Easter...

We had a lovely Easter, doing all the things we love to do every year at Easter. We slept in which was the very best part (for me) and then we did our egg decorating. After that, the Easter bunny left over 100 eggs in our yard. I asked Halee today how many more years she will go in search of eggs. She said "until I move out, of course!" Good answer. We also had a picnic and Halee, Chris and I ran 5 miles. The weather was perfect. The day was perfect. I'm thankful for my blessings. Most of all, I'm thankful for my Savior, who made all this family time, and all my favorite things in life possible.

16 is a magical number...

I was probably 8 years old in this picture. That would have made Chris 16. I like to imagine if someone had told him at that time that he would one day marry me, he would say "No. I won't do it. You can't make me." Thankfully I didn't stay 8 forever. My boobs grew, and curves appeared and I became a woman. Did I just say that out loud? Oh well, it's true. Speaking of 16 years old, we celebrated our 16 year anniversary yesterday. I couldn't be happier knowing Chris and I will be together forever. No matter what or where life takes us, we will ultimately be with each other for eternity. That thought makes me happy inside. I love you Chris.

Old and getting older...

Remember in Rudolph the red nosed reindeer when the narrator (speaking of the terrible blizzard) yells "It hit!" That's how Chris felt when he turned 43 a few days ago. But ya know what? I think he looks better every year. Personally, I don't like him getting older because I let my mind turn into a crazy person thinking things like "How much longer will he live?" or "Is he going to die young?" Or "Am I going to end up alone?" I know, it sounds like he just turned 80 or something, but if you know me well, you know I worry about the dumbest things. Well, I love you Chris. And all I have to say,is you better stick around for a while.

You are so mean!

Against my better judgment I allowed friends and husband to talk me into doing a tough mudder race in June. I have determined to not be the weakest link, so I have hit it hard with Jillian's "ripped in 30" and also running. After a friends suggestion I challenged my boys to try one of her workouts. I watched as they did planks, burpees, pushups, weights and all kinds of crazy hard stuff. By round three of strength, cardio,and abs...they were dying. I mean sweat everywhere and Austin yelling "Jillian is sooooo mean!" I got a good laugh, but also have to say, I was impressed. They worked their tails off and made me proud.

Imagination...

I grew up with 3 sisters. Four girls meant lots of imagination. We never ever ran out of things to play. We knew if we did my mom would say "Whenever my I told my mom I was bored, she would put us to work!" Work didn not sound fun so we kept busy. When I found this little setup by Grace and Scarlett it brought back wonderful memories of my own childhood. How I would love to go back for just a day and relive those good times.

Pero...

I can't say it enough. I love my Friday's with the kids. They don't have school and I don't have a schedule. This makes me happy. One thing they love for me to do is make Pero. It's a hot drink similar to Postum. With lots of cream and sugar it taste pretty heavenly. I love our little traditions. And I love making things for my children that bring them a little joy.

Girl's weekend, 2013...

I love girls weekend. Of course I love the getting away part, where I don't have to cook or clean or take of of anybody but myself. But more than that I love learning new things about these girls. I am a question asker. I love to find out how and why people do the things they do. I feel like I learned all kinds of new ideas and things I never would have without knowing and being around such awesome women. We played the card game phaze 10 late into the night (more like morning) and seeing the funniest sides come out of all of us was pretty fantastic. I think we even had a few girls pee their pants from laughing so hard. Tammy forced us all to play racquetball. That was another pee in your pants kind of event. Boy, did we have some moves. Our husbands would have laughed us off the court. Instead we laughed at ourselves. I was happy to be home at the end of it all, but would gladly adopt these girls into my own family. P.S Don't you just love our teeth?

Little things like that are what makes me happy to be me...

I got up early this morning to go running. It was sunny but often time in the winter, where there is sun, there is frost...and it's flippin' cold. I dreaded getting in my car so at 7:33am...(8 minutes to get the car slightly warm enough before I had to leave at 7:40am) I grabbed my keys and proceeded to head out the door. To my surprise the car was already warming up. Today I am thankful for a husband who thinks about my needs on top of all that he has on his own plate. I dig that.

Babies...

Okay, yesterday I was giving the girls a bath. They were both laying down with their entire bodies submerged and just their little faces poking out of the water. It struck me that I no longer have a chubby little baby to keep from drowning or falling under. I missed the smell of a freshly bathed baby. I missed the cute naked body with chubby rolls. I missed the dependency a baby has for their mama. For me. I asked myself if I was happy despite not having a precious baby to take care of. The answer was a resounding yes. I will always love the memories I have of my babies. And what I wouldn't give to turn back the clock for just a day to hold each of them again as infants. But the children they are now, and the people they are becoming is unequivocally just as rewarding as having them as babies.