Coloring Eggs

We were going to wait until Saturday to color eggs but Abi was really anxious to do it so we decided to do them last night.

As usual it was a lot of fun and we have some pretty eggs! Mine are yellow (of course)and dark purple, Doug's are blue and orange, Maddy's is green, and Abi's are pink and light purple.

Easter dresses

Since Easter is on Conference Weekend we had the girls wear their new Easter dresses from Grammy and Grandfather to church on Sunday. I was going to get a picture before church when they were all fresh but we didn't have time so we clicked some when we got back. My camera battery died right when we were taking them so I had to make do with the ones I got....

They looked so pretty in their matching dresses and I loved that they were the same dress but different colors.

Family Home Evening Easter Egg Hunt

For family home evening on Monday night we had a really great time. Most of you have probably heard of this before but I thought I would share it just in case because it went over so well- the best FHE we've ever had with Abi.

I took 12 plastic eggs and filled them with some things pertaining to the lesson. Then I hid them all over the front room. Abi had a blast finding them.

Maddy enjoyed watching with her feet in their usual position.

As soon as she found the eggs, she had to find the numbers on them and open them in order while we talked about what was in them and why and a scripture that went along with it.

The list of items:

Egg 1: a leaf- I cut out a leaf with a paper punch and green scrap paper. The leaf represents the branches the people waved at Jesus as he entered Jerusalem.((Mark 11:8-9)

Egg 2: a piece of cloth with some perfume on it. This represented the woman that poured perfume on Jesus head. (Mark 14:3)

Egg 3: a little piece of bread.. this was of course for the sacrament during the last supper (Mark 14:22)

Egg 4: a picture of Jesus with children. I printed this out really small so it would fit in the egg. You can also use a family picture. This represents Jesus going to a garden to pray and suffering for our sins. Because of Him doing this we can repent and live with Father again. (D&C 19:16-19)

Egg 5: 3 dimes ( I think I threw in a dime and some pennies) This was beause of Judas helping the men arrest Jesus because they paid him money. (Mark 14:10-11)

Egg 6: A piece of purple cloth or paper- when Jesus was arrested, the soldiers were really mean and made fun of Jesus. One of the things they did was put a purple robe on him because only Kings wore purple and they were teasing him about being a King. (Mark 15:16-18)

Egg 7: A cross... I cut mine out of brown scrap paper. Jesus was crucified. (Mark 15:25)

Egg 8: A nail. When the soldiers put Jesus on the cross, they pounded nails into his hands and feet. Abi wanted to feel if it was sharp. I think that made it more real to her. (D&C 6:37)

Egg 9: a piece of paper that said, "The King of the Jews". Another thing the men did to tease Jesus was to put a sign on the cross that said "The King of the Jews". (Mark 15:26)

Egg 10: a little bundle of spices ( I just used a bay leaf) After Jesus died and his friends put his body in the tomb some women followed and put spices on his body. (Mark 16:1)

Egg 11: A stone. The tomb had a rock rolled in front of the opening to seal it. (Mark 16:3-4)

Egg 12: This one leave empty. When the women got to the tomb they were amazed to find the stone had been rolled away and Jesus body was gone. An angel told them He Is Risen. This egg is empty because the tomb was empty. He was resurrected. (MArk 16:6)

Anyway, this was the first FHE lesson where Abi was asking questions and completely involved the entire time. It felt so great to be sharing these special things with her and have her 'get it'.

Maddy being cute..

Disney Family Movie Night: Robin Hood

We thought for a minute about getting food from Red Robin because Abi calls both the restaurant and the movie "Red Robin Hood" but we stuck with homemade...

We made Maid Marian BBQ Chicken Pizza

Sherwood Forest Salad, Prince John's taxes and jewelry, and Robin Hood Root Beer.

This movie was the hardest to get through. I'm not sure if Abi was just hyper or over tired or didn't like it as much, or if it was because she has seen it before but she would not stop talking the entire time! She still liked the movie and we still had fun but it was crazy.

After the movie was over we had an archery tournament. I was doing the best but Abi won when we announced that with the final throw whomever was closest to the bulls eye would win the whole thing and Abi won it!

This was actually so fun that I have left the dart board thing down in the kitchen for the week so we can play a few more times.

