Mothers Day

I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing, but our anniversary and Mothers Day fall within a few days of each other.  This year it made me feel really spoiled.  Mother's Day was a little bittersweet this year because we are away from our Moms, but it was much better than last year!  Last year my Grandpa had passed away unexpectedly 2 days prior and no one felt like celebrating.  This year my amazing husband and kids made it a Mother's Day to remember.  I was able to sleep in, have breakfast and dinner made completely by Richard while I sat on the couch (that was actually really hard to do), watch my girls play in the backyard and just relax!  The girls gave me many cards and pictures they drew, Arcadia painted a flower pot for me and Richard is getting me much needed new phone.  I am so blessed to be a mom to these 3 cute girls.  I am not always the best at it, but I'm trying and I hope they know how much I love them and how proud I am of them.  If I follow the wonderful example that my Mom set for me then they will always know.

I have an amazing Mom who has always stood by me (even when taking her grandchildren away).  She loves her children unconditionally and has proven that time and again.  She is a rock and her faith in the gospel is immeasurable.  She is not only my Mom, but my best friend and I miss her.  Love you Mom!

Mekensy was really mad she had to be in a picture...she hates having her picture taken!

10 Years and counting...

I can't believe we have been married 10 years.  It makes me feel so old and looking at the pictures makes me feel so much older!  We have had quite a ride these past 10 years.  We have lived in 3 different houses, had 7 different cars, said goodbye 6 family members, survived a "surfing accident" resulting in collar bone surgery, had 3 amazing baby girls, been on countless vacations, lived in 2 different states, had kids with broken bones, tubes put in ears and spells of passing out, Richard graduated from the U and from Banking School and has worked at 2 different banks, and through it all we have shared lots of smiles and lots of tears.  I can't imagine sharing this life with anyone but him.  He puts up with a lot living in a house with 4 girls and he takes it like a champ!  The girls have the best Dad there is and they love him so much.  The move to Colorado has been so good for us and has taught us to truly rely on each other.  We have become so much closer as a couple and a family in the past 5 months than in the previous 9 1/2 years.  I am so grateful to have him in my life and without him I wouldn't be who I am and have the beautiful children we have.  Not to mention I wouldn't be so spoiled...We are going to Jamaica in June to celebrate and he gave me a beautiful ring.  I am one lucky girl!!  Love you Rich!

The Girl's Rooms

These rooms were a labor of love and I have to thank Richard for all of his hard work (and for the money to pay the painters).  I love to paint, but the thought of having to do it while 3 kids whined and cried for anything they could possibly think of was not appealing!!  Richard and I worked together on the beadboard and surprisingly enough with little arguing!  We are happy with how it turned out, but wish we had looked into a few more tips and tricks beforehand.  The girls love their rooms and it's a darn good thing.  Now we just have to make good on the promise that they could get fish.  But hey, I guess it's better than the dog they want!  Enjoy the pictures...

New School

It was Arcadia's second first day of 1st grade!!    I'm not sure who was more nervous and apprehensive.  She had been nervous for day and so was I.  I just had to pretend I wasn't!!  Dad took her to school because I couldn't do it.  She was excited when she got there and because her birthday was over Spring Break she was able to take doughnuts on her first day.  What a great way to make friends....bring them doughnuts!!

Seven

Arcadia turned 7 this last week!  Sometimes I wonder where all the time has gone.  It seems like just yesterday she was born (a little too early) but determined as ever.  Here we are 7 years later and she is still tiny and still determined.  She is VERY sassy and will tell you exactly how she feels about things.  She loves to dance and sing and well....pretty much anything that involves any sort of audience watching her.  She is a great big sister to both of her sisters.  She is Brooklyn's favorite and if she can't find her she will yell "A-yah".   She has been amazing with the move.  She cries occasionally because she misses her Grandparents and friends, but the next minute talks about how much she loves it here.  We are so proud of her and love her so much!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ARCADIA!!

She was so excited the "balloon fairy" came.  She later informed me that she is pretty sure I do it at night after she goes to bed.  I guess she'll never know!  ;)

The Party!! They crafted and decorated cupcakes.

 Blowing out the candle.  She actually took quite sometime thinking of a wish.

The loot from Mom and Dad and her Sisters.  She got lots of clothes, hair stuff for her own new bathroom, and an iPod Shuffle. She was so excited.

Thanks to everyone who sent cards and gifts, facetimed, called, texted or messaged her.  She had a great day and has been enjoying all the gifts she received.  It was different being away from family, but she still "had the best birthday yet"!

Our New Adventure...

Never did I think I would be writing a blog post about us moving yet again and especially to somewhere outside of Utah. Our lives took a drastic turn back in December of last year and here we are 4 months later getting settled in Colorado. The past 4 months have been a whirlwind of events. Lots of flying back and forth from Utah and Colorado, lots of soaking up all the time we could with family and friends, trying to sell a house and buy a house, many sleepless nights trying to figure out the logistics of a big move, and most of all missing Dad!! But here we are, two and a half weeks after the big move and finding our new lives here in Colorado. Thankfully the move went smoothly and we have settled in quickly. We miss our family and friends so much, but have been lucky enough to have already had visitors. My awesome Mom and Sister came out with us when we moved and worked night and day to help me unpack and decorate in 3 days. Yes, I said 3 days!! We also had Richard's parents and his sister and her daughter here for Easter. We have had so much fun getting to know the area, meeting new people and best of all being with Dad!! It was a long and hard 3 months and we couldn't have done it without the amazing support of our family and friends. Thank you to all of you helped in all the ways you did. We love you all. We were so lucky to have a great week with so many of you before we left and we can't wait to be back for visits. Here are some pictures of the big day...

 Watching the moving truck pull up...this was pretty emotional for me, 

but the girls thought it was pretty exciting.

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 Watching a little Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood while everyone else works!

   

 Packing the truck was like putting together a giant puzzle. It was amazing how they made it all fit together!

   

 This might have been the hardest thing in the house for Richard to leave. He went to so much for work to make this EXACTLY like the one on the Field House up at the U. He took half a day up there measuring it all out!!

   

 Saying goodbye. Luckily my Mom and Sister were coming with us for a few days. I don't think I could have left if they hadn't been right behind us.

   

We will miss the house we loved so much. As I pulled up pictures for this post there were some from before the house was built. I never thought that when we built it almost 3 short years ago we would say good bye so soon. Not only was it a great house, but we had some pretty special neighbors. I feel like that was a once in a lifetime thing and I will always miss it. :(