HAPPY EASTER!

Well, another great Easter is on the books.  I know that Easter is not really about eggs, baskets, candy or even fun but with kids around it sure is easy to get all sucked in.  Aunt Amy's baskets she sent blew the kids minds and it was fun to watch.  We "helped" the easter bunny by hiding lots of eggs around the house in obvious and not so obvious places so the kids could hunt them down and have the thrill of the hunt.  Jacob helped Ricky find easy ones and Ricky returned the favor.   Both LOVED their baskets full of candy, toys, & little Easter items.  Thanks Aim!!  We had a leisurely morning with breakfast as I prepared my lesson for church.  I was grateful for the opportunity to celebrate the fun and then go celebrate the real reason for this sacred day.  While we walked to church I asked Jacob if he knew the real meaning of Easter and was so proud when he told me it was of course, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I smiled and held him close and whispered in his ear that he was my smart boy.  I aked how it made him feel and he answered perfectly.  He answered just what I would have if I had been asked...Special and Loved!  Amazing that a little 7 year old can grasp that and know that the candy is fun, but the blessing of Christs Resurrection is forever.  Hope you each had a wonderful Easter!  We love you all.

A Visit With The Klarmans

We sure love going down to St. George to visit with Laura and Doug and the kiddos (Kiara, Jaycee and little Booklynn). It is so fun to just load up one weekend and head down to the warm climate. We only had a few days but we wanted to enjoy it. We arrived to a feast that Doug made to welcome us (Smoked Ribs). Any wonder how we are such good friends? The food was great, the company was fantastic and it was just so nice to spend time with my bestie! There was really nothing big to do while there, we just wanted to spend time with our friends. The kids played in the culdisac in front of their house on bikes, we shopped a bit, we went downtown to see the historic district and we hung out at home. One of the nights we got a sitter and headed 30 minutes west on I-15 to Mesquite and hit the awesome buffet. 18.95 for anything you want. Doug and I didn't waste time on the sides, we hit the crab and lobster. It was so fun to talk and enjoy my favorite food in the world. We dropped a few nickles in the nickle slots and after loosing 2$ we headed home. It was fun. I loved playing with the girls and Jakie & Ricky loved playing with other kids. I think Jakie and Kiara have found little kindred souls in each other. We were sad to leave that Sunday:( Here is a peek at our fun:

A Day At Temple Square

After a wonderful morning out for breakfast we decided to go drop in on Temple Square. I wanted to post these adorable drawings (Courtesy of Jacob) to illustrate the days happenings. The day went as follows according to Jacob:   1.  We left the house 2. We went to the temple 3. We felt so much love for each other while we were there  4. I asked him what his favorite part of the movie we saw Temple Square was and how it made him feel.  (See pic 4 for his reply.)  I am so glad that we went.  It was sweet to look over at my boys feeling the beautiful spirit that exists at Temple Square.  I loved walking hand in hand with Rick and feeling close as a family.  I am glad it made an impression on Jacob and I am glad that he drew it out for me to see.  His explanation was tender and he was shy as he told me how he felt touched during the movie.  We will have to go again soon!

Sick And Tired Of Being Sick And Tired!

We have been living here in South Jordan for about 6 weeks now and during that time we have had 4 bouts of sickness in our family. The first bout was right after Christmas. The whole family got a flu (despite flu shots for each of us!!!) and had about 4 days of heaving and running to the pot. We felt better long enough to celebrate the new year but quickly found ourselves feeling sick again. I started with Step first and Rick followed shortly after that. Both boys got fevers and felt terrible but never developed strep. After about a week or more of that we all seemed on the mend. I was super bummed to have Jacob come home mid January with a sniffle and sore throat that after a few days turned into a full blown cold. I followed days later with all of the classic cold symptoms and was followed by Rick and then shortly later Ricky. We all sniffled, coughed and sneezed for about a full week when Jacobs symptoms seemed to subside. Rick was coughing constantly, felt horrible and had chills for days, the rest of us seemed to be getting better. That lasted about 3 days and then...KABOOM! Everything suddenly took a turn. Rick went into the Dr. for the never ending cold/coughing and was told he had an infection that was something akin to bronchitis. I took Jacob to the Pediatrician and was told he had a respiratory virus and that he needed to rest for a few days. No meds because there were not any infected areas to treat. Well, true to form.. 3 days after that Jacob woke up crying at 1:30am saying his ears hurt. He was still coughing, had a super goopy nose and was still feverish so we got him to a clinic the next day. Diagnosis?? Major infections in both ears, in the sinuses and major congestion in the chest. We got him on antibiotics just in time for that same respiratory virus to rear its ugly head in me and Ricky. Ricky woke up one morning with a distinct "barking" cough that comes along with croup. Into the Dr. once again and off to fill the prescription for steroids for his breathing. Well, it all seemed to be about over and then I started having another fever!! ARGH! I feel like we are on the sick merry-go-round and we want off. I spent all evening in bed on Saturday night and all of Sunday trying not to cough and get fever spikes. Today is the first day that I have not felt absolutely horrible for about a week! Rick had the worst of it by far because even once he had antibiotics (super heavy ones) that subsided much of the coughing, the meds made his super sick to his stomach. He had absolutely no relief for weeks. I find it amazing that he worked and still was able to make efforts with the family feeling so bad. I cant even tell you how much I want to feel better! I just want all of us sickies to have one night that no one is sick. Cant wait! Hope it comes soon.

