Easter Weekend

 I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend, we did!  I think Easter is becoming one of my favorite holidays.  I mean, I always loved the chocolate and all, but this year (and in years past), I truly felt the beginning of the magnitude of what our Savior did for us.  It seems to be settling in my soul.  I am so grateful for the gift of the Son and that because of Him, I can progress eternally and have my monkeys forever.  Among these deep feelings, I'm still happy to have the chocolate.

But before Easter, we began demo on our master bath.  This will be a LONG project, I'm sure of it, but maybe by this time next year I'll be able to shower in my own bathroom again!  Everett was so thrilled to have permission to use a hammer and destroy something:

 Such a boy, he's got to check out what's going on behind that wall.  I'm so glad he's ours!

And, it was a good week for the kid.  He lost his first tooth!

 That thing had to fall out on it's own, he was so freaked out about the whole thing.  Actually, it had help from Dad, who pretty much brushed it out of his mouth during our nightly routine.

The boy with one of his creations:

 That one is a lizard.

Ok, NOW Easter.  We went to my mom's 25th annual Easter party.  I'm not even making that number up (surprised?).  My sister counted back the years, and according to her calculations, it really has been 25 years since mom started doing egg hunts for the grandkids.  How cool is Grandma!?  My kids love it and have been counting down days.  I love being with my family, so I was too.

Post-edit.  I came across a family Easter party photo from 1991, that moves this year's party to the 26th.

We arrived to a few inches of SNOW!  Thankfully, though, the sun was shining, so we waited while it did it's work to melt it all for the hunt.  In the meantime, we ate delicious food, of course!  The kids made cute cupcakes:

They dyed eggs:

And by then, it was about perfect egg hunting weather!  Hurray!  This year's line up:

 And, GO!

Daisy is perfect egg-picking age:

Discovering the goods:

I then sent the adults on a treasure hunt.  I don't think they liked me very much by the end of it.  I tried to stump them, and I sure did!  Maybe I got myself fired for next year.  I could hope.

Cousins, sharing:

That evening was the Women's Conference, which was so wonderful!  I enjoyed watching it with family.  Ellie did too:

Look at that face!  Her facial expressions are just like her momma's.

It really was a perfect day for me.  I was with my people.  I got to spend time in the sun.  My kids were so content with cousins, they happily disappeared.  I got fed yummy food.  Plus a spiritual boost to end it with.  Thanks mom, for another great family get-together!

Ellie had made plans for Sunday morning.  She gathered the kids in her room when they woke up, and then they all came into our room together.  She turned on the Easter videos on the Mormon channel and we enjoyed them as a family.  What a perfect way to start the day right!  We love our Ellie Belle.  After that, they went on the search for baskets.

 It was a delightfully lazy Sunday morning.

I didn't make cute skirts or dresses for the girls this year.  Not feeling it.  I didn't even get a cute photo of the kids lined up by the front door.  Wasn't feeling that either.  I did get a sweet pic of this sweet girl, just because she looked so pretty:

Book of Mormon

 We had a celebration here last night.  We finished the Book of Mormon as a family!  The entire book!  That is quite a feat for only a few verses at a time!  I can't even tell you how long it took us, except to say that it took several years.  Three kids have gone from repeating verses line by line to reading them on their own.  I tell you what, there is nothing sweeter than when your one year old starts talking scripture.  And, it's almost as sweet to hear your kindergartener reading verses on their own.

If you imagine us all sitting quietly with books in our laps, listening when it isn't our turn, you'd be dead wrong.  It's more like a circus.  However, we are pretty consistent.  I call that a win!  We are doing something right!  Most of the time none of us don't have much of a clue what is going on (with the exception of Nick, he seems to be able to tune the kids out and focus better than the rest of us, go figure), but those moments we stop to talk about what those ancient prophets were talking about and then take opportunity to bear testimony, and have your kids acknowledge the Spirit, those are the sweet rewards.

We all got new books (old ones are pretty trashed), bookmarks and scripture markers to start all over again tonight.  

