Les Jardins Botaniques.

                                     

31 March 2012

Conference weekend we had a delightful outing at the Botanical Gardens.  The blossoms were gorgeous, the weather was perfect, Brie adorably ran back and forth between me & Bry, giving us hugs... and we finished off the morning with some pastries from World's Fair Donuts.

         

 (we didn't want to wait in line to get a picture with the Easter Bunny ;0))

Ari their Adorable Addition.

I had to share the wonderful news that our good friends Ben & Ashley (remember her baby shower last Fall?) officially adopted a little girl...adorable Ari!  We couldn't be happier for them :0)  Here are some pictures from our first times meeting her (3 & 4 February 2012).

Alex.

(This picture was taken by my friend Danica.  Click to see her website.
  She's an awesome photographer!)

Our little man is ONE!

Today's the big day...it's crazy that it's already been a year since that special Easter when Alex was born. 

We are so grateful for this little man in our home.  I really can't imagine our family without him.

A few favorite things about Alex...

his crinkled-nose, squinty eyes, toothy grin

the way he reaches for me when I come to get him out of his crib

his determination
him tiptoeing on the bathroom stool, barely seeing over the counter

the way he loves his Brie

the mischevious little look he gives when he climbs a few steps

how he claps when he does something "big"

how excited he gets for his sippy
his words (for the most part, currently incomprehensible but so cute) 
his friendly nature
how he sometimes smacks his lips while he eats
the way he waves and says "hi"

how playful and fun he is

(the birthday boy before opening a present)

We love you, Alex.  
Thanks for coming to our family. 
Happy Birthday, little man!

Incomprehensible.

My friend Danica let me borrow her copy of "Unbroken" and insisted that I read it. I'm so glad that I did. There were several passages that were really hard to read, but it was so eye-opening. I don't think I'll ever look at war the same way. I'll especially not think of those who have served our country like I used to. To think of what these people went through, it's incomprehensible. In fact, one day a few weeks ago I was feeling under the weather. I decided to take it easy and read my book while the kids were napping/watching movies. I was kind of pitying myself thinking, "poor me, not feeling well and having two little kids to take care of." As I read that day I was humbled and put in my place. Sure I wasn't feeling red hot, but at least I wasn't...far from my loved ones, in a foreign country, being held as a prisoner of war, fed rotten food, plagued with dysentery, living in the same rags day in and day out, worked to the bone, or sorely beaten and abused. I thought to myself, "if they could survive that, I can survive this." I am so grateful for the people who have paved the way for my freedom and continue to do so.

I was also grateful to be reminded, at our Young Women's Book of Mormon book group last night, of all of the courageous men and women who have faithfully stood up and lived for their beliefs. It inspires me to do all that I can to uphold freedom and goodness and to do all I can to arise and shine forth...and be a light to those around me.

Almost Cherry-Blossomed.

March 5-10, 2012.

At the beginning of March our little family set out to visit some friends in Springfield, Virginia. We stayed the first night in Ohio with the Ropers, made a minor detour to see Grandpa and Grandma's old house in Gaithersburg and got to the Broughs by Tuesday afternoon. It was so fun to see Rach again (it'd really been since college that we'd had a chance to connect) and to stay with her in a her family in their beautiful home!

Wednesday we spent at the mall (a part of downtown D.C.). We visited the Capital Building, walked through the Botanical Gardens (where I ran into Monica, a good friend from junior high) and spent some time in the Air & Space Smithsonian.

Downtown D.C.

We had a great time seeing the capital building...
not so sure about the kiddos. Look at those faces.

The Air & Space Smithsonian

That night Rachel's sweet neighbor, Linda, watched the kids while we went to see the monuments at night. They were impressive and beautiful, especially the Lincoln Memorial. And I could not believe how many names were listed on the walls at the Vietnam Memorial.... it's so sobering to think just what those names mean...all the children that lost their fathers, the wives that lost their husbands, the parents that lost their sons, the siblings that lost their brothers...

Monuments by night

We spent Thursday at Mount Vernon. It was a gorgeous day, the grounds were so nicely kept, and I was touched by the different accounts of George Washington and the leader that he had been for our Nation.

