{Easter}

We spent Easter in Hood River this year. We headed up Saturday afternoon after Ry's birthday, and enjoyed the sun, egg dying, and egg hunting. As well as good company of course!


Still the greatest idea! My sister in-law started a color-coded egg hunt when the kids were really little. Each year, the kids are assigned a color. This ensures its fair, that the big kids don't take all the easy eggs.

{4}

The sweetest little boy turned 4 on Saturday! He is SO sweet, polite, and kind, that I can't help but think about his future. What will he be (leadership, career, etc)? What will he love (sports, hobbies)? Who will he love (marry)? I don't spend too much time thinking about the future, because I want to keep him as little as I can for as long as I can! This week he is obsessed with Fire Trucks. He has always loved rescue vehicles, but he wears his fireman hat, coat, and boots nonstop. He has such a good imagination and is always pretending.It was hard to take pictures because he just wanted to do his own thing, but here he is with his two "best buddies." He asks for them to come over everyday, and he often requests they both come together. He is a very social little boy, and his nickname at school is infact "Mr. Social." Ryley is very versatile- he plays wonderfully alone and with other children. The jumping bean!Recently Ryley has showed an interest in hands on activities like cooking and painting. In this picture he is painting a wooden airplane. After this party, I swore to my family NO MORE Playmobil is allowed in our house!!! I never thought I would say this, but we have too much! My excuse right now, I can use anything he doesn't want in my future practice. For about a year now he has been in love with Playmobil and Lego!!!

{Spirituality}

My favorite view of the year! Cherry blossoms in sight from my bedroom window!

It doesn't matter who a person is, I can surely connect with them on some level. With that said, let it be known I especially enjoy talking to those who reveal their spirituality. Whether they are "religious" or not, and many spiritual people are, I appreciate getting to know this side of people. Some times I find it easier (I am more open) when discussing my spirituality with 'others' (those outside the LDS faith). Maybe easier isn't the word (or maybe it is because I am far from being a scriptorian- something I do hope to become), but it brings me joy to find others who follow him and to see his hand in their lives too, whether they recognize it or not.

I literally get tingly and overly excited when I share my personal experiences of how I've developed my faith in God. Whenever I hear that we need to be missionaries I immediately think, "I am not a very good one." But then I stop and remind myself that a person can be a missionary through example, by exemplifying the love our Savior Jesus Christ has for each of us. I do share my personal experiences with others and this brings me contentment. I hope they desire to seek out this comfort in life I call a testimony.

On Monday I taught Family Home Evening (FHE) from chapter 11 in the Gospel Principles manual titled "The Life of Christ." Recounting the Saviors life is a humbling experience for anyone, and it can be intense. With the conclusion of General Conference Sunday and Easter approaching at the end of the week, my emotions are especially charged. The death of the Savior on the cross also leads me to question why there are many who don't see Latter Day Saints as Christians. We believe Jesus Christ was born unto the virgin Mary for the purpose of gaining a physical body so he could suffer in mortality and pay the price for our sins- all of our sins. This is overwhelming. The fact he, the only begotten son willingly suffered all my pain, and yours, and every person who has ever walked this earth is unfathomable.

He lovingly did this to redeem us of our sins. Assuming we are repentant, we can live with him again and our father, for all eternity. Recently some life experiences pertaining to beginning life on earth and ending life on earth have been on my mind. For many reasons I won't detail what these thought provoking events have been, but I will say I am more than thankful for my knowledge of the gospel of Christ and for my testimony of life after earthly existence. We never know when our lives or someone we love will end, and we must treasure each amazing opportunity to breath and repair what needs be.

If you are still with me, I hope you enjoy the significance of Easter and recognize that Jesus lives. Through the gift we've received may we never take advantage and may we love with all our hearts.

{Eggs}

I am sure every other LDS family dyed eggs for FHE as well this week. This is an activity which never gets old. In fact, I had to take eggs away from Chad because he was hoarding them. Thankgoodness everyone will have another chance in Hood River later this week.

{Random}

I hope I will not be a forever wanna-be seamstress. I want to sew the clothes I design in my head, rather than the bare basics. One of my nieces asked me over Spring Break to help the girls sew American Girl clothes. Well, I wasn't much help, since I myself don't know how to sew clothes. A dress turned into an apron, and then we had skirts too. Needless to say, the girls were forgiving- the dolls didn't mind either. I think I may make Maisey a skirt like her doll above. It was a sweet shabby vintage look.
Better late than never! After 4 months of searching, I finally found a pink plate, and now my Valentine's decorations will be ready for display.