Down Time

What are we doing the most of this week?

Watching this cutie roll around... a few minutes before this picture I was in the other room with Abi and came back in to check on Maddy. She was gone! She had rolled off the blanket and under the table.

and immersing myself in the world of Fablehaven for the final book.....

Good Mail: Easter and Birthday

The next package on Saturday was from my parents. They sent a really cute outfit for Abigail, a really cute outfit for Madeline, an Easter pez for Abi, Joe vs the Volcano, some Easter eggs for our hunt, a birthday cake mix, frosting, and a chocolate bunny to make it into an Easter themed cake for my birthday, and my birthday gifts that I can't open until my birthday... although I do know what one of them is and can't wait to open and watch it Thursday!!!

I decided to get the eggs out and put them in the box with the ones from Steph because I just LOVE that bright green paper grass and that was when I noticed that the eggs from my mom had writing on them. I had to take a close up of all the eggs because I think between my parents and my sisters family, we have the CUTEST eggs ever for our hunt.

Good Mail: Easter goodies

Saturday was a great day of packages from family for Easter! The first to arrive was this beauty from my sister and her family. Abi was so excited about the new Polly Pocket. She also sent us some Easter Ring Pops, a visiting teaching message for me, and some Easter eggs for our hunt.

A Walk with Christ: Day Nine

Day Nine: Parables and Hypocrisy

This day was a day of teaching. We do not know which teachings and parables he taught today, but we have selected a few of our favorites for you to read.

Please read Mark 12:41-44 (The Widow and her Mite) and Matthew chapter 25, (The Ten Virgins and the Parable of the Talents)

Any or all of Matthew chapters 12-25 would be good to read today if you have the time. We also know that on this day the chief priests challenge his authority (Matthew 21:23-46) and he warns of hypocrisy (Matthew 23:1-12)

"Many of the Savior's harshest rebukes were directed to hypocrites. Jesus warned His disciples concerning the scribes and Pharisees: ' Do not ye after their works; for they say and do not' (Matthew 23:3)... They hypocrisy in our lives is most readily discerned and causes the greatest destruction within our homes." (David A. Bednar, "More Diligent and Concerned at Home", Ensign Nov. 2009)

Is there something in our own lives that we preach but do not do?

Do we add "oil" or testimony to our lamps each day?

Are we using our talents and gifts to bless others?

Do we use opportunities to teach others? How can we do this better?

Movie Review Monday

Once again, this is actually a few weeks worth of movies. Here goes:

My Sister's Keeper

Okay, so I haven't read the book this movie was based on and I understand that it has a COMPLETELY different ending that I'm not sure I would have enjoyed. I did not know this until after I watched the movie. This movie was thought provoking and devastating.

I actually had to take an 'intermission' and just hang out talking to Doug for awhile and doing some chores around the house before I could go back and finish it.

It tells the story of a family that has one daughter that is diagnosed with cancer very young- about Abi's age which was insanely hard to watch. They decide to 'engineer' another child because none of the family members are able to be donors. So, their next child is a donor from the moment of her birth, giving everything from cord blood at the beginning to bone marrow at about Abi's age.

She goes to a lawyer to sue her parents for the rights to her own body (at around age 11) when her sister has become very sick again and needs a kidney transplant. When asked why she doesn't 'want' to give her kidney she comes up with reasons like the complications (she has had many along the way with the MANY procedures she has already done for her sister) and what if she needs that kidney some day, etc.

It really gets you thinking about the merits and ethics of engineering a child to save another. I went into it thinking of course you would do anything to save your child and left feeling that way still but with also a dose of 'but what about the other child's pain and suffering' etc...

I bawled practically the entire movie. It was VERY hard to watch and all I could think about were my little girls asleep upstairs and the people that I know and have known that have had cancer. I would not recommend this to anyone who doesn't want to watch something sad because there is no happy ending. I think in many ways it shows the real side of cancer and how it can affect everyone.

Like I said, I had to take a break and I went to kiss my babies.

The Couples Retreat:

I remember being slightly entertained and laughing a few times but it's probably not a good sign that I can't think of anything else to say about it.

Bandslam:

There were quite a few movies the past few weeks that were toward the bottom of our list.. ones that I threw on thinking they might be good but I forgot about them... and since most of our movies are new releases with very long waits.. we have been getting all these movies.

