Giddy-up!

What a beautiful day for a horseback riding adventure. The girls and some of their "school" friends went on a "field-trip" today. Their wildest cowgirl dreams came true.

What did they have to say about their experience?

"The horse ate out of Brynn's hand and got slobber all over it!" --Kate

"The horse peed and poo-ed."--Adrie

"Can we go horseback riding when we get home?"--Brynn

"I want to have 4 horses when I grow up."--Brynn

Bud is the biggest horse fan of them all. The other day when we were reading family scriptures out loud I read the word "Nay." Buddy ran over to see the page, "I wanna see the horsies."

Getting on all fours, whinnying, and pretending to graze or running down the street to look for horsies pretty much takes up most of his day. Chasing after him pretty much takes all of mine too. Good thing he didn't know what he was missing when we left him with a babysitter for this trip!

A New House Again

After months of construction we finally put the finishing touches on our basement. Voila! Our living space doubled. Once the carpet guys finished installing there was no stopping the girls. They got right to work hauling down their mattresses, clothes, dolls, and STUFF. I don't think the squeals of delight could be matched by any ride at Disneyland. Their 3 years of sharing a bedroom finally came to end. Now they each have a bedroom to call their own and they are thrilled about it. I actually heard Brynn say to herself as she was organizing her room, "I'm going to make my bed EVERY DAY!"

Plenty of room down here to shout for joy and do cartwheels.

Brandon's excitement was equal to the girls when he was able to finally enjoy his Christmas present. This cougar fan got a giant BYU fathead logo for the wall. I have never seen such ambition as I did when he was measuring , centering, marking out where his beloved "Y" would go. He did all the work and after it was up.....Ahhhh you should have seen the look on his face. It was pure joy! Wish I had a picture of that one. He finds excuses now to come downstairs just so he can turn the corner and "Ahhhhh" admire the fathead.

I have loved de-cluttering the upstairs and moving all the toys, clothes, books and extra blankets downstairs.

But best of all, Buddy no longer has to sleep in our closet. He has moved into the girls old bedroom and hallelujah! I can put my clothes in there again! Winners all around.

Having a basement has been wonderful. Without the kids and toys we have a much quieter and cleaner main level. Sometimes it's too quiet...so I go down to check on them and they are happily playing games or organizing their shelves and true to her word Brynn has been making her bed every day!

The Greatest Reason to Celebrate

He is Risen! I can't get this hymn tune out of my head. It is a good one to have though, especially when you are hearing the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's version. I love Easter and it's message of Christ's Resurrection. Each year I come to appreciate it more as I learn more about it. This year we read the events from the Bible on each day that it occured starting with Palm Sunday last week and concluding today, Easter Sunday. We Believe!
This is 5 year old Adria's picture of the Crucifixion from our reading on Good Friday.

I also really loved that it was LDS General Conference on Easter Weekend. We moved the couch into the office and watched it online at BYUtv (no TV service yet.) --All this while feasting on our Easter candy (like mainly ones that involved peanut butter) to keep us alert and attentive. BTW--I could not find Cadbury mini eggs this year????? Did anyone buy them out early???

While it's fresh in my mind, here are a few things that I got out of all that counsel to help me personally:

Tell children the stories of Jesus (over and over), ask them questions, let them talk, and LISTEN, Bear spontaneous testimony, welcome thoughts by invitation only, The home is the most important place to teach and prepare our children, personal revelation is the most important life skill we can develop, a mother's influence is extremely important, faith is WORK, How we respond to trials determines our life's course, Judge not, the sacrament is the most sacred and holy meeting in the church, Hold your tongue about things (teaching children to avoid the temptation to gossip,) Let children see your love for them on your face, Where there is a design there is a Designer, All things work together for good for those who love God.