Too Much Change

Yep. It is true. We are moving.

Tomorrow, we are driving the first of our two day trip to Southern, Wyoming. I will be a "Wyoming girl." I never thought I'd say that. I am honestly excited for our new adventure. But boy-oh-boy, the thought of leaving my mommy sure does hurt.

Today at Easter service, and our last day at church, a girl sang the song, "My Redeemer Lives." Let me tell you, the combination of it being our last Sunday and an Easter service is not good. So when she sang this song, the tears started flowing:

I know that my Redeemer lives.
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead.
He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives to bless me with His love.
He lives to plead for me above.
He lives my hungry soul to feed.
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.
He lives to guide me with his eye.
He lives to comfort me when faint.
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears.
He lives to wipe away my tears.
He lives to calm my troubled heart.
He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend.
He lives and loves me to the end.
He lives, and while He lives I’ll sing.
He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.
He lives and grants me daily breath.
He lives, and I shall conquer death.
He lives my mansion to prepare.
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to His name!
He lives, my Savior, still the same.
Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:
“I know that my Redeemer lives.”

All glory to His name!
My Savior, still the same.
What joy this sentence gives:
I know my Savior lives.

Doesn't that just say it all? I just couldn't stop and I only cry in front of people that I am extremely close to. The other bad thing about it is that crying gives me a headache. It doesn't matter how much I cry... a few tears and my day is shot. By the time I got out to the car, I had a full on migraine. A quick stop at the grocery store for some Excedrine Migraine and a diet pepsi, a cold wash cloth and laying in bed has kicked it for now. Holy cow, I honestly thought I was going to either die or pass out, it was that bad. I should be throwing bedding and dirty clothes in boxes, but I'm pretty sure Joe and the kids would like to keep their heads today. ;)

So tomorrow morning, we (including my wonderful Mom), are headed out. An overnight stay in Burley and then the rest of the way on Tuesday. This has been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, thus far. Isn't it funny how you think you could never experience anything more difficult? I remember the last hard thing I did, and this is way harder. I KNOW, though, that Heavenly Father won't ever "give me" something I can't handle, so he must think I'm stronger than how I've been acting. Guess it's time to cowboy up and get busy. We ARE leaving in the morning, whether this house is packed up or not. And I'm pretty sure my mom would be a tad annoyed if she had to come and finish packing for us... ;)

I am excited to have new things to blog about. Keep checking back for fun new things to read and see! The good thing about blogging buddies, is that I'm really not leaving any of you! I am so grateful for the last 4 years, 2 months, and 9 days that we have lived here. I've gotten to know so many new people and have loved living so close to my mom and dad. We will miss them terribly but hope to be back. I don't like this decision we've made, but I honestly believe we are headed in the right direction. I know I will grow from it.

I guess I will end this rambling post. Love love love my home state of Washington. But it's time to get to know a new one!

PARK

Today, FINALLY, we went to the park. Haylie had been begging and BEGGING us to go… so we went.

Maggie couldn’t take her eyes off of the kids. Literally. This was her first experience with a park and she was in HEAVEN!

The wind blowing in her face made her get all scrunchy faced. I wish she would have kept her head up… so funny!

She’s impressed, I’m sure.

Connor couldn’t even take time to take off his helmet. He was OFF to the little digger/shoveler contraption. This was taken right after we got there.

Little Hays playin’ in the tire tunnel.

This is about 20 minutes after the first picture was taken… still there. We need to get one of these things at our house.

Maggie’s 1st swing experience!! WAHOO! As you can tell, she was thrilled.

First picture... not so much. Second picture… the death grip has loosened a bit. And third picture… starting to enjoy herself a little. But shh. Don’t tell anyone.

I just love Haylies zest for life. Everything is an adventure to her. I wish I could treat my own life, and the lives of my family with as much gusto as she does. If there is something to be learned from her, it’s to sit back and enjoy the ride!

Poor Maggie had a little fall.  The first picture was pretty legit. In the second she was doin’ OK. But as soon as the tears wear off a little bit you can say, “OHH Maggie! What happened??” (If you look at my face, I’m pretty sure I’m in the middle of “happened”) and she’ll give you the biggest, fakest cry you’ve ever seen. We like to do it on purpose. It’s HILARIOUS!

