The Spirit of Easter

This year was my favorite Easter. This year I spent some time really contemplating the significance of this day. I thought of loved ones who have passed on and of people I love who are the most affected by the deaths of these family members. Easter means that because the Savior lives, so too, will all those who have left us. I spent time imagining the grand reunion of all the families on the Earth. What a glorious day it will be. This year the Easter Bunny didn't visit us and I'm not sorry. This year the Spirit of Easter visited us as we stood by a grave and gave thanks for eternal families. This year the Spirit of Easter visited us as we ate Lamb and gave thanks for the Lamb of God. This year the Spirit of Easter visited us as we sang our testimony to a friend, reaffirming that we truly know our Redeemer lives. The Easter Bunny missed us this year, and I'm so glad he did. Next year we'll invite him back... on Saturday.

Blue & Pink Monsters

My family has this tradition of playing "monster." When my dad would come home from work he would chase me and my sister around the house making a monster type noise and holding his hands in the air. We squealed and ran with delight. What little girl doesn't like to be chased? My father has continued this tradition with the grandchildren. My girls have only recently been converted to this tradition, but their Daddy has started a new twist: he puts a blanket over his head as he chases the girls around the house. The girls have tried to get Mommy to play monster, but I tell them mommies don't play monsters... that is a daddy game. Since Daddy has been super busy of late, the girls have started playing monster themselves. A few days ago, Bell had a pink blanket on her head and told me she was a monster.

Bell: Mommy, I'm a monster

Me: Oh... are you a pink monster?

Bell: No, I'm a blue monster.
Me: What do blue monsters eat?

Bell: Scared boys.

A few seconds later...

Bell: Mommy, I'm a pink monster.

Me: What do pink monsters eat?
Bell: Blue boys.

Clearly, we don't hang around enough boys as the girls are highly suspicious of them. The problem is, when we want them to be suspicious of boys (say around the age of 14 or 15), they won't be.

Rock Bottom

Sometimes you have to reach rock bottom before you can begin recovery. I would say our house has hit rock bottom. The girls and I are fed and dressed, and I am even bathing every day. Our clothes are all washed... unfortunately they are all in baskets (or not, depending on if the girls have gotten to them yet) and need to be folded and put away. Baby steps... Maybe one day I'll look back and laugh...maybe.

No More Winter Blues

This winter has seemed to last an eternity. We're all going stir-crazy. You know it's bad when the girls beg to go to Costco. So what better way to whisk away those winter blues than pretend you're living in a tropical paradise? Thanks to my good friend Sarah for sending the girls the hula outfits. Mahalo!

Her Due Date

These are a few days old, but I thought I would post a couple of pictures of Baby on her actual due date. She is such a joy! At her one month check up she was barely 7 lbs and 20 inches long.

Identity Crisis

I had heard that older siblings sometimes have a difficult time adjusting to the changes that a new sibling brings to the home. I foolishly thought the girls would have an easy time adjusting, since they are already used to sharing with each other. My first hint that there might be a hiccup was when Lady stole Baby's binky and announced that she wanted to be a baby and needed to be held with her "blankie" (blanket). Not to be left out, Bell took the other binkie and joined in the baby fun. I explained to the girls that babies can't play with princesses or watch Sleeping Beauty, which prompted them to throw the binkies in the trash (which I of course had to fish out and sterilize for the baby, who doesn't actually like sucking on a pacifier). The next day Lady brought her Halloween costume to me and told me she was now a tiger. She was quite convincing crawling on all fours and roaring at me and Bell. Lucky for me, by lunchtime she decided to become a girl again so I didn't have to round up some raw meat.

Our Little Valentines

Pretty in Pink

Proud Sister Lady

Bell loves being a big sister... again.