Madie "graduates!"

At Madie's school this year they decided to forgo the actual "8th grade graduation" and let the kids have a formal dance instead.

I personally LOVED the idea of them having fun and me NOT sitting through a mock graduation. The thought of Madie actually graduating for real in FOUR years is already feeling like a rock sitting in my stomach. I honestly cannot let myself think about how little time we have left we A.J. and Madie in my home. That is a post for another day.

These are just a few of the dozens of pictures I took of Madie and her friends. They all looked so beautiful with their hair curled, nails done and dresses that showed their individual style. Madie got the privilege of shopping for a dress with her dad. I was worried that they would return home with nothing or something that would result in a lesson about modesty. Boy was I wrong! Her dress was beautiful! Beautiful colors, beautiful fabric and perfect on her beautiful shape!

I love you Madie Ann. As I took picture after picture, I began to swell with love toward you. I know that life isn't always perfect with our two personalities constantly balancing, but I love you. I love your eyes. I love your strengths and weaknesses. I love how hard you work at every single thing that you do! I love that you are my daughter!

Look out high school...this mom is going to be sobbing all the way!

LOOK...I can post BIG pictures!

I just figured out how to make my pictures BIG! I know that for many of you, you could care less, but I am thrilled! I have fallen behind on blogging with the last week of school, but we have a lot to show you! See you this week!

Easter 2011

Easter Morning...

Easter morning was wonderful this year.

I started a new tradition that I got from a fellow mommy blogger, and tied yarn to each of their baskets. It started at their beds and led them all over the main floor and basement to their basket of fun.

I loved putting together their baskets this year. I tried to think beyond the chocolate bunnies and other Easter goodies. I thought about each of their lives and what would be fun to receive.

A.J. had spent the whole week completely focused on the Savior and his sacrifice for us, so I thought a book on the Savior would capitalize on everything he had studied throughout the week.

Each one of them have different things going on in their lives that are strengths and trials, so I wanted Easter to be one of those days where they could remember the Savior and his sacrifice for each one of us.

I am grateful for a wonderful opportunity to prepare a fun day for them. The boys spent the morning before church watching, "Forever Strong," which proved to be a perfect movie to put them in a great mood to catch the Spirit of Easter during sacrament meeting and throughout the day.

I am truly grateful for my testimony of the Savior. I don't need to study every detail of his Crucifixion to know that his sacrifice for each of us was more than we could ever comprehend. I hope and pray that I can be the kind of mother that He would have me be.

Happy Easter everyone!

Hawaiian Girls

John and I just returned from the "islands" as they say.

FIVE days of fun, relaxation, sun, adventures and SLEEP!

We have amazing parents who seemed to pull off watching all six kids flawlessly!

Their thank yous are stacked on the counter next to me.

Details and pics 0f our trip later, but I couldn't resist posting pictures of the girls in their new digs.

I love their faces!

***Sidenote: I don't believe that these costumes constitute as being modest enough for the church Trunk-or-Treat this year!