Spring Has Sprung...

Around our house, spring means a few things.  It means, handsome Easter suits and pretty Easter dresses...

Silly silly munchkins (and silly silly Mommy), this was a super duper quick let's-take-some-pics-FAST-because-we-are-late-for-church kind of shoot. And for some reason my barking orders didn't seem to go over too well, sigh.  And yet those debonair suits and those playful polka dots aren't any less sweet!  And seriously, can you even stand how cute Ava's "boo" piggy tails are!? I can't!

When I asked Kahner why he was doing "horns" he looked at me confused "Those are my BUNNY ears Mom!" he said with a giggle...

We've got pErSoNaLiTy!  Hahaha!

I am so amazed at my sweet Ollie, he is growing up!  My baby boy is so big and handsome!

Spring also means, Easter egg hunts with cousins at Grandma's house...

And Otter Pops on the front porch ;D

And before I move onto the rest of the pictures and going's on, let me take a second to acknowledge Easter.  I have a new found respect and affirmation of our Savior's great and marvelous sacrifice this Easter.  As we arrived (late) to church I was stopped in the hall and informed I had missed an announcement.  An announcement?  We have sacrament meeting last so immediately my interest was peaked and my heart began to beat a little bit faster.  I was then informed that a fellow (very young) Sister had passed away that morning from complications of influenza.  The flu?? I thought as my mind raced in circles and I tried to gathered my thoughts.  Then as I was ushering my children as quietly as possible into their classes my mind went straight to Aiden.  Her son.  Her son that was in my class.  Two sweet and precious boys are without their Mommy.  One devoted husband was without his wife.  I took deep breaths as I settled into my chair next to my class in Primary.  We sat on the front row and I hoped that nobody noticed I wasn't singing, because I was silently crying.  Tears gently rolled down my cheeks as I absorbed what had happened.

As the day went on, I tried not to let any of the little people see my heartache. And as we sat down in Sacrament meeting, they announced the baptism of a little girl the day before as well as the death of our dear Sister.  Sister Jensen (who is quite literally a Godsend to me and my kiddos, she always seeks us out and sits with us during sacrament... LOVE her and so do my munchkins!) said to Kahner "Kahner, Lainey was baptized! Isn't that great?"  He looked to her and said "Yeah. and... somebody died."  very somber and quiet.  At the time I didn't know it but Sister Jensen told me as we were getting ready to leave what had happened. I knew that I was going to have to have the talk with him.  It wasn't something I was prepared to do, at all.  We think often (at least I do) about big things we'll have to talk to our kids about, Sex, Bullies, Friends (who our real ones are)... but Death.  I was not prepared for this in the least.  I tried my best as we drove the short drive home to not bawl like a baby.  My voice trembled as I explained to all three, that Richie and Aiden didn't have a Mom on Earth anymore.  Another little quiver eeked out as I explained that even though it was sad that their Mom was in Heaven rather than on Earth with her boys, she would get to see them again one day.  And that she was watching over them right now.  

The true meaning of Easter was overflowing in my heart like a fountain.  Jesus Christ made it possible for us all to live again.  With great sacrifice, pain and suffering He died for us for Richie and Aiden and for their Mommy.  So that they could be together and we could all live with Him again.  If only we believe.  My Easter wish for all of you is that you might feel the love of our Savior Jesus Christ in your hearts.  That you might know and feel of that sweet and tender mercy he extends to us all.  I hope you had a wonderful and inspiring Easter my dear friends, just as I did.

Phew! I know that was a bit heavy, but we're about to lighten things up a bit so don't worry!  The rest of these pictures are from the week of Easter, festivities and random pics that I loved.  So put down the tissues and let's go to a tea party with Ava, Ba Noi, Baby Belle and Rapunzel...

Let's be silly and play drums on the table!

 Let's color some eggs!  (and play around with picasa using the comic book tool)

 "maybe I can get all the cousins to play the drums too!" She thinks...

 Let's have a very non-traditional Easter bbq, that was wonderful by the way!  Thanks Pops!

 Let's play a little "fooseball" in the yard...

 Let's sing happy birthday to sweet Sophie Jane, whose birthday happened to fall on Easter this year...

 Let's go for a ride with this cute kid... helmets on! We're ready to roll!

Let's look into those big brown eyes... those sweet sweet chocolate brown eyes...

 And we're off, Spring is here, God is good.

The End.