Birthday week!

Richard will be another year older this week. His Birthday is this Thursday the 26th. Last night we had several of our good friends over for a birthday get together for him. We ate munchies and just relaxed. It was really fun. The weekends go too fast. The kids have been enjoying the nice weather.. literally they have been outside almost all day. I have had to set limits on when they have to be in for a time, I am constantly trying to keep track of them and it is a little stressful.
Holly wants to be out there with them constantly, and that can't happen. Matthew and Shelley are wonderful about letting her come play with them for a bit and keeping an eye on her for me. I have felt so lucky to have older helper kids that make surviving toddler years so much easier. They are fabulous kids.
We had a nice day at church today. We are so lucky to have such a great ward and to love our church and the gospel so much! I am constantly reminded of the great blessing that being a member of the church is.
I am really ready for Summer! Really ready, I look forward to summer days with my kids. I can't believe that Matthew will be in Junior High next year. He turns twelve and receives the Priesthood this spring as well. My little boy is becoming a young man. I say this all the time, but where has the time gone? It doesn't seem twelve years with him, just a moment if you ask me. My children are my world, and I want to enjoy and relish each day I have with them, because I know that one day my little ones will be all grown up and I will miss them terribly. I will remind myself this every morning when I am struggling to get everyone ready for school on time ;).
Holly did really well in nursery today. Didn't cry and was happy! YAY!! I am thankful for little blessings these days. I am learning so much these day. Learning from mistakes, trying to be a better person and looking to the future instead of looking back. Each day is a gift. I am grateful for today and for all my blessings.

Like Sands through the Hour Glass....

So ready for the weekend again! We have been so busy these days, as usual. Richard's birthday is next week. 37 now...yikes Richie... just kidding. He looks pretty darn good if you ask me!
I am going to start potty training Holly next week. It is definitely time, she will be three next month. We are a little behind. I think, scratch that, I know it is just me getting geared up to actually go through with it. Here soon she will officially be a baby no longer.
I am a piano teaching fool. I have like 33 students now!!! Don't ask me how, because I don't think I even know. But, somehow with Richards support we get it all done and somehow stay afloat.
Last weekend we rearranged the whole house. It feels so much more functional now and I am really enjoying it.
I have so many random thoughts right now.. I think I might be a little A.D.H.D. tonight :)
So, Happy Weekend, Happy Birthday Richard (26th) and Happy Day!
So earlier this week... We had the most gorgeous Monday! The kids didn't have any school on Monday so I told them Sunday night that we would have a picnic lunch at our little park by our house. Nicholas was so thrilled. He asked about it over and over before bedtime, and then was standing at my bed at 7 a.m. asking when our picnic would begin. I was so pleased he was so excited. It was such a simple thing to plan and made him so happy. All the kids loved it. It was like 73 degrees while we were there, and we had a BLAST. The kids loved their simple peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apples and chips. Matthew and Shelley met up with their friends and had so much fun too. We went with our neighbors and had fun sitting and visiting and relaxing in the beautiful sun. It made everyone happy to feel the warmth of the sun. It made us all so anxious for Spring to officially be here! I really enjoyed being at the park with Holly now that she is a little older and not such a worry at the park. She had a ball, and I could actually sit back and chill watching them play and enjoy being kids. I felt truley free from all worries and stress and it was a wonderful day!!! I am always grateful for the days that I know my kids will remember as happy days in their lives. I wish I would have smart enough to take my camera... next time I won't forget. I am planning a picnic the next day we hit 70 degrees! Come on warmer weather!!!!

Spring Fever

Okay, I am DYING for spring to get here already. We got spoiled last week with a couple of warm days and now it is FREEZING again. The windchill is ZERO out there right now. It just makes you appreciate those warm days even more. My mom wisely said once that God gives us those warm days to tide us over until Spring is really here. In a way to give us a reprieve. I have been thinking about how it is like that in life too. During Trials, we will always feel that warmth and love of the Lord just when we need it the most.
Nick is really starting to read and it is so exciting. I don't remember doing anything so complicated in Kindergarten. I think we just colored and went to centers.. now they are telling time on clocks, adding, subtracting and full out reading before first grade. Wow. He really loves the challenge of it and, I have to say listening a little one learn to read is the BEST!!! They sound everything out so literally. Nick was reading " A hiding place" He sounded out hiding properly, and than place was pronounced more like "plaque". I love it.
Shelley has had a rough week. First strep last week, and last night we were at the doctor because she was having pain in her lower right abdomen. Fun. It hasn't been ruled out completely, but the Doc doesn't think it is her appendix. Hopefully not! Poor girl.
I am going to go watch American Idol now. I am cool like that.
I hope that each of you feel warm today, even if it is cold outside :)