Family Update with Pics

So I tried to be cute yesterday with my not-so-great cupcake decorating skills (one of my new laurels had her birthday yesterday)....I thought it was really good until I saw how messy the frosting looks in the picture. Apparently it is not one of my "presents" (you have to read the previous post to understand what that means).
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Yesterday me and my three daughters ventured out to the mall. It was a lot of fun...but there was one major problem. In the midst of shopping, Hailey had a blow out. Not just any blow out....the blow out of all blow outs. By the time I ran across the mall to the nearest bathroom (why don't malls have more bathrooms?!!!), the poop (sorry for the gross details, but it just makes the story that much better) was everywhere!!! It was all up her back and out her legs. In fact, when I picked her up it was sloshing out the side of her leg and oozing out all over the carseat. I told Katelund to get out the wipes and diaper and Cloey to find the extra outfit that I keep in the diaper bag. The extra outfit and the wipes come out but NO DIAPER!!! Somehow the diapers had come out of the diaper bag and were on the floor of the van. So I did what I had to do, I used my McGyver skills (did anyone else used to watch that show with their dad?) and I put her in the extra pair of panties that I keep in my bag for emergencies. Then I put a changing pad under her and hauled it to the van before she peed all over (which she did). If it had been my first baby I might have been in tears, but for some reason by the third time around...all I could do was laugh.


Playing around at the mall.

This summer we are spending a lot of time at the pool because the girls are on a swim team. They have practice three days a week and then a meet every Saturday. They had their first meet the other day and they did GREAT!! They are both LOVING it!!

Hailey starts rice cereal this month. Although I have only done it one time, she did great with it. I've never had a baby figure it out so quickly. Third time around must be a charm because not only does she eat great, she is also the best sleeper I've ever had. She sleeps around 9 hours straight every night. She must be feeling the pressure to keep up with her older perfect sister, Clairisa. :)

One of the things that I do regulary in my house is give pedicures. To my children (I've even given Hailey one) and to my husband (I think he needs it the most). This last time we snuck some flower stickers on his toenails. For the 10 seconds that they lasted on there, I had to get a picture (aren't his toes crazy?).

Remember how I was trying to decide if I should dye my hair auburn again or get highlights for the summer? Well I got both done and I absolutely LOVE it!! I just couldn't ask for a better color specialist (that would be Cory). I had my hair back in this pic but at least you can see some of the coloring in the front.

"Presents"

{This picture has nothing to do with my post...it's just the most recent picture I have of her.}

Tonight Katelund said our family prayer before bed. It was seriously one of the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard her give. She prayed for those who do not have families, she prayed for each member of our family specifically. She then prayed for everyone on the earth and for the prophet. She thanked Heavenly Father for Clairisa and that she is still part of our family and blessed her that she would have fun in heaven. :) She then thanked Heavenly Father for a Daddy that is fun and that plays with her, for a Mommy that takes care of her, for sisters who love her, and for a family who will go to her parade (she was very excited about the parade that she put together...Cory played the drums, I was the queen, and her and Cloey marched, danced, and sang) Then she said the following....

"...and thank you for all of the wonderful presents that each of us have been given. Thank you for the present that I have of being nice and caring for other people...."

At this point, I was on the verge of laughing and crying at the same time. Laughing because I thought it was so cute how she said "presents" instead of gifts. Crying because once again I have been powerfully and humbly taught by a child. I have never said a prayer of thanks for the gifts that I have been blessed with, in fact, most of the time, unfortunately, I am too focused on admiring and wishing for the gifts of others. Comparing. It is a horrible thing to do. Something that I have to persistantly and constantly try to avoid. Just this last week, I read a blog post of a friend that really effected me and has been on my mind ever since. If you click here you can read it from "Mommy Snark" herself (She's a fabulous writer!) My favorite line from her post is this...

"What a disservice to someone’s talent to only enjoy it through a veil of jealousy, to waste time that could be spent appreciating and enjoying, tearing myself down over something that I am not, that I may not ever be. I remember that when I love who I am, it is much easier to love others for who they are."