Bandslam was one of them. It is super cheesy but I liked it. I don't know why... but I did. The next day Doug was making serious fun of it (he was not watching it with me but on the computer in the same room so he was kind of forced to see it) and I told him I liked it.

"You did? Oh, sorry."

So, probably not many of you will. But I did.

The Game Plan:

Another one of those movies.... I liked it as well. The story was formulaic and predictable but I thought it was a cute story and the girl in it was so adorable. She reminded me a lot of my niece Courtney. It's just a breezy little family movie that I found enjoyable.

Imagine That:

This I have already forgotten. I was doing a lot of projects while watching so while I thought I was getting the story line I think I missed a lot. It was okay.

The Soloist:

This was a huge disappointment to me. Not because it wasn't interesting or well acted but because it was not fun for me. It started out SO great and I was loving it and then when the guys mental illness started being shown I found it too creepy. Having mental illness in my family I didn't really enjoy the scariness of the way they showed his. I know it is all too real... but I didn't want to watch it. So, by the end the movie had me really frustrated. I wanted the guy to get help. I wanted it to be inspiring. It was just sad.

The Tudors Season 3:

This has been something we have been watching for a couple months now. It's such a crazy story. That king had serious issues. I enjoyed watching the storyline of his third wife since she was actually a really good person... but it ended badly so on to the next nice girl whom we didn't think was cast very well. She is supposed to be very homely and they keep talking about how ugly she is and since Joss Stone played her Doug and I thought she was pretty. It made us feel bad how mean he was... but obviously that isn't surprising.

I also hated watching the horrible things that Brandon did (Henry Cavill) to basically keep himself from being in trouble. This show really makes me happy that I didn't live at that time in that place.

A walk with Christ: Day Eight

Day 8: Triumphant Entry and Temple Worthy

A day of triumph and authority. Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem in the cultural manner of kings, and is received as a King.

Read Matthew 21: 7-11

"Jesus Christ is indeed more than a king; He is the Son of God, our Savior, our Redeemer, the author and finisher of our faith, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." (Robert Backman, "Jesus the Christ", Ensign, Nov. 1991)

Read Hebrews 12:2

Revelations17:14

Isaiah 9:6

On this day, Jesus casts out the money changers from the temple.

Read Matthew 21: 12-16

Do I reverence his holy temples and come prepared to worship and receive revelation?

Do I keep my mind and body clean and pure so that his spirit may dwell with me?

What can I do to improve?

A Walk with Christ: Day seven

Day Seven: Sacrifice

We now invite you to read about the end of Christ's life with us. As you read the account of the end of his life, try to envision yourself there, walking with Christ.

It is the spring of AD 34. It is the final week of the mortal life and mortal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus has returned to the Jerusalem area for the last time. He has raised Lazarus from the dead to the wonder and astonishment of many. His power cannot be ignored by the religious leaders of the time. They cannot compete- so they seek to destroy.

Please read the following scripture: John 12:9-11 (A conspiracy to kill Jesus revealed.)

John 12:1-8 (Mary, sister of Lazarus, anoints the feet of Jesus)

What does her costly gift mean? What does it reveal about sacrifice?

Pres. Hinckley said: "Sacrifice is the very essence of religion; it is the keystone of happy home life, the basis of true friendship, the foundation of peaceful community living, of sound relations among people and nations..."

"Without sacrifice there is no true worship of God. I become increasingly convinced of that every day. 'The father gave his Son, and the Son gave his life,' and we do not worship unless we give- give of our substance, give of our time, give of our strength, give of our talent, give of our faith, give of our testimonies" (Without Sacrifice There Is No True Worship", BYU speeches of the Year, Provo 17, OCt. 1962)

What does sacrifice mean?

What worldly things am I willing to sacrifice to keep and strengthen my testimony of the Savior?