I know the Book of Mormon is true!  I have found so much comfort and peace in it's words as I study it daily.  It has become my refuge.  I hope my children can come to find the same.  A favorite scripture of mine right now is from 2 Nephi 1.  Lehi is talking to his sons and he tells them to "Awake...put on the armor of righteousness." (vs. 23)  First of all, don't we all need a reminder to "awake?"  Pay attention to what really matters!  And then, the armor.  We need spiritual armor.  The fiery darts of Satan are all around us, and we need to be protected (see 1 Nephi 15:24).  Our families need to be protected.  How?  I truly believe the scriptures are the answer.  I believe we are daily putting that armor on as we study and live the words from prophets past and present.  I want my kids to go out into the world with that armor, and I'm doing what I can to protect them, and myself, spiritually.  What a blessed responsibility I have with these precious souls.  And how blessed we are to have a loving Heavenly Father that has shown us the way!  Yay for scriptures!

After the last verse was read, we did some party poppers:

 We had just come home from a school festival, which is why Maren has a balloon hat, but more about that in a minute.

Our sweet Daisy babe:

She is so fun.  She is a content, happy thing and loves to play with her best friend, Lu.  Those two can disappear for hours at a time, playing with babies and barbies and ponies and dress up and house and other girlie things.  I'm treasuring these moments as they are slipping by all too quickly!

My happy helpers at the store: 

Last night was also a school Art Festival.  It was a blast!  There was a ton of activities for the kids, ice cream, and balloons!  Par-tay!

Everett with his best Kindy bud (and their double sided light sabers):

Good times.

Factory Reset

 As we saw the beginning of the year 2016, our family sat and enjoyed a slideshow of photos from 2015.  A tradition was born.  We all wrote down our favorite moments from last year, and I noticed something - none of those favorite memories were actually made at home.  I know there are precious moments every day within the walls of your own home, BUT, when you leave your home with your family, you have nothing else to focus on but each other.  There is no laundry to fold, toilets to scrub, or dryer vent to fix.  Only quality, focused time with family.  Perfect memory making time.

Also, my makeup requires a factory reset every 3 to 4 months.  It's in my DNA.  And how do you do that?  Get me out of town!  I begged (but in actuality it didn't require too much begging) Nick to take me away over the weekend, and he did.  It was a short, spontaneous trip, but we had a blast.  It always lifts my spirits to hit the road.

We tried to find warm weather down south.  It wasn't much warmer, but we found some sun and definitely made some memories.

Desert in bloom:

We walked around the Red Hills Desert Garden:

 It was a new thing for us, and it was fun!

Then, we explored Pioneer Park, one of our favorites:

 You can't see it well in this photo, but there is a very narrow slot canyon you can climb through.  We did not.  I didn't like the thought of getting stuck in there.  However, lots were climbing right through (you can see a Dad cheerleader at the top there, coaxing his kids through)!

This photo makes me laugh:

 This boy thinks the world is against him sometimes.  It's the 5/6 (and 7/8?) year old phase.  It'll pass.  The Oreo ring around his mouth isn't helping his cause.  ;)

Kids in a hole:

My favorite photo:

 It felt great to roll around in some red dirt.

After, we did some shopping at the outlets, and checked a "must do" item off our list:

 Get ice cream.

I was sad when we had to turn around and head back home, but it was a refreshing little getaway.  And, we'll love to look back at those photos as a family at the end of 2016.  Memories made.

This...

...is one of the many reasons it is awesome to be the wife of Nick.  Pasta dinner, all homemade (yep, noodles too!) on a Sunday evening.  Yum.

Good Life

 Spring is teasing us.  It's been delightfully warm and sunny this last week, and the kids have spent lots of time outside playing - heaven!  For me and them!  Of course, I'm pretty sure Winter might just sneak back up on us.  I guess we'll just enjoy the sunshine while it's here.

Have you heard of Zoobs?  I hadn't, but I tell you what, it's the toy of choice for this kid:

He's my Lego lover as well, but it's a toss up as to which he plays with more.  I love his creativity!

I tell you, I'll have them trained.

And this is not what we wanted right now:

 We discovered water is leaking under the tile of our master shower.  Stink.  Really.  On the bright side, the chances of me getting a new bathroom is quite high.  Of course, so is the price tag.

This sweetheart made a fort and slept in it:

 Looks comfy!

I love spending my days with these two ragamuffins!

 They requested the curlers.  My girlie girls.

Silly girls.

A True Friend

 My poor hubby.  He is a busy man.  His life is overflowing with work, school, his church calling and ya know, me and the kids (we demand a lot of him too).  The class he is currently taking has been a time consuming one, he's had a lot of late nights and early mornings.  Friday afternoon he was working from home and I went to ask him something and found this:

Sometimes you are so tired, even the carpet starts to look like a good nap location.  Too much to do, not enough hours in the day, and definitely not enough sleep.  Funny though, eh?  :)

This weekend was spectacular.  Blue skies, sunshine, and 50 degree weather.  We all got some much needed Vitamin D.