She is so right!! So tonight as I say my prayers, I will pray for the ability to love myself and others for who they are, repent of the natural [woman] in me who too often looks at others through a "veil of jealousy", and express gratitude for the "presents" that I have been so very blessed with.

Four Things I LOVE about you at Four Months

ONE....How you squeal with excitement whenever I walk into the room.

TWO....How you squirm and laugh whenever I tickle you.

THREE...How you fuss and fuss in your swing while we're eating dinner as a family, but the second we bring you over to join us, you are as happy as can be.

FOUR... how you do your crunches when your laying down, how you pout your little bottom lip when you are about to cry, how much you hate a dirty diaper, how you love to sleep in your crib, how you slept 11 hours the other night (unfortunately it was a one time thing and I didn't even enjoy the sleep b/c I was awake all night checking on you to make sure you were still breathing), how much you love to be held and rocked (oh wait, maybe I should rephrase that to how much I love to hold you and rock you), how happy your are in the morning, how tolerant you are of your sweet over-loving sisters, and last but definitely not least, how when you smile your entire face lights up and somehow the world becomes a better place. (Did you really expect me to just list four things???)

Hailey's Hands

Last week Hailey discovered her hands for the first time. Ever since then, she spends almost every waking minute staring at them. As I was watching her do this the other day, I found myself lost in my thoughts as I began to think about the many things that she will do with those sweet perfect little hands. She will build, organize, draw, paint, design, and create. She will use those hands to reach up for help and to someday reach down to lift another. She will clasp those hands as she says her first prayer and join those hands with the man of her dreams as she walks out of the temple doors. Her hands will be used for good as she serves others and then also folded in humility as she ask for forgiveness. Her little hands will be used to push around her little baby stroller and then to someday hold a perfect little baby of her own.

As a mother, I pray that she will always remember how important it is to only use her hands for good. To never use those hands to steal, cheat, or injure another. To keep her heart pure and her hands clean as she uses those hands to prepare for eternity. As she raises her hand in sacred ordinances and with her hands partake of the sacrament, may she always remember that it is upon the palms of His hands which she is engraven. And may she understand that it is because of His hand in her life that she can one day make her hands become like His.

How the girls fell asleep last night...

Yep, they fell asleep reading books. When I walked into the library and found them like this, I think my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't have been more happy, especially since I had no idea what they were up to. I had been in the other room doing some dishes and cleaning up the kitchen after I got home from the youth fireside, and afterwards I was going to go tuck the girls into their beds. I love that my children love books, and I also love the fact that I have a library that they can fall asleep in.

A couple of years ago, I watched a movie about President Hinckley when he was growing up. One of the things that he had in his home was a library where his mother would read to him. Ever since I heard that, I decided that a library was something I wanted in my next house. So when we moved here we chose to make our front living room, our library. It has been wonderful!!! We use that front room as our room for reading to our girls, rocking our baby, having family home evening, home teaching, visiting teaching, family scripture reading, etc. It has become my very favorite room in our house. It is a room without electronics. No phones, computers, or tvs. It is just full of books, chairs, sofa, family pics, piano, and pictures that remind us that our family is forever.

A room that has become the heart of our home.

Weekend parties, picture of Hailey, and preschool graduation...

This weekend seemed like one big party. We started the weekend off with a party on Friday night for Cory's Sunday school class. Cory and I love having our house full of youth. We had a great time with them. Cory even took them doorbell ditching later on in the night (they were going to go rolling like they did at the last party, but it was supposed to rain that night). Then Saturday we went and helped one of the boys in our ward with his eagle scout project and then spent the rest of the day at one of my laurel's house (she was having a swimming graduation party). We had a relaxing Sabbath and we're now getting ready for another full day of partying.




These last two pictures were taken the other week at Cloey's preschool graduation. We LOVED doing "mommy preschool" this last year. It is seriously the way to do preschool. I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone who wants to do preschool for their child. It was very easy and fun!!! The 7 kids all went to one person's house for 5 weeks (2 times a week) and that mom would teach and then we would rotate to the next kid's house. We had a meeting at the very beginning of the year to decide what themes we would all teach and to choose a schedule so that we would all keep it consistent. Cloey had the best teachers EVER in gospel-centered homes with adorable classmates...what more could you ask for???

