Lest we forget

This is my son and nephew sitting at their great grandparents grave. So grateful for the legacy left.

Chocolate

My little Katie use to hate chocolate. She literally use to spit out the chocolate chips out if her cookies. Well, all that has changed. Check out whats left of her Easter bunny compared to my sons. Keep in mind, Easter was yesterday.

The Roaring 20's

My birthday was March 30th, and that night there was a special broadcast done by our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, for the young women and women.  Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke and said that occasionally we should evaluate where we are on our journey in life.  a few days before, I had a discussion with my husband about life and what exactly we are accomplishing.  I've been thinking of that alot lately.  My husband gave me great advice and told me to focus on the positive things that have happened in our life, all the good we've accomplished. 

A week ago, I found a letter I wrote to myself when I was 18.  Reading it, I marveled at how much I did in my twenties, how much my life changed from 18 to 30.  Huge decisions, huge events that will affect the rest of my eternities.  I married my best friend, which was the absolute best decision I ever made!  I had four children, and experienced one miscarriage.  I have watched siblings get married, have children, have heart breaks.  I've had grandparents, an uncle, and a cousin pass away.  I've attended 3 colleges and received my associate degree.  In short, I've done alot and learned a lot and grown alot. 

I was reassured that I was on the path I should be on, that my journey was going as I had hoped and planned for.  At 18, I wrote about wanting to be married, to have children and to be a mother, and look at where I am.  I couldn't have hoped for more and better.  How beautiful and blessed I have been.  I know that Heavenly Father has directed my life and blessed me for my righteous desires. 

To my husband, I love you more than you could ever know, and I'm so grateful that you have made my dreams come true.  Thank you for sharing my journey.  Our journey.  It's perfect to walk hand and hand with you.   

Blessed

Today is my 30th birthday. I'm sure ill post more about today, but look at what my husband and kids surprised me with at my step aerobics class. They all walked in, roses in hand with balloons and a cake. Aren't they so sweet?? Plus, last night they decorated the house with homemade decorations and each wrote a beautiful card to me. I'm so blessed.

Springing Around the Corner

It's a beautiful day outside.  The birds are chirping, the sky is blue and my kids had a picnic on the patio complete with lemonade.  Believe it or not, I've had people tell me they miss my posts.  How touched I am that you enjoy reading about our little life. 

Well, this month started beautifully with a trip up to see my grandpa.  It was our Spring break and I took the kids up to spend sometime with him.  We missed grandma being around, and it wasn't the same, but it was so enjoyable to see grandpa and to even have some time to do things that we've never done with him, like go to the park and eat at the senior center.  He taught my kids how to feed horses and how to cut metal with a fire torch. 

We then headed down to visit my aunt and uncle and my nieces.  My kids are closer in age to most of them than me, and they loved spending time with them.  It was nice to catch up with them too.  My aunt even treated me to lunch with no kids.  That's been awhile since I've been able to do that.  Thanks!!

We've also been raising baby chicks for our neighbor.  They are getting so big and kinda ugly looking.  My little Katie still loves to go out and hold them.  She has a little chick she always finds and talks to.

I've started teaching Group Step aerobics classes at our gym.  It's been so great!!  I am loving having something different to do other than the every day household/kid stuff.  I don't have any complaints either about how I'm feeling or looking.  :-)  My body thanks me. 

We've had barbecues already with dear friends.  It's never too soon to grill up a good hamburger.  Did you know turkey burgers taste delicious?  Just a side note. 

Mostly, I've just been so grateful for life.  For my husband, and his unmatched love.  For my four children who are growing so quickly and are so beautiful and funnier than anything I've ever experienced. 

And at this time of year, I'm so thankful for my Savior, who redeems and strengthens me and helps make me into who I was destined to be. 

Happy Easter everyone.   

