Little Miss Idaho

For 4 years my girls have been "Little Sisters" to the Miss Idaho contestants. They do not compete, but are given a chance to perform on stage, accompany their big sister's on and off stage, and have A TON of fun. This is a great mentoring program for girls ages 8-10 and every year we are excited to be part of it. Maddy is not participating this year because she "aged" out. It is a big tragedy for her, BUT she is making big plans to compete when she is 13 in the Miss Idaho Outstanding Teen section. (I know what you are thinking, but I am not a Pageant Mom - even though I, at times, have really big pageant hair.)
It has been very hard for Katie to smile big lately.... but she is having a great time. Today, the Little Sisters get to meet their "Big" sisters.

I think Katie is the cutest, but I AM NOT A PAGEANT MOM.

The big moment, Katie finally gets to meet her Big Sis, Miss Tri-Counties - Kristen Christensen.

At a special luncheon, we were entertained by the girls (big and small) competing in a "Little Black T-Shirt" contest. They were given 30 minutes to create a fabulous shirt out of a plain, black one. (Did I mention that the girls are not competing in the pageant? This is all for fun.)

Katie made a shirt and cape for "SUPER KATIE". She came jumping out on the runway flexing her muscles. (Um, ok, she might get that from me...)

They look like pageant winners to me. Much more of this to come, the pageant is in June, but there are all sorts of activities until then. I guess I better practice my look of surprise when I, ooops, I mean, when Katie, um I meant to say when Kristen wins...

Happy Easter

The night before Easter Sunday, I happened upon these darling dresses at Walmart (yep, Walmart, my 2nd favorite store). I bought matching ones for my girls and then we spent the evening making "Utah Bows" to match. They may be closer to "Texas Bows" due to their size, but we sure thought they were cute.
Bella got a locket in her Easter basket and wants a picture of Jesus in it. I'm sorry, I think she is the cutest 4 year old I know!!

For some reason, Katie banned pictures this day - notice her happy face. Maybe her bow is giving her a headache...

Our first family photo in a while, I am pinching Katie to "Smile, it's Easter Da@* it!"

The Easter bunny was so thoughtful and brought Bella a bunny blankie just like Katie's monkey one. Who knew the bunny was so talented?? (Maddy wants one with an Edward head - creepy...)

Pat and the closest thing he will ever have to a son. Kingston LOVES my honey, I think it is because they have the same hair do.

Brittny is doing her best to capture Katie on camera. Love you, Brit, YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL.

Me and Tanja. If you notice I even made a bow for my hair - I think I took things a bit far - this isn't a scene out of Steel Magnolias.

Yes, Bill, I am wondering the same thing.

Time for the Easter Egg Hunt - Ready, Set, Already Gone.

Bella was a bit handicapped by the size of her basket.

Maddy was a great helper and pointed out all the eggs Bella ran right by.

Katie was not having the best of days. First she climbed Granny Hanne's fence and RIPPED HER NEW DRESS. (we hadn't even gone to church yet) Then her shoes gave her a blister, and she didn't find a metallic egg (these are the ones with money inside). Thanks Grandma for stepping in.

Is that a smile??

I took this picture because Daffodils are my favorite flower. I recently remarked to my hubby about some beautiful ones in our neighborhood and he didn't know what they were. I couldn't believe it!! These flowers remind me of happy childhood days, sunshine, my birthday and beauty at it's finest. So here, Pat, daffodils are one of my favorite things, along with butterflies, you and my babies. Happy Easter.

Yes, We are Celebrating Another Birthday

I can not even believe this is my first born, my baby, my Madeline. To think that I have had this angel in my life for eleven years is crazy to me! Not to mention, she DOES NOT LOOK ELEVEN. Warning to all boys: Stay away, I am an uncanny good shot with a gun.
As you can tell, she already has her first crush... Edward the Vampire. Well, who doesn't haven't have a crush on him? (Oh, Katie doesn't - she "Runs with Were Wolves")
I'm just not sure I am ready for all this. We just had orientation night for middle school, she uses big words and does math I don't understand and she is blossoming, yes, you know what I mean, into a beautiful young woman. We share clothes, she wears a size 9 women's shoe, I am only two inches taller than her, and I am pretty sure she could beat me up - even with my big guns.
(That would be "Lightning" and "Thunder" to those of you who haven't arm wrestled me)

Maddy and and all her birthday pals.
All my babies... sniff, sniff - excuse me while I get a tissue...

Who knew Pat and I could make something so cute - well, I really would like to all the credit, and I will.

Ok, eleven years ago I was fatter than anyone should be, pregnant or not, and in labor for DAYS. Ok, only one day, but it sure seems endless when the nurse turns off the epidural so I can feel the urge to push. Maddy was a gargantuan baby with a big, beautiful head that got stuck, literally, in the birth canal (Sorry, I know this is WAAAY too much info, but it is a great story) - Anyway, after hours of pushing and praying to die, the doc's (notice I didn't say doc., I needed more than one to get this baby out), they decide to try to push her back into the womb and start over. You heard me correctly. There is a reason they put bars on the windows of the maternity ward. Finally, after asking everyone who came in the room if they were the "Medicine Man" and tearing my hubby's shirt, my doctors decided I had lost my mind and took Madeline out by way of cesarean. Poor Pat thought I was going to die, really, so I shouldn't joke about this - it still hurts his heart. I did all the hard work and everyone got to see my baby before me because I went off to Never-Never Land. Not fair. Of course, they thought she was the most beautiful thing ever. The first grand baby on Pat's side in 10 years and the first baby girl on my side in 8. She was worth every pound gained, every stretch mark, hips that never went back into place, tons of extra skin and a long day of labor. I would do it again in a minute. Love you, Maddy. This story is for you because you love to hear it all the time, especially the part where you scratched your feet like a little monkey in the nursery...