Where's the love?

Okay, I am trying to not take this personally, but seriously! Is there no one excited about my exciting news?

Exciting News

No...I'm not pregnant. I know that is what you were thinking. :) This news isn't as exciting [or crazy] as that news would be, but still exciting nonetheless.

Exciting News #1 .....I have found a new love. Bike riding. Last Saturday, Cory and I went on a bike riding date. We hired a babysitter and everything. We left at 8 am and got home at 11. We rode 20 miles...holy cow, right? I don't think I have ever even gone 10 miles at one time before this week. I have been riding on my own as well, and my grand total (including my ride today) since last Thursday will be 50 miles. I love it. I'm not as good as Cory but I'll get there. My goal is to be able to easily ride 30miles on my 30th birthday. I also want to run 3 miles and swim 300 yards on my birthday. Then I will eat the biggest German chocolate cake ever. :)

Exciting News #2....I am the new proud owner of a cricut!!!! FINALLY! I've only waited for like 2 years. My awesome sister-in-law, Amber, called me the other day to let me know that they were on sell for $50 on a particular website. I couldn't have been more excited! The $100 I saved made it totally worth the wait!

Exciting News #3....While we were living in Asheville, I was good friends with an amazing couple in our ward. They were both incredibly intelligent, on a secular and religious level. I loved to just sit and talk with them because they would always teach me SO MUCH from just one conversation, especially when we talked about the Book of Mormon. Just recently, the husband, Grant Hardy, got his book published by Oxford. I was one of the lucky ones because I got to read the manuscript right after he finished it when it was still on individual typed papers. I LOVED the book and I was so excited when he told me that he was going to include me in his acknowledgment page at the beginning of his book. If you click here you can see his book (or you may just want to buy it...I highly recommend it!!) and you can even scroll through the pages and find my name. It will probably be the only time that my name is ever "published" by Oxford (okay, that may be a stretch, but just go with it okay?).

Exciting News #4....summer has officially started. Yeah for sleeping in, no schedules (at least for this week), and long, fun, hot days in the sun and water.

some pics taken in the last week...

[Blogger is driving me crazy!! This comment is supposed to be under the picture of the backpack.] This is what I found in Katelund's backpack last week when she came home from school. I hope she never outgrows her love of flowers/weeds/grass. She is such a nature lover.
[This comment is supposed to be under the last picture.]
So I really need to dye my hair again because I have some gray showing through (what is up with that???!!). So I need some opinions. Do you think I should dye it auburn again or should I do some highlights for the summer? It's curly because it is starting to get humid, and when it gets humid, there is just no point in straightening it...so I let it go wild.

The joys of grocery shopping....

I still remember one of Cory and I's very first fights when we were newlyweds. I needed to go to the store and he didn't want to go with me. I couldn't believe it!!! Why would my new hot husband not want to be by my side everywhere that I went? Why would he want to miss out on an opportunity to grocery shop with me!!!!???? I was so upset! In fact, I remember telling him that I didn't drive well at night so I would just walk to the grocery store all alone (wow, I was seriously so lame!!!). What I actually meant by saying that was, "oh please just go with me, if not, I am going to threaten to walk there so that I will be the martyr and you will be so worried about something happening to me that you will have no other choice than to go with me. Not that I actually would've walked...but...it just came out. I can't even believe that I am admitting how immature I was!! Anyways, I don't even remember what happened. I think I ended up going, but I do remember fighting about it for at least a day.

Now fast forward, 10 years and 4 children later.......

I LOVE going to the store by myself. It is liberating and oh so enjoyable. Especially if it is at Target. But, as much as I love going by myself. There is something else that I love even more...going as a family of 5. Yes, I really did just say that. I don't know why, but it is just something we do. Maybe it is because Cory and I just want to be together and it is the only way, or maybe it is because of the sweet lady at Walmart last week who said to me, "You are such a beautiful family", but whatever it is, I love it. I love how my girls walk together as "BFFs" (Katelund's new lingo), how Hailey looks up at me and smiles the most beautiful smile ever, and how Cory reaches out for my hand as if we were the only ones in the store. Yes, there are moments of craziness with the girls climbing in and out of the bottom of the cart and Hailey crying when she is getting hungry, but the craziness is totally worth it as we are driving home as a family with the windows down, music up, and singing our hearts out together. Those are the moments that matter. The moments that keep me folding the clothes and doing the dishes over and over again every single day. The moments that define my life as "just another day in paradise".

