"Easter time is a time for eggs....."

And boy did we have the eggs! By the way, did Easter feel a little strange to anyone else being that is was so early this year? It especially didn't help that we got a crazy rain storm that day. But, we were able to enjoy the great Easter egg hunting, candy eating, hair curling, frilly dress wearing, picture posing, ham & cheesy potato eating, fun. And most importantly, it was wonderful to reflect on the Savior's Atonement and Resurrection; the real reason we celebrate Easter. (not that the Cadbury Mini Eggs don't add to the celebration. It wouldn't be Easter without them!) The talks in church were incredible, the kids looked adorable and we just had a great day!

We have 1 o'clock church, so we had plenty of time to enjoy an egg hunt and have a yummy breakfast before having to get all dolled up. I curled Brooklyn's hair for the first time and I could kick myself for not doing it more. She looked beautiful. One of my favorite things about Easter is getting new Sunday dresses. I remember this so vividly as a young girl, when my mom would make my sisters and I a new Easter dress. They were always so beautiful and "twirly". I am thrilled I have two girls to get dresses for (yes, I buy them, I am no seamstress.) I feel a little guilty about Isaac, though. I was too preoccupied with the girls, so he didn't get his haircut and his shirt was a little big. Sigh. Brooklyn was cracking us up when it came time for pictures. She would pose herself for each picture, and then continued to pose everyone else for their shot. (She couldn't be MY daughter, could she !?!) She even took some of the pictures herself, which she's actually pretty good at.

Celebrations and Sorrows...........

The kids and I are slowly getting back into the groove with things since our trip to Utah. We had quite the adventure, filled with both celebrations and sorrows.

Celebrations.........

.....My brother David and his wife, Lori, were sealed in the Manti Temple. They were sealed in the same room that my parents, myself, and each of my siblings were married in. So it was wonderful to be in that beautiful room, along with my amazing family again. (minus my sweetheart) I was so happy to have been there to experience that special day with David and Lori. They are an amazing couple and we love them so much. (how did I not get a picture of you two?)



.....Spending precious time with family and loved ones.

.....Sliding down the steps at "the house" and doing some work there. (Sorry we didn't do more, but the storage room looks great. Keep going!!)

.....Lots of cousin time (Thanks Cliff and Jenny for letting us kidnap Hali for a few days. The girls had a ball! ...and by the way, Cliff... No Deal!)

.....Having a betty crocker session with my sister, Holly. She makes the most incredible rolls. (I busted out the kitchenaid to try to make some, but had the wrong yeast. I'll let you know how it goes as soon as I try them. Thanks Holly!)

.....Introducing my kids to "Shearing Sheep". As a child I grew up on a farm where my dad raised sheep. It was always a treat when it came time to shear the sheep and though the process has changed drastically since my childhood, it was so fun to take my kids to my cousins farm and watch it all happen.

.....Finally getting to go for a horseride. Thanks Uncle Travis!! Afterwards, Brooklyn and Hali thought it would be fun to be the pooper scoopers. It's amazing what 4 year olds find entertaining.

.....Cheering on the Wayne High Badgers Basketball team. Brooklyn even got into my old stash of cheer/dance gear and sported the purple and gold with giant pom poms for the games. She loved being a "cheerleader". The team did great and ended up taking 1st at Region and 4th in the State Tourney. I have three cousins that play on the team, one of which has only one arm and has been getting a lot of great attention for his talent and determination. He's been on the news, the Today Show, and wouldn't appear on Good Morning America unless they took the starting five with him! He was also featured as the cover story in the February issue of The New Era. Congrats Porter, Lance and Tyce!

And now for the Sorrows........

Take a look at this sweet little girl. This is my niece, Alyssa. She is my sister, Lori's, youngest. A few days before we went to Utah, Alyssa hadn't been feeling well and was hospitalized with RSV. She then came home, but was not getting any better, so after another trip to the hospital, and a few tests later, she was sent to Primary Children's Hospital. Through more testing, the doctors found a tumor in Alyssa's abdomin. After a few days and even more tests, sweet little Alyssa was diagnosed with a cancer called neuroblastoma. She is in Stage IV and is High-Risk. It also is in her bone marrow as well as a little bit of bone disease. This being the case, they have to fight it pretty aggressively. She just finished her first chemo treatment and they are hoping to take her home to care of her there before the next series of chemo begins. This has been heartbreaking news and it's hard not to think about anything else. It's amazing how our Faith is tried and tested through these life "experiences" and gives us an extra push to realize how much our Heavenly Father loves us and to appreciate His amazing plan. It breaks my heart to be so far away during this time. I wish I could do more for their family. If any of you out there have any amazing fundraising ideas for me, I'd love to atleast be able to help out in that way. Leave your ideas in the comments for me! And if anyone is interested, they have a carepage for her here. You have to set up an account, then enter alyssasjourney as the carepage you want to view. Please keep her in your prayers!!