Easter

We got pictures of the grandkids for Grandma Edie, hunted for treats, played games, decorated eggs, and ate yummy food the Saturday of Easter weekend this year! 

It was a lot of fun :) 

Baby Tim wasn't sure why he was finding eggs with goodies all over the grass, but he was definitely okay with it! 

He stuffed his mouth as fast as he could...

The girls dividing their goods...

Dying eggs with cousins and friends!

Little Tim's white shirt didn't last long :)

I'm glad I brought an extra just in case!

 

I love Easter! 

To me...

It means that Spring has finally arrived! 

It means time to relax, play, and eat with family.

It means I get to dress my children up.

But, most importantly, it means that I can repent, be forgiven, and live with the ones I cherish most for all eternity. 

I thank my Heavenly Father for sending his son Jesus Christ to make all of this possible for me (us).

I hope you had a happy Easter :)

School News

Minnie's little Pre-school Easter program was adorable! 

She puts her whole heart into singing. 

I loooooove it! 

She's learned sign language this year and is super good at it! 

I call her my ray of sunshine, because she has a way of cheering anyone up...

and yellow is her favorite color :) 

Her little buddy was spending the day with me, so he got to be there for her show.

She felt SO special!

Our Princess was given the Nobel Knight award at school for being the leader in her class! 

She's our go-getter and was so excited to finally receive this award.

She's been working hard for it!

Way to go cute girl! 

Mom knew you could do it XOXO

They Grow Taller Every Day

I popped in to Sport's school to check out his art work. 

He created this awesome castle that was on display for all to see. 

I'm so proud of him. 

He just keeps blowing me away with his skillz! 

Little Miss Princess rocked her favorite sports team and wore green for her Saint Patties day party at school! 

She was up bright and early, because she was just too excited to sleep.

That our girl :)

{Her bangs are almost grown out! I'm resisting the urge to cut them again. She looks so grown up without them!}

Love Day

I'm kind of an emotional wreck these days. 

 I think it's just all the deadlines that have to be met with our house, the demands of children/family, and just life! 

 I have absolutely nothing to complain about, and I'm NOT complaining. 

I'm just simply stressed and emotional :)

 It will pass, and I'm growing and learning so many new things along the way. 

One in particular is to accept help, and how nice it is to be helped. 

 The love and strength I've (We've) received from others overwhelms me. 

 I feel very blessed and hope to be able to bless others throughout my life as so many have blessed me. 

This Valentines day was a bit chaotic. 

I definitely wasn't expecting a thing, and I was okay with that! 

My valentine was working away on our home, and I've been so grateful to him. 

But, he never ceases to amaze me. 

He came home late that night holding these beautiful flowers (He knows how much I love spring time), and all my favorite goodies with little notes taped on them with cute sayings about me attached. 

 I started bawling like a big baby! 

 I don't cry easily, but it really touched me that he would take the time to do all of that for me, even with all that's on his plate right now. 

He's a pretty special guy, and I adore him!

All the Children have been SO excited for their Valentine parties at school. 

 I could hardly get them to sleep the night before! 

Especially this little Princess of ours.

She was up at 6AM, ready to put on her pink outfit and load her backpack with all the goodies for her friends. 

As we were driving to school, I said, "Hm...you're not excited at all for the party today now are you!?" :) 

She replied with a pouty face, "No way, mom. I'm going to miss you too much!" 

"Yeah? Well, in that case, lets turn around so I can spend the whole day with you!" I said.  

She laughed, "Just kidding, mom! I love you a lot...but, this is just something I have to do."

 

Oh, yes. She's our giggle box! 

She really is too smart, sassy, and cute for her own good. 

 

She left this Valentines message to the family that morning on our whiteboard... 

It brought a big smile to my face!

 

XOXO

Demolition-A Work In Progress

This is where my valentine will be tonight!
He really does love me :)

Eight weeks of work on our little house has worn us out!

We decided to get as much remodeling done as we possibly could before moving in.

I'll be honest, it's been rather exhausting and stressful.
JP is up at the crack of dawn to work on the home for a couple of hours before work, then quickly eats dinner and heads back over to work late into the night.

But, we keep on keepin' on!

It will all be worth it in the end.

Sport spent a day doing touch up paint with dad before the appraisal.

It's not the color we want. We will work on that this summer!

This was just to get us approved for the loan.

Scraping and painting!  He's daddy's little helper...

We decided to open up the kitchen and tear everything out!

The cupboards were cracked, falling off their hinges, and worn...

That back-splash did NOT want to come off!

Sport and dad had to put all their muscle into it...

Uncle Pete was awesome to give us a hand.

He has spent many hours helping us out!

This is where Sport has been spending his Saturdays.

His buddy C. was a big help in tearing that kitchen floor out!

Such tough little workers!

They were so proud of this chunk...

JP, Seth, and Pete measuring out the kitchen for cabinets...

We moved the fridge, and Uncle Pete framed out a pantry...

The boys had a lot of fun removing that wall and opening up the family room.

It is so much brighter now!

The popcorn ceilings had to go.

That was quite the project, because there wasn't a room in the house without it!

JP came home covered in white for days.

But, the ceilings looks amazing now!

We were so happy to find sheetrock and insulation hidden behind these wood walls!

They had to go...

Doesn't the family room already look brighter?

Yes...we removed the bar. 

Check out the original retro carpet!

After stewing for days over what to do about the rock wall fireplace,

we decided it needed to come down.

We would have done it eventually, so we figured we might as well do it now while we were already in a mess! 

We plan to build a mantel and insert a wood burning stove within the next year.

We'll see! 

I've always wanted one.

The fireplace is in need of repair, so we'll have to pinch our penny's and save up for it.

It's going to be beautiful and cozy...in the near future (I hope)!

 Before:

 Some of the Young Men in our ward spent their Wednesday night hauling rock for us!
They are pretty awesome boys...

We were in a real rut when some amazing neighbors pitched in to help us frame out the family room!

I don't know what we would have done without them.

After:

Next came the insulation and sheetrock...

The children picking up trash with their masks on...

They are awesome helpers!

I couldn't find my picture of the master bath, darn it!

But before the demolition, there was a shower and cupboard.

We took out the cupboard and shower and added a bath.

It seems so much bigger now!

Thanks to JP's brothers, we also fixed the plumbing and added a new bath to the children's bathroom.

The plumbing was absolutely disgusting.

I'm so glad JP's brother's talking us into replacing it.

Thanks, guys!

Even baby T. got in on the work.

He helped mom haul lumber to and from Home Depot :)

Taking out the solid rock in the entry way was a "man's" job.

All the guys took a turn showing off their muscle by taking a whack at it!

Even Sport wanted in on the action!

He was so excited to help Uncle Pete pull up the rock and cement...

We couldn't believe how deep and solid that rock was!

It's going to be replaced with tile and wood floors...

JP and Uncle Pete worked late into the night installing can lights throughout the house.

They add so much light and height!

 

Sport helped scrape off all that wallpaper!

When we got our new windows installed, I was beside myself!! 

They just brightened up the house and made me so happy!

I could actually see out our living room windows.

Aren't they lovely?

There's still so much to be done!

But, now we are getting closer to the fun stuff.

IE: Carpet, wood, paint, cabinets, appliances, bathrooms... 

Only two weeks left to get it all done!

I'm trying not to panic. 

Thanks to all our family and friends that have given so much of their time to help us!

You've been an answer to prayers.