Check This Out!

Isn't this hilarious!? I found it on the website www.awkwardfamilyphotos.com Check it out if you want a great laugh.

So I've been two weeks without Daniel and I have two more weeks to go. Hopefully these last two will go faster than first two. Everybody who has been apart from their husband told me that, "Sorry, it doesn't get any easier." It actually has for me. The first week was the hardest. Every little thing reminded me of him. I dreaded washing his clothes because I didn't want to think about him and things like that. I still think about him a lot but am not saddened when I do. Of course I still do have my moments when I'm a little overwhelmed. I don't know what I would do without my Heavenly Father listening to me at night, in the morning, and everywhere else in between. He has provided me with much comfort. It really is a blessing that Daniel is in Uruguay now because two days before he left his sister called him and told him his dad was in the hospital and it didn't look good. Daniel has never had a relationship with his dad so I doubt he would have made a special trip to see him. This is good for Daniel that he can be with him and say his goodbyes. His dad's liver is shutting down and the doctors don't give him much time. He lays in a hospital bed and is given so many drugs that he sleeps most of the time. I am saddened for him but at this point it will be a blessing when he passes. Everyone else in his family is doing well and he's enjoying his time with them. Hopefully soon we will all be able to go on the trip together because I really do love my in-laws and neices and nephews and I miss them. Un beso!

Family Photos

My friend Amanda Yates Laing has become a very talented photographer and I was able to schedule an appointment with her to update our family pictures. I am so happy with how they turned out! This is just a sampling and I will be getting more soon and when I get them I'll be sure to post them. These pictures were taken at the Ogden Botanical Gardens and if you would like to check out more of Amanda's work, or schedule an appointment, her blog is http://www.amandalaingphotography.blogspot.com/

I've also changed the kids' pictures on the side and added one.

Easter...Better Late than Never

On Sunday we had our traditional Easter Egg Hunt at my parents house. This is the only festivity that I participated in for Easter when I was kid and it will be the only one my kids participate in. I think that we have too many commercialized holidays and I don't want this to become another one. So anyway we had a good time having a hot dog roast and picinic. It was such a beautiful day and was so glad we could do everything outside this year. The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and grandparents. I also had a great time like I always do with all my family. I'm so blessed to have them.

They found the candy before it got hidden and started eating it while no one was looking. You can see that they weren't too happy to be discovered. Ha ha!

Jayla found a princess egg and was so surprised and excited.

Blake was so fun to watch! He really got the hang of things and was excited to get one before sister could swipe it.

They couldn't wait to dig in...again.

Even after all the eggs were found Jayla still wanted to look and Daniel was a cute dad and took her around helping her look.

After we got home Jayla was still impressed with all her loot.

Blake is very much enjoying his chocolate as you can see.

I LOVE TO READ!

I've said it all in the title. I love how books take you to another place. Where you can create what the charcters and their surroundings look like. They can make you cry or laugh out loud. One of my favorite books is The Giver. I love how that book makes you think and opens up a whole other world and makes you think about life and roles and human nature and spirit. Another one of my favorites is A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks. I read it even before the movie was made and I don't think a book has ever made me cry so much up to that point. Books are a big escape for me. They are a crucial element in my life to help me relax. I'm always looking for a good book to read and I'm trying to broaden my horizons and read different types of books. I tend to read feel-good, comedy, romance kind of books. So I'm calling the help of all my blog readers. What is your favorite book? Or what book changed you in some way? Whether it inspired you to try a new hobby or helped you see things in a different way. If you would like to recommend a feel good, comedy, romance kind of book I'm open to those suggestions too because I'm never going to stop reading those. I would love any input and suggestions. Thanks a bunch!

I'm sure that if you're a parent you think that your kids get cuter, smarter, funnier, etc, etc, everyday. That's how I feel about my kids. It is unbelievable how their personalities develop and I'm getting to know them more everyday.

Blake is finally coming out of his shy stage. Yay! He's not completely out of it but at least he doesn't hold on to me for dear life when someone he doesn't know that well approaches him. I think he's going to be the comedian of the family. He's always coming up with these hilarious things and they make me laugh and then he'll do it over and over again to keep me laughing. He's also more adventerous than Jayla was/is. I've got to keep a close eye on him. The other day I walked into the bathroom and I saw that he had climbed up on the toilet while the lid was up. He had all fours balanced on the seat and he was looking right down into the water. When he saw me he looked up and gave me a smile that said, "Look at me Mom!" Love him!

Jayla is Miss Independent! She has to do everything by herself or at least make it seem like she's doing it by herself. She's my little buddy and partner. She likes to help me in my everyday tasks. It's great that she's learning how to do things but it takes me twice as long. I guess I should just enjoy that she's still willing to help and take advantage of it. She definitely can throw a mean tantrum but she's also very sweet and nurturing. Whenever I get a little emotional from watching Oprah or The Biggest Loser she pats my back and asks me if I'm okay and gives me a hug. A little while later she'll come back and ask, "Are you happy now?" in that high motherly, nurturing tone. My sweet little girl!