Please bless Mom and Hallee to obey me!

Wyatt prayed for me and Hallee to obey him the other day, I don't think that prayer was answered in the way he was hoping!

I was so excited that Katie and the kids came into town last week!  Hallee warmed right up to Katie.  Hallee had fun playing with her. 

Wyatt was so excited to play with Boston.  I couldn't believe how much Boston had grown up and changed.

I pulled Jonah out of school that morning so he could have time to play with Kiara.  These two are so funny.  They both talk about marrying each other.  They had a lot of fun playing together and Jonah loves showing off for Kiara.

Later in the afternoon I pulled Caitlyn out of school so she could have some more time with Kiara.  Jonah was mad when she got home.  He likes to have people all to himself!  He finally changed his attitude and the three of them had a great time playing outside together.

On Thursday we had Tiff, Audrey and Katie over.  The kids all had a blast and we had fun talking and laughing!

Thursday was crazy.  Right after they all left I had activity days at my house, which I had to end early so we could get to the school to watch the kids perform their dances and songs that they have been learning in fine arts.  Jonah was really serious during it all.

Caitlyn did a great job and loved doing it.  She loves things like this. Each grade had a performance.

As soon as Caitlyn's dance was over we raced over to Jonah's soccer game.  It was a frustrating game because the coach just sat there and didn't do anything. The only thing he does is substitutions and he doesn't know any of the kid's names, so he really can't even do that.  Keith sat back and didn't step in, but he decided he is just going to step in from now on.   I don't know how people are busy all the time do it.  I was a nervous wreck all night worrying about getting to the next thing.  I'm so glad that isn't the norm for us!

It was really cold that night so we all stayed under the blanket to watch Jonah's game.

Friday night just the girls went out.  It was so much fun.  I love these girls so much.  It is so great to be with people who know everything about you and love you anyway! It was a late night, but totally worth missing the sleep!  Now I'm depressed about Katie moving all over again.

On a side note Hallee went to nursery all by herself for the first time today.  I took her in there and I told her I was leaving and she told me goodbye and stayed by herself.  I don't know what the difference was today, but it was sure great to sit in my classes and not have to wrestle her.  She is growing up!

Earth Day Program

Every year the 3rd graders put on an Earth Day program.  Caitlyn got to do it last year because she was in the split class.  She was looking forward to doing it again this year.  Hallee ran right over to Caitlyn when we got there.  Caitlyn had fun showing her off to her friends.

Caitlyn is so photogenic, she looks beautiful in every picture!

She did a great job and knew every song.  She loves to perform.  The songs are really catchy and stay in your mind for a long time. 

She regretted not volunteering for a speaking part, but she ended up getting one today.  She pretty much had the whole program memorized so when someone didn't show up today Caitlyn already knew her part and was able to fill in for her.  She did great!

She was happy that grandma was there to watch her.  Hallee sat on grandma's lap the whole time and watched the program.  It was great!

Keith was able to leave work early and watch with us.  It meant a lot to Caitlyn that we were all there watching her. 

Hallee looked so cute and grown up today. 

After the program we checked Caitlyn out of school.  We only had about 45 minutes before we had to go back and pick up Jonah so we went over to Walmart.  Caitlyn is such a great big sister.  She wanted to carry Hallee around the store.

We stopped and got some ice cream at McDonalds.

I was so grateful that Hallee went down for an early nap so she was awake by the time we needed to go.  It would not have been pretty if she was exhausted during the program!

Easter at Grandma's

The kids look forward to the Easter Egg hunt at grandma's every year.  Caitlyn was sad that Amarie was home sick.  Caitlyn and Jonah were both excited that they found money in some eggs.  It gave Jonah just enough for a soccer ball he wanted and put Caitlyn that much closer to her Kindle that she is saving for.

The four little ones had their own hunt.  Hallee was funny to watch.  She would have her eye on a certain egg and walk by a bunch of other eggs to get it.

Wyatt had a blast and was actually happy for a few minutes!

Wyatt and Rockwell wouldn't let me take a picture of them.

It was nice to spend the evening with family!

More Hunts

Friday night, Caitlyn and Jonah slept over at Mel's house.  They were so excited they could hardly stand it.  They love being over there.  Jonah felt so important walking to 7-11 and Cold Stone with EJ.  EJ is so nice and shared his gift card to Cold Stone, Jonah thinks it is free since they didn't use cash!  Caitlyn and Amarie had a blast.  Keith and I enjoyed just having two kids at home.  We put them to bed early and got a movie.  It was so nice.

