What I Want

So many of my high school memories are already starting to fade. It makes me sad to think back to those years and have it feel like a dream. But there was one, very short moment I will never forget. I was on the bus going home from my last regional track meet as a senior and by some crazy fluke missed qualifying for state by only .02 of a second. The 300 meter hurdles were my baby and I had failed! Devastation took over as I thought about all the blood, sweat and tears put into training. I bawled when I realized that I had just ran my very last hurdle race after 4 years of nothing but running hurdles! My sweet teammate took that moment to tell me words I think about very often "Jill, you have great things ahead and I know you will get everything you want" In that moment all I wanted was to rerun that race and get my chance back but under all the pain I knew she was talking about so much more than running. I stayed up that night and pondered about what my life had in store for me. What would I major in? Would I get married and if so to who? What would my kids look like? Where would I live? All those questions raced through my mind and I thought about how wonderful it would be have a glimpse of my future.
     Last night we took the girls out to the park and let them run through the grass. The girls found a bouncy ball and for an hour we played fetch. We would throw it and then two little girls would run after it, squealing with delight. It was a perfect evening, one that makes you feel so blessed. What my teammate said crossed my mind and I realized that it had come true. I have everything I want!

Notice her baby curl in the back

We were driving to the park when Scarlett yelled "mom where are my shoes?" Nick got a sheepish look on his face. He put Scarlett in the car with out shoes on. It has happened before and I told Nick that forgetting shoes is like forgetting to put on pants. He must remember to put shoes on the girls! 5 seconds later I realized I forgot to put my shoes on and would be going to the park barefoot. It was one of those moments that could not have been better. 

Fear not, I am with thee

Every day I see her "babyness" fade. She sat in her car seat today and picked goldfish out of the bag all by herself. She used to demand I put them in her mouth one-by-one. I am not a mom that likes my kids to get messy. Well, their clothes anyway. When Alice wandered out the front door last night I quietly followed. I knew she would get in the gutter, street, and rocks. I would bring her home covered in filth and I was okay with it. Seeing the joy in her eyes as she looked at the world around her was worth it!

As I listened to Sister Elaine Dalton's talk in conference on Saturday I thought about my girls. They have a strength in them, I feel it. I know that they will be a shinning light in an ever darkening world. These past months I have lost many hours of sleep wondering how to raise my girls in a world filled with so much evil. It scared me to think of them leaving my presence and having to choose for themselves. Why? I know they are strong and confident. I know I am those things as well. Then why do I fear?  Because this world is spiraling down so fast it is staggering! We live in confusing times where wrong seems right and right seems wrong. The right choice is not clear and many, stronger and more righteous than myself, have lost their way. While listening to Sister Dalton's talk I realized the error of my ways... I fear!  

Thomas S. Monson "Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith"

 If I have faith there is simply no room for fear. I must be a women of faith and teach my daughters to be the same. They must know that all the evil in the world can be overcome with faith in the Lord and his gospel.  I firmly believe that what Sister Dalton said is true, "we will make a difference because we are different". My sweet girls will one day leave my side and venture out into this world but they will not be alone and they will be different! 

Bonnie Springs

Last weekend Nick had Friday off from work. It was a surprise so we decided to do something as a family last minute. We took the kiddos to Bonnie Springs out by Red Rock and let them play to their hearts content. They loved the petting zoo, riding the train, checking out old/creepy homes, and chasing chickens.

She loved feeding the animals. Can you tell by her face?

City Slicker Nick

Easter 2013

I love Easter, it always comes at my favorite time of year. The weather is warm and pleasant and everything is coming to life again. We are always to eager to spend time outside and enjoy fresh air. I love watching Scarlett chase after the eggs and put them in her basket with such enthusiasm. Seeing Alice toddle after her makes me realize how far we have come since last year. Alice was only a month old and I was in that post baby blur phase of life. Things are much more simple and I love simple. We had dinner with my family this year and enjoyed a traditional egg hunt. It was a blissful evening spent outside chatting to people I love.  All day I have been blessed with a feeling of peace and happiness, knowing that my sweet family is mine forever. I cherish these precious days I spend with my babies. Soon they will be big, the sweet baby face grown up. So tonight I hold them tight and thank my Heavenly Father that he sent his Son to redeem mankind. Because of His sacrifice I can cherish my family always.

Dancing with her beloved egg

Stuffing candy in as fast as she could

This past week my mom helped me make these adorable dress. They turned out better than I ever thought!

My favorite pic of the day!

Count down to the hunt!

Jordan pondering the cosmos. My parents lovely backyard

Chase after those eggs! All night she would yell to me, even after the eggs were all found "oh mom, I see another one!" She loved hunting for all the eggs and of course eating the goodies inside

Normal Saturday

We had our ward Easter party on Saturday. A good breakfast and of course an egg hunt. Scarlett LOVED it. She would get so excited whenever she saw an egg and run to get it with such enthusiasm. Alice just had fun stealing every body else's eggs and baskets and candy and anything else she could get her hands on. 

After we went on a walk and let Scarlett ride her bike. We got her a "strider bike", a toddler bike without pedals, for her birthday and she is getting really good at it. She can pick up her feet and glide for a long time, all while steering and keeping her balance. It is fun to go on walks with her and have zoom past us. We have had numerous discussions about being safe and not going too fast. She doesn't listen!

 

The weather has turned warm and it has become the most beautiful time of year in Vegas. The blossoms were so gorgeous this year and have already come and gone. It seems we are outside all day and go on walks as a family every night. The whole family loves it. The kids are entertained and Nick and I have time to talk about our day. Soon the summer heat will take over but for now we are enjoying every minute!

Some cute pics of Alice I found on my camera. She loves to play with phones and put it up against her ear. What a copy-cat. My favorite thing she does these days is walk up to me, stretch her arms up, and open/close her hands real fast. It is her way of "grabbing" for me. I pick her up and she snuggles up on my shoulder. I love watching her grow and develop yet I want my baby forever. She is such a special and lovable child.