Welcome To Our Family "Magnus"

Hi Everyone! We wanted to introduce our sweet little Magnus (named after Magnaus VerMagnusen - worlds strongest man). What a sweet little puppy he is!

I know anyone that was in AK with us this summer is thinking that Ricky is reacting to Magnus the way that he did with Amy's cats and 2 chiwawas (With excitement and a little obsession) but actually he is pretty tame with him. THANK HEAVENS!! Magnus came to us from a Dairy farm in Salem, UT after his mom was hit by a tractor:( His mom lived, but she could not nurse her 6 puppies anymore so they were selling them off for pets. Magnus is the son of 2 cocker spaniels that were family pets. They were very friendly and very gentle. Magnus came home to us on Friday 2 weeks ago and our lives are so fun. He already goes outside, can make it through the night without accidents or whining, goes into his crate happily, tolerates the kids and knows when "daddy" is home:) We love having someone soft and furry to pet and love. So far he has been a great fit. Magnus is getting use to the leash and walks with Ricky (weather permitting) and enjoys his time in the pack and play. I picked one up for a few bucks on KSL to put him into while he is too young to roam the house without "presents" being left on the rug or chewing. We are crate training him, but I feel bad to have him in my arms or in the crate only. I want him to get use to lounging in the house like he will be when he outgrows the pp and chewing stages. His crate will be for visitors, night time and times we are gone and he cant come. So far he is happy and thriving. I just love puppies! Welcome to the family buddy.

I Love To See The Temple.. "Moker Mount"

I had to record this one so that we never forget it. We now live in Daybreak in South Jordan.  The Oquirrh Mountain Temple sits right on the edge of a hill on the far East side of Daybreak (overlooking all of South Jordan) and we can see it every time we leave and return to the community.  Since day one of our arrival  Ricky and Jacob have a game they play as we drive around.  They always want to know where the temple is and when they see it they yell out "There it is" and point.  Ricky always follows up with his little squeal. "YAY...Its the Moker Mount Temple".  All day long they seek, all day long they find and all day long they cheer as they find their temple , "Moker Mount" as Ricky puts it.  It is just one more reason I love living in Utah.  Our temple in Pittsburgh was 4 hours away and they were never able to see it in person.  I love that just a drive to the store reminds them that there is a temple in their neighborhood.  I love the enthusiasm and it makes me happy that it makes them happy to see it.  I tell them the name of it is Ochre Mountain Temple, but I think that now I prefer Moker Mount.  It will always be that for our family.  Isn't it beautiful?

Happy New Year!! Welcome 2012.

I am amazed that we are already in the new year but here we are!  We celebrated the occasion with Danny & Kelly Harker (with kids Linus & Roman) and Nick & Kuulei Harker and us.  It was fun to just get together with sports of some sorts playing while the kids ran around & the ladies played Mexican Train.  I of course won 3 in a row, but that was not the only reason it was fun:)  We ate a pot luck dinner with pizza, dips, chips, sodas, deserts, relish trays & there was plenty for all.  I always enjoy getting together with the Harkers.  They are low key and fun.  The kids had a blast and I was thrilled when Kelly busted out the little poppers that are filled with confetti.  The kids loved it and had a ball.  The pictures below say it all.  It is nice to be back with friends again.

New Years Resolutions:

1. Get all debts paid off.  I want to make major strides this year and feel awesome when 2013 rolls around.

2. Spend lots of quality time with family and calling family.  I really love being close.

3. Teach Jacob to ride a bike and swim.

4. Get to the ocean this year.  I think we may be able to do a Disney Day (and I mean 1 day.)  the kids are itching for a return. 

5. Get the house settled and decorated

6. Get organized and update all blog entries that I have started and not yet finished.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! I HOPE ALL OF YOUR ULE-TIDE (spelled right?)  WISHES COME TRUE!