Happy Easter

Here are my attempts at getting one decent photo of three lovely children.














Nope.














Nada.














Not a chance.














As good as it's gonna get.

Spring Break

We spent Spring Break in Coeur de Laine, ID with some of our favorite people in the world- the Roth family. One of the days we went to a indoor water park and had the BEST time.













Jocy loved the waterslides!














How could you not love this girl?














Nate and his supercool goggles!

Every time Laynie sees the camera, she makes this face and says 'CHEESE." Gotta love her!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picutre. Ben is only a few months older than Laynie. He is the most stoic child I have ever met. It took me months of him coming over to convince him he liked me. About that time, the Roth's moved! But I love this picture because Laynie's all delighted that Ben has his arm around her and Ben's looking down like he's just a tad uncomfortable with the situation but doesn't know how to disengage. I feel like I could take the picture 15 years from now and have it look exactly the same. :)

Nate's Birthday

It is hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that my Nate is seven. Here are seven things I adore about him.

1. He is adventuresome -willing to try anything.


2. He still thinks his mom and dad are "cool" and loves to be with us.


3. He has a tender heart and is concerned for others.


4. He is creative and artistic and loves to draw.


5. He is a great big brother and loves to help with his sisters.


6. He has a strong desire to do what is right.


7. He LOVES all sports and it is so fun to watch him excel.


8. He loves to laugh and his contagious laugh makes the rest of us giggle.

Bursting that Bubble

So this weekend Nate attended the "It's great to be 8" fireside for all the kids who will turn 8 in the next 12 months. He actually doesn't turn 7 for another week and a half but being in Primary affords me a little wiggle room. I just really want him to be excited and prepared for this special event. Anyways, one of the dad's was giving a talk on Baptism and was reading from the New Testament the story of Jesus' baptism. He read this scripture:

Matthew 3:13-14"Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be a baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?"

The speaker then asked what John meant by this. Nate raised his hand and very adult like said, "He didn't understand why Jesus needed to be baptized because Jesus was perfect." Ok so honestly at that moment my heart swelled with pride that my son so completely understood this story. I was feeling pretty pleased with him and naturally my stellar parenting skills. :) But wait, it gets better.

The next speaker was talking about the Holy Ghost and the feelings that come from the Holy Ghost. He asked if anyone ever felt that warm and happy feeling inside when they made a good choice or sang a beautiful song in Primary. All the other kids were nodding their heads and Nate blurts out very matter-a-factly, "Nope. Never." The teacher tried to give another example and Nate just shook his head. Yeah... obviously my stellar parenting skills need to focus a bit more on helping him recognize the Holy Ghost because I know he has felt it but just hasn't grasped that that is what he is feeling. But mostly I was just reminded how often in parenting situations when I'm getting puffed up with pride about how really great I am and what a great parent I am .... I am quickly reminded that it's really not me. And don't get me wrong, this isn't a pity party... I do think I do many things well as a parent and that I work hard to teach my children the gospel and to love our Savior. What I'm trying to say is in that moment when Nate gave his perfect answer I felt joy for what a great boy he is and that he is getting it but honestly a part of me felt satisfaction in knowing that others there might also be impressed with MY child. So I think it was fitting that just a few minutes later my little bubble burst. I don't know, maybe this doesn't happen to anyone else, but it was a perfect reminder for me that we should be "stripped of pride" like Alma says in ch.5 vs.28.

"Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life."

Anyways, I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves us enough to strip us of our pride.

Valentine's Day

Reed works tonight. I know on Valentine's Day. Don't feel too bad for me. I don't. Valentine's day has never really been my thing. I think at first when I was single- it was always a poignant reminder that I was single. But even now that I have the love of my life- I'm still not that into it. Besides, Reed HATES crowds and waiting in line and the pressure to buy just the right gift. Can't really get away from any of those things on V-day. So for the most part our Valentine's Day celebrations are always pretty low key. With that little disclaimer... I'm totally not against valentine's activities. I LOVE the little valentine's day traditions I'm making with my sweet family. This year... we spent it with the Roth family. We love this family and are heart sick that they are moving next week to Coeur d'Alene (let's not talk about that right now. That's a post for another day... one when I can get composed enough to not ball about how much I'll miss my dear friends.) Anyways, we had a great dinner. We squeezed it in before Reed had to go to work. We had shrimp scampi and chicken fettucine, salad, red jello (seriously I think this is the only time I have jello but I can't imagine a V-day dinner without it) and strawberry shortcake for dinner. It was wonderful and the company was even better. Everyone had a heart at their seat that said "I love you because..." that we each wrote something nice about that person. While we got dessert together the kids played "love bingo". I just LOVE LOVE LOVE how little Laynie is just joining in-- convinced she is just as big as everyone else. What a great Valentine's-- I couldn't be luckier to have the family and friends I have. That is something to celebrate.

Valentines- loving the decor

So I've been wanting some Valentine's Day decoration. Nothing big and fancy... just a few things to celebrate with. I wasn't finding anything I really loved and also was trying to keep to a budget. In my mind I knew what I wanted- I just couldn't find it- so I decided I was just going to make them myself. And I don't mean to toot my own horn-- well okay I guess I do :) -- but I think they turned out pretty cute. Plus I spent a whopping $1.27 since I had everything else I needed. Now I just need some Easter decorations....


This is my favorite. I got the idea from a Making Memories ad in CK magazine. The hearts and flowers are all made out of felt. Can I tell you how much I {heart} felt. Yes, I'm in love.

lost my groove

Have you seen Emperor's New Groove? You know the part, where the old guy tells Pacha that he through off the Emperor's groove? Well, that's how I feel about blogging. Something's thrown off my groove. Honestly, there isn't a great reason for my absence. I just haven't been feeling it. I've still been keeping up on everyone else's blog but just haven't wanted to blog about anything myself. Not like we're lacking material here.... I could post about christmas (it was wonderful.) I could post about ALL the snow we've received (please, tell me we're done). I could post about all that has happened in January (it seems like there has been enough happening to write a small novel). But I just don't have it in me. So here's your post to let you know we are alive, well, and happy. Just enjoying life. Here's to hoping I find my groove.

P.S. Just had to include my favorite quote from this movie. If you haven't seen it- it's a good one.

Pacha: Uh-oh.
Kuzco: Don't tell me. We're about to go over a huge waterfall.
Pacha: Yep.
Kuzco: Sharp rocks at the bottom?
Pacha: Most likely.
Kuzco: Bring it on.