Preschool graduation

Hailey and Ashlyn finished another year of preschool. They really loved Ms. Christie and both learned so much! For their last day today they gave us these really cute books of everything they did and gave us a little presentation. For Ashlyn's they showed us all the letters and their sounds, recited the pledge, went over the calendar and the other cute little stuff they do each day. Hailey's class had a mini graduation, went over small words, calendar, pledge - and my favorite - recited the preable complete with sign language from memory. Both girls have progressed so much and I can't believe Hailey will be starting kindergarten in just a few months!

Disneyland!!!

Now that we are so much closer to family in California we used the excuse to visit my wonderful grandpa to go to Disneyland too! It was a quick trip, but we got to do everything we wanted. We spent Friday at Disneyland where we met princesses, fairies and rode everything on our list. We found out Hailey is an adrenaline junky. Once she rode her first coaster, it was all she wanted to do. Ashlyn was scarred by the yeti so she voted for the more animated rides. Bryce was hilarious! He did really good for the morning but by the afternoon every time we went onto a ride that went inside he would just keep saying, "get out, outside." it was so cute. On the Alice in wonderland ride it goes in and outside, which was the funniest because everytime he thought he got out we were right back inside again. The kids were total troopers and made it all the way through the fireworks.

Saturday we made a quick drive to Huntington beach and then spent the day with the Joneses. It was so good to see all the family we missed while across the country. Even though the trip was quick I am so glad we got to see family and the kids enjoyed their first trip to Disney. Hopefully we'll have more to come.

Easter 2011

This year I am grateful to take the time to reflect on what the atonement really means with my children. They are old enough to understand a little more and I am so glad I get to teach them about how the atonement fits into the plan of salvation and the love and sacrifice of our Savior. It is exciting to read about his resurrection. I am grateful for the atonement and the opportunity it gives us to be whole again. I am so grateful for repentance, the opportunity to improve ourselves and rely on our Father in Heaven, what a blessing.

Growing so fast

This last week I finally gave Bryce a real haircut. Despite his thin and whispy blonde hair he has really needed one for a while, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. But, shaggy over the ears isn't my thing so we finally cut it. He did AWESOME! He sat the entire time and didn't really move or get scared when I used the clippers. He's such a little man and I wish I'd have gotten a good picture of his hair spiked up with gel; it is his favorite. He loves when we do it and will sit in front of the mirror and just say handsome over and over. I love this kid!

Good-Bye Saab

I guess all things must come to an end. The other day a man ran a red light and totalled Derek's precious Saab. He is doing fine and only hit his head on the driver side window. He hasn't had a complaint yet. But, our car is completely wrecked. And while the car wasn't anything glorious to me, I now realize the error of my ways. We got a settlement on our car for much more than we paid, which would seem good in theory, and I guess it is. But, now I realize how great the Saab was!! It had 30k less miles than cars its age, ran perfect and we hadn't put any money into it. Plus, Derek really loved that it was convertible, which to me was just funny because it wasn't that cool of a car. We can not replace what we had for even the higher amount we got on the car. Dang it. Luckily, we are borrowing a family extra until we decide how to replace it. Just add it to the list. Oh well, at least Derek is completely fine - which is most important.

family pictures

Oh so long ago at the end of October we had our family pictures taken before my oh-so-talented sister-in-law galavanted off to Texas. She was so gracious to send all of our family pictures she took, but alas when I finally remembered to post them I can NOT find the cd. Hopefully this will be remedied soon but for now I've updated the ones off of her blog. She does great work and if you are in San Antonio check her out! redbucketphoto.blogspot.com. When they do surface - I promise to show off how big my little ones are getting.

Today ...

As I sat today looking at other blogs and reading up on all the families I miss, I mad a decision that I would just write something today. I have been terrible at it. For a while, not having much to say. Then, too upset to say anything. After, the time too far gone and finally, too much to explain. But, though I am sure most have no idea what I am talking about. It is just fine with me. The short of it is this... life is good, but I still lack the words to explain in appropriate terms how our crazy life has been the last 8 months. After more than 5 months of Derek having to stay in Philadelphia for two, yes two, patients he was able to return at the end of September and stay in October. We waited until January 28th for a diploma and have two jobs - which we are grateful for and extremely excited about!! They are both part time here in the valley and we will (hopefully) eventually get to buy out one of the doctors who is retiring soon. Both are great situations. We are still living with my good 'ole mom and probably will until Derek has a few pay checks under his belt. We are having another little boy who will get to join us in July. We love life and are settled into Arizona, but for me not any sort of groove. I still feel that permanent sense of temporarity and just can't seem to organize my life the way I used to in someone else's house - but it's all good and I am sure I'll get back into it now that Derek has began working this week. Here's to the future!