 Get on the ground around here and it's an invitation.

Saddest face in the whole wide world.  This boy has got his sad face down, he takes every opportunity.  I can't even remember what he was sad about because I've become immune to it's powers.

And now, wise words by Wendy.  Or something like that.  

I've been thinking a lot about friends lately and their influence in my life.  I've had great friends over the years.  Some have stuck with me beginning in Junior High years and going strong today.  Some have come into my life and boy, how I needed them, and then life happened, and even though these people are still my friends, I don't rely on them as heavily for support as I once did.  Each one of these true friends have had something in common:  they see me for who I am and love me despite it, warts and all.  I know, without a doubt, that Heavenly Father has had a huge hand in guiding these people into my life because they seem to step in right when I need them.  The definition of a true friend in my book is someone who loves you for who you are and then helps you become better.  

Want examples?  Ok.

I talked with my good friend, Shellie, last week on the phone.  We don't do it often, but even though we haven't spoken for months, we pick up right where we left off:  hearing about each others failures and triumphs, giving advice, laughing and listening.  She has always been such a great example to me, and inspires me to be a more Christ-centered person.  Our phone call was a great reminder to me that some friendships endure.  And believe me, I haven't always deserved her friendship.  But, she's stuck with me.  I am so grateful for her.

I spent Friday evening with some of my favorite people in the world.  Most of them have been my friends since those awkward junior high years, and I've lived with all of them throughout my single years.  We've vacationed together.  We've worked and served together.  We've had many late night conversations and early morning grump sessions.  These girls have seen me through it all, and guess what?  They still love me!  We get together once a month now and that is always a treat for me.  I get to go and completely be myself.  It just feels so nice to be in a room full of people who know me deeply and who fully embrace me for who I am.  I am so grateful for these ladies.

 Back, long long years ago, I served a mission in Australia.  I met a wonderful friend named Jai.  We hit it off right away, a true kindred spirit.  She really loved me, and treated me like family.  I needed her.  I don't know the exact reasons I was sent to that mission, but I do know that Jai was one of those reasons.  We remained good friends throughout the remainder of my mission and she helped me adjust to coming home through online messaging.  She visited me several times in the years that followed.  Distance makes it hard, and our lives have taken funky turns at times, but thanks to fb, instagram, and messaging, I still keep in touch with her.  And, I know she reads my blog.  :)  Love you, Jai!  I am so grateful for you.

And then, Lisa.  Our friendship hasn't yet endured the fire of time, but she has been a fierce force for good in my life.  We moved into her ward 4.5 years ago.  Our friendship was forged when we ran past each other one early morning.  Well, if we were both running, we might as well do it together!  What is it about running beside someone that makes you want to bare your soul?  She knows more about me than I'm sure she cares to, bless her!  Really, our runs together have been therapy for me.  I can get out my emotional and physical stress all in one go!  Lisa is one amazing wife, mother, daughter, and sister and I admire her in so many ways.  She has encouraged me (without her even knowing it) to change several aspects of our family life and these changes have brought more love into our home, no doubt.  She also encourages me to live the gospel more fully through her example.  She is a perfect example of someone who loves me for who I am (I haven't scared her yet, that I know of anyway) and helps me to be a better person.  Lisa, I am so grateful for you!

This may seem cheesy, but I don't care.  This is my blog.  My husband is my very dearest, my most constant, my very best friend.  And bonus, he comes with benefits!  ;)  He truly matches my definition of a true friend in every way.  He listens to me when I go on and on about the same stupid problems.  He holds me close when all I need is comfort.  He'll stop what he's doing and focus on my when he can see I need it.  He spends time with me, and makes that a priority, even when he has a billion other things going on.  He encourages me to take care of myself.  I love that in our marriage, we are often talking about what we can do better, both individually and as a team.  He knows me, like really knows me, all my crazy, corny, emotional, thorny, lazy ways.  Every wart.  Ya know what?  He still loves me!  I love you, Nick.  Thank you for loving me.  I am eternally grateful for you.

Thank you to all of my friends!  This is not an all-inclusive list.  I have many good people in my life who have filled a spot in my heart and who have been true friends.  Thank you, all.  Thank you for loving me for who I am, and helping me to be a better person!  I hope I can do the same for you.