A Walk with Christ: Day six

Day Six: Hope

"Hope is the anchor of our souls... hope is trust in God's promise, faith that if we act now, the desired blessings will be fulfilled in the future..." (James E. Faust, "Hope, an Anchor of the Soul, " Ensign, Nov 1999)

Please read:

2 Nephi31:20

Ether12:4

Moroni 7:40-43

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). "Each of us has burdens. Each of us has challenges and confusing options. For each of us, there are days when things don't work out. But the Lord will help us- each one of us- carry our burdens and meet our challenges. To bring that about, however, we must believe, we must have faith that He has the power to help us, and that He will help us." (Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley, Standing for Something)

Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. It is believing and expecting that something will occur. When you have hope you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good. Hope helps you conquer discouragement. The scriptures often describe hope in Jesus Christ as the assurance that you will inherit eternal life in the celestial kingdom.

Is one of my greatest desires to inherit eternal life in the celestial kingdom of God?

Do I feel peaceful and optimistic about the future?

Do I firmly believe that someday I will dwell with God and become like Him?

A Walk with Christ: Day five:

Day 5: Patience

The Savior exhibited utmost patience throughout his life and particularly during the events surrounding his death.

While He was praying in Gethsemane, he asked his apostles to "tarry ye here, and watch." (Mark 14:34) After finding them asleep, three times, the Savior finally told them to "Sleep on now, and take your rest." (Mark 14:41) After having been tried, mocked, spit upon, scourged, beaten, and ultimately crucified, he uttered the words "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:24)

"Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required." (Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, November 1995)

Please read:

Mosiah 23:21

Alma 34: 40-41

Why is patience important?

how are patience and faith related?

When is it hardest for me to be patient?

How can I become more patient?

Post Overload

This morning I have been playing catch up with all of our pictures so there's about a million new posts. Here are some videos of the girls!

On our walk yesterday Abi was having the time of her life dancing on the sidewalk ahead of us.


until her feet got the better of her and she crashed... but she had fun doing that too!
After about twenty minutes she decided she wanted to ride and play with her new polly.

Sister Fun

Yesterday Abi was playing quietly with some stickers while I was cleaning up some stuff. I kept hearing her and Maddy laugh. I came over to see what was so funny....

She was decorating Maddy and apparently Maddy loved it.

A little prize

Abi has been potty trained for a while now but at the very beginning she still had issues with one aspect of it.. which led to some not so great problems. My parents, being concerned about it, promised her a $5 bill as soon as she would do it. She was motivated.

Finally she earned the $5 and immediately shouted "I get five dollars!" with a huge grin on her face. Since then she has been anxiously awaiting the $5 she got to spend however she wanted.

She wanted this Easter polly! Yesterday we went to Target and got it. She has been playing with it ever since. 

We also got her glasses re-sized at Wal mart yesterday. I knew they had to be wrong because they kept falling off. We all like them much more now!

Good Mail: Easter from Grammy edition

Tuesday we got an Easter package from Doug's parents. It had some beautiful dresses for the girls, some bunny marshmallows, some chocolate marshmallow eggs (wrapped in yellow) matching tights for the girls, and a basket full of goodness as well as a little mystery white box.

When we opened the basket it had a Queen of Easter book (something we had talked about over the phone- one of the few girl characters with glasses!), a couple of church books, and a Peter Rabbit Easter Egg hunt book as well as a CD and a Peter Rabbit stuffed toy. The white box contained a puzzle of Jesus. Love it!
We were so excited about all of it! As you can see, even Maddy was thrilled... she was playing with the bunny and trying to eat his ears before falling asleep like this.

Walking

The other day on our walk Abi was supposed to point out everything she saw that reminded her of Heavenly Father. We took pictures of the things we found. She, of course, pointed to everything.. even the fire hydrants!!

I took some pictures of my own of the things that remind me daily....

two sweet little girls..

little fingers

little faces..

my favorite thing Abi pointed to was this nest we saw in a tree..

and little girls with HUGE imaginations! Here she was pretending to be the many dogs we saw along the way.

Good Mail: pay it forward edition

Monday I got a package from Katie. She did a Pay if Forward post about a year ago and was making homemade things for the first 3 commenters. I was so excited to see all this beautiful pink!

She even sent Abi a little Princess stationary set from her daughter that was just so sweet and Abi loved.

Once unwrapped I couldn't believe how amazing everything was. She is so talented and everything was so beautiful!
Thanks Katie!! For those of you that commented on my Pay it Forward post... not to worry. I will be getting your stuff to you soon as well. This year has got away from me!

Like father like daughter