what a weekend

Easter weekend was so fun:

Playing in Branson, Missouri.

Sleeping in.

IHOP.

Carnival rides.

Warm perfect weather.

Resort comforts.

"Monsters vs Aliens"

Family fun.

Outlet shipping.

Swimming.

Exercising.

Red Lobster.

Family games.

"Seven Pounds"

Sunday worship.

Easter egg hunts.

Treats for the boys.

Rainstorms.

Great memories.

Easter

I love Easter.

So many cute projects and yummy treats.

Too bad I won't get any of those

sweet treats.

Can Easter be the same!?

YES.

It should be. Because that's not the focus anyway, right!?

Here

(click on Sunday AM and then Jeffrey R Holland)

is a fabulous talk that was given by one of the apostles from my church on

how Christ shouldered the burden of our salvation.

EVERYONE should read this talk.

It is so powerful.

Elder Holland talks about the solitary journey Jesus himself had to walk during the final week of his mortality as he effected the atonement.

As a Mormon, I celebrate Easter by knowing that Christ was resurrected and LIVES!!

He overcame death so that we can all live again one day.

The Mormon church emphasizes that CHRIST LIVES rather than the fact that He died.

Here's a quote from our first prophet, Joseph Smith-

"And this is the gospel, the glad tidings, which the voice out of the heavens bore record unto us— “That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; “That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him”

We acknowledge and embrace our Savior's sacrifice for us. We believe that there were two things for which He offers salvation-- death and sin. We believe that the payment for our sins was paid in Gethsemane (Luke 22), and salvation from death came through his resurrection.

It's overwhelming to think of what Christ endured for us all,

and personally for ME.

I'm grateful for the knowledge I have, and for the love of my Savior.

Happy Easter.

let's go fly a kite

This past weekend we went to Tulsa to see Landon's dad and his wife Susan. We had a great time...

we started the morning off golfing and flying kites!

Tanner is so energetic about everything he does, it's soooo fun!!

It was the perfect day for a kite.

It took awhile to get it sustained up in the air, hence the sad face below!

Tanner tried to blow his own air in the mix too, and see if it would help.

Finally success!!

Making yummy healthy smoothies :)

carrots and spinach disguised inside...and you'd never know

Tanner and his new buddy Mia.

(Susan's son's daughter)

Susan has kids the same ages as Landon and his siblings, so it was fun to hang out with their families too!

Me and the beautiful, funny, fabulous Mandi!

(Mia's mom)

Then we had a little Easter egg hunt for the kiddo's in the house.

They thought it was fabulous!!!

Sizing up each other's stash. Tanner was thrilled with his goodies.

Now we really can't wait for Easter!!

heartbreaker

I knew this little man would be a heart breaker someday! But I didn't know mine would be the first he broke.

He said the dreaded words...and he is only 4 years old!!!!!

Let me preface.

Tanner made a mess with his toy money in the walkway of the front door.

I calmly asked him to please clean up his mess.

He threw a little tantrum and wanted me to help.

I told him I didn't make the mess, it's his, so he needs to clean up.

He cried. I asked (told) him to stop crying or he would have to sit in time out...that is not acceptable behavior.

He didn't stop crying, so I sat him in time out for 4 minutes.

(I was nice and calm the whole time)

He was still mad at me after time out and said:

"I don't care about you. I want a different mom."

The knife stabbed me in the heart and I mentally told myself

HE DOES NOT MEAN THAT!

I took a deep breath and politely told him that was a very mean thing to say and it made me really sad, and that he needs to sit in time out again and think about what he said.

(all the while I'm trying to pretend he didn't say that and keep the tears from flowing!)

He ran into his room and slammed the door, locking it behind him.

I was in a rush to pack for the weekend and didn't have time to go deal with him, so I just let him vent in his room.

(I know, it was inconsistent but I felt okay about it for a second)

After a few minutes he came out, walked into my room and said so genuine and soft

"I'm sorry mom."

I said Tanner that mad me so sad when you said that, please don't ever say that again, okay!

He replied "I said a prayer."

What did you say?

"I am so sorry!"

Thank you Tanner, I love you!

"I love you too mom!"

(Thank heavens it went from heartbreaking to heartwarming! I love my angel.)

a little more fun

I'm home from Utah now. It's

ALWAYS

fun to visit and there's never enough time.

Here are a few more fun things I got to do...

Attend Boston's baby blessing!

One of the cutest families around!!

Lots and lots of cousin time...Tanner was in heaven!

Gma time! Friend time:

I learned how to make cute flower clips for baby girls!

They are so easy and fun.

Thanks Becky and Holly for teaching me :) Love ya girls.

I had lunch with my fabulous friends from Logan!

We all worked together at Logan Regional Hospital when I lived up there.

These are some of my favorite people!!

Thanks for always making the effort to see me!

You guys rock!

It was so fun!!

Then Tanner and I drove to Ogden to see my dad at work.

I miss the Utah mountains!! Gpa time!

Tanner and Gpa are awesome buds!!

Cousin time:

To end my last night my mom and I went to Ashley's SU class.

She did an awesome job and it was so fun to sit and chat while making some adorable cards!!

Thanks Ash, you rock.

There just wasn't enough time to do everything I wanted,

but the time Tanner and I did spend was well worth it!!!!