We are gearing up here- and I mean acquiring and setting up baby gear- for the arrival of Alison, Roselyn, and the 8 week old twins, Nadine and Joseph. Alison is finding that she is still in need of a bit of help with the babies as they show no signs of self-sufficiency, patient turn-taking, or consideration for her sleep needs. I have invited them up here for a change of scenery and to take a turn helping care for them all-read: in order to get my hands on the babies. I am really excited to have them coming.

Leith's first soccer game...

Leith warms up before the game,

takes a throw-in,

runs to the ball,

and cheers at the end!

It was about 35 degrees out, with a stiff wind, and some snow on the ground. The cute little guys, 'scuse me- big guys, powered through and had a great time. With that uniform color, they were definitely the prettiest team out there!

Kevin and I attended the Orchestra at Temple Square Spring concert Friday night. I didn't really look into the program beforehand and began to be a little concerned as we read over the brochure before it began. I remembered a piece in the newspaper warning that the audience might have a difficult time with some of the music. The first half of the concert featured a song cycle of poems written by a Dutch Holocaust survivor set to music. The text was upsetting and haunting. The music was also haunting, but beautiful, and the soloist- the daughter of the Georgian born composer-was amazing. The second half of the concert featured Symphony no. 5 by Shostakovich, which was written in 1937 at the height of Stalin's atrocities. The symphony was crafted to please the ruling party while at the same time containing many symbolic elements of subversion and resistance. I wondered if I would be able to feel this as I listened, and I definitely was.
As I listened to these and the other pieces in the program- all written in response to the Holocaust and to other forms of political repression- I was deeply moved. I found it a particularly appropriate program for this season of Lent, Passover, and Easter. I found my thoughts and feelings turned toward the hope and promise of the atonement and the resurrection.

Sherman Family Ski Day-2

Sundance, Friday, Mar 27

Leith and India ski through fresh powder in the 'Enchanted Forest'

Although Spring is upon us, several very wintry storms have coated the mountains with significant amounts of amazing snow. We just had to squeeze in another family ski day! The air was cold and the snow powdery. We all stayed together throughout the day- thanks guys for waiting for me. Coral and Niall tried new jumps, India and Leith looked great, and I bent my poles- don't bother asking me.

I watch the snow falling today as I reflect on the moment of Spring we enjoyed as we celebrated the dedication of the Temple over the last few days. Friday dawned clear, warm, and still. The trees are just beginning to bud, and the snow is receding up the mountainsides. All reminding me that Spring symbolises the promise of new life in and through our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Kevin and I sat in one of the Sealing Rooms in the Temple and watched, on screens, the dedication service taking place in the nearby Celestial Room. We were pleased, also, to see the Cornerstone ceremony from outside, and to hear Coral and the youth choir sing. Afterwards, we walked down the hill toward our house in the sunshine, feeling the warmth of all we had experienced.
This link shows a tiny bit of the day- and about one second of Coral singing in her cute lavender coat:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5909540

(Kevin and I came 'up to the mountain' in another way later that day as we took the boys skiing for a few hours at Alta. The snow was soft, the sky was blue, and the boys were adorable on skis.)
We had the opportunity to attend the last Dedication service Sunday afternoon as the wind blew a winter storm toward us. I felt a strong sense of the Temple as a refuge from the difficulties of life and of the importance of leading my children to the Temple as they grow.

Getting ready for tomorrow's Temple Dedication...

The dedication of the Draper Temple is tomorrow. Coral is singing in the youth choir for Pres. Monson as he performs the Cornerstone Dedication. I attended the dress rehearsal today to hear her sing, as Kevin and I will be inside the Temple tomorrow- we are not sure if we will be able to view this part of the proceedings on screens inside. Coral has had a very uplifting spiritual experience as she has rehearsed for this event. It is quite an honor for her to have been asked to participate. Tomorrow, she will be two flower beds and sidewalk's width from the Prophet as she sings.

The audio on this clip isn't great, but gives some idea of how it all sounds. They will sing "We Thank Thee O, God, for a Prophet" and then "Come Let Us Rejoice"- this is the third verse.

Leith turns 5!!

Leith turned 5 last Sat. It was a crazy day- Kevin ran 20 miles, Coral worked and spent her last weekend with Steven before he enters the MTC, India performed Suessical twice- I feel like I am forgetting something...
Kevin and I took the boys to play miniature golf to celebrate Leith's Birthday.
Leith scores a hole-in-one!
We all managed to gather for an hour to have supper, cake, and presents with Leith.
Grandma Denna made him a chocolate cake.

Leith told me that now that he is 5, he is not the littlest one in the family anymore. I asked him who was the smallest and he replied that now, no one is. Poor guy- he is dying to be big and we just want him to stay small.

India just finished performing in "Suessical".

She was a creature in the jungle of Nool, a jelly fish in McElligot's pool, a circus performer, and a creepy pair of glow in the dark eyes. She also worked hard backstage helping with costume changes for the Cat in the Hat.

"Suessical" combines several Dr. Suess tales with music and dance to make a very entertaining show. The boys were pretty amused as they recognized characters and story lines.

It was a great show- one of the best community theater productions I have seen- and India had a fantastic experience.

We all skied together at Sundance last Friday.It was an amazing day. It has been my dream that we could all enjoy this as a family and we are now starting to be able to. The boys spent the morning in lessons. I thought we would ski together in the afternoon, but in reality, the boys aren't willing to slow down enough to spend much time with me. I enjoyed seeing them occasionally on the lift or flying by me.... The girls rode the lift with me and waited here and there for me to catch up.

The reality for me is that I am there for the scenery, the exercise and the cold air. I like to ski slowly, stopping often to enjoy the views and watch more proficient skiers. I love watching Kevin and my kids. My only motivation to go on higher or more difficult runs is the promise of seeing snow covered mountain tops in every direction.

A highlight of the day was India going so big on a jump that she completely wiped out. An instructor was near us with his class watching. I heard him behind me ask his class, "OK guys, what went wrong there?" They all agreed that her speed was excessive. We could tell from her laughter ringing across the slope that her experience was exhilarating and not injurious.
The girls are wearing the cute hats that my Mom sent them when they first started learning to ski in CA. They still fit and suit them.

How cute and cool-no pun intended- are we?