YAY!!

 I've been anxiously watching the new little crabapple that we planted last fall, examining it every day for signs of growth, any indication whatsoever that it survived the winter.  It feels like that first winter is a critical survival mark for things we plant.

I kept thinking I could see tiny buds, but wasn't really sure.  The tree guy said he was sure it was fine, it looked fine to him, but that was scant reassurance for me.

Until yesterday when I went out to water the mums I tried to overwinter.  It looked like...green!  And this morning it was obvious.  The leaves are popping out.  Of course in this weird weather (topped out at 82 degrees on our thermometer) lots of things are greening pretty quickly.  We've even noticed people are already planting their veggie gardens in spite of the fact that the general rule of thumb is to wait until Mother's day (a whole month from now) to avoid the inevitable snowstorm / freeze we have.  Our oldest daughter was born mid-April, stayed in the hospital a week before we could bring her home.  Which we did in the middle of a huge snowstorm.  So we know it does happen.

I'm so pleased that the little tree has survived so far.  Am hoping for at least a couple of those lovely crabapple blooms that so beautify the streets around here. 

General Conference was great.  I kept hoping for something extra-uplifting, extraordinary, some new plan or something.  Instead, I got what Heavenly Father wanted us to have:  reassurance, encouragement, and the continued counsel to be steadfast and strong.  This too (the dangvirus situation) will pass.  So glad that we spent 10 of the last 36 hours in front of the tv.  Well worth it. 

I'm grateful for the messages of hope I've heard.  I surely need them.