Saturday morning we took Wyatt and Hallee to an Easter Egg hunt at a High School nearby.  Wyatt is so excited about Easter this year. It has been a lot of fun seeing his excitement.

Hallee had a hard time waiting for the hunt to start.

They were both in the youngest group and there was plenty of candy for everyone. 

There was a ton of candy in the grass.  Wyatt filled up his whole bucket with taffy.  They loved chasing down all the candy.

After the hunt we went and picked up Jonah for his soccer game and Mel kept Wyatt.  Wyatt was so excited to play at Mel's house.  They were going to an Easter Egg hunt at their church and invited Caitlyn and Wyatt to come along.  EJ was so sweet and offered to take Wyatt around with the little kids.  They both came home with full Easter baskets.  They both had so much fun.  We were going to color Easter Eggs that afternoon, but Keith ended up working on a clogged toilet all afternoon.  The neighbor boy was over and used the bathroom and Keith worked it for over two hours and still didn't get anywhere with it.  It is bad enough when it is your own family, but cleaning up a clogged toilet by someone else, disgusting!

Gandma and Grandpa's

On Saturday we went to Keith's parents for dinner and to celebrate Easter with them.  I was on the verge of nervous break down after grouchy kids and the toilet disaster.  Keith was frustrated too, so it was nice to get away from the problems and enjoy the night.  Keith's parents spoiled the kids with Easter baskets and treats.

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Jonah and Wyatt were thrilled that grandma said they could jump on their bed.  Crazy boys!

The kids were all excited to go outside and use their new bubbles.

Hallee was excited about everything she was seeing.  She loved the rocks and the little stream.

We walked down to feed the ducks.  There were a bunch of cute baby ducks that the kids liked throwing the bread to.

Hallee missed the point of feeding the ducks and enjoyed eating the bread herself.  She did finally have fun throwing some bread to the ducks.

I don't think we have very many pictures of Keith with his dad so I made them stop for a picture.

The kids all had fun running around the pond making sure all of the ducks got some bread.

It was a fun night.

Easter Morning

The kids were all excited to find their Easter baskets and eggs on Easter morning.  I was glad they were excited with them because they really didn't get much in their baskets.  They were all happy with what they got.

Wyatt was really excited about his bubbles!

Jonah is usually the last one to find his basket because we like to make his extra hard!

Hallee would not stop opening all of the eggs.  She was so excited with all of the little candy bars.  It was torture for her not to eat candy all morning.

Wyatt loved looking for more eggs!

Caitlyn and Jonah were good about leaving eggs for Wyatt and Hallee.

It was a fun morning.  I love the excitement that kids bring to everything.

Because of Him

There was a really neat video on lds.org called, "Because of Him."  It talked about all of the things that are possible because of Jesus Christ.  We watched it for Family Home Evening on Easter and it really brought the Spirit in our home.  I am so grateful for my Savior.  I am grateful that death is not the end and that we can be with our families forever because of Him.  I'm grateful that He always knows exactly how I feel and how to comfort me.  I remember last Easter when we had our Easter lesson and I felt the spirit so strong when we were talking to the kids about death not being the end.  Five days later Jen passed away.  While I was preparing my talk for her funeral my mind was drawn back to that Easter lesson.  I now understand that it was a tender mercy from my Heavenly Father, who knew I would needed that special witness at that time.  I am so grateful for my testimony of my Savior.

Because of Him I have been blessed with these sweet kids who bring me more joy than I thought possible.  I need to remember that when days are hard and children are grouchy!

Hallee was in a mood yesterday and didn't want to cooperate for pictures.

With some bribing we were able to get her to cooperate.

I have always wanted to be a mother and I am so grateful for each one of my children.

Caitlyn is amazing and so sensitive to all things Spiritual.  She has such a big heart and wants everyone to be happy. 

Jonah is hilarious.  He has all of the ingredients to go far in life.  He is so smart, funny, talented and he is a charmer.  He is the sweetest older brother.

Wyatt is so much fun.  He has the sweetest, little voice.  He says the funniest things.  He is very sensitive and will say "I love you" out of the blue. 

Hallee is so strong willed.  She will find a way to get what she wants.  She is so funny and loves to make other people laugh.  She uses so much expression when she talks.  She is adorable and so sweet.

I have felt overwhelmed with life a lot lately.  The kids have seemed extra difficult and everything in the house seems to be breaking.  It was great to sit down and write this post and focus on the important things in life. Life is hard, crazy and stressful, but it is also wonderful.  I'm so grateful for this crazy, stressful, wonderful life of mine!