The house went quiet and look who I found playing in the shower!

May day

Happy May Day! (These were officially handed out on May Day, I am officially behind on blogging!)

easter 2012

Holy week was very a special time this year as I was so thankful to be home more than I ever have been and got to have quality time with my kids as we focused on what the week was about. Here are some pics of fun moments, like egg hunts!

Dar and Kathy were up the weekend before Easter so Addelyn and Dar decorated our front tree (I can't take the credit for it!) Addelyn also got to have a fun little egg hunt in our backyard too.

Loving all the candy and other fun goodies.

 Our sweet little bunny, Jacers

 Beautifully decorated eggs

 Easter morning- we don't really celebrate the Easter bunny but talk about how things are made "new" and we get to have a few new things. Jacers, your new things include toys from your pile and new diapers. Sorry buddy but you don't know the difference. We also made Resurrection Rolls again this year. Note to self:  If the marshmallow isn't completely wrapped up in the crescent roll- it does not disappear (the marshmallow is supposed to represent Jesus and the crescent roll the tomb.) So after baking them, you should find that Jesus is not in the tomb, too bad this year, he was still there:) It was good teachable moment where some quick thinking led us to the fact that Jesus left the clothes he was wrapped in there so that is why there was some white left in the tomb!

 Already coloring, this girl could color night and day!!!

 After church, we headed for Easter dinner at Jen and Trav's house. We had an Easter egg hunt there too. The kids had a blast.

 The "big kids" got to find eggs too.

 Addelyn and Autumn LOVE to play together!

 Ohh the fun. A pinata too. I think Aunt Jiller ended up being the one to break it though!

sweet and sensitive

I often blog stories that show the sassy, funny, and sometimes sneaky antics of Addelyn. But I don't want to forget to document another side of my little girl that we often see- her caring, sweet, and sensitive heart. Addelyn was born a nurturer. She loves to pretend to rock, hold, nurse, and care for her babies all the time. I love watching when this side comes out with Jacers too. She loves on him a lot- he just doesn't always understand how loving she is trying to be right now! This girl also worries/cares a lot when others are in pain. She has gotten upset a number of times when Jace cries, or if Mark or I stub our toes or something- she gets really worried. She tells me how much she loves me often- even out of the blue during dinner at times. It melts my heart. And as much as she wasn't our cuddly baby when she was small- she now really loves to cuddle up next to me or Mark. I love our reading time together during the day or before bed when she cuddles right up by me. Also, at night- one of us lays with her before she goes to sleep and it is my favorite time to hear stories from her, where she asks the sweetest questions, or just cuddles with us until she falls asleep. She also really cares for her friends and family and loves to do special things for them like make pictures or bring them treats. Addelyn Nicole, you are a very special little girl.

An owner?

Addelyn: Mom, will we be getting Jace an owner soon?
Me: Huh?
Addelyn: You know, an owner. We have had him for a long time now. Shouldn't we get him an owner? Someone who gets to keep him?

I will spare you the details of how we talked this one through but I think she understands now that Jace is here to stay! I am pretty sure this question has to do with our friends having pets and becoming "owners" of those pets!

special olympics

A few weeks ago, my brother Tanner participated in the Special Olympics at the UNI Dome. We went and watched him do the softball throw and the long jump. He did awesome! It was fun to get to go and spend some time with him and my mom.

 

 Each athlete has a volunteer paired with them for their events. This was Tanner's football player volunteer. Really nice guy- I think it is awesome that the UNI football team helps out.

 Tanner gets to go to state in the long jump in May. Way to go, Tanner! We love you buddy!

Great book for moms

I just finished a book and wanted to quick blog before I forget. It is called Regret Free Parenting by Catherine Hickem. It was great. Helped me to put into words some of the things I have recently been thinking about. I'm not doing a full book review on this one but the main point is being an intentional parent. Moms, if you are looking for a good book I'd suggest this one!