Easter Weekend

I love traditions! I love the predictability of doing the same thing year after year. Sometimes, however, it's fun to do things a little differently. That's what we did this Easter. We decided this year to go to the Tri-cities for Easter. Our change in plans was mainly due to my sister-in-law's annual Tea Party being scheduled on the same weekend as Easter. My sister-in-law is an AMAZING woman, who loves to host a party each year just for the mothers and daughters. She literally spends days cooking for it and makes everyone dress up for the big event. After our delicious treats, we are always entertained by my fabulously talented nieces who play the piano and violin like they should be in the symphony!

It's such a fun day for everyone and I truly appreciate all the hard work my sister-in-law puts into this yearly event.

Natalie with her "tea" (i.e., hot cocoa)

My wonderful in-laws

Cousins

Cousins

The weather was wonderful in the Tri-cities. On Saturday it was 60 degrees! So while we were at the Tea Party, the boys took full advantage of the nice weather and played lots of baseball and tennis. They even walked to the park near my grandparents' home. (NOTE: There was snow on the ground when we left Spokane on Friday!)

On Easter morning, we had an Easter Egg Hunt and then off to church. At my grandparents' ward, the Primary sang "He Sent His Son." When they asked the Primary children to come up, Natalie marched right up to the stand. She stood in the front row and sang her little heart out. My grandparents were beaming. While we did things a little differently this Easter, it was still a wonderful weekend.

Hunting for eggs on Easter morning

Easter Morning

Easter Morning

Easter Morning

Joy

It's always exciting around our house when these cheerful spring Crocuses start popping up around our yard. It's so wonderful watching my children run from flower bed to flower bed, trying to find tiny flowers budding. I attended Time Out for Women this weekend and feel transformed. I have such a blessed life and I want to show my appreciation to my Heavenly Father for these blessings by making each day count. So, this afternoon the dishes sat in the sink, the bedding I piled up to wash today sat in the laundry room, and the e-mails waiting for me just had to wait a little longer. I spent the afternoon with my children.

Little Ones

We've had a lot of excitement around our house lately! Natalie and Adam's birthdays are only a week apart (well, technically a week AND 2 years.) I always refer to them as my "little two," which makes Ally and Nicholas my "big two." Ally and Nicholas are 20 months apart then we waited 3 years to have Natalie and then just 2 years later Adam came along. So they are kind of grouped in pairs. Now that Natalie is 6 and Adam is 4, the term "little two" is suddenly not so appealing to them. I will be working hard to stop using that phrase, but until then, here are some pictures of my BIG "little two."

p.s. I'm taking up a new hobby . . . photography. I just purchased my first SLR camera (I've relied on my point and shoot for MANY years). These are some of my first pictures. As you can see, I've got a lot to learn. I'll keep posting my progress.

Thank You Andrew

For the wonderful weekend get away!

While my family and my faith are tops on my list, close behind are friends and snow skiing! This weekend Andrew watched the kids so I could enjoy both. Thank you honey. And, thank you to the person who made it possible - Kariann. Your cabin is so cozy and comfortable. It was the perfect setting for a great get away.

Faith Rewarded

Year round, gymnasts spend hours working on their routines and learning to master the skills and dance moves that are incorporated into every event. They wait anxiously for meet season when they can finally put all their hard work to the test and, hopefully, be rewarded for their efforts. In Ally's case, this has been a tough season because all of her meets have been on Sunday. She has shed many tears about not competing, but has never once asked if she could. I'm so thankful for great Primary teachers who encouraged her a long time ago to choose what she would and would not do on the Sabbath, so when faced with a choice, she already had her answer. She has been so faithful and this last Saturday she was finally rewarded.

Ally's coaches were able to make a last-minute scheduling change that would allow her to compete with other teams on Saturday while her team competed on Sunday. We quickly rearranged our schedule for Saturday and headed out to Moscow, Idaho to the Palouse Invitational. We had such a blast and Ally did great. She remembered all her rountines and scored highest on Vault and Floor. Overall, she placed 5th. The significance of this meet is that if she can just get one more chance to compete on Saturday, and she scores high enough, she can make regionals (you have to have at least 2 meet scores to make regionals). We're crossing our fingers for just one more Saturday meet.




Sorry the quality of the pictures isn't that good. My little "point and shoot" doesn't do so well with indoor photos taken without a flash.

