April

 

April has been good.  So good in fact, that I wake up and then it seems that only minutes pass before it's dark again and I'm getting into bed wondering how in the world a full day has passed.

The Kansas City Temple Open House has been spectacular. It has been so wonderful to share it with my friends and family.  This temple is such a tremendous blessing.  (Saturday is the last day for the open house, if you haven't gone and want to, let's go together!!)

 

My parents took the opportunity to celebrate their love, marriage and family.  They planned a special evening.  Everyone was in town.  We enjoyed dinner, poems they wrote to each other, and a beautiful slideshow that chronicled our family from it's very beginning (my parents love!)  This night will live in my memory for a long long time.  It goes down as one of the best memories that my parents have purposefully created for us.  (the other is probably the time they staged a food fight for our family!!).  After a series of incredibly difficult years, this night was nothing short of healing.  I hugged my siblings afterwards, and I'm quite certain that I am still feeling those hugs today.  I've always felt an intense bond and love for my family, despite our imperfections.  That love has deepened even further.

Then there is this little lady.  Looking at this picture makes me want to run up and grab her out of her crib and kiss her perfect cheeks.  She is a wild and precious baby.  She is so happy and so good.  Crawling?  Why yes...everywhere.  Just the other day she made her way over to a basket full of laundry.  She grabbed the top of the rim and popped herself up like it was no big deal.  Standing. What? There is no slowing her down.  And trust me, I want to.

Today.

Take your child to work day.

The most memorable thing for me was listening to all of Zachary's questions leading up to this very exciting day.  All of his concerns revolved around how/what/when he was going to be getting his meals.

"Will we get donuts again like last year?"

"Do you think we will get to eat lunch at a restaurant?"

"So, will I be home for dinner or will we still be working?"

I love that kid.

And finally,

this last bit honestly deserves it's very own post.

We are buying a house of our very own.

We close on May 23rd.

I can hardly sleep at night, 

I am filled with enormous gratitude and excitement.

Happy Easter & Happy Birthday

Oh we've had such gorgeous weather, and Easter Sunday was no exception.

There was a little egg hunt of course for the busy busy children.

Thank goodness Roman and Marquise got a head start.

Cherry-Almond cupcakes were baked up to celebrate Roman's 3rd birthday.

He also opened a few gifts.

He's serious about his sports in case you couldn't determine from the photos.

Watch out.

I luuuuuuv that little guy!

Also, I have to include a phone-video from the day.

Because you know I will do whatever it takes to hear this sweet little laugh.

a-dor-able.

hunting eggs round one : annual neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

Lately, in solitary minutes, I've been conjuring up my embarrassing moments.

It's a fun game because, they are plentiful.

On one occasion, I was spared the public portion of humiliation.

As a senior in college I entered my final observation review with a professor.

I knew she loved me, this would be easy, and full of accolades.

As I sat across the table, she smiled warmly and declared,

"Tara, you have the Gift of Gab!"

I smiled back, knowing by the way she announced it, that it must be good.

And seeing as how an education at BYU had always encouraged my spiritual development alongside the secular,

I vividly remember thinking (with just a touch of smugness),

"Ummmm, I'm going to have to look that one up, must be some Old Testament prophet I've never heard of. Gab."