I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Okay, I'm going to reveal something about myself in this post. I AM A HARRY POTTER FREAK! There it's been said. I was so disappointed when they dropped the November date. As much as I liked Twilight, I still wish it had been Harry Potter. I love book six and have been waiting forever for the movie to come out. I still have to wait until July, but as least we're getting closer to the release date. It won't be the same without Hyrum here to go to the showing with me, but my mom has agreed to go with me since Doug will be gone. I CAN'T WAIT!

Here are some great previews of the upcoming movie. Did I mention, I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!

I'm sure it won't be as good as the book. I've already seen some things in the trailer that don't belong. However; it's going to be AWESOME!

Look What I Did Today!

I've been wanting to get the hair bows out of my bathroom drawer and organized somehow. My sister-in-law bought a really cute board to hold hers. I loved the idea, but at the time didn't have any cash with me to buy one. Well, I decided to make a craft, bought the stuff, and I ACTUALLY made it! I'm happy with myself because I bought the stuff yesterday and I made my board today. How's that for being on top of things? I know, it's unlike me, but I can change, right?

Here's the finished product. Now I just need Doug to come home and hang it on our bathroom door (I don't trust myself with nails and hammers).

Sorry there are a lot of pictures, I'm just so excited that I made something!

The Real Reason We Celebrate Easter

I'm sure everyone has seen this by now, but I watched it for the first time today and I just have to share it with everyone. I really enjoyed Elder Holland's talk last week, but having the movie clips with the talk really made the message stronger. I've already watched it three times today. I wish I would have known about it to watch it on Sunday. Oh well, it's never too late to focus on the Savior and His sacrifice for us.

Last night we had a combined FHE lesson with my family. Even though it was a week late, we had a lesson about Easter. It was nice to hear the story of the crucifixion and resurrection again. One thought that hit me last night was how much Christ must have been suffering when he prayed, "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (St Luke 22:42)

Think of everything the Savior had done up until this point. He knew what was coming. Our perfect elder knew what was going to happen, it wasn't His first choice to continue on, but He knew there was no other way for the rest of us to be saved. He said, "not my will, but thine, be done". He submitted Himself to the Father's will and because He did, we have the opportunity to live with our Father in Heaven again.

Can you imagine the pain our Father in Heaven experienced while watching His son suffer in the Garden of Gethsemane and then during His trial and crucifixion? My heart aches to the breaking point when I see my children go through trials and they're only 5 and 3---their trials are nothing compared to what the Savior suffered. Think of how much our Father must love us. We are His children. His heart must ache when He watches us suffer. However; just as I know my children will learn from their trials, He knows we will learn from ours. It's not enjoyable, it hurts, but it's necessary for us to progress. The Savior's sacrifice was vital for all of us. It had to be done.

Elder Holland's talk made me think about how much I wish could have offered comfort to the Savior during His suffering. Obviously there is nothing I could have done, but to think of His suffering alone makes me wish I could have taken action. I like to think we were all in Heaven sending our love His way, gratitude filling our hearts.

"One of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. . . . May we declare ourselves to be more fully disciples of the Lord Jesus Chris, not in word only and not in the flush of comfortable times. But in deed and in courage and in faith. May we stand by Jesus Christ at all times, and in all things, and in all places that we may be in, even until death. For surely that is how he stood by us, when it was unto death, and when he had to stand entirely and utterly alone." (Elder Jeffery R. Holland)

This quote from Elder Holland's talk has helped given me a greater resolve to set aside the things of the world. Nothing on this earth is as important and following the Savior's example and living so we can return to our Father in Heaven. NOTHING!

Easter Fun

On Saturday, April 11, we had a small egg hunt with the girls and my brothers and my grandma's house. It was fun watching the girls run around looking for plastic eggs.

Shaylynn getting help finding eggs.

Grandpa watching the fun.

Great-Grandma (my grandma) watching from the safety of her home.

Random Pictures

Grandma with some of her posterity.

Our ward doesn't start until 1:30 p.m. I got the girls ready for church and then sent them out with Doug to get pictures taken in their new dresses. While they got their pictures taken, I finished getting ready for church. I have to wonder about some of the shots.

Sorry, but I think I have the cutest girls!

What's with the face Shaylynn?

Doug, what's with the pole poses?

