My Bracket is Busted. . .

. . . and I couldn't be happier.  I'll admit that I went against my heart and actually picked Kentucky to win the NCAA tournament, but I am thrilled to be wrong.  Duke is playing for the national championship tomorrow night, and I'm almost as excited as I am on Christmas Eve. 

I know the world loves to hate the Blue Devils, but I have been a fan for a couple of decades now.  I just love the way they play as a team and how Coach Kzryzewski gets the most out of just about every single player who comes through the program.  No, they don't have a superstar this year, but they do have a bunch of guys who have bought into the idea of team and who play tenacious defense and hit the boards.  They also execute the offense with precision and discipline.  I just love to watch them play.  Of course, if Butler were to win, it would be a pretty cool Cinderella story. . . but I hope the slipper doesn't fit tomorrow night.

I also love to watch General Conference twice a year.  It seems like a gift to just sit in the comfort of my home and feel inspired and taught.  There seemed to be a running theme through all the sessions of Conference of improving parenting, and I came away with renewed resolve to be a better mother and to grab every chance I get to teach my children.  I hope it's not too late. . .

It's also neat when Easter falls on Conference weekend.  The confluence of those events reminds me of what's important in life, and I feel more grateful than ever for the plan of happiness and for the part that the Atonement plays in that plan.  As I listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing that glorious hymn, "He is Risen," I felt to exult right along with them.

Mike and I are getting to be old and stodgy and actually forgot about the "fun" parts of Easter this year.  We usually give the kids a combined Easter basket on Saturday, and both of us just completely spaced it.  Fortunately, Mike ran to the store and got some stuff to give to the boys on Saturday night.  He also got an Easter egg coloring kit, and we had fun being artistic today.  No Easter egg hunt this year, but it was fun to sit around and color together.

In other news, Matt has started spring club soccer, and his team is starting to come together.  They went to a tournament in Las Vegas and were kind of manhandled, but they have played since then and managed to tie the best team in the valley.  That was super fun to watch.  I'll be even more excited to watch his games when spring arrives (and stays!) in the Treasure Valley.  We had spring break and snow this week--AWESOME!

The girls are doing well in Provo. Karen graduates in less than three weeks, and Andrew is on his way to Oregon tomorrow for a teacher's fair.  He hopes to find a teaching position in Salem.  Rachel is going to stay in Utah for the summer and work at Aspen Grove, as well as take a couple of classes she needs for her accounting major.  Yup, you heard it here!  She's back to accounting.  We'll see if it sticks this time.  I predict it will.

Oh, and just in  case any of you thought I was nuts about Blue Devil basketball, there is at least one person IN THIS VERY HOUSE who is even more obsessed about the Dukies than I am.  If he can even fall asleep tonight, it will be a miracle.  I think he is more excited for tomorrow night than he is for Christmas.  I hope they win. . . just for Adam's sake, of course.