She totally looks like me.

How cute is that??

Maddy and her BFF, Rylie, who knows her so well that she even bought Maddy her own bag of frozen french fries.

Maddy's favorite thing to do is eat at Red Robin, so I pack all the kids (Katie and Bella included - even though Maddy wanted Katie to sit at her own table. To diffuse this situation, I asked a friend to come with Katie so, hopefully, we wouldn't have any fights at this party)

Katie insisted on ordering off the adult menu and PROMISED me she could eat every last bite.

This is what was left, the little turkey.

Maddy loves to be the center of attention - wonder where she gets that from? What Me??

I know I get a little crazy with all my picture taking, but I have my girls trained so well at posing, I just can't stop. This is Bella's "Sad That I Have To Wear A Krispy Kreme Hat Pose"

After Red Robin, we went to Claire's to get some girly gear (no picture taking there, too crazy!). Then we had dessert at Krispy Kreme. This was one of the funnest birthday parties I have done and I kept making the girls tell me how awesome I was.

So, Happy Birthday, my dear Maddy. I love you like a monkey and I dreamed of you long before you were born. Thank you for allowing me the honor of being your mama.

XOXO

A Dream Come True

There are many things on my "Living My Dreams" list. One of the most important is to see General Conference in person. I was given an opportunity to see the 179th Annual General Conference of The Latter Day Saints in the new conference center in SLC. My sweet hubby agreed to go with me to both Saturday sessions. (Have I told you lately how much I like my man?) Thanks to our fabulous friends in Utah, Kelly and Angie Martinez, who hooked us up with tickets, rides, entertainment, food and fun. We love you guys - for ETERNITY!

The moment I stepped out of the car, I was overcome with emotion. My honey said I was, "Giddy." But it was more than that. I was about to hear and see the Lord's true and living prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, his counselors and the Twelve Apostles. I realized how blessed I was to have the knowledge of the Gospel and have a testimony of the truthfulness of it. I knew this would be an experience that I would remember for a life time.
Ok, this will be the first of many pictures of just Pat and I...

You can't grasp the beauty or the enormity of the conference center unless you have been there. Television does not do it justice, nor do these pictures, but I tried.

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir practiced while we waited for Conference to begin. I have to admit I am not a big fan of hymns or the M.T.C. Actually, the whole singing bit kept me from going to church for a long time, but that is a whole other story... Again, though, hearing those beautiful songs sung with such power and - what is the word I am looking for? Glory? It was beautiful and brought tears to my eyes.

We arrived about an hour early to ensure good seats, but soon the center was filled to capacity and still people were waiting outside in hopes of getting in.

I have been fortunate enough to see, in person, two presidents of The United States speak. Both times it was an exciting experience filled with expectation, applause, boo's, and cynicism - even if he was the popular candidate.

But what I witnessed and took part of, when President Monson entered the stage, was something entirely different. Nothing was said over over the speakers to announce his appearance, there were no written rules on how to behave, he didn't walk to the microphone accompanied by loud music and there was no fanfare. There was complete and utter silence. You could hear a pin drop. At the same moment 20,000 people stopped talking and stood. Stood in reverence for their leader, prophet and seer. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.

These aren't the greatest pictures, but I took them with my own camera. There was some joke happening up there and President Uchtdorf was smiling to beat the band. (Don't you just love him? And not just for his looks... ok, I admit it, and I said it out loud, he's a handsome man with an accent - what more can I say?)

After the first session ended, Pat and I followed the masses to find somewhere to eat. We somehow managed to get a seat on the 10th floor of The Joseph Smith Memorial Building - good thing, my honey was about to die of hunger... I really wanted a Pepsi, but that would be impossible to find on Temple Square. Imagine my dismay when I learned our restaurant served COKE - WITH CAFFEINE. Just my luck, I had Sprite.
We had a beautiful view, though.

Angie's mom, Diane, gave my family a DVD called The Stone Cutter. If you haven't seen it, do. He carved the words seen in gold in this picture.

A beautiful sight on a cold, snowy/rainy day.

Back to the conference center for the second session. Isn't my honey doing great?

I would love to invite this group over for dinner... But then again, my kids would probably start fighting UFC style, call each other "butt head" and put blown up balloons in their pants so they could suffocate whoever they sat upon.

My honey and me after conference was over. I truly will never forget that day and I am so grateful for a husband who allows me to achieve my dreams, even if they aren't his - YET.

I would like to end with my testimony. I know that blogging is true, I love adding gadgets and smile boxes. I am so grateful for the opportunity to live in these latter blogging days. I say these things in the name of blogspot.com - Amen.