Happy Easter!

When you have little ones, you get through with all the silly and fun things about Easter early. There is more reflection on the true meaning of Easter later in my post, but the kids are pretty darn cute so I'm getting the pictures out of the way first.

Ayden came in our room at 6:30 to tell us the Easter bunny had been to our house. We managed to hold him off until almost 8:00. The four older kids had already ransacked the baskets and eaten some candy but the Easter bunny had left eggs out in the backyard! Ayden was ready to go get them. Bobby and I forced ourselves out of bed and down the stairs. The rest of this story can be told in pictures:

Dillon loved his bunny, well, before he realized there was candy too.
Caleb went after the Easter bunny's tail!
Seth has already had too much sugar.
Then Daddy helped Dillon discover the candy.
We headed outside to find some eggs, Ayden wasted no time. I couldn't even get a clear picture of the kid.
Caleb wasted no time and already knew what he was going for. The Easter bunny visited his bike.
Seth wasn't even looking for eggs, he missed one right in front of him. Can you see it?
Dillon wanted the candy INSIDE the eggs.
They weren't too hard to find for Brooklyn.
Ayden found the rest of his!
It was fun for the children to hunt for the eggs and discover the chocolate and jelly beans. I love to watch my children enjoy the beautiful spring weather after a cold winter. However, Easter is so much more than candy, toys, and the Easter Bunny. I know this. I have talked to our children about this, though probably not enough. All of the symbols: the eggs, the chicks, the bunnies, the lamb - they all celebrate new life, rebirth, starting new, clean and fresh. Because of the sacrifice of our Savior, we will all be able to be resurrected as he was. Many Christians use the cross to celebrate and remember this day. It is significant, I know that, but I was taught to remember two additional things on this day that represent, to me, what Easter is all about. First, I remember how Christ suffered and bled in the Garden of Gethsemane for my sins. That act is why my sins can be forgiven. I also choose to focus on the idea that even though he died, he rose again! He was resurrected on the third day and that is why we celebrate Easter. So, as we look for the eggs in the yard, we need to remember the women who came to his tomb on that third day to discover he was not there. I can not imagine how they felt when they saw the stone rolled away and the ache in their hearts, only then to actually see him, in the flesh again. This is what gives me hope. Even though I am imperfect and have sinned over and over again, I will have that chance to be made pure and perfect again. I am grateful for the sacrifice of my Savior and my Father in Heaven. I am grateful that He came to set the example for us and I love to have a special day each year where I can reflect on this sacrifice and what it means in my life and the life of my children. This is my testimony. Thank you for letting me share that and Happy Easter everyone.

So, What Does An 11 Year Old Take Pictures Of With Her Digital Camera?

A camera that is nicer than her parents? A camera that Santa brought her, that she begged for? Take a little trip with me, if you dare, into what it so important that Brooklyn felt the need to photograph it.
Nice, huh? Yeah, if you are self-obsessed or creating umpteen different versions of "portrait of the artist as a young girl".

I did like this shot, so precious:
And this is sticky sweet (that was fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookie goo):
She was even so generous as to loan the camera to her brother for his field trip. My favorite shot is the one up some famous dead guy's nose.... I'm sure whoever it is, is very proud.

Seth's baptism part 2

I realized that I posted that slide show on the day of his baptism and never got around to posting pictures of the actual event. It went as smoothly as an event like that can go. Everyone was there on time, including us. We remembered towels and underwear (for after the baptism, I forgot that with Caleb). There were more people there than I had thought there would be, which was great. Brooklyn did a fantastic job on her talk and Craig Giffin finished off the day with his talk on the Holy Ghost. Seth beamed and Bobby gave him the most beautiful, thoughtful blessing. Ayden and Dillon were loud but not overly so and it was controllable. It was such a wonderful experience and very sweet. I wish I had posted about it sooner so I could relate more of what happened but life marched on and I just have not stopped. Whenever life is slow, I get restless and wish we had more going on. Then, we do get a lot going on and all I want to do is crawl in bed and sleep! Here are some shots from the day. We didn't get too many because Bobby was rushing me to start on time :D

Seth arrives at the church, suit on, hair only slightly messy.
All of the boys kept running over to watch the font fill up with water. The water started out very hot but the hot water ran out before the font was full and Bobby and Seth both agreed it was rather frigid.

