I am becoming brave, trying new things!!! I don't know what I've been eating or what's in the water but I've been trying some new things. I know, I know, it's not that big of a deal but I'm the kind of person that sticks to the things I like and am comfortable with for a very long time. I've always had certain "favorites" and they don't seem to change, and I'm fine with that. Chocolate ice cream will always be my favorite, my fav color is always been purple, I've never liked shoes, I like certain styles in decorating and clothing even if they aren't the most popular (like those plaid shirts from the 80ies that are finally coming back in style). But lately, I've been trying some new things. I ordered some shoes online. They are nothing like I have ever worn, I probably won't be able to walk very well in them, and they are super high. Nothing like me. Then I cut my hair. I've had the same "do" forever. It's not the biggest change ever but it's a lot shorter then I've had it since 5th grade. The only reason it was so short then was because of all the medication I was on for my ears so my hair would never grow. I like it so far, still not sure what to do with it, but as long as I can pull it back I'm happy, and it will still go in the ponytail. Also, the dogs have never been allowed in the house but since Penny had 4 puppies I have to let her in the kitchen a lot to feed the rolly poly little fur balls. Also, I had to teach a lesson at church, to the adults!!! That was a first for me. I was trying really hard not to be too nervous and just go with the flow. I feel it went well. Chalk up another new thing for me!!!

Filling in the last foundation hole

-We filled the whole back of the truck up, by hand, with the remaining foundation dirt and unloaded it into the last hole we have!! So now, most of the dirt is gone and we just have 2 feet left to fill in and then we can start putting things back together on this end of the yard! Em was loving every minute of playing in the hole and digging in the dirt!!

Aunt Sherry's visit

-We always have so much fun when Aunt Sherry comes to visit! My mom had us over to dinner one night, so did Christy and we just get to spend a lot of time as a family and catch up!!! It doesn't matter if you live out of state, you can still be close to someone. When Aunt Sherry comes we get to really talk to her and find out what's happening down in sunny CA with our family. She always takes time to ask us about our lives and is very good at listening! I really enjoy our time spent together when she comes!

-Dad, Aunt Sherry and Grandma

Easter dinner

My parents always have us over for Easter dinner. I thought this was a cute picture of my parents and all their grandkis! There's Trevor, Lucy, Lainey, Emily, and Kevin!! Getting all of them in a picture is a little challenging at this point!!

My parents have us over for dinner, do an Easter egg hunt with the kids in the backyard, and we decorated Easter eggs. I know it's a lot of work for my mom but we all enjoy it. The kids have a blast.

backyard

Emily's favorite thing to do in the world is probably swing on the swingset!! She can be pushed for at least a half an hour straight without complaining!!!! The grass that this swing set is on is newly planted, it used to be the dirt mountain we had from doing the foundation. Behind these two you can see the unfinished garage!!

Me and Em, right after I got home from work one night. We have some gorgeous tulips. We have red, yellow, orange and a few pink ones!! Since Jason's mom was from Holland we planted a bunch of them when we moved in. They remind us of Lidy and spring!! Behind us is a section of the yard we've been working on. We have another small dirt hill, which is mostly gone now. I'm making it into a raised flower bed. To the left in this picture behind us is our "grave". We have had it covered with huge boards so no kids fall in. We got all the boards moved and filled up the truck with dirt (from the foundation dirt on the side of our house) and filled in most of the hole, there's about 2 feet left!! So we are making progress around here! At least the tulips give us a nice backdrop to our projects!!

-Jas and Em with our dogs, Penny and Ranger. Penny is the black and brown one and Ranger is all black.

-Em loves to help mow our jungle! We've been getting so much rain it's hard to keep up on keeping the grass short! It sure looks nice and green this spring.

family pics at Em's party

-My mom and Em playing with her new polly pockets

-me (in a rare picture) and Em

Christy, Lucy, Becky

-Kev, Teri, Trev, Em, Craig, Hope and Lainey


-Trying to get a picture with my parents, grandma and all the grandkids is quite challenging at this point!! Usually you can get one or two of the 5 to actually look at you!!! And usually one or more is trying to escape or crying!!! I'm glad we celebrate birthdays in our family. We don't go over the top but birthdays have always been a big deal in our family and we always get together for presents, cake and ice cream and a few pictures!!! I think it's cool that the kids have a great-grandma that is so involved in their lives. Not many kids can say that! Not many 32 year olds can say they have a grandma that attends so many family functions!!

