Although it was kind of sad to be back home from our vacation, we were blessed by a few good days of nice weather and being able to listen to General Conference to get April started off right. I was able to listen to all of President Nelson's GC talks since becoming an apostle before Conference weekend and was so happy I did. I felt like I was better prepared for what the prophet had to say. I absolutely loved Elder Holland's talk and Sister Craven's talk and they have definitely inspired me to do better and be better. For the first time in years by children actually let me listen to four full sessions of conference too. So strange to actually be caught up at 4pm on Sunday afternoon. I am grateful for a feeling like that but it is also a reminder that someday my children will be all grown up. They are growing up too fast!
Our littlest girl turned 6 years old this month! I am so proud of who she is and all that she can do but once in a while I sure do miss my baby N. We had my parents over for dinner and a car shaped cake that M did a great job decorating after we baked it together. Then the next day M and I went to N's classroom and I read her kindergarten class "The Day the Crayons Came Home" for her birthday. Then I drove M down to Westminster for what we thought was a consultation about getting a palate expander and walked out with braces on her instead because there was a last minute cancelation. Surprise! Braces on her big sister's face wasn't what we were expecting on N's birthday, but we went for it. N also chose to eat at Wendy's for her birthday. Later she made me smile when she asked for a One Direction poster for her bedroom and she gives Niall a kiss before bed every night. I'm surprised the Apple speakers in the play room don't just automatically start playing 1D when N walks in the room. (: And I was thrilled I finally got to throw a High School Musical themed birthday party. I have been waiting for that since K was little and obsessed with those movies. We had 5 of N's kindergarten friends to help her celebrate (two friends were sick) and it was so much fun. You can do a lot with singing and sports as a birthday theme. Hubby was out of town for work but I think even he would have had to smile. lol. We are so glad you are a part of our family, N! I am so proud of you and so grateful I get to be your mom. Love you forever and always, no matter what!
Palm Sunday has got to be one of our favorite Family Home Evenings of the year. This time Jesus fell off the donkey and the people waving palm branches cracked up pretty hard. (: On Easter Sunday we enjoyed going to church, having a neighborhood Easter egg hunt, and having my parents over for a fancy dinner. It was great having such a wonderful meal to eat and it was messy and exhausting but totally worth it. I don't think these children of mine know how lucky they are to be taught that God's Son gave everything He had out of love for them and that one day all of us will be resurrected with perfect bodies because of Him. There is a peace that comes from knowing of the Savior that nothing else in this world can fill. I hope that one day they will all have a personal relationship with Him and Heavenly Father and a testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I honestly think that is the best thing I could wish for anyone in the world and especially the people I love most.
A random day off school in April meant M and I started getting the garden ready for planting in May. This month D has been loving practicing scooter tricks with the one he got last Christmas and hitting the bike trail -- and dreams of owning multiple bikes for different tricks. I made it to a Relief Society Temple Trip while K.C. babysat N after kindergarten for me, the window D broke when he got mad at K finally got fixed (he's been working hard doing things like mowing lawns and gave up having a birthday party at Get Air this summer to help pay for it), M's Girl Scout troop visited N's troop to help them earn a Daisy Petal and to fulfill bridging to Juniors requirements. I adore my Girl Scout troop! These 14 girls are simply great.
Also in April K and N decided to skip school and come to Hubby's work for Take Your Child to Work Day while D and M opted to go to school anyway. His work did a great job and I'm glad we went! Always fun to get to spend extra time with the love of my life, right Hubby?
When M's viola needed fixed we (M, N & I) couldn't help but stop by Menchie's and Goodwill on an early dismissal day. They are so much better than late starts!
One Saturday afternoon we found out what it would be like to have 7 children and took them all to the Compassion Experience to learn about what it is like to live in a 3rd world country. I am grateful for great friends that went along with it and made it an even more special day for us.
I have to include this picture of "scruggle" time. It's a time to snuggle while watching something on TV. It's one way my children con me into screen time on a regular basis. That and needing to do the dishes. lol.
K finished her volleyball season the last weekend of April and we couldn't be more proud of her. She played her very best that last tournament and her coach and the club director both commented on how much she has learned in such a short period of time. Way to go, K! I look forward to many more volleyball games. I love you and am happy for you!
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