Our little farm

So our neighbor is graciously letting us raise his baby chicks for a few weeks. How fun is that??! I think baby chicks are just a perfect sign of spring, don't you? The kids have loved their new pets. It's been great to see them name them and spend so much time with them. What a fun Easter gift for our family!! Aren't they cute? And yes, to all you wise guys out there, I do know chicks grow up to be mean chickens. :)

Pretty Much Paradise

My husband and I had the beautiful, fortunate opportunity to spend nine days in the Dominican Republic.  We went with four other couples and stayed at the Majestic Elegance Hotel.  What an experience!  It's one of those things that you have to experience yourself to understand.  Everything was just perfect, from the hotel and the beach to the excursions and sites we saw.  Here is a quick summary of each day.

Feb. 6- We arrived in Punta Cana around 2:00 P.M. Right away, the warm tropical air wraps around you and makes you excited for what's to come.  We were transported by bus to our hotel which was gorgeous!  Right on the beach and decked out with everything you'd need to make it an unforgettable time.  We were greeted by our personal butler, Jesus.  He was needless to say a little too helpful, and we were all a bit anxious to get to our rooms to change into swimsuits and hit the beach.  We eventually were able to do this and enjoyed the evening swimming and soaking up the sun.  We ate dinner with the other couples at a restaurant "See and Sea", which was delicious.  We were also introduced to the tropical drinks.  YUM!!  Although the waiters never did get use to us ordering drinks without alcohol.  ha ha

Feb. 7- Laid on the beach.  Played in the waves.  Walked along the coastline.  Need I say more?  We also were dragged into the hotel "Olympics" by the over zealous crew, and we won.  It was fun, once we got past the "cheer" they wanted us to do.  That's another story though.  Tonight, after dinner, there was a Michael Jackson show in the theatre.  We went to it for awhile, but left after awhile of loudness.

Feb. 8-  Today we spent the morning at the beach and then the afternoon we spent zip lining through the mountainous jungles.  That was an experience.  The bus ride to the spot was even an adventure.  We were on, well...not roads.  It was a great ride to see the countryside.  The zip lining was one of those things where you thought, "Is this really happening?"  When else can you be alone soaring over jungles, rivers and trees?  It was breathtaking. 

Feb. 9- This was a dayful!!  We started bright and early at 6:00 and took an airplane up to Samana.  We then boarded a bus and drove to a place where we learned about the culture and crops.  We were able to sample many things, which their hot chocolate is delicious!!  Then we were given rubber boots, (which we put on unwillingly) and a horse and we headed off on a not so smooth ride to waterfalls.  Once there we swam in the waterfalls and pools.  Absolutely beautiful!!  Then we headed back for a fabulous lunch they had prepared us.  Then it was back on the bus to drive to Samana bay to go whale watching.  Whale watching was a complete rush!  Anytime anyone saw a whale, the excitement in the boat was just fun.  To see those beautiful creatures was worth everything!  WOW!  It was a beautiful day!  We learned alot about Dominican Republic today.  Saw a lot.

Feb. 10-  Today was a relaxing day, and it was nice from our busy day yesterday.  We just hung out with our friends on the beach.  We tried to find a chapel to go to church, but it was difficult with the language barrier and with no phone number to the church.  Kyle and I both decided we really really want to learn Spanish better. 

Feb. 11- We played in really big waves today, and boogie boards.  It was so much fun!  Tonight we danced and danced outside to the music the hotel was playing.  Kyle and I won a dance competition which was really fun to do with everyone. 

Feb. 12- Just enjoyed another day at the beach.  We couldn't get enough of the beach.  It was FABULOUS!!  Just beautiful water and the sand was so soft and white.  Tonight, we laid out on a cabana and looked at the stars while the waves crashed on the shore.  Breathtaking. 

Feb. 13- Enjoyed our last morning by going to the beach again.  We swam a little in the pools.  Then it was time to pack up and go home.  It's been a wonderful vacation!! 

Baby Lou, I love you.  You make life perfect.