



This is Evan's beautiful Romaine lettuce! Lettuce wraps , anyone? We'll be shelling snap sugar peas soon!




And finally, here are my seminary kids putting on "the whole army of God" from Ephesians 6:11-17. It was a fun day and kind of funny because it was April Fools and my stake supervisor shows up out of the blue. I played a trick on the kids and had a sign on the front door to use the back door because of "Wet Paint" and then on the back door was a sign to use the front door because of "Wet Paint." Anyway, we all had a fun day, constructing our armor and learning what we put on---the Helmet of Salvation, the Breastplate of Righteousness, a Girdle of Truth, feet shod with the "Preparation of the Gospel," the shield of Faith and the Sword of the Spirit or the Word of God. Great kids, armed for the battle!

Hoppy Easter!

If I could, I would have sent y'all this woodlands chocolate bunny basket for Easter. but we are on the "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without" program and according to Evan this kind of thing is totally excess indulgence.

So we'll just say "Have a Happy Easter" and hope that you will enjoy a wonderful day and remember our Saviour's resurrection and atonement.

Get crafty!

Katie and Sarah,

I was browsing through some suggested blogs on my blog list page and came across this website, elisalou.com which sells all kinds of homemade purses and other items. Sooo cute! You guys could do that too! I was surprised at the price tags--the one I looked at was $45.00! You may have already seen this site and there are probably many others out there too, but you could make a business out of it, maybe. Of course, Sarah already is selling books and invites, etc. but this is just another idea for you crafty ladies!

We hope you guys all have a great Easter. We'll have an Easter egg hunt tomorrow in Seminary and then Evan will teach about the second coming of the Savior. Then we're excited for the ground breaking of the new Bullard building this Saturday. The city of Bullard is actually thrilled for us to be building such a big and beautiful structure in their city. Things have certainly changed!

Have a Hoppy Easter!