Easter

The Saturday before Easter was filled with neighbors and Easter egg hunts and decorating cookies. We got so involved in decorating Easter egg cookies that the hard-boiled chicken eggs went undyed this year. BUT, the Easter Bunny DID come and hide the baskets for our little family for Sunday morning, which is a family tradition that I enjoy carrying on to the next generation.

Isn't it funny how much those little things matter as much as they do? The year in, year out traditions of my childhood like, going to the cabin in Idaho every year & shopping for a souvenier at Macks Inn, floating down the Snake River with sisters and cousins, card games, eating "garbage", singing Aunt Nola's traditional songs, sleeping in a big pile with everyone, tickling backs, Yellowstone National Park and feeding bread to the ducks, watching our parents enjoy the relationships with my dad's siblings and their spouses. Then there are the yearly family reunions-alternating years in Utah and Southern California and having such fun with our cousins. Christmas mornings we'd line up on the stairs to come down to the tree to open our presents-after waiting for dad to light the fire (which felt like an eternity!). Easter, always with hidden easter baskets filled with treats found with the thrill of running around with your sisters and trying to find where yours is THIS year. Putting "makeup" on dad using the malted milk easter eggs-I swear they used to have so much more color that came off of them.

All of these memories (and more) hold alot of happiness and power for me in my life. I want my children to experience traditions that come each year-over and over again-consistently. It is the FEELING of the traditions that stay with me, not what I got for Christmas, or Easter-I don't even remember what most of those gifts were that I wanted so much.

Seems the neighbors here have some great Easter traditions within the circle. Great Easter egg hunts and fun with all the kids, even the older teenagers. I am so grateful where we live, for great neighbors and help with fun holiday traditions.

Ironically, on top of all of this, there is an undercurrent of sadness that seems to come with the holidays. I'm still not exactly sure what that is about, but it is lessening over the years. This year it popped up and surprised me. Nevertheless, I had fun and felt grateful for great friends and neighbors that helped ease this uneasy feeling.

Note to Self: Sometimes just pull it together for the kids & focus on just keeping traditions.

I have a new office!

I am so excited to have my own office, with a door and a window! Looking forward to creating a space of my own. I can't wait to decorate and practice some office feng shui and organization with my limited knowledge in that area. Things are flowing!!! I'll decorate and post some pics.

Brunch with Jimmy, Marcus and Chad

I feel so blessed to have such great friends that have been with me throughout the years. Chad Lott and Jimmy Martinez are the kind of friends that everyone should have. They've seen me through alot of years and all of my children. First with Kaylee, now with Gracie and Will.

It was so great to see Jimmy after such a long hiatus and he was very excited to meet my two young ones. The kids loved him! They also love Uncle Chad. Uncle Chad took Will to the bathroom for me, because Will was saying he had to poop. A bit later they came back. No poop, Chad tells me. Then he diapered Will. Good work, Chad. We also got to go and see Chad's new salon that is in the middle of demolition. It is so exciting! Way to go Chad!

Note to self: Thank God for great friends. Stay in better touch with Jimmy.

More with the Birthday Boy

Grandma Betty stopped by with Will's present the other night. He had so wanted the game Candyland, and, of course, Grandma delivered. Anything to do with candy will excite Will to no end. He was over the moon, and we had to play a round of Candyland immedieately.

Saturday, at the last minute, I took the kids to ChuckECheese. With it being in Sandy and a Saturday afternoon, we called to see if Grandma Betty might want to join us-which she did. Will thought that every birthday song and cake was all about him and his birthday. He'd march around in the line behind ChuckECheese all proud and happy. Glad he loves his birthday so much. I do, too. His birth was one of the greatest days and accomplishments of my life. More happy birthday to you, Will.

Note to Self: Enjoy your children more.

Birthday Boy

Will had a great birthday. If you even mention birthday his whole face lights up. I decorated his chair at the kitchen table with balloons and crepe paper. He was thrilled. He told everyone he could that it was his birthday and that he is a "big boy". He is so happy. Our neighbors and friends the Wrights, brought Will a super cool light saber, which glows green. It was a hit. Amma knitted him 2 more animals for his collection(which include a giraffe and an elephant)-a zebra and a lion. His daddy sent a bag full of gifts and he particularly loved the slinky. Gracie got him a big blue bouncy ball, which they both love. He got his favorite move-"Shark Boy, Lava Girl" and we are still awaiting the delivery of Bendaroos. Will thinks those are the bomb!

Happy Birthday, Will! I cannot believe you are 3. I am so grateful to be your mom and look forward to all the joy you bring to our family. You are the best!

Juniper Glory

My friend Priscilla had Juniper Glory "Junie" on March 6 at 2am. I'm told by Angie that Priscilla was amazing and dignified. I missed the 3 hr. homebirth-sadly-my friend Pam across the street had turned her phone off earlier in the day while she napped and forgot to turn it back on. Angie kept me posted as Junie was born -quickly and gracefully. I am so proud of my friend Priscilla and welcome baby Junie to the world. Congratulations!

Note to Self: Enjoy other people's babies, because there are no more babies coming from me. Even though Gracie & Will ask for one often.

Liberty Grace & Liberty Grace

Our sweet friends chose to name their little girl Liberty Grace, just like my Liberty Grace. It's pretty cool because they both go by Gracie, at least for now. I still love the name Liberty, too.