I guess two months is a long enough space to wait between blogging, so here is my update. A lot has happened since the end of February, but I will spare you the details and just give you the bullet points:

*We have Stake Conference this afternoon at 2:00 (which is why I am blogging right now). After Stake Conference, we are going to the MTC to see grandma and grandpa.
*Stephanie is home from Jerusalem!
*Amanda's science olympiad team won state, and they are going to Augusta, Georgia in two weeks for nationals. She won one gold and two bronze medals in her events.
*Jordan's date said yes, and they went to prom together. It didn't turn out exactly the way he had planned, but that's what dating experiences are for.
*Chelsie turned 11 on March 26 and got her ears pierced for her birthday.
*Jordan gets to take 3 AP tests next week.
*I finished my two classes for the semester and will not be taking any classes this summer. I intend to have a relaxing summer ... that is, after the wedding is over!
*I am being transferred to a new school this year (which might get in the way of my relaxing summer). It is a school in Clearfield which did not make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) last year in reading (meaning it did not pass No Child Left Behind testing requirements), and they are pretty sure they will not make AYP this year (though testing is not for a couple weeks so they don't know that for a fact). The school is a Title 1 school which means it is impacted with poverty and other issues. The good news is that it gets a lot of federal $$. I will send you a picture of the school in a future blog. It is located near the Freeport Center, and in my mind it looks like one of the Freeport Center's industrial buildings. I'm hoping it's more inviting on the inside. I don't know any of the teachers at this school, and I meet the principal for the first time next week. They have been told I am coming -- literacy coaches no longer interview at schools; they are placed there by the district. In case you can't tell, I am a little bit nervous about the change and the expectation that I can point the school in the right direction.
*On the plus side, wedding plans are coming along, and so is our yard! I have included some pictures below. I went outside and took pictures this morning. John was thinking it wasn't the best morning since it's been a very rainy weekend. However, this is when I have time to update my blog, so in some of the pictures you get to see the yard looking very wet.

Here are some pictures in random order of the yard, Stephanie's dress, and mom and dad at the MTC . . .

After the sod was removed and before the planting began

The planting has begun!

MTC pictures - John, Amanda, and Chelsie brought Grandpa and Grandma to the MTC and took a few pictures ...

Porthos is seeing his world change ... I meant to put these pictures in sequence, but the pictures never upload in the order I want them to, and it will take too much time to fix.

We feel grateful that it landed like it was supposed to. Otherwise we would be replacing a fence, too ...

My favorite tree . . . a bakerii dwarf spruce

Tiffany blue . . . we finally found a color that matches what Stephanie was envisioning. This fabric will be used to make table runners. The sparkly fabric on the left is part of the candy buffet display.

We have been collecting jars and ribbon for the candy buffet.

All the blossoms are falling off our trees with the help of the rainstorms we've had this weekend. It kind of looks like snow. John will be putting flagstone in the paths.

Keeping the planters alive in John's workshop

John's new home ... he has a mini fridge and a stereo system out there. I draw the limit at indoor plumbing . . . I might never see him then!

These are a kind of gerber daisy. I don't think the picture represents the exact color, but they are a very pretty coral pink. We are going to use them for table centerpieces. We are keeping them alive in our makeshift greenhouse, and so far they are very happy despite the rain outside.

Stephanie's dress! They are modifying the back with a corset-type back which will be very pretty. The original design goes a little low in the back for garments, but everything else was exactly what she was looking for.