EASTERS 2010

Easter weekend was a blast! We were busy from sun up to sun down. Friday we boiled the eggs up for some Easter egg dying fun! The boys were extremely excited and did a great job! This is the first year they were old enough to dye the eggs. That night Jared and I joined his family at Joe's BBQ for a birthday dinner for his dad. Several of the siblings joined us and it was fun chatting with everyone. It's not usual that Jared's siblings are able to get together without kids!

Saturday morning we watched General Conference over at Jared's parents house with Jared's brother, Porter and his wife, Karla. After a delicious lunch at Tia Rosa's we continued with Conference. The girls and the kids then headed for the mall for a little bit of shopping. We were quite the sight with 4 strollers and 5 kids.

I really, really enjoyed both Saturday sessions. I loved the theme of family and parenting. It's safe to say that I am now feeling like I need to "step it up" as a mother!

Easter morning Jared and I watched the boys as they hunted around for plenty of hidden Easter eggs and pigged out on the candy from their Easter baskets. So fun. In between the Sunday sessions of General Conference we again joined Jared's parents and some siblings for an Easter brunch. My new favorite, German pancakes were served, along with Jared's parents famous omelets, plenty of fruit, bread, and orange juice! Yummy. I could eat breakfast all day long!

That afternoon the little cousins participated in an Easter egg hunt in the backyard while the Easter Bunny hopped around after them. Yes, that's right...we now are the proud owners of a bunny. Jared surprised us all when he came home with a bunny Saturday night.

Wait, we're not done yet! After Conference we rushed home to get ready for a dessert get-together with my family. I think I could eat dessert all day long too. In fact that's what I did. Candy for breakfast, a sweet brunch for lunch, no dinner, and dessert! Doesn't get any better than that. It was nice seeing my family. What a Happy Easter!

TODAY

Today I am grateful for children and their imagination.

Wyatt and Luke happily played with their cousin Abbey...

And the couch cushions.

I was happy to have a little time to myself.

Thank you.

Isn't it funny how they chose to abandon a whole room full of toys for some furniture?

LOVE HIM

This past month I have not been very positive.

There, I said it! I have struggled with being happy. I am thankful for all that I have, but I don't think I truly recognize how blessed I am. I let too many unimportant things get in the way of my happiness.

This past month I have been feeling unmotivated and stressed. There are so many things to do and so little time to do them all. I stress when I realize at the end of the day I didn't get much done. I haven't been very good at prioritizing my life.

I feel guilty at the end of each day when I realize I don't spend enough time with my kids. I feel like a bad mom. I am impatient. I am tired...I really could go on and on...but I won't. Instead of pointing out and focusing on all the negative, which I am oh-so- good-at! I have decided to look for the positive in each day. My plan is to blog each day about something positive/happy about the day. By doing this I am hoping I will focus more on the good each day rather than the bad! So, without further adieu, here goes... One of the good things about today.

JARED

I love this man very much and I am one lucky girl to have him! This morning as I was feeling unmotivated and pretty down on myself he listened and comforted me. He called in late to work and gave me the attention that I needed. I felt much better after he let me talk and explain how I was feeling. I am thankful for him in my life.

He is funny.

He is talented.

He is loving.

He is faithful.

He is dedicated.

But best of all, he loves me, no matter what.

He tells me every day how beautiful I am.

He is perfect for me.

Today I am thankful for my husband and best friend.

ATTENTION!...

Luke would like to warn every kid out there who may read this...

Do not jump off of this...

while trying to land on this...

Never, ever, ever attempt this at home or you too could end up with a broken bone.

Sincerely, Luke Williams

Sunday evening just before getting ready to go visit with family, Luke (our "jumper") decided to try a really awesome trick! Nobody saw what really happened, but according to Luke he jumped off the table and tried to land on his soccer ball. I was in the kitchen and heard what sounded like a crack. Jared heard something more like a slap... we all heard the cry. We assumed Luke had jumped and slapped his legs together, but we couldn't get a real clear answer because Luke continued to cry for at least 30 min. and then off and on after that for another hour or so. No swelling, no bruising...but he wouldn't put any pressure on it. We put him to bed with some Tylenol and the next morning I made an appointment for him to see the doctor. He still wouldn't put any pressure on it, and just sat wherever I carried him. That's not normal for our active 2 year old. Yesterday was a loooong day. Luckily my in-laws took Wyatt and Levi for me while Luke and I drove from one doctor to the next. After we were finally done and in the car Luke (who had been counting) told me that we had been to 3 doctors! Our first appointment the pediatrician looked at it and then sent us to get an x-ray. We had to take the x-ray back to the pediatrician who was certain that it was broken. He then sent us to the orthopedic surgeon who didn't see a real clean break, but said it was broken and put the cast on. Apparently kids don't ever bruise...they break, so although we couldn't tell a whole lot from the x-ray, it is broken just over the ankle.

