Happy Easter

HAPPY EASTER!!



We love Easter or I should say, I love Easter. It's my favorite holiday. It was also Sam's. He loved Nanny's Easter Tea Party. Sam proposed the weekend of Easter. That's where I met all of Sam's family. Needless to say, I have such fond memories of Easter. This year didn't disappoint. The kids had a fabulous time at Nanny and Papa's party!!


Emery finally figured out how to hunt for eggs. At first she would only pick up pink and purple eggs. She's such a girl.

Emmet had no problems remembering what to do!! He loved hunting for eggs and playing in the giant bouncer with his cousins. I didn't see him for four hours. He didn't even stop to eat he was having so much fun.


Yes, it was hot enough to have a water gun fight. The kids got swim suits in their baskets and had a great squirt gun fight. Emery kept saying in her raspy voice, "I shoot boys"!! Papa was nice enough to let the kids jump in the pool. It felt hot enough outside, but the water was freezing. It definitely took Emmet's breathe away.

Emery eventually took her "swimsoup" off and rode around the backyard in just a diaper. I know it's still snowing in many places, but it's been gorgeous here. It was a perfect weekend, to sit and reflect upon our Savior and the joy found in knowing we are an eternal family.

We're Binki Free!!!!

As most of you know Emmet has been addicted to his binki since birth. Emery wasn't quite interested in hers until she got old enough to copy Emmet. My mom has been staying with me while I've been recovering from adominal surgery. I'm getting better each day. I'm not allowed to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 6 weeks. (Emery is 34 pounds) So yesterday, I was frusterated, sick and tired of being a push over, realizing that if I didn't stand up to at least my kids nothing would change. So in a moment without thinking I pulled the binkis out of their mouths and threw them in the trash. I have had suggestions of having the balloons float to the binki fairy, but I think the dramatics of the trashcan worked great!! Emery and Emmet sobbed and sobbed and eventually stopped. Emmet put on a brave face and fell asleep fine, but a little before five he woke up and moaned for his binki until I was willing to get up for the day. In the mean time my mom was upstairs suffering the rath of the two year old. She had a difficult time falling asleep and then tossed and turned all night. She was up also around five moaning for her binki. My mom and I are sleep deprived, but determined to stop the bad habit. I am so glad I got upset enough to make this change now. I do not see how I could've done it by myself. I would've eventually given in. This is the first "major" change I've made with the kids since Sam's death. It's making me realize I can do this. There have been moments where being a single mom has been more challenging than I anticipated, but we're making baby steps and being a binki free home is a major step!! Wish us luck tonight!!!

Whose addicted to American Idol?

I can't believe how much I am enjoying watching American Idol. I'm amazed at how many of the contestants can really sing. It looks like so much fun!! I'm not sure who my ultimate favorite is yet. It changes weekly!!

My Grandma Turned 90....

All of my family flew into to town to celebrate my Grandma Olson's 90th birthday.  I'll be 30 next month and it worries me I could be around for another 60 years!  That's a long time.  I grew up 10 minutes from my grandma and have such great memories of her teaching me to cook, swimming at her house and enjoying her positive personality even though she is legally blind.   One of my favorite stories is that when my grandma would go to the cinema as a teenager she always took olives with her as her snack.  I don't know why, but that always makes me laugh.  So much in American history has taken place in her lifetime.  I wonder what the next 60 years holds in our country's future?  It will be fun and scary to watch.