Random

Did you know that when you do service that you experience the same type of chemical response that you do when you have a runner's high? There is actually endorphins released in your brain that give you a "service high". Interesting, right? I thought so. Apparently I need to do some service today because today is just one of those days. Not that anything bad has happened, but it is just kindof a blah, feeling sorry for myself, not so good kind of day.

What would you talk on?

This Sunday is our stake conference. Bishop Edgley ( a general authority from the Presiding Bishopric) is going to be attending. He has asked that all adult members come prepared with a 10 minute talk, all youth with a 5 minute talk, and all young single adults with a 7 minute talk. I have been trying to decide what to prepare my talk on. This weekend I narrowed it down to two ideas, and I'm leaning towards one of them, but I still need to do a lot of prep work before I begin. I'm pretty sure I won't be asked to speak (the probability is definitely in my favor), but I still think this is a great assignment. What a way to spiritually prepare a stake. So....if given the same assignment, what would you write a talk about?

Cory's Surprise Mother's Day Gift

Dear Hailey Jane,

Please STOP growing!!! Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love the new rolls on your thighs and your sweet pinchable cheeks and your cute little cankles. I love the fact that you can hold your head up on your own and my heart completely melts when you look at me and smile. I don't think that you will ever "coo" without everyone in our family stopping whatever they are doing and asking, "did you hear Hailey? Ohhhhhh...she's so cute!" No, I wouldn't trade any of that for anything, BUT.....3 months has just flown by!! I want you to be my little baby forever! Hailey, I couldn't imagine our family without you. In three months time (well actually it started before you were ever born), you have found your way into that part of my heart where only a select few (5 to be exact)have gone. The part of my heart where I would do absolutely anything for you. The part of my heart that is very vulnerable, yet inescapable. The part that brings joy to my life with just the sound of your voice and heartbreak with the sound of your cry. You will forever be my baby. The one who came after Clairisa. The one who filled my arms with your intoxicating smell and filled my life with joy and gratitude. You will always have a special place in our family. The name Hailey means "hero or heroine" and I believe that is exactly what you are. You have swept right in and reminded us of the sweet reunion that can one day be ours as we come together as a complete eternal family. You have reminded us that the sorrow and grief we experience on earth, is only but a moment. A moment that changes perspective and forges faith. The moment of your life so far, has brought hope for the future and healing for the past... and for that I will forever be grateful.

Love Always,
Mommy

Feeling Giddy

Yesterday morning I loaded up all three girls and went garage sale shopping. I totally bribed my girls with ice cream if they would just stay in the car the whole time and entertain themselves and Hailey. ( I am so not above bribing and it totally worked.) Three hours later, I was driving home with 3 delicious ice cream cones, 2 amazingly happy girls, 1 screaming hungry baby, a WHOLE car full of amazing deals, and 1 very happy mommy.

I don't know what it is about bargain shopping, but it just makes me happy. There is nothing worse to me than leaving a store knowing that I totally spent way too much money on something that I really didn't need anyways. I have the worst buyer's remorse ever!!! But, if I just spent $80 and got a barely used elliptical machine, a brand new bike for Cloey, 2 shirts for me, a pair of earrings, a dress for Katelund, a dress and an outfit for Cloey, 6 children's books (that are really good ones), 2 chalkboard/dry erase/ work center easel thing (I'll have to take a pic of it...it's so cute!!!), a Snow White doll, and ADORABLE clothes for Hailey (8 outfits, 4 dresses, 2 pajamas, and 2 pairs of shoes)....then I am beyond happy. I'm just plain giddy!

I'm also giddy about the fact that I am starting this week with a spotless home, an organized and swept out garage, and a vacuumed out van. (Cory was gone all day yesterday, so I had nothing better to do) AND, I'm finally getting my announcements and thank you cards mailed out (good thing it only took my THREE months!!). This week my goal is to get some major spring cleaning/organizing done. Maybe I'll post some before and after pics. Only if you promise to not judge me!! :) I have some pretty ugly junk drawers (you know...the drawers where everything goes that doesn't have a home?? Please tell me I'm not the only one that has those?! They definitely do not make me giddy.