Em's family birthday party

-Jason and my mom hanging out.
-Jason helping with Em's cake. She wanted a Cars cake (again, she had that for her 3rd birthday, but I'm not sure she remembers that). I can't believe Em is 5!! It seems like such a milestone. It doesn't seem possible that she's already going to go to school this year. It's amazing how much she's learned in 5 years!! Life to me is separated by before Em and after Em!!! They are totally different parts of my life. I am so grateful to be a mom and it's so fun. I really enjoy having my little side kick around!!

-Kev, Christy, Jason, Em and Trev

Em's family birthday party

Trev, Kev, and Em playing with her new doll house. Those 3 play pretty good together now. They are pretty inseparable. Lainey and Lucy are crawling now and very interested in what the older 3 are doing!!

Trevor, Kevin and Em checking out her new birthday presents. They all love to help unwrap each other's presents. I know they will grow out of it but I think it's cute!!

Some of my best friends!!!

This is Julie, me, and Ang (and Dax down below) at Emily's b-day party! These 2 have been my friends for what feels like forever!! I've known Ang since 2nd grade and we've been through a lot together, good times and bad. Through it all we've come to know that we can count on each other, share our deepest troubles and enjoy the happy times together.
I've known Jul since 4th grade, but we never (unfortunately) went to school together until college! Snow College was a great learning experience for us and we had a lot of fun. We've remained close even after college and I'm so grateful. I turn to these two when I have questions about kids, recipes, the gospel, family and when I need to vent!! Also, we share the joy in raising kids (relatively the same age as Em), we have fun together and support each other. We may not be able to see each other as frequently as we'd like but I know I can call them anytime and I'm grateful for their friendship!

Mother's day reminders

The Little Things:
Sometimes life gets you down. Sometimes it's stressful, a little too busy, or it can be the quiet mundane chores you are endlessly doing that wear you out but life is good. I love how little reminders pop up to refresh your memory of life's simple little pleasures. Also, I'm glad that sometimes I can be reminded of how good I have it. I was just reading on my cousins blog (Janice) about her gratitude that her husband has been cancer free now for 5 years. She talked about how many wonderful things have happened in their lives over the past 5 years. It's a reminder to be grateful for what you have when you have it!!

Mother's day reminds me of the fact that Jason's mom has been gone now for almost 9 years. I wonder what it would be like for Em to know her other grandma, the one we refer to as "the grandma who's in heaven." It's second nature for Em to say that and she's seen her picture and she knows where she is. I think it would of been nice for us to have more time with her, a lot more time. I only had a mother-in-law for the 1st 3 years of my marriage.

I also miss my grandma but I'm so grateful for the time we had with her. I was lucky to have her in my life for 32 years!! I'm grateful for the love she gave all of her family and she left us with such a legacy of love and faith. I am reminded that there's not a lot of meaningful things you can leave behind when you go, but love is one of those things. Grandma was the perfect example of what a grandma is supposed to be!

I'm grateful for the mom I have. I'm grateful for the things she's taught me and the love and dedication she gave (and still gives) to our family. I'm grateful that she taught me it's good to be a traditional mom and try and teach your kids some good old fashioned work ethic and values. I'm grateful for the good times we've had and the time we get to spend together.

I'm grateful for the oppurtunity I have to be a mom. It's such an incredible job!! Being a mother adds a whole new dimension to life. It is a lot of work and sometimes it is hard but it is so rewarding to get that hug, that painting with her handprints on it, that smile, that laugh. It's so peaceful to watch her sleeping!! It's such a sense of accomplishment when she can learn to write her own name, remember something we read about, and try new things. It keeps you young and reminds me of my childhood as I help her climb a tree, play with play-dough, and push her on the swing. I can see so many traits of Jason in her, and quite a few things she does reminds me of me when I was younger! I can also see things she got from her grandparents and even though one set isn't around to see it they would laugh to see her talking to complete strangers so comfortably. Anyone that knew Lidy knows that Em comes by this honestly. The way she teases everyone is just like Ray! It's fun to see all of the family traits in her and she comes with her own set of traits!! She is a very strong willed, fun loving little one!! It has been one of our struggles to not add more to our family but we sure are grateful for the one we have! I have no idea what we would do without her!!!

So I hope Mother's day will remind us to be thankful for what we have and remind us to enjoy it while we have it!! Life will throw some curve balls but there's always a rainbow after that fierce thundershower!!