Memorial Day

I hope this doesn't sound creepy, but I love Memorial Day.  Let me tell you why.  Ever since I was a little girl, it has been a family tradition on my moms side to meet at my Grandma Kartchner's house the Sunday before Memorial Day, pick flowers from her beautiful gardens and make gorgeous arrangements, and then take them down to the Provo cemetery to put on the graves of our loved ones that have passed.  I know that a lot of people do this, but one thing that makes it extra special to me is that at every grave someone tells us a story about that person.  Usually it is my Grandma Kartchner.  This has been so neat for me while growing up, and still to this day, to feel like I know these people that I have never met, but that I am related to.  Such an amazing legacy that is being passed on.  This year was especially fun because my girls were enthralled with all of the stories.  I love that they are having the same experience that I did when I was young, and learning about their ancestors.  It was a beautiful day, and the cemetery was gorgeous.  Such a peaceful place!

On Memorial Day we went up to the cabin, had lunch, and spent the day playing in the cool air.  Pure bliss!

LOVE my Grandma Kartchner!!

Preschool Graduate!!

Brexlyn has finally graduated!!

She has been waiting a long time for this day.

Out of all of my girls, she is probably the most shy.  It was a struggle some days getting her to school because she would not want to go.  For awhile I didn't understand why she put up a fight almost every day, because she would come out after preschool was over and tell me how awesome it was.  

One day, when she was having an especially emotional day about going to school (throwing a tantrum), I sat her down and asked her why she didn't want to go.  She finally told me that it was because she didn't talk to anyone, and so she didn't feel like she had friends.  This absolutely broke my heart!  

She ended up going, and I asked the teachers to help her step out of her comfort zone and play with more of the kids.  They did amazing!  From that time, until now, she is much more social, and I really feel like they helped to prepare her, not only academically, but socially for Kindergarten.

We LOVE Miss Jacque's Preschool!!!

Here is my grown up little girl!

 She said she wanted to be a firefighter when she grows up :)

 All graduated!

 We were so lucky to have Grandparents come and watch!

Grandma and Grandpa Heal

 Grandpa and Nana Paige

Me and Brexlyn

Her AMAZING teachers:

Miss Chris

 Miss Jacque

 Miss Carol

Now we are going to enjoy Summer and embark on a new adventure......KINDERGARTEN!

Mother's Day 2012

Mother's Day was different this year then it has been in the past.  Chad is out of town, and has been for a couple of weeks now.  I was being selfish and was kind of bummed that I wasn't going to have a day where I could just relax.  But, the girls made my day wonderful!  I was woken up in the morning by this lovely plate of breakfast in bed.  On the menu?  A piece of toast with butter melted on it, honey, little pepperoni, and a chocolate malt egg in the center.  All beautifully surrounded by some pennies.  The girls put so much thought into this plate, and it made me feel so loved!  Even though it wasn't necessarily edible, I wouldn't have wanted anything different.

After breakfast we got ready for church, and I was lucky enough to hear the girls sing to me.  I cried.  I've never been emotional before when they have sung in church, but for some reason I was today.  I think it was because I was looking at my beautiful girls and realizing that they are growing up!  ALL of my girls are in "real" primary now.  No more nursery for us.  They have sprung up like Spring flowers, and I am afraid that time is passing me by too quickly.  They are beautiful, sweet, and caring little girls, and I want them to stay that way forever! (well, most days :) )  I am so thankful that I get to be their mother.  What an amazing privilege!

After church, my sister and her family came over, and we enjoyed a nice dinner with great conversation, and lots of laughs.

I am so grateful to my own mom and for all that she has taught me!  She is such an amazing woman!!  I hope that I can be as good of a mom to my girls, as she has been to me!  Love you mom!

Happy Mother's Day out there to all of my wonderful friends and family members that are moms!  You have all been an inspiration to me!!

Fun with Friends

We have some fabulous friends, the Prentice's.  They have 2 little girls that are the same age as my girls are, and they always have such a great time together.  Their mother, Sarah, and I met in nursing school, and we have stayed in contact since that time.

Now that the weather is starting to be warm (sometimes) we have been getting together to play.  We went to the zoo, had birthday parties, and played at the park.  My girls ADORE her girls and ask if they can play with them all of the time :) It is so fun to see the fun little friendships that my girls are creating as they start to get older.  And, i'm so happy that their friends are so fabulous!