Beloved

One of my very favorite words is "beloved." Every time I read or hear that word I get a warm feeling inside. This is the word I would use to describe our prophet.

He was an amazing man, who possessed a combination of strong leadership coupled with a loving, gentle manner. I've only see him personally three times (the Spokane Temple dedication, the Spokane Arena, and general conference), but each time I recognized an undeniable light about him that strengthened my testimony that he was a prophet of God. Somehow, knowing he was upon the earth always brought me peace and comfort. I know in a few days another prophet will be called who will bring me that same peace and comfort. But, for now, I just want to reflect on President Hinckley and the words that touched my life. Here, for example, is the quote that is taped to my computer monitor, "Be happy in that which you do. Cultivate a spirit of gladness in your homes. Subdue and overcome all elements of anger, impatience, and unbecoming talk one to another." And here are the words on my whiteboard in my kitchen, "Be Your Best."

Thank you President Hinckley.

A Fun Day on the Mountain

It's a blizzard!

Adam trying his new Spiderman snow shoes

Natalie on the chair lift

Natalie ready to go

Ally ready to go

Nicholas taking a jump

Saturday Mornings

I was organizing our storage room today and came upon a trunk of college mementos. I pulled out the old photo albums and took a trip down memory lane. It appeared I was out doing something fun every Friday night, which got me thinking - What did I do on Saturday mornings? Oh yes, I remember SLEEP IN. Now, fast forward to 2008 and here's a typical Saturday morning:


3:00 a.m. - Why am I so cold? Oh, it's Natalie, sleeping in between Andrew and I and she took all the covers. I steal back a corner of the quilt (I'm too tired to carry her back to her room) and try to go back to sleep


5:30 a.m. - It's Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader having the most intense lightsaber battle right outside my bedroom door. Somehow my husband sleeps right through it. I get up and try to encourage the warriors to play Play Doh quietly in the basement.


6:00 a.m. - I hear voices, LOUD voices. Someone is looking for the charger to their Ninetendo DS (on Saturdays my kids can use their electronics - so my 2 oldest like to get an early start!) The words, "I know you took it" and "No, I didn't" go back and forth; back and forth. I put my pillow over my head and tell myself I'm a good parent for staying in bed and letting them learn to solve their own dispute.


6:30 a.m. - I swear I hear little mice in my kitchen. There's the sound of the pantry door opening and closing, the rustling of a cereal bag, and then the sound of liquid pouring. Wait a minute - there's a LOT of liquid pouring. Next I hear, "get a towel quick, she'll never know."


At this point, I can't stay in bed anymore. I tiptoe downstairs to find my 4 lil' angels making their own breakfast. The kitchen's a bit of a mess, but I'm so overcome with love at their new independence. Maybe I can't spend a relaxing Saturday morning sleeping in anymore, but I have 4 beautiful children who make every sleepless morning worth it.


Count your many blessings, name them one by one . . . .

Those Healthy Mormons

When we got home from church today Natalie spotted some nuts I left sitting on the counter. She picked up the container and said, "Mom, did you know Mormons are very healthy for you?" "Ummm, I guess Mormons are healthy for you, Natalie." I said. Then Ally walked in the room and said, "Mom, she means Almonds not Mormons." Oh!!!!

Fading Fast Too

I read my friend's blog a couple weeks ago about fading fast with blogging and I could really relate - but it makes me so sad. I truly love reading what everyone is up to and their thoughts on various topics. I've shed many tears while reading posts and, on MANY occasions, felt that confirmation that I'm not as weird as I thought because someone else is going through the exact same thing as me. I've also had moments of feeling motivated to do better, be better, act better, THINK better. So, the reading part of blogging is easy for me; it's the posting that doesn't come natural. I'm reserved by nature and have to fight to come out of my shell. I'm so much more content to be the listener in a friendship. It's comfortable for me. But, I recognize listeners are boring. So, to force me out of my shell, I've made a goal to not only blog more but actually blog about feelings and thoughts more.

Blog #1 - I'm terrified for when Andrew goes back to work. I've grown to rely on him SO much over the last 9 months (Yes - it's been 9 months!) I've been the beneficiary of more "me time" than at any other time in my life since Ally was born. I hope it'll be an easy transition when I lose my "mother's helper."

