Easter, etc.

We hope everyone had a lovely Easter. My tulips bloomed just in time to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior.


First things first. I made E's Easter dress this year. Yes, I am proud. But really it was simple and fun. I even used extra fabric to cover a headband to match.


Our morning started out at a brunch at church. Don't you love the look I'm getting from my daughter?


How handsome is my V?



The picture doesn't really do it justice, but I put flowers on the cross in front of the church and I was really pleased with how it turned out.


J and his buddy Wes.


V was ticked with the the bunny he got from Grandma Linda.




We colored eggs Friday night.

Saturday was pouring, and friends invited us to go bowling. Let it be known that i still suck at it. Only twice, when I threw the ball did I NOT get a gutter ball.

But the kids loved it.

V has taken up singing with our microphone. It cracks me up that he know what to do with it, because there are no batteries in it.

One sunny day we took him outside and he just wandered around "talking" the entire time with hand gestures. It must have been something important.

One not so sunny day we had hail. This was one of the bigger pieces that Den heroically ran out to get for us.

Happy Easter

This is an ocotillo, my favorite cactus. When we were out west for Christmas, this one was blooming in the desert. I love how vibrant the blooms are, but if you look below they grow above some serious thorns. Just like our lives. God has something beautiful planned for us but there seems to be thorns along the way. A few posts ago I announced that we were having another baby. On Thursday we found out that I had a miscarriage. I had some signs leading up to it, so it was not a huge shock, but still very disappointing. The kids have handled it so well. When Dennis told them that they now have a sibling waiting for them in heaven, they both responded with a "I wish we could go there now!" I love how their childlike faith can embrace the concept of heaven and their baby brother or sister safe in the arms of Jesus so easily. God has given us a blanket of perspective in all of this. I felt immediately covered in how we are so blessed with three beautiful children, protected from a harder situation if I had been further along in the pregnancy, and surrounded by prayers, loved ones and having others close by that have been through similar experiences. I feel like I don't really know how to grieve, I'll be fine then in a funk. But I can truly say that I feel His peace around me and my family, and I have a hope that isn't just a daydream, but something real.

I know many of you know, but for those that didn't or that I haven't talked to, I just wanted to have you hear it from me. Please don't take it personally if we haven't spoken on the phone or face to face. Honestly, I'm a bit talked out. However know that I have been eating up your notes of encouragement, and feeling comfort from the Father because of your prayers. I remember being on the other side of this with others and not knowing what to do or say. So I'll tell you. Don't be afraid to ask about it. I'll probably be fine to talk and if I don't want to talk about it I'll be honest, just don't be offended. Thanks again for all the love.

Baby Launch

Inching closer

My friend Tina and I have this ongoing banter about the weather. She'll say something like, "Wasn't the weather beautiful today? Did you get outside?" I'll answer like a cynic with, "It was to breezy." Or, "There were too many clouds in the sky." Really, I'm a positive person, but I grew up in the land of nearly perfect winters, so I'm a bit picky. Of course I have adjusted and it's more of a tease to each other now. Therefore, a few nights ago, when it seemed like we were truly inching closer to warmer days (it was in the 20's the past couple nights) we headed out with the kids. They LOVE it when we are all out there. We need to do this more.

He's always ON. Wonder where he gets that from?

The sunset was so pretty and E was kind enough to let me play with my cam. I tried it on a couple different settings, which I don't think turned out so great on all of them. But still, the light was pretty and so was she. She wanted to do some silly ones at the end.

Slumber Party

All four nieces, 3 E's and an A, stayed the night on Saturday.



Of course there was dress up. We had a fashion show where we played music and I announced each one so they could come up and dance for the camera on their own.

She IS laughing, not crying.

Of course V could not be left out.

They camped out in the toy room downstairs.

Ella didn't get the memo.

After a breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes, they played what they called a game. From what I could tell they took turns asking questions about God. I heard my E ask "Do you think that God would rip Elliot's dress?" To which the others girls replied, "NOOOOO!"

Then they lined up on the couch and read books.

It was a fun evening and morning. My sister in law had the idea that we do this once a month, rotating where the kids go. Last month we had no kids, and next month we'll have all the boys, and then May should be our break again. So far so good, and the kids of course love it.

Sunday we celebrated Den's grandma's bday.

It was beautiful outside.

On another warm day we stepped out to enjoy it.

This pic and the next were taken by J.

First bike ride up the road for this year. J is actually riding his 2 wheeler now with no training wheels. He was nervous about getting off since he is still a bit short for it. But we conquered that fear and he's dong great!

V was the first one to get sick. He would just lay there, so pitiful. J decided to read to him, so sweet. Pray that it leaves our house soon!

around here

Let's first talk about this guy. He's walking. Officially walking, and very independent about it. Don't try holding his hand, he's not having that. He loves following his brother and sister around, books, balls, animals and anything soft. He says: ba (ball), mum(that's me), da, (daddy), la (light), saaaa (soft...this is what i think) and lots of ahhhs, for hugs and feeling anything soft.


He likes to do this


and this.


J couldn't be left out.


Den took E to dance last night and afterwards they went out to dinner for a date.


Again, boys could not be left out.


dance dance!