WHAT A BEAUTIFUL WORLD!

Loved this.

Like several other beautiful things that happened today, it brightened my day.

Watching Madison try to skip for the first time.

Seeing a Swallow tail butterfly glide past me.

Having Sierra sort the laundry and hearing her little voice eager to help me in anyway she could.

DEATH in the FAMILY

There was a death in the family.

Nugget died.
He was a chicken.
(He was named after a chicken nugget, Bro. Chuck's suggestion. Sierra never did quit understand the humor in it.)

Sister K sent me a text about it when I was in Utah. I thought it would best if we kept it on the DL. When we got back to the farm and Sierra ran to meet her chickens and realized one wasn't there she asked, "Where is Nugget?" I piped up before Sister K could answer, "He ran off." Death is a touchy subject for Sierra, so I thought I would tell a little fib to help her, and frankly me, get through it. She was satisfied and went off to play.

Two weeks later, I paid for my lie. We were walking home from school together and she started up, "Why did Nugget run off?" I said, "I don't know. Maybe he wanted to go out and see the wide, wide world." She said, "Well, he shouldn't have done that! Anything could happen to him. Like, what if he got ran over by car?" This thought produced tears. Then she said, "What if he got crushed by stampeding antelope? What if his body is splat on the ground and no one is there to bury him? What if he fell in a river and is struggling? What if he is lost and cold with no one to take care of him?" More tears. Then she worked herself into such a frenzy and she couldn't calm down. I finally blurted out, "He's dead, I am sorry I lied. He's dead."

She stopped freaking out and looked up at me with tear stained eyes and said, "Seriously?" I said, "Yes. Then she went out in the back of the house and collected weed and came back in and said, "Take me to the grave."

 Luckily, Sister K had buried him and marked his grave. I said, "Okay." We drove to the farm. Yes, I brought my camera because it was sad, but funny. (Funny because all the drama was over a chicken and we eat chicken on a weekly bases.) She walked solemnly with the patch of weeds in hand to the grave sight.

She cried harder as she pet the Nugget's grave. I said, "Maybe we should say a few words." She said between her tears, "Mommy, don't make me." I said, "You don't have too." Then she began, "Nugget you were the bestest chicken that ever was. I loved to hold you in my arms and pet you. I loved you so much." Tears streamed down her red cheeks and in that moment all the humor was gone and I stopped taking pictures and I cried right along with her.

After she was done paying her respects she had to go and get some chicken therapy. She went into the hen house and held a few of her, now grown, baby chickens. 

Later on at the kitchen table Madison said to Sierra, "Is Little Grey dead?" Another one of Sierra's chickens. Sierra gave Madison the stink eye. Madison exclaimed really loud, "NO! HE IS ALIVE!" With emphasis added ot the A, which is more funny. I guess that was suppose to make it all better. Thank you Madison. THE END.

EASTER BREAK, UTAH TRIP

Every time I get back from a trip to see my family the first thing I do is upload the memory card from my camera, I am always disappointed.

All I can think about is every moment I didn't capture. I don't know, maybe I am so busy enjoying myself I don't take the time to capture the truly amazing moments. The moments I wish I had of captured were...

Colton, Everetts, and Kate's birthday BBQ.

Watching Colton, Kate, Madison, and Sierra all squeeze into a corner of the Little Tike plastic playground.

Adalie and Sierra laughing there heads off at the word ski-motor.

The beautiful colorful tulips on the grounds of the Provo Temple.

My father playing with my children.

Grandpa making the pancakes the morning that we left with grape syrup and whipping cream.

Derrick and Madison talking to each other and laughing.

Reupholstering Jennifer's chair for her nursery, which we hope and pray will welcome a baby someday. Before and after picture, or any picture at all, of the project.

Baby Lydia's adorable chunky cheeks.

Movie night in Jennifer and Derrick's theater room in their basement. Dancing to and laughing at the horribly weird show "The Muppets".

Adam and Kimberly holding hands. We didn't even see it, it was subtle, but I wish I had a picture.

Those are the moments I missed that I wish I hadn't. These are the moments I captured.

Easter Dinner with my whole family, minus Michelle and her brood.



Madsion falling asleep on the way back from seeing our cousins in Santiquin. We did get to see Grandma and Grandpa and all our cousins. We were sad we didn't see Aunt Jenny.


Jumping on the tramploline with the sprinklers underneath. They begged. I let them. Madison now has a horrible cough, so much for mother of the year.

Playing with cousin Kate is one of my girls favorite things to do.


Shopping at Target with my youngest sisters. We searched the sale racks. We found a few things. Tamara asked my oppinion on the dress. Then she didn't trust my oppinion and made me go and get Kimberly. Look at Kimberly's face, I told you it was a winner.
Cuddling with Grampa. Ahhh.
Wearing our Target finds. Yes, we are cool. Yes, we are hot. I mean HOT.


Finding the perfect curtain fabric for the nursery at JOANN's with this girl.
Celebrating this girl's birthday. She got a Cannon 60D. A little jealous.... yep, I'd say. The cake was divine. We were glad to be there.

EASTER SUNDAY

We went to my parents home for Easter Holiday. My mother is the Primary President, so my kids loved going to primary with grandma. There was a beautiful service. Once a month members of the congregation are allowed to share their testimony of Jesus Christ. My sweet sister (pictured above) stood up and shared her thoughts on the Savior. She moved us all to tears. She is the first counselor in the Primary. She talked of how her hope in Christ was magnified by looking into the little faces of the primary children and called them by name. She is such an amazing Aunt to my little girls. I am praying for good things to come for her.

HAPPY EASTER

Dresses complete at 12:00 last night. I am a little in love.