Family Vacations

Over the last couple of years, Cory and I have made it a priority to have a family vacation at least once a year. Although it is a sacrifice to save up the money for a vacation and then to spend it all in a matter of days, I think it is absolutely worth every cent spent. For me, family vacations are a must!

Some of my greatest childhood memories are from family vacations. My parents took us on a vacation every single summer. We drove and traveled all over the U.S. and even flew to some islands. I remember throwing up on a subway in Washington D.C, swimming with sting rays on our trip to the Cayman Islands, whale watching off the coast of California, and snorkeling in the Bahamas. We saw the arch in St. Louis, the sunrise in Key West, the aquifers of Yellowstone, the lakes of Michigan, the trinkets of Mexico, and the swamps of Louisiana, but even more than that...we saw each other. Andrea and I learned how to create imaginary "do not cross or you'll die" lines on the back seat. My mom learned how to make us all happy with her "bird seed" trail mix. My dad brain washed me for life into thinking that, no matter what, you do not stop on a road trip unless you need gas. My dad often repeated the following phrases, "your thirsty? Swallow your spit", "You need to go to the bathroom? Pee in a cup". Yes, there were some moments and memories that are only funny in retrospect, but those are not the memories that stick out the most in my mind. The memories that I savor are the moments of laughter when my mom, Katie, and I almost peed in our pants because of the phrase, "oh no, I don't know what is going to happen next", the moments of bonding that I shared with my dad as we walked along the beach in the Bahamas picking up sea shells, the moments of gratitude and solace as, together, we entered the walls of Carthage Jail, and the moments of realization as I began to see my sisters as my best friends.

As an adult, I now see family vacations through different eyes. I am humbled at the time and sacrifice that my parents put into our trips. As a child, I had no idea the hours of planning and the months of saving that must have taken place beforehand. I wish I could go back in time and tell my Dad on that beach how much that moment was going to mean to me 10 years down the road or that I could go back to those moments in the car and tell Andrea that she could cross any line that she wanted because she is and always will be one of my best friends who lives WAY TOO far away. But I can't. So instead, I just hope and pray that the memories that my children are making will be ones that will last a lifetime because I know that the ones I made as a child have, and will continue to be, some of the best times of my life.

The Day After

Since two days of celebrating just wasn't enough :), we came home after church and cut into the most beautiful "Snow White cake" ever. Nice job, Daddy! And, of course I couldn't post all of these birthday pics without posting at least one of the most beautiful baby ever.

Happy 5th Birthday to the girl who will always be my little princess.

The Day Of

We spent the majority of the day in downtown Chattanooga for the Day of Service. There were 1000 volunteers. Thunderstorms were scheduled for the entire day but because of the prayers and faith of a lot of people, the storms were literally waiting in the sky. Katelund went with Cory to do construction work on some churches and homes and Cloey, Hailey, and I went to the community center where we made hygiene kits, sock puppets and cards for the children, and cut/tied flannel blankets. Cloey's favorite part was when we went and helped paint a mural filled with frames of children's artwork on a wall that had once been full of graffiti. On the way back to the rec center as the rain was beginning to pour, Cloey leaned over to me in the car and said, "Mommy, this is the funnest birthday ever." Later that evening we had a big breakfast dinner and opened presents. We actually didn't have time for cake because Cory decided to go all out on the cake (he totally showed me up on my cake abilities... or lack thereof). Although she spent most of her birthday focusing on others, I think it is one she will never forget...at least I won't because I will never forget the sincerity, selflessness, and love shown on her "funnest birthday ever".

The Day Before

Due to the fact that the annual "Day of Service" for our area was scheduled to happen on Cloey's birthday, we had her party the day before. She got to choose whatever she wanted to do for her party. She chose to ride the carousel and play in the water fountains at a park in downtown. She was SO EXCITED for her party and talked about it for weeks beforehand. She invited a couple of girls and lots of boys (her primary class and preschool class are mostly boys). They had a lot of fun and it was the easiest birthday party ever. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and neither could the company.