Did you notice Miriam's hair? Isn't it adorable? My sister-in-law cut it while Doug was in Philadelphia a few weeks ago. I LOVE IT! It's so much easier to do in the morning for school. Thanks again Katy! You're a hair genius!

After church we went to Doug's house for our annual Easter hunt. It's been two years since we were able to be part of the festivities. It was nice to be back. This year each child had a corner of the yard filled with goodies. The adults had to find their plastic bag hidden somewhere in the yard. I'm the worst at finding hidden objects! Thankfully Troy took pity on me and said, "Hey Mallena, you should look over here." Since I have a sister-in-law Melina I wasn't sure who he meant. I yelled out that it didn't matter on the spelling, I was going to take it and call it mine. Melina started towards the same tree but thankfully it was my name so I got to keep it.

I gave Doug the camera to take pictures. Unfortunately he didn't make it over to get any pictures of Miriam finding her eggs. I'll have to beg my mother-in-law and Melina for the pictures they took.

It was a fun night full of lots of laughs. I married into a strange family so we always have a good time. Thankfully I came from a strange family so I fit right in, and vice versa for Doug.

Our New Favorite Movie

The girls and I have found a movie we really enjoy. It is Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses. I bought the book for Miriam at her school's book fair. We've been enjoying reading it at bedtime so when I saw the movie on sale I purchased it.

The reason I like it so much is because of the dancing. Ever since Miriam took ballet from Darlynn, I've gained a greater appreciation for that style of dancing. I love the dancing in this movie! It is so beautifully done. It's fun to watch Miriam attempting to follow the steps. I highly recommend everyone see this movie, if only for the dancing. Thanks Darlynn for getting us addicted to beautiful dancing!

Here's a clip I found on YouTube:

It's Going to Be One of Those Days

I can just tell it's going to be one of those days and it's only 9:00 a.m. It all started with me deciding I could afford to sleep for a few more minutes this morning. Mistake number one. Then Miriam decided to wake up and start watching cartoons (she's never done this before). I let her watch while she ate breakfast and got dressed. Mistake number two. It was a scramble to get her ready and myself dressed before the bus arrived. On top of all of that Doug had to go in early this morning and Shaylynn had Preschool. We were late, but I knew we'd probably still make the bus. I got downstairs and couldn't find the car keys. I gave them to Doug last night to move the car. Mistake number three. I called his cell phone but he didn't answer (I didn't leave a very nice voice mail). I then called the Dr.'s office---they didn't have a way to leave a message. Since they didn't open until 9:00 this morning, I knew I was in trouble. With all the searching, we were too late to try and walk to the bus stop. Mistake number four. I called my house to see if my mom could help me get the kids to school. She had already left to take my brother to school and then go through a temple session. Sigh. It wasn't even 8:00 yet and my morning was spiraling out of control! At this point I was ready to call it quits and just keep the girls home because to top it off IT STARTED TO SNOW! I hate driving on the snow! However; today is Shaylynn's IEP meeting after school and I didn't want to have to reschedule. I want to get her goals figured out and then start working on them. Skipping school simply was not the answer. Luckily my dad was still home and didn't have to be to work for a little bit. He said he'd take my brother to school and then come get Miriam, take her to school, then come back and get Shaylynn, and take her to school. What a relief! Soon after I got off the phone with him, Doug called laughing. Somehow the keys sneaked into his pants pocket! Don't ask me how he ended up with two sets of keys to two different cars, but he did. He reminded me that we had an extra key to the Explorer upstairs. I was relieved because I thought I was going to have to take my dad to the busy BYU-I campus, drop him off, and then drive his monsterous truck back and forth shuttling the girls. Who knows when my mom will be done at the temple so I couldn't count on her car.

One good thing did come out of this morning though. Since I was already running late I had my dad take Miriam to school. I think she really enjoyed the novelty of going to school with Grandpa. They were so cute walking down the sidewalk holding hands. He walked her around the truck and opened her door for her. I wish I would have taken a picture! She looked so happy and excited to be going to school in a way other than the norm.

Well, I'm off. The IEP meeting is right after Shay gets done with school. My mom is picking Miriam up from the bus stop and bringing her here until I get home. I need to straighten the house a little before she arrives. I'm really hoping the rest of the day will be uneventful. I don't think I can handle any more surprises.

You can't tell in this picture, but it is snowing that wet, icky snow. SPRING, WHERE ARE YOU?