Luke was absolutely perfect the entire day. He was my little buddy and I really enjoyed the one-on-one time we got. He sat on my lap, or right next to me playing the I-touch most of the time. While at the orthopedic surgeon we read most of the books in the waiting room (at least 10). Luke looked so pathetic with his leg all bandaged up, and most of the time was the only kid in the waiting room, so people couldn't resist talking to him and asking us what happened. We both enjoyed our delicious lunch at Paradise Bakery....Luke even got to pick out his own cookies! When we were picking out the cast color he wouldn't tell the doctor what color he wanted, so I jokingly asked him if he wanted pink...He said he did! I then mentioned blue and his eyes lit up. He knows Wyatt loves blue and couldn't wait to show him! While getting his cast on he giggled excitedly the whole time...It was all fun and games until we got to grandma's and he told her to take it off! The good news is that he will just have to have it for 2-3 weeks or until he starts running on it. Oh. What. A. Day!

OH DEAR

Wow...yesterday afternoon was quite the day. I don't want to sound like I am complaining, but I wanted to type this out so I can always remember. It seems I forget a little too quickly these days. Motherhood, I guess. Yesterday I took all 3 boys to the grocery store with me. I don't usually enjoy taking 3 children under the age of 5 to the store, but I had to pick a few things up for dinner, so I didn't know what else to do. It didn't help that Levi was hungry. I gave the boys a pep talk on the way, explaining that I would get them a treat if they stayed right by me. Before we even get in, Luke is asking non-stop if he can have a treat, and Levi was already cranky. Just crossing the street to get into the store is a chore! Once in the store the boys began touching everything and didn't stay by my side at all. I must have called their names a hundred times within the first 10 min. So, we're almost done with our shopping...Levi is now crying and I've lost the boys attention in the toy isle. After picking up a treat for Levi and opening it right there, he calms down a little. Keep in mind all of the stares and sympathy looks I am getting my way...I appreciate help, but I don't want anyone feeling sorry for me...there goes my pride getting in the way! So then my worst fear comes true...why do my kids always have to go potty in public restrooms? Never fails. Luke (who is newly potty-trained...yeah!) is looking like he needs to go. Oh great! We rush over to the bathroom and I am not sure what to do. Here I have a cart full of groceries, a grouchy baby, a 4 year old, and a 2 year old who has to potty. Luckily Wyatt is willing to help...So, I send him in with Luke hoping he just has to do a #1. I open the door periodically to make sure they're OK. Well, of course Luke has to do a #2, so Wyatt is calling for my help. Here's where things get real fun. I grab Levi out of the cart and walk in. The toilet seat was up and Luke is sitting on the dirtiest part of the toilet, in my opinion. As I get in there he falls in because the toilet is too big without the seat. So, now he has #2 juice on the back of his shirt (I know, TMI). I also notice that he has pee-peed all over the floor...whoops...and his clothes are lying all around. I am pretty sure there wasn't any air in the tiny bathroom. Levi is squirming in my arms, I am telling Luke to hurry, and Wyatt is touching everything in sight. I tell Wyatt to go wash his hands and that's when he tells me that earlier he got some #2 on his finger....great. Luke finally finishes up and I hand Levi to Wyatt. Levi squirms out of Wyatt's arms, and crawls into the pee-pee on the floor. I get mad at Wyatt, quickly pick Levi up, and try to clean Luke while holding a 9 month old who is pulling my hair...and Wyatt is touching everything again. I've lost all control by now and am seriously sweaty. I almost started crying right then and there. I walked out of there wishing I was still here...(that's another post). The next time I am tempted to quickly run into the grocery store with all 3 boys I hope I will remember to read this!!

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

What a lovely day. I enjoyed everything about Valentine's Day this year; from the decorations down to the chocolate covered strawberries! The boys even got into it...sharing sugar cookies at school, decorating and delivering valentine's cards, helping dad pick out the perfect gift...just lovely. Jared and I went out on our Valentine date last night, Saturday night. Dinner and a movie. We finally saw The Blind Side...and loved it. No joke, every time we wanted to see it, it was sold out! I love my Valentine and am always happy to spend time with him! This morning the boys opened up their gifts... bubbles, sidewalk chalk. pez candies. You would've thought it was Christmas by how excited they were! Love was in the air today. Our day was filled with lots of hugs, kisses, sweets, and "I love You's." At the end of the night Wyatt exclaimed, "I love this day!"

If you can believe it, judging by the picture, Levi has been sick with bronchiolitis and a double ear infection since Monday, and he is still a happy little guy.

"Cheat you up"

Wyatt has been saying this for the past couple of days... I think it's because he watched the video of Cameron and I at London's Run. On the video I grabbed Cameron's shirt when he ran out in front of me, and he asked me why I did that? I told him that I didn't want Cameron to beat me, so I grabbed his shirt. Jared mentioned to Wyatt that I was trying to cheat!

who, me?
Wyatt found these glasses Jared brought home from work the other day. He thought they were so cool, and perfect for "cheating you up!" Jared asked how they worked?
Can't figure it out? It's genius! The part that sticks out could be used to grab some one's shirt... Get it now? Wow, these are cool!