Do you think she has read too many Junie B. Jones books?

This morning Katelund woke up and ran into our room dressed for school and radiating with excitement. She was anxiously awaiting the big breakfast that daddy was supposed to be making for Cloey's birthday. As I reminded her that Cloey's birthday party is today but her actual birthday is tomorrow, the excitement slowly drained from her face. As she walked out of the room with her shoulders slumped and her feet dragging, she said,
"I think I just started my worstest day ever."

life with a baby

When Cory and I first got married, I used to dream about what it would be like to have a baby...to hold a precious little one in my arms, to rock her to sleep every night, to laugh with her, sing to her, and be the best mother in the whole world.

Fast forward three years to when I finally had my very own baby. It was quite a reality check. It was not anything like I had dreamed it would be. It was HARD, I was TIRED, and why won't she STOP crying???? Don't get me wrong, I loved to have a baby and I loved being a mother, but it was also one of the hardest adjustments I've ever had to make. Everything changed....my body, my hormones, my restful nights, my flexible schedule that revolved around ME, and all of the sudden I was swept up into this whole new way of life and I felt like a complete failure at it because Katelund would cry ALL of the time. Eventually I figured it out. Things got easier, but I still had so much to learn.

Now that I have a whole lot more experience, patience (well...on some days at least), and common sense (all though Cory might question that at times), taking care of my third baby should be like riding a bike and for the most part it has been. But, no matter how much experience and patience I have, taking care of a baby is just not easy. It is still a lot of work. Now I have to not only change a zillion diapers a day, wash clothes non-stop from blow-outs, give baths, nurse every minute (at least it feels like it), sing to her, rock her, and comfort her, but I also have to take care of two other little girls who need just as much, if not more, attention. Their needs and demands are a lot different, but they are still there nonetheless. Life with three little girls is crazy a lot of the time. There are moments where I feel like I am going absolutely insane and then there are other moments when it just feels so natural.

Yesterday was one of those insane days. I had to teach a lesson, go nurse Hailey, have a one-on-one with a Young Woman, chase down the Bishop, go to Sunday School for a couple of minutes, spend sacrament meeting telling my girls to "sit down", "hold still", "put your shoes on", "stop hitting your sister", "leave Hailey alone", "listen". "be quiet", "stop taking my earring out", "grap the burp rag, I have spit up all down my shirt", etc., etc. Then I had to run to one meeting and then run to another but only for a couple of minutes because I had to run out to calm my screaming hungry baby. AHHHH!! It was crazy. But, then as I came home and sat down to rock Hailey, I saw this......



....and all the sudden the world made sense again. I remembered why I am a mother and why I love it so much. It is all worth it...every dirty diaper, every shirt that I change and wash from spit up or blow-out, and every sleepless night. There is just nothing in the world that is more precious and more rewarding than looking down at such a perfectly pure and innocent face of a baby. I know that I am DEFINITELY not the best mother in the whole world, but as I look into Hailey's eyes, for just one little moment, I can see who I have the potential to become and it makes it easier to get up the next day and do it all over again.

Lessons Learned This Week

*When you think that you are sleep deprived from getting up every 3 hours with a baby, just know that it could be a lot worse...you could have another child up every 4 hours. (Katelund has had the worst ear infection she's ever had, I think the antibiotics are finally working now).

*Whenever you leave your house, make sure you are not in your slippers and that your children aren't bare-footed because you just never know what will happen (long story, but basically I am a ditz...actually I guess now that I'm not pregnant I can blame it on sleep deprivation).

*It is posible to go to the doctor's office 3 times in 3 days for 2 different children.

*My presidency meetings do not have to be over an hour to accomplish all that needs to be accomplished.

*Although I am walking for exercise (cannot run at this point b/c of....well...maybe I shouldn't explain), apparently it is not working my calves very well because they are SO sore after mutual this week (one of my laurels taught the youth a dance that she learned from her dance exercise class at the Y).


*The name "Urgent Care" is very deceptive. It should be "Urgent Problems, Slow Care".