{Spring Break}

We have enjoyed the week off with the kids! I am just anxious as heck for summer to come now. Our lives are beyond structured and it's just nice to know we are not so rigid year round- promise!

I mistakenly (again) deleted pictures off of my camera before downloading them. There are recover programs but i didn't think they were searching for (I remember the process being challenging when I did it once before).

We stayed local for break, and re-scheduled our trip to Eugene for my birthday weekend. Yes, WEEKEND. In this house birthday celebrations last a week, one day just isn't enough!!! Agreed?

This week we:

Had our first night apart (kids and parents- thank you Adam and Carey) Aunt carey took Maisey and Peyton on a shopping spree- just the thing Maisey loves (she picked out lots of colorful, printed outfits from Justice).

The kids went to Safari Sams

We had niece Peyton and nephew Colby stay the night
We had niece Ruby stay the night

Went to Sky High (yes, we still LOVE the place, GO)

Went to Out of This World Pizza
Went to the Family Fun Center in Wilsonville

Had a day long date with Maisey

I finally gave into a feather!

I had a GNO with the ladies (Hunger Games and Stanfords)

Now, we will be enjoying General Conference all weekend, and I cannot wait!

{Tea Farewell}

Saturday "the ladies" got together for tea. Farewell tea in honor of Michelle. The rate things are going, I may not have any friends left next year! Just kidding, but many have moved to other places. This group of women (a couple not pictured), are more than amazing. And, no matter where they live, or where I live, they will continue to inspire me and many others!

The day was beautiful and perfect! I am thankful for Naomi who opened up her home and let me take over with this tea brunch. The food was as good as the company, and things were all around sweet!

Luncheons are my favorite to plan! We enjoyed strawberry baked french toast, lemon poppy seed bread, fruit, sausage, smoothies, petit fours, and tea.

{Reward Ceremony}

Maisey with her coach and assistant coach, the Garza's
Maisey finished the basketball season last week. We are SO happy it's over (ok, Chad and I are). Time is so precious, and with Girl Scouts each week, dance 3 days a week, and Activity Days (every other), on top of LIFE (which is a whole lot more), spending 2 nights a week at the court was not so much fun. However, Maisey is already talking about next year- at this time I have no comment.

{It's Time}

Time for holiday baking of course! I cannot skip a holiday without making sugar cookie cut-outs! Although I don't want them in the house, I enjoy decorating them and giving them to others.

The glace icing is sure cute, but it's not the most fun to use. It is tedious to say the least!

I didn't have enough ingredients ready to double my recipes, which really frustrated me because it's a lot of work for what seems like nothing, but I still got some creativity in!Oh, vacation is sweet!!! I was also able to spend MANY hours sewing this day. I am certainly not quick, and for all of you out there who tell me I should "go into business," it is that reason alone that I would never see a profit!

* More pretty treats (I hope) to come later this week after I make petit fours for tea with liquid fondant!

{Almost}

This little guy will be 4 in three weeks! Boy, how time flies. He is such a joy and blessing to our family and each days is sweeter with him around!

Like I always say, "To think I only wanted girls." So glad I didn't get my way!

{Skating}

Maisey LOVES ice skating! However, not all kids do so it has become more of an individual thing. Until she discovered one of her good friends like it to. I took the girls skating and it was her friends first time, although you'd never know. They loved it!

On the way home from the rink Maise kept falling asleep in the car. She went down hill quick and has been sick since. At least it's only coughing, soreness, and a fever (bypassing other nasty flu symptoms), but she its been 6 days and she is still sick! At least it's not spring break, although she's definitely getting an extended "vacation!"

She started getting sick Thursday night with coughing and glazed eyes, but once skating ended, it was more than obvious. Poor girl.

{Unmentioned}

I selfishly forgot to THANK my wonderful friends for making up for my absenteeism while I was away. It was a group effort, and I am so appreciative of my unselfish and loving, big hearted friends!

For one of the Thursdays I was gone and a Tuesday, Julie came over around 6:40 AM, got Maisey onto the bus, and then took Ry to Ci's. Ci watched him until Naomi picked him up for 9 AM preschool (you know the saying it takes a village to raise a child, quite applicable here)!

What I would have done otherwise, I really have no clue! Ci also had my kids for a play date and Ry alone another time. I feel so spoiled with her constant, helping hand! I've never had to ask, she graciously gives!