Mount Vernon

Once again, by the looks of it,
probably not the most exciting stop for the kiddos ;0)

Friday we went to see Regan perform in a dress rehearsal (Army Jazz Blue Band). What a treat. They are remarkable musicians and what fun music. We love jazz :0) Afterward we strolled around Arlington Cemetery and briefly stepped inside Robert Lee's home.

Arlington Cemetery

That night we were able to do sealings in the D.C. Temple. What a beautiful temple it is. We drove up just before sunset. What a sight. And how wonderful to be so warmly welcomed into the temple, no matter where in the World you're at. We finished off the evening at Maggiano's where we did a family style dinner. The food was great and it was so fun to chat with Rachel and Regan.

Washinton D.C. Temple and such

Thursday evening I went to the church with Rach for their Relief Society Birthday celebration. It was fun to see Rach orchestrate things, the food was yummy, the sisters were so nice, the messages were great, and it was nice to have an evening out without the kiddos. Thanks, Bry and Regan, for holding down the fort. (I was again thankful for having served a mission. Here I was surrounded by women I had never met while Rach (in charge of the event) was scurrying around getting things prepared. It wasn't a problem. I helped where I could and mingled and met new sisters throughout the evening. Oh how the Lord blesses us as we try to serve Him.)

It was a quick trip but well worth it. It was quite stirring to visit such a historic city and to feel of the patriotic spirit that is there. And we thoroughly enjoyed rubbing shoulders with the Broughs. It's inspiring to see the things that they are doing in their spheres of influence.

Baby Girls and Garlands.

My latest crafting craze has been making paper garlands. I've loved making them because I already have all the supplies on hand so it's FREE!...plus it's pretty simple. All you need is a few paper punches, scrapbook paper, thread, scizzors, hot glue (and embellishments). Once all of the paper is punched out, you lay out your design (or just do it haphazardly), lay the thread on one punch out, put a dab of hot glue, lay an identical punch out on top of it, press together to stick the two together. You continue with that until you've made the garland as long as you want it.

I made a few for a couple of baby showers.

I had to make one to send for my Mom's Spring birthday.

Here's one (for Spring/Easter) hanging up...


I am about garlanded out, but it's been a fun little outlet :0)

G.R.E.E.N.

We woke up on St. Patrick's Day to thick fog. I thought it was just perfect for such a day, resembling Ireland and all. After breakfast the kiddos and I headed out for a stroll.



We didn't make it far since we found a myriad of clovers nestled in the grass along our walking path. I picked a handful of clovers while Brie collected the purple flowers (reminded me of Thumper on "Bambi" ;0)).

My 3 leaf clovers, Brie's purple flowers.

That afternoon we made final preparations for a St. Patrick's Day party that we were throwing.
For our date night, the night before we made rainbow cupcakes and an hour before the party we assembled the rainbow trifle. We had brainstormed it together so it was fun to see it take shape. We layered colored cake with a different fruit for each layer including: blackberries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, mandarin oranges, pineapple and key lime pie filling. We topped it off with whipped cream and chocolate gold coins. (Next year we might try using natural dies, but other than that we might make it a family tradition. Before you know it we're going to have a different kind of trifle for each occasion ;0))

I'm lucky {blessed} because...

The party was so fun! Everyone brought something green or festive to share for the potluck, we had a "wearing the most green" contest, Irish trivia, A&W root beer, a few drawings*, a photo booth, and Irish music playing. (This time we also made more of an effort to have a designated "baby proof" area where the kids could play so that the parents didn't have to worry about them. It was a win-win.)

*I had Hershey kisses (Kiss me I'm Irish), green spearmint gum, little bags with chocolate gold coins and Werthers, and our neighbor Ruth Anne donated a beautiful necklace. In some of the prize bags we put this quote...

The happiest people I know are not those who find their [pot of gold]; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments. They are the ones who, thread by daily thread, weave a tapestry of gratitude and wonder throughout their lives. These are they who are truly happy.

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

A few of the photo booth pictures.