I'm sure my next post will be - "I can't wait for Andrew to go back to work!" :-)

Thoughts on Joy

In the Book of Mormon it says, "Men are, that they might have joy." 2 Nephi 2:25. I've pondered this scripture with fullness of heart that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that he wants us to have joy. But, I look around and see so many people without joy in their lives and it breaks my heart, especially during this holiday season. I've often wondered what the key to joy is. Then, the other morning, I was reading in the Book of Mormon the account of when Ammon ran into his best friend, Alma the Younger, and the other sons of Mosiah in the wilderness. The men had all been serving righteous missions and were so excited to be reunited. Ammon records that he was filled with "exceeding joy" the kind that "none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness." Alma 27:18. I suddenly had one of those ah ha moments . . . to have joy you have to seek it. To me , seeking happiness is living a Christ-centered life, which entails loving others, serving others, and humility.

With this in mind, here are a few things that bring me joy:

Santa's annual visit to our house, which strangely occurs each year while Andrew is gone. hmmm.

Christmas morning

Strong daddy-daughter relationships

Happy husband-wife relationships

Family ski trips

Friends

Friends

Friends

Friends

Piano Teachers

Piano Recitals

Joy.

Natalie's Hawaiian Adventure

Natalie and I just returned from a little mother-daughter trip. It was awesome, but let me first back up and explain how this trip came about.

A few years ago Andrew suggested I get away for a couple days while he watched the kids as a kind of "mother's retreat" (he has always felt a little guilty that his job takes him out of town so much and thought it would be fun for me to be the one that was out of town). That first year I met my best friend from high school in the Tri-cities (she lives in Seattle) and we spent the weekend doing "girl stuff." The following year Andrew offered to watch the kids again, but instead of getting together with a friend, I thought it would be fun to get away with one of my children. Alas, the annual mother-child trip was started. Each year I go on vacation with one of my children and they get to pick the destination. We only have 1 rule: the child whose turn it is to pick can't pick Disneyland or Disney World - for obvious reasons. :-) I went to Maui with Ally in 2005, Spring Training in Phoenix with Nicholas in 2006, and 2007 found me in Honolulu with my sweet Natalie. My grandparents even joined us this year.

Spending time with Natalie was wonderful - the weather in Honolulu was not. The wind blew like crazy and it rained, A LOT. We, nevertheless, made the best of it. Natalie's favorite thing to do was ride the city bus. It cost $2 and we rode that bus all over the island! We also went to the zoo, aquarium, shopping, and ran to the ocean every time the sun peaked out. The good news is no one got sunburned!

Natalie on her favorite thing . . .the bus! She's also giving the Hang Loose sign.

Check out that wind-blown hair!

A sun break

Hula Lessons

Natalie with Grandma and Grandpa

Free Time

Growing up, Saturday morning was our clean house time. My grandma must have started this, because whoever you called on a Saturday (aunts, cousins, grandparents) they were all doing the same thing. I've continued this tradition with my children.

This Saturday we did our usual routine and then we let the kids have free time as a reward. When I walked into the family room, this is what I observed. It's so funny seeing the little ones following the lead of the big ones. By the way, Adam is not actually "playing" the Gameboy (he doesn't know how) he's just pushing buttons to be like Nick. It's interesting observing the difference between girls and boys.

,

I Guess There's a Little Martha in All of Us

Is Thanksgiving really right around the corner. And what's that knocking on the door? Oh, that's Christmas. It's all coming so fast, but I LOVE this time of year. A funny thing also happens to me this time of year - I find myself feeling a little "Martha Stewartish" (most of you know I'm crafty challenged - is that the politically correct way to say it?) Anyway, I've had the bug lately. Here's a couple projects I took on:

I made this family night chart. Prior to this we used an apple tree I made out of construction paper. We're moving up in the world. :-)

I saw this idea at my friend's house a couple nights ago. I cleaned out my fireplace and put candles in it. I have to enjoy this one while I can because once the snow starts my kids will insist on a fire in the fireplace (and hot cocoa in their hands!)

Trick-or-Treat

Natalie the Cheerleader, Luke "Nick' Skywalker, Ally the Gymnast, and Obe "Adam" Kenobi

We had the best Halloween ever! 3 parties, "office treating" at my work, trunk-or-treating at the church, trick-or-treating through our neighborhood, and hot cocoa before bed. Of course, I paid for it the next day - is there such thing as a "chocolate hang over"???