Connor + Digger/Shoveler contraption = Best friends. At this point, it’s been about 30-35 minutes since we arrived. Joe finally had to tell him to get off so other kids could have a turn.

BEST.  PICTURE.  EVER!!!

After wearing out the playground, we headed over to the skate park. We only got a couple of pictures there; Connor is one tough cookie when he’s around the big boys! Otherwise, not so much.

 

I’m so loving this warmer weather. Even though the wind howled today, it was so nice to get out and enjoy some sunshine! Thank goodness for 70 degree weather!!! I’m lovin’ it!

Do ya’ think she’s excited… maybe?

Hay was all smiles! Sure love our little firecracker!

This is the last day of school right before Spring Break. Haylie got off the bus, kicked off her shoes and was ready to PARTY!  As much as she loves school, this girl LOVES the thought of not having to go.

SHE’S A WALKER!

At 10 months, 2 weeks and 2 days, Maggie walked!

You know in the movies, when they say, “AH! She’s walking!” and then the baby walks around the entire house without even a wobble? And then you think to yourself, ‘That baby has definitely been walking for a while.’ That’s how it was with Maggie. We were having a lesson about obedience for Family Home Evening and Joe was right in the middle of talking about consequences for not obeying your parents, and Maggie just turned from me and walked across the living room. Like she’d been doing it her whole life! It was crazy.. we were all like cartoon characters on t.v. with our jaws touching the floor. I laughed and then cried because I was so shocked. And Joe just sat there with his mouth wide open. She’s not doing it as much now and that’s just fine with me!

The Boy Turns 4

Connor turned 4 today! Four! I can hardly believe it.

Bad picture… he got a gumball machine. It’s a good thing because the next gift he got was a bit of a disappointment to him.

Little Mags enjoying the excitement!

Connor hates attention. he sort of takes after me on that one… He gets very offended and gets his feelings hurt if he thinks anyone is laughing at him or talking about him. And by offended, I mean he screams, “STOP LAUGHING AT ME!” So in this picture, he is about to yell at everyone, “I DID NOT GET DIAPERS FOR MY BIRTHDAY!”

Bedding!

And this is where he dumps the box out and checks to see if there is anything else in the box and says, “Nope. There’s nothing else in there.” I happen to think that bedding is a very exciting gift! Mainly because I have been waiting and waiting for 2.5 WHOLE YEARS to find the perfect bedding for his bed. I finally just grabbed something at IKEA the other day because the poor kid needed something a little manly.

Cute, cute, cute!

What a sweet sweet boy! We don’t know what we’d do without our little Con-bon! As his little cousin Lucy would say, “He is one hardcore little kid!” And he is! He is the most thoughtful and giving person I know. He shares his most prized possessions with whomever asks. Just this morning, he gave his favorite birthday doughnut to Haylie because she was throwing a fit just because she wanted it. Boy do we love this miracle that came into our lives four years ago. Happy happy birthday my little man! We love you! 

What the?

This is behind Haylie’s headboard. And for the record- I did NOT take these pictures.

 

How does one even do this? There’s not even six inches in between her bed and the wall… as you can see. I’m pretty sure his feet weren’t touching the floor either.

TOOFER Part 2

Well, it happened. After 30 minutes of kicking and screaming we finally got her tooth out. We told Haylie yesterday when she got off the bus, that the tooth had to come out today. I said, “I won’t pull it out right now if you don’t want, but it WILL come out before you go to bed.” Her poor gums were swollen and sore to the touch, and were turning purple, so we decided it was time. She bawled and begged and pleaded, and then bawled some more. She kept telling us that she would pull it out herself, but she never did. Finally, I had had enough, so I grabbed a wet paper towel, pinned her down and pulled it out. When I backed away from her with the tooth in hand, and she calmed down a little bit, I held out my hand and said, “What’s this?!”

Confused, she said, “I don’t know…” After she realized that I had in fact pulled her tooth out, she said in disbelief, “HA! I DIDN’T EVEN FEEL IT!”

You can imagine how happy she was after that… little stinker.

BEFORE: 

AFTER:

Notice how puffy and red her cheeks are.  The tooth fairy was very generous for her first lost tooth… she got 5 containers of play dough, a package of 700 stickers and a delicious pack of bubble gum! The tooth fairy even took pity on Connor so he wouldn’t feel bad, and gave him some play dough as well. ;) Thank goodness this tooth is gone! Drama drama drama…