We took the "Mormon Baptism Photo" once the boys get on their jumpsuits. (They were borrowed and Seth's was huge! It was pretty funny, this was the smaller of the two)
Seth, Brooklyn and Caleb in "I love my sibling" mode, don't worry it was short lived.
Seth, only slightly damp and definitely looking more mature.
I love this kid!
If you have been baptized, what do you remember most from your baptism?

Maybe there is a reason I don't stay home

I only ever wanted to be a stay at home mom. I have always loved children. I did get my degree because it seemed the wise, logical thing to do and my parents paid for it. Thank goodness they did because I have had to work outside of my home my entire adult life. I did not do it so I could afford a nice car or a better home. I did not do it because I did not feel satisfied being home with my children. I have worked out of necessity. I figure teaching is great because I get to be home with them on my vacations. It's kind of like my consolation prize. However, after days like today, maybe there is some bigger reason out there that I've never been able to stay home. Maybe my Heavenly Father knows something about me that I've never had to find out. I am just not equipped for it.

I was home today because of this little guy,
Ayden got sick Saturday night and just when we thought he was all better he got sick Sunday night. He slept most of Monday and wouldn't eat for Bobby so I kept him home today. He has been a handful. He still really won't eat. He sure does ask for food but, then, will not eat it. Nothing frustrates me more! He also broke the lid off of the toilet. He was standing on it, for the millionth time, and I was telling him to get off, for the millionth time. Well, the toilet lid took care of Ayden by itself and just slid right off and broke. I was thrilled. He told me it was, "just an accident it ok Mommy.'

Knowing that I was home was too much temptation for this one,
He went to the nurse's office twice. On the second visit the nurse pretty much insists that you pick them up, even without a fever. Shall I vent here about elementary schools? No, I'll save that for another time. He is not sick. Do not feel sorry for him. His temperature is normal. He ate all his lunch and snack. He is fine. But he is home. That frustrated me too. He asked if I was mad. How can I get mad? Everyone likes a mental health day I guess.

Since Ayden is home, this one is home too,
I have wiped his nose more times than I can count, snuggled his head, rocked him, kissed him and listened as he has tried out all his new words. He asked, 'where da da', he yelled, 'thank you' about ten times and said, 'hi' as he waved to all the children at Seth's school. Now, after three tries, I think he is down for a nap.

Am I cut out for this type of activity day after day? Actually, I really think I am. How do you moms that stay home do it? If you don't stay home with your kids, would you?

Prioritize

That is what I need to do here...

I am reading this in celebration of the movie coming out and since it's been quite a while since I read it:
This I bought for myself since I read the real Pride and Prejudice. I promised myself I would not read this one until I read the real one, it's pretty funny so far:
I'm on our visiting author committee at school and it is Roland Smith. I had not read any of his books before so I read one called Thunder Cave and enjoyed it so now I am reading the sequel:
In the midst of reading the second book I was told he will not be discussing either of the books I had read but would I like to read one with my class that he would be talking about. So we ordered this one and I am starting it this weekend:
So many books, so little time... Oh, and I forgot to mention that I am reading this one with Seth...

Seth's baptism

I made this slideshow for Seth's baptism. After we're finished I'll update with some pictures!

Nasty weather calls for a good, warm dinner

Monday we had no school. Yesterday we were back for a full day. It was the day my cold, or whatever I have, decided to hit me full force. It was a good day, but I felt horrible! As I sat at my desk, head pounding, nose stuffy, coughing and sneezing, all I could think about was being on the couch at home, under a blanket with a steamy bowl of soup. I called Bobby and asked him what he thought about having that Italian sausage stew that my friend, Stacey, posted on facebook. This stuff is not only delicious and filling but it's pretty too.

I had to stop by the store since we didn't have the sausage and it began to rain. Isn't that always the way? I did get lucky in that the sausage was on sale for more than $2 dollars off! I bought three packs. I made it home a tad wet, sicker than when I got up that morning but totally looking forward to dinner. Bobby had everything else out, ready to cook. I wrapped up on the couch with a blanket and breathed in the sweet, spicy aroma of sizzling sausage. It was ready quickly and at the same time sleet began to fall. On a night like this (there is sleet, the camera just didn't catch it)

I had picked the perfect meal and Bobby delivered. Everyone enjoyed!