Easter Weekend

Since I'm finally getting caught up with Easter, here is a cap of our Easter weekend:

Slideshow created with Smilebox

If you're wondering where the older boys are...well, they were sleepin' and running around with Dad. The way you celebrate holidays changes as you grow up

Welcome Spring!

Before we went to Utah for Spring Break, we had the privilege of attending an Easter program Alyssa was in at her preschool. She did a wonderful job, especially considering the fact that the subject she hates most of all in school is music. 

(Which is funny since she is such a performer!)

It's so refreshing having her in a Christian based preschool since they have "Easter" and "Christmas" programs, and still call them by their appropriate names instead of "Spring Break" and "Winter Break". It's also wonderful to hear them sing songs that praise the very reason they exist...the Savior. 

We love the programs at the school because they are not long and drug out either, more suitable for the attention span of the children...

and their parents. ;)

Alyssa and Amy were so excited to wear their new Easter dresses before Easter too! They were given these beautiful flowers from their teachers and friends. 

Aren't they little princesses?!

Traditionally after a performance they have cookies and punch while socializing. The children look forward to this part of the occassion.

hello sweetie! *kisses*

We absolutely ADORE Alyssa's teacher, Ms. Claudia. She was Justin's preschool teacher too, and will hopefully be Amy's someday. She's absolutely WONDERFUL!! 

Welcome, Spring!

Savor the Moments

Lately I've been wanting to capture time and pause it. So afraid that I'm going to forget and knowing that one day I will miss these phases and stages of each one of my children.

Life is so precious and so quick. Before we know it, it will all be gone. I thought there was no real significant reason for my feeling this way, but as I think about it I realize it is the unusual dynamics of our family that help me realize how quickly it can all pass by. 

Bryon being in college and seeing him now. Yes he still needs us, although those needs are very different than they were even a year ago, and changing as the weeks pass. Soon he will be gone for two years. 

We are giving him up. We are letting him be in the hands of the Lord. We know we would have it no other way, yet reality has a way of springing us to a sometimes uncomfortable place we don't feel prepared to be. 

I realize how blessed I am to have our circumstances as they are, to have wonderful children, all healthy and spread apart between almost 19 years time, where I have had experiences to teach me to savor each moment with our little ones as we have watched how dreadfully speedy the older ones have grown.

 So although I feel like I want to pause time and beg for it to wait for me to catch up, I know that isn't possible and have decided to just enjoy and savor each moment as it comes. Memory by memory, building them one by one, even if it aches sometimes.

Girly Things

One of these days I'm going to follow these girls around the house 

                                      with a video camera
\

Just like their Gram suggested during her visit. 

 After having Five Fun and Adorable boys, it's neat to watch these darling girls do their girly things!

President's Snow Day

Steve decided that we needed an outing. He was right too. Initially when he proposed we go to the snow for President's day, I told him he could go with the kids if he wanted to-There is always so much to do around here and besides, I don't have snow clothes any longer. As always, he expressed his desire for me to go along and After thinking about it for a few days, the morning of, I decided to go too. Mom must've felt like I did, because she said the same thing. But as the excitement of everyone getting ready continued to progress, she changed her mind as well, and came along for the ride!

We had a pleasant ride, visiting all the way up the mountain and enjoying the beautiful view. 

You can bet that as soon as we got there, the children were ready to play!

 While we adults were getting all situated, they were throwing snowballs

Some were quite amazing!

Some of us that hadn't been before, had no idea what kind of treat we were in for!

But after selecting our tubes

and going down our first run...

we were hooked and sold!

We took a break to eat lunch at the car, where Mom decided to set up camp for those that needed to come to the car, and read. It was always a delight to see her. She was so fun and chipper! 

We were making faces at each other

The children were WONDERFUL...

And Steve was his regular selfless, amazing and fun self.

Every one of us walked away...

Saying it was DEFINATELY worth it!

                     A cherished memory with one another. As we were leaving, it began to snow.

                                          We couldn't have asked for a more PERFECT day together.

What They Say Wednesday

"If I didn't have the sense of taste like some people don't, I would eat really healthy!"

                                                                                 ~Michael Alger

Mission Call!

Two Sundays ago, we were skyping with Bryon just before his final interview with his Stake President for his mission. That afternoon in church, he sent Steve a quick text saying that his papers were submitted and he would be getting his call in 10 days which would fall on Wednesday the 6th. Wednesday came and as we had prepared to Skype again for his call, he called early that day after the mail arrived to let us know that his call had not come. We were disappointed for him, but knew it would come by Friday. The following afternoon he called to tell us that his call had arrived and that having to work that evening, he would Skype us while he opened it when he got off. We expected him around 10:15-10:30 (Utah time), but being so excited, he asked to leave early. His boss let him and he called us almost exactly at 9:00 (Oregon time-10 Utah time). Immediately I asked him to hold up his envelope.  

We were all on the edge of our seats with anticipation! He was beaming as he sat in front of his laptop ready for the big reveal! We could hardly stand the suspense! His father being out of town was on the phone and all the noises you hear in the background come from both our family and around 20 or more of his dormitory friends. The one regret I have, is not catching the reaction of our family as he read the letter. 

Though it would have been logical for Bryon to go spanish speaking, it being so much a part of his life, having learned the language at 4 years of age and taking courses all through middle and High school, we are tickled with how fitting this call is for him! We know that the Lord knows him best. He knows his people best. He knows who can be touched by Bryon's testimony the most. This call is so fitting for Bryon and who he is. We are incredibly grateful for this opportunity Bryon has to serve the Lord in teaching others about the blessings the gospel of Jesus Christ has to offer all of his children! We are so grateful for his desire and enthusiasm to serve. Before he got his call, he said he was willing to go anywhere the Lord would send him. We knew he was sincere. Before he got his call, we prayed that we would all be prepared for where he would serve. We know that the Lord was preparing us. The day he opened that call, 3 of us had an impression that he would serve in Japan, even though we had previously discussed the probability of his going to Brazil or Europe. I don't know how ready I am to send my boy of for two years without seeing him. But I know I am willing to let him go for the benefit of sharing the Gospel (good news of Christ) with others!
We are truly blessed to venture into this new segment of our lives!