Change

 

This handsome guy was released from his calling as Bishop in our ward on Sunday.

Five years ago on Memorial day weekend he was first called as Bishop and Memorial day weekend of 2014 he was released.

This was a bittersweet release for all of us. It's a calling that has required a lot of time and sacrifice from Mike but also from our entire family, but the blessings that have come from this calling are ones that can't be described with words. All I can say is that during the past 5 years even when times have been hard and difficult, everything has happened with more peace, more joy and a stronger spirit. We end this time in our lives with a stronger marriage and a happier and stronger family and for that we are thankful for his willingness to accept the call in the first place. 

He has worked hard over these past 5 years. Many times I would sit back and watch him as he would lovingly and patiently work with the members in our ward and I've thought to myself how thankful I am that that guy belongs to me! Thank you dear, our ward is better because of you.

Mike's new calling will have him working with the youth in our Stake. This calling is a testimony to me that the Lord really does hear our prayers. We had been feeling for awhile that his time as Bishop was coming to an end. As I would ponder the thought of this change, I would also observe that as our boys are getting older I could see that they need their dad in their life more. I've prayed a lot about this over the past few months, and felt very grateful to my Father in Heaven when Mike was given a calling where he will be working and serving with his boys on a more regular basis.

A day in Boston with my boys

The day after mother's day the boys had an early release day from school. The weather was beautiful. We should have stayed home to tackle our huge ever growing to do list but instead we hopped in the car and went to Boston for lunch. We even brought Jake with us for his first trip into the city.

We ate at our favorite pizza place for lunch and played a super fun game of ultimate frisbee at the park. I think that was one of my favorite part. I'm so thankful that my boys forced me to put down the camera to play.

We had to make a stop at Cheers since my child is now obsessed with the show and claimed that we had to because "he's been there a million times and it's meant nothing to him, now he should go at least once when it actually means something."

 

Then to Boston Commons

 to sit in the trees, enjoy the warm weather and relax.

We saw the swans Romeo and Juliet

 

and rode the swan boats. Jake wasn't allowed on the boats so I hung out with him while the boys went for a ride.

 I worked really hard to get the boys to pose for a picture.
I got this picture and liked it but was hopeful for one more in a different pose.

Not quite what I had in mind but I liked it!

I'm not one to know how to stop when I'm ahead so I thought I'd try for one more

 
Jake poo poo'd that idea......and the boys were thankful

A few more of my favorite pictures.

 

 Afterwards, not sure why or how but we ended up at the Shake Shack in Harvard Square for burgers and shakes. They were yummy and delicious.

  

We had to hurry home because we had a few families coming for FHE that evening.
The activity was more ultimate frisbee which caused hot boys that took the first dip of the summer in the pool.
Loved this day

Mother's day

My delayed Mother's day post

 The weekend was kind of a wash. Friday night a graduation party, Saturday our girls camp fundraiser (post to follow) and Sunday there were extra meetings and then Mike left town immediately following church.

The celebrating was minor but that doesn't really matter. We did managed to find some time to spend together and that's the best part.

Mike had salmon (my favorite) ready to cook but ended up being at the church longer then he thought so he didn't end up cooking it.

By the time he left, we were all tired enough that we didn't care about salmon or anything else.

Ben microwaved some hot pockets

that we ate at 8:30pm while we watched a movie and played a game.

Pretty low key, a perfect way to end a crazy weekend.

I'm pretty sure I've already posted most of these pictures but let's look at them again because I love them.

Macy Robison took them for me. She's actually taken our pictures for the last few years and I love every pictures she's taken. I wish I wasn't sitting at the airport where I don't have access to the rest of my photos that she has taken of me and the boys or I would post some of others. She is so good at capturing how our relationships are in real life and I love it.

 I love these boys. They are my world, they are my joy.
I'm so proud of them. I'm proud of who they are and what they are becoming.

What a blessing and a privilege it is to be able to be a part of their lives, to watch them grow and get ready to spread their wings and fly.

 Thank you Ben, Luke and Josh (and Mike) for making each day worth living for. You're what it's all about! :)