Houston....we have a problem!

Ok, not really. There is no problem, but we are here....in Houston. And because I have been unpacking boxes for the last 4 days (and lets be honest, there are still boxes and piles strewn about) I couldn't think of any other way to begin! I like Houston. Though, it still feels very dream like. (Am I really doing this...is this really my "home" now?) The only problem I am currently facing is a clothing issue with my kids. It is regularly 80 degrees here. People are swimming. People are tanning. People are wearing shorts and t-shirts. But the only thing in my children's drawers are sweaters with snowflakes, and cable-knit tights. I guess that is what happens when you move to a new climate. I think we sort of missed out on "spring" this year. So I just hope the neighbors haven't noticed that my son has worn the same pair of basketball shorts for the last few days, and my daughter is dressed in only a onesie. I'll get to the store eventually! And finally, the pictures. Before we left KC, my sister in law Tiffany asked me to take some pregnancy pictures. I'll admit that "super intimidated and nervous" doesn't adequately describe how I felt to say "sure". But honestly, it was SO much fun to hang out for an afternoon with her! And seriously, (much to my relief) can a picture of a cute pregnant gal EVER be bad?

MY Easter bunnies

Lily love ate jelly beans for breakfast, lunch AND dinner
Zach was feeling pretty mellow all day, he ran a small fever that slowed him down, but he was well enough to enjoy the candy!
a little lady swinging her purse and spinning in her dress
the loot!

We were so lucky to spend this Easter with our family! It was a busy day motoring around to see all the fam...but it was nice to be together again. Sometimes it's hard to be reflective at church with 2 wiggly kids, but I did sneak a few moments throughout the day to have some private thoughts! I am so grateful for my knowledge of the Gospel, for the peace and hope it gives me. In moments of confusion, or saddness, there always remains a little break in the clouds. It's a peak into this intense glory and love that was made possible through Jesus Christ.

I really love the words of President Hinckley, "We know not all that lies ahead of us. We live in a world of uncertainty. For some, there will be great accomplishment. For others, disappointment. For some, much of rejoicing and gladness, good health, and gracious living. For others, perhaps sickness and a measure of sorrow. We do not know. But one thing we do know. Like the Polar Star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith.
In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us."

Plan to be Surprised

I am convinced that March is the BEST month to have a birthday. I think it's far enough from the holidays that people are ready for a party, and spring is knocking at the door making us ALL a bit giddy! That, combined with AMAZING family and friends, makes turning 27 divine!

My birthday started with the movie "Dan in Real Life". We stayed up WAY late Thursday, ("technically" Friday...the 21st) What a GREAT movie. Favorite quotes:

"YOU are a MURDERER of LOVE!" (funniest part)

"Love is messy." (....*sigh*....how true)

"Plan to be Surprised!" (theme for the day) Of course the morning was filled with some Rock Band, courtesy my kids.
Shopping and funny pics in the car with my sister
Cousin CJ comes to play! Dinner with the fam. (Lily was a big fan of dessert)
Prezzies, yummy Cold Stone cake, and calls from friends rounded out the near perfect day. "Near" perfect, because the only thing missing was my love. He has been busy driving all our belongings to Houston, and then flying to California for a meeting. We'd talked a few times on the phone, and I called him once more before I went to bed. I told him I loved him and missed him, and was so excited to see him again on Thursday. And with that, I went to sleep, content and happy with the beginning of my 27th year. At 4:30 am I was startled awake by Dave sitting me up in bed. I don't remember the "freak out" moment he describes, but I CAN remember not being able to wrap my mind around WHAT was happening! haha! Dave switched his tickets and instead of flying back to Houston, surprised me by popping in for the weekend (yeah Easter). The only snag was that all the flights (on his airline) into KC were booked until Monday, so he had to fly into St. Louis (4 hours away)...and SOMEHOW he got his friend (thank you Ben...and Margaret you are a GOOD liar) to pick him up! And with that, once again like the years before, my birthday was PERFECT!

Plastic Eggs = CANDY

We're home in Kansas City! On Saturday, my parent's neighborhood had a little Easter Egg Hunt for all the kiddos!
With the hints and giggles of the 11 year old "helpers", Zach found the MONSTER egg!
The above facial expressions depict EXACTLY how they felt about the Easter Bunny. There would be NO photo-ops with the fuzzy giant!
This was the best I could do.

Lily Love

Lily. Second child, first girl. Makes for some exciting parenting, and an adorable personality. She's always been into cars and trains and doing whatever her older brother is doing. But lately, she has started to show interest in her dolls. She sleeps with her baby and wants us to tuck the baby in with her at night. The other morning she brought baby with her to breakfast, and after each bite of cereal, she would feed one to her baby. Admittedly, I was pretty excited to watch her push her stroller and carry her "diaper bag" with bottles, especially considering Lily is the only girl I've seen that runs around the playground yelling "Ka-Chow!" (don't ask...its a Lightning McQueen thing). So daydreams of princess costumes and kitchen sets began to take form in my head! Fun times! They were interrupted only by Lily, bringing a batman costume to me, and wanting to wear it. Ha ha! I think Lily makes one cute "batman momma"!

A Sunny, Funny Day

Sunny Day: NICE weather the last two days! Amy took these gorgeous shots of our cutie pies!

Funny Day: Tonight while eating dinner Zach said, "Mom, after I eat this, it is going to make me grow into a big, big, big, long boy." (my eyes widening) "yeah, a really long, big boy, mom. And I won't even have to wear swim things anymore mom!" (he points to his arms and pokes them a few times for emphasis...i think he was referring to water-wings) *********************************************

Later he asked me to turn on his CARS movie, and I was telling him, "no" we weren't going to watch that movie (for the 65th time) today. He looked at me and thought for a bit, then said, "But mom, its not ME, its my brain. My brain wants to watch a movie."

Let it be noted...

...that today I wrangled all 7 hairs atop my little Lily's head, into a ponytail! (also known as a 'whotail', as it makes her look like a 'Who' from 'Whoville") YEAH! This ABSOLUTELY had to be documented because the process of taking the rubberband OUT, sacrifices far too many hairs than she can afford at this point!