Sports Sports Sports

I knew what I was getting into so I can't complain.

When I first met my husband and learned he was majoring in sport management, I assumed sports was an interest of his. I then learned my husband came from a family of 9 boys (no girls). Hmmm. And then, after attending my first family get together, my suspicions were confirmed. "How can they all know EVERYTHING about EVERY sport?" I wondered. Those boys were spewing forth stats like an auctioneer on auction day. Since I was already crazy about my husband, I quickly decided it was better to join him than fight him. So, over the last 14 years I've become a bit of a sports junkie too. With this in mind, here's a recap of my weekend:

Friday - Attend Gonzaga basketball game. This was actually a scrimmage that was free to the public. It was a blast. The "kennel" was packed and the players even treated us to a dance before the game. Our kids loved it

Saturday am - Soccer. Both Nicholas and Natalie were on teams this year. I have to admit I love soccer. Our family has a "sports" quilt. We take it to the games and snuggle in it, drinking hot cocoa and rooting for whatever family member we're supporting that day.

Saturday pm - WSU football game. Nothing says fall like cool, crisp air; kettle corn; and our family huddled together at the stadium, rooting for our beloved cougs. They even won!

Sunday - Okay, I know I really shouldn't have anything sports related to discuss on the Sabbath, BUT . . . Andrew and I have an agreement, no sports on Sunday except the Super Bowl and if the Red Sox are in the World Series (his favorite baseball team since he was a little boy). Well . . . it was game 4 of the World Series and the Red Sox were up 3 - 0 in the series. So we all stayed up late and THEY WON!!! We celebrated with sparkling cider and lots of cheering.


Here are some pictures of all the festivities:

Mr. Adam Goes to Preschool

I've reached a milestone - my baby is now attending preschool. Yippee!!! He walked right in the first day and never looked back. I was so excited for him. The funny thing was that my eyes were watering like crazy that day due to my allergies, so it looked like I was crying. I have to admit it was nice getting those sweet, knowing looks and smiles from other parents, but I have to set the record straight and admit I was NOT crying. Anyway, here's a picture of my little guy. He refused to look at the camera (there were way too many other fun things to look at in his preschool room), but at least he smiled (kind of).

The Replacement Post

As expected, Andrew thought I did too much gushing over him in my last post and wanted me to replace it ASAP so it wouldn't be the first thing that popped up when people opened my blog. I guess I could post some things that drive me crazy about him to balance the posts!

Seriously though - I'm having a hard time coming up with a topic today, so I'll share a little gaffe from yesterday. Recently, I was asked to attend a school meeting as PTG president along with a school staff member who was filling in for another staff member who couldn't make it. This lady's name is Christi. Anyway, Christi picked up a packet for the missing staff member, so I e-mail the missing staff member and told him "Christi has a packet for you." EXCEPT I forgot to add the "i" at the end of Christi's name and the e-mail actually said, "Christ has a packet for you." The staff member called the typo to my attention yesterday and got a good laugh (especially since this staff member is Jewish). Oops! Do you think I can count that as missionary work? :-)

Becoming We

It was a warm fall night in 1991 and my college buddy was coming to pick me up to go to a party. She pulled up in the driveway of the house I shared with 4 other friends. When I ran out to get in the car a handsome guy got out of the passenger side and pulled his seat forward and climbed in back. Hmmm - who is this handsome guy I was thinking (I was also telling myself to "knock it off" because I had a boyfriend). I learned his name was Andrew and that night a friendship began.

Fast forward to December 1992 . . . I'm home from college for Christmas break and I run into Andrew while hanging out with my best friend Candy. Candy comments, "Introduce me to that guy, he's cute." That comment was all it took to make me realize, I like this guy (nothing like a little jealousy to get you in touch with your true feelings). I dropped the hint that I didn't have a boyfriend anymore, Andrew asked me to the movies, and we were married 8 months later.

Last month we celebrated our 14-year anniversary. I'm so thankful for that fall evening in 1991. Andrew is a wonderful husband and father. He's humble, funny, easy-going, dedicated to his family, hard-working, loves to serve, never afraid to share the gospel, dedicated to daily scripture study, and non-judgmental. A matter of fact, he's so humble he's going to be embarrassed that I exposed all his goodness on my blog. But, that's the price you pay for being so wonderful!

I'm so thankful our paths crossed and Andrew and I became "we."