Easter 2015

We loved having a relaxing morning and listening to conference while eating candy and coloring. There is something so special about listening to the apostles and prophet on Easter morning. It is a perfect reminder of the beauty of this special day. Here is my favorite quote from my favorite talk by Brent H. Nielson

" All of us fall short of the glory of the Father. All of us need the Savior's atonement to heal us. All of us are lost and all of us need to be found" 

I love knowing that because of my sweet Savior I can be made whole and live with my family forever. Because of him " death has no sting, the grave no victory, and Satan no lasting power". 

First Pez experience 

 

Coloring and watching conference

Alice found the golden egg...that lucky, lucky girl!

Thank you dad for teaching me first hand the love my Savior has for me and the immense power of the atonement . "Today we celebrate the gift of victory. Victory over every fall we've ever experienced, every sorrow we've ever known, every discouragement we've had, every fear we've faced. To say nothing of resurrection from death and forgiveness for our sins." Jeffery R. Holland.

Salt Lake Road Trip

Last weekend I went on a last minute trip with my mom up to Salt Lake for Brynna's bridal shower. I left the girls with Nick and too Jack with me. It was so enjoyable to see all my cousins and aunts. I love talking with them and catching up on their lives. A couple months ago my sweet grandma LaRue was diagnosed with Alzheimers. We all don't know how long her memory will last and I really wanted to see her. It made me so happy to have her give me a hug and remember my name. She even remembered that I had a baby boy. I hope it is not the last time she will remember me. I have so many wonderful memories of my grandma. She had an amazing ability to make each one of her grandchildren feel special and I firmly believe I am her favorite:) I love that when we stayed with her she always made us waffles and fried eggs for breakfast. She would wake up extra early to get it all ready for us so that we could smell it cooking when we woke up up. Her house was always warm and welcoming and I loved spending many summer weeks up at her house. We would play with cousins and absolutely destroy her house. Yet, she always had a smile on her face and let us run around as much as we wanted. Those many weeks spent at her house are some of my most precious childhood memories. I feel so blessed to have an amazing extended family and especially grandparents. 

 I found this sweet note that Kim wrote at my grandmas house. Kim was just 10 when I was born and I am sure she was a huge help to my mom. She is a wonderful big sister. 

This picture I hold very dear and I found a copy at my grandmas house. My mom has one somewhere but I don't have a copy ( I do now:). Emily and I meet for the first time. I see my children in that profile of myself and see Emily's children in her profile. We know hold our own babies and spend as much time as possible together! 

This amazing couple will be married in just under a month. They are perfectly matched and I am so glad they found each other. 

 He was not that good on the trip but somehow I still love him!

Jackson 4 Months

Everyone always comments what an adorable and calm baby he is and I have to agree. Jack is content with his simple baby life. He is easily entertained by his sisters and if he starts to cry Scarlett sings him songs to sooth him. If he starts to get fussy in the car Alice always goes "shhh shhh shhh" until he calms down. I love having the older girls that offer such great help. He is a lucky boy to have so many little mothers. Jack is a very smiley baby and catches people eye and smiles all day long. While I do my hair he rolls around on the bed and he is always smiling at me. I love that when he is on his back he puts his hands together like his is prayer or in deep thought. It is vastly becoming his trade mark look... bright eyes, cute smile, and hands clasped together. Tonight he fell asleep on my shoulder all bundled up and delicious. When I said " I love you Jack" he gave me the biggest grin. He is a perfect edition to our family and we all need him in our lives!!

He rolls all over and loves to grab at toys. Yesterday Scarlett came running downstairs to tell me that Jack reached for and pulled the toy on his bouncer. We all get pretty excited about his achievements:)

My sister captured this picture of me nursing Jack. We both love the quiet time nursing brings. I make sure that when I am home I nurse him in our rocking chair so we can having a couple moments of uninterunted peace.

 

Hand clasp

8th Anniversary

On March 10th Nick and I celebrated our 8th anniversary. We have done a lot of living in these past 8 years and despite it being very ordinary it has also been adventurous. I want my children to know 1. That I love their father 2. That this is the life I always wanted 3. That living an ordinary life can be very extraordinary!

To celebrate we followed tradition and took our kids to the place in Seven Hills where we got engaged. We tried to tell them the story of our engagement and dating years but they just kept asking if we were getting married again. To them we having always been married and thats just the way it is.   One day they will understand all the miraculous twists and turns in our story that lead us meet, date, and get married. But for now we are simply mom and dad.

The day after our anniversary we went to a super fun and rowdy Rascal Flatts concert. For 2 hours I sang every one of their songs from memory. I was amazing how amazing the lead singer, he was flawless! The music was so loud and powerful you could feel in hitting your chest, Nick and I are not used to such excitement these days. To top of a great night we even got to go back stage and meet the band. I have been listening to all their old songs in the car and the kids have been begging me to turn on "kid" music again;)

 Traditional selfie on the very spot our family began. 

Last night I looked at this picture of Nick and I that was taken on a trip to California before we got engaged. I am so glad we married young and I could/can grow up with Nick by my side. My life is not perfect but it is those imperfections that keep it interesting, entertaining, and often times very hilarious. Every since I was old enough to know what I wanted, I wanted what I have now. I am married to a wonderful man, I have three healthy children, I live close to family, I have my education as does my husband,  and I have a strong testimony of the gospel. I feel so blessed to live the life I always wanted!

The everyday life according to my iPhone

It's a girl!!

Little Savannah made her debut a couple days ago. It was such an exciting day and she is perfectly perfect from head to toe! I could not help but say "welcome to the sisterhood" when I held her. She is coming into a family of wonderful woman and I know she will fit right in. Emily has held on to every doll and cradle from childhood and I am SO excited she finally gets to use it all. No one is more suited for raising a sweet girl than Emily and Savannah 

I caught my sisters talking about how, after 4 boys, they both got their girls. They talked about being able to go wedding dress shopping, get pink princess dresses, have a son-in-law, and do little girl hair.   Though having all the same gender is rewarding you do miss out on a whole life of experiences. I feel  so blessed to have my sweet boy. He is so much more than cute boy clothes. Because of him I get to send a boy out on a mission, help with an eagle scout project and watch him play sports. I get to teach him how to be a gentleman and ultimately see him grow into a man.  I would have loved to have three girls but because of Jack I get to experience it all!

Savannah Jill Flake. She can not help but have a little spunk with that name;)