*I mowed the lawn this morning to surprise Cory (he was planning on doing it after work today since we will be going to Logan's baseball games tomorrow) and I decided to mow "I {heart} u" in the backyard. I thought it was such a great idea, but you can hardly even tell and it only took me like forever since I had to keep turning the mower on and off.

*Always tell those that you love how much you love them because you just never know what tomorrow will bring.

*Although the plan is a plan of happiness, it doesn't mean that there will never be sorrow or disappointment, it just means that through the midst of our sufferings we can have hope that in time, joy will come, and that in the end, happiness will be our destination.

Spring Break 2010

I'm so frustrated! I'm trying to upload some pictures from our spring break vacation, but it is just not letting me. AHHHHH!! Oh well, I guess I'll just journal about it for now.

Here are my top ten memories from our spring break vacation to Destin, Florida.....

1. being with Cory 24/7 for 6 days straight!!!!

2. going on vacation for the first time with three kids (fun, and yet exhausting)

3. seeing the excitement of Katelund and Cloey as they played in the waves and made sandcastles all day long

4. watching Cory be a little kid again as he played with the girls in the hotel pools, in the ocean, and as he got all giddy over the planes at the air show we went to.

5. holding Hailey everywhere we went (it just never gets old)

6. totally justifying all of the junk food I was eating because I was "on vacation"

7. hearing all about the school of dolphins that Cory and the girls saw when they were out on a waverunner we rented.

8. how excited Cloey was when she realized that we would all be sleeping in the same room at the hotel.

9. playing hide and seek as a family at one of the rest stops along the highway

10. coming back home with sun tans and memories to last forever

pictures coming soon....

Easter

In the midst of all of the Easter fun this weekend, I took some time to read and ponder on the first Easter. In my reading, I came across a line out of the Bible Dictionary under Resurrection that really caught my eye and has not left my mind since.

"The resurrection of Jesus is the most glorious of all messages to mankind."

In a very personal way, I think that I have always known this. I have known it because I was taught so at a young age by my parents. I was taught so in primary as I sang the words "He sent His son to die for us and rise with living breath." I was taught so as Cory and I stood over Clairisa's grave and sang "God be With You till We Meet Again". And again, I was taught so yesterday as the Spirit bore a powerful witness to me as I listened to our living apostles and prophets bear solemn testimony. I have been taught, and because of that I know for myself that it really is the most glorious message of all.

some questions for you...

Have you heard of Justin Beiber? I LOVE him! Seriously, you have to listen to him if you haven't. I really like the song "Down to Earth" and "One Less Lonely Girl".

Have you seen "The Blind Side" with Sandra Bullock? LOVE IT!!!

Have you used the "Twilight Moon" lotion from Bath and Body Works? It's fabulous!

Did you listen to Sister Dalton's talk at the General YWs broadcast? SO GOOD!!

Have you seen how cute my little baby is? A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E!!

Do your children think that Saint Patrick's Day is everyday because they are STILL pinching each other when they don't wear green? Mine do.

Do you need some new cooking ideas? Go to www.sisterscafe.blogspot.com and check it out!! It's a new favorite of mine. Melanie is one of the moms that I do preschool with. She's pretty much amazing.

Is it sad that I did 20 lunges yesterday on my walk and my legs are so sore today? Well, they are.

Although I am trying to eat healthier so that I can actually lose some of this baby weight, dark chocolate is still okay, right? Don't tell me no....I've convinced myself that it is healthy for me.

Does it drive you as crazy as it drives me when people send you forwarded email EVERYDAY!!! I'm NOT sending it on to 10 people and I don't care how much more lucky I will be!! So annoying!

Are you as excited about General Conference as I am?!!!

Have you seen the cookbook, "Hello, Cupcake"? If not, you HAVE to check it out at your local Target. My sister and I ran across it and I bought it. I haven't made any successful ones yet (although that was a lot of fun Andrea!), but I can't wait to make more.

Did you know that Cloey turns five in a couple of weeks? When I asked her what she wanted to do for her birthday she said she wanted her Aunt Amber to throw her a birthday party in Utah just like she did for Katelund last summer. Sorry, honey. That's not happening. But I did make some really cute invitations to her party.