When I met Ci over 4 years ago we clicked. She was a student, I was a student, and we were dedicated mothers who got each other (if only I could say I wasn't a student anymore like her)! Anyway, little did I know she would be so influential in my life, in the lives of so many for that fact. I am blessed to witness her gracious ways in all she does, as she inspires me to be more relaxed and easy going. My entire family loves their family and life would be very different without our frequent weekly interactions. Although we have less time together right now than before, it's wonderful to see the kids love one another as they grow up together.

The William's are certainly "Gold."

And thanks Michelle for having Ry for a play date. I know that isn't unusual, but it's just something about the fact that I was gone that made it all that more priceless for the single dad of the house!

{FL}

This past week was an amazing experience for me. My time in Florida went SO fast, I felt like I was only gone 4 days (versus 8). It was very tiring (I had to fly in a day early to check into the conference on time since it was so far), but it was great to meet with fellow learners and practice all we've been learning for 1.5 years +! We did mock counseling all day long in cohort groups. When 5 pm rolled around (in between night studies for my other classes and homework), I managed to get in a little bonding time over dinner with fellow learners.It was unfortunate we (the students) didn't get to see much in the day light, but that didn't stop "us."

We took a trip to St. John's for dinner one night, ate many meals on the Jacksonville board walk (where Dolphins entertained us on the first night), and visited St. Augustine (the oldest city in the U.S).

The pics were few, but I captured a couple!This big yacht was parked in front of the hotel the whole week.

The rail and water shot to the right was where the dolphins swam and played while we ate dinner the first night.

A guy running on the bridge got stuck when it lifted and decided to do sit-ups while waiting for the bridge to lower. The top two left pictures were through the window of the wax museum. We went to visit, only it closed before we made it. Seinfeld, in honor of my dad.

St. Augustine was beautiful! There were more museums than I could count, but the architecture alone made for wonderful entertainment!

I missed my family, but it was a wonderful feeling to know they were well cared for. Chad did great with the kids, which eases any worries for next year when I have to do this again.
The kids asked me to take their picture when we were skyping. I thought this was so cute. We read our scriptures and other bedtime books I packed or bought over the computer each night. It was great!

I came home to handmade signs (at the airport and at home) and a whole lot of love!

I realized this was my first time being alone, ever! I graduated high school 12 years ago, moved in with roommates, then with Chad, and then had kids. When I went to slide my room key, it hit me. And, although I didn't really get any down time, it was peaceful to reflect on my life during the 10 hour days I spent traveling.

I did not care for the 6 planes I had to take to and from to get there and back. My connections were okay and I now know I love United, especially over U.S. Airways. I practically had to run to one of my flights in DC to get my last plane to Portland, which involved this "portable lounge." The airport was so big, you get in one of these transportation lounges, and it hauls you over to the other side of the airport.

The best thing I took away from this experience, is that I want to teach as part of my career. The entrepreneur in me is constantly planning away.

{GymNest}

Ryley is certainly LOVING his "trampoline class" at GymNest, although it is really a great variety of instruction, with GREAT teachers (proabably the best my kids have ever had, and that is pretty crazy with all their activities)! I encourage you to check it out! It is parent participation, but really the kids do the work. Ry and I typically do it together, and it has forced me to take time out. A really good thing!

{Phew}

It's that time again... Fortunately, we delivered 153 boxes of pre-sale orders in 2 days which is the time we sold them in. If we missed you, let us know because we are still selling in the community at local area stores!

{waterproof}

Maisey got a waterproof camera for Christmas but it was totally crummy. Recently we found a great replacement- and it has been so much fun!Gotta love technology!

{HEART}

I have just come to the realization, that Valentines Day may be my favorite, or equally ranked favorite holiday with Christmas!!! I never thought anything could trump Christmas (and Christmas is still #1 of course because of the reason we celebrate), but I love Valentines too!

I've been trying to incorporate festive hearts into everything lately, as well as seasonal colors (shades of pink, white, and red). Today at church my friend told me (as I explained my pink fish nets, pink bow, and pink necklace, and Maisey's pink everything), that it wasn't even Valentines yet. Are you kidding, it's in 9 days!
I recently made some festive food to show my spirit- and love...

mini dipped pretzels

cake pops and dipped marshmallows

HEART shaped pizza pocket

HEART shaped cherry pies

HEART cut-out Nutella sandwich will sprinkles