Sunday Picnic

Yesterday after ditching Stake Conference 15 minutes early (Hey - Don't judge - Can you believe we lasted 1 hour and 45 minutes? We were even early to the meeting. Unbelievable!) Matt and I decided to take the kids on a picnic. (They definelty deserved it after all the fighting, biting, kicking, yelling, and screaming during church)

Due to lack of planning ahead on my part, we had a ziploc of tortilla chips, snack packs of wheat thins, string cheese, an apple, and a bag of chocolate chips ('Cause lets face it...what kind of picnic would it be without desert?) After we spread our lovely meal out on the table, a family of 5 started setting their picnic up on the table right next to ours. We all stared with mouths open and drool dripping as they unloaded their KFC meal, complete with mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, biscuits, and fried chicken. Our meal suddenly lost all appeal. Bennett hopped off the bench and started circling them like a vulture, eyeing the family suspiciously. Matt and I noticed the signs of him going in for the kill, we quickly packed our Wal-Mart sack back up and headed for the park instead.




Jacks loves the swings. I pushed and pushed until my arms almost fell off so I insisted he get out and slide down the slides. He just stood and stared at the swings longingly.



Bennett soon came up requesting we leave.




A walk around the lake seemed like the thing to do. It would have been a pleasant walk except half way around, a man who was fishing picked up a snake and started flinging it around. I almost went into hysterics, but a nice young woman walking by informed me that the huge garden snake was harmless...Thanks, I needed that pep talk, it really calmed me down. For the next half of the walk, my mind started playing games with me. Every stick I saw suddenly transformed into a snake. An exasperated Matt ran back to get the car to pick us up at the docks.

After making it back home safe and sound, Jemma and I played in the house (avoiding any creatures that might cause nightmares).

Private Blogs?

Going private?
Why is everyone going private all of the sudden?
What did Oprah say to scare you guys so badly?
Fill me in!
This is really going to impede on all of the blog stalking I do.
Wait!...Is everyone going private because of ME!!!!????

Easter

I love this picture. The Garden of Gethsemane in Jerusalem is such a beautiful place.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit the garden and the tomb. It was an amazing experience for me. The Garden of Gethsemane is in the middle of the very busy part of the old city in Jerusalem. The city is filled with street vendors, animals and thousands of people. It's a very chaotic, noise, and busy place. However, the moment I walked through the gates to the garden, it was like I was enclosed in a cocoon. It was so peaceful and quiet. I think of all the places we visited on the trip, this was by far my favorite. It became a moment of many that strenghtened my testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
On the door of the tomb there is a plaque that reads HE IS NOT HERE - FOR HE IS RISEN
I love that sign. I am so thankful that our Savior died and then conquered death not only for me but all mankind, so that we could return to our Heavenly Father. This is one of the most precious gifts we have been given, and I hope that I never take it for granted.

On a slightly lighter note. We spent Easter weekend in Phoenix. Matt's parent came to visit, so we all gathered at Matt's brother, Glen's house. I had a great weekend. Mainly due to the fact that the boys were left home and I went shopping with my sister-in-law, Julie, and mother-in-law Beth. Did you know they have a Target Greatland in Phoenix. They do, and it's amazingly HUGE!
We were kind of bummers this year with the whole Easter egg hunting. Our kids didn't do any of it. We filled a basket for them with some candy, and Bennett received his highly anticipated chocolate bunny. We went to church and then had a huge dinner afterward. (I didn't help to cook any of it - so it was not only edible, it was also delicious) By the time we got home Sunday night the kids were happy and hyper, Matt and I were happy and exhausted.

One Of THOSE Days

Yesterday was one of those days that made you want to:

And:

Jemma had her 2 month check-up and Jacks had his 2 year.

Taking 3 kids to the DR. office is NOT fun.

After repeated strategical mauvers made by the boys to flee the office, Drill Sergeant Pediatric Nurse -- a.k.a HUGE Manly Marine Who Should Not Be Working With Small Children -- finally threatened their lives if they made another peep. So I did the only thing I could think of. I strapped Jacks into the stroller and gave him a metal pole to bang on the door with. And Bennett received my Ipod to jam out to. He was really going to town listening to 'How Firm A Foundation' (Does anyone ever say "jam out to" anymore? I don't think I'm not hip on the lingo)

Jemma was first up. I learned that she is perfectly proportioned.

Her stats: 9lb 11oz, 21.6 inches, 15 inch head circumference. All in the 25% for her age.

Dr. Keith was very excited that she's a symmetrical baby.

Jacks (as I've know for a LONG time) is not perfectly proportioned. (The head threw his stats off) He is 95% for his height and 25% for his weight. Looks like he's on his way to being a lanky giant.

After the 2hr office visit, and 3 shots each, we headed to the store to buy the ingredients for Matt's birthday dinner. He requested California Chicken; He got Chicken Enchilladas (It's much easier to make) (I know -- bad wife)

Things were going great until I got stuck behind the cart paying for groceries. Bennett walked backward out of the store and into the parking lot. (Smiling the whole time might I add)

Due to the fact that you never know who has a video camera and will report you for child abuse, he didn't get the spanking I was sooo wanting to give. Instead he received a very stern lecture to which he replyed "I didn't run away, I walked"

To show him who's boss, Jacks and I ate a huge handful of cookies while Bennett wailed about the injustice from the backseat.

The rest of the day was spent fighting with Bennett on whether or not it's naughty to run away. With him declaring "Your not angry mom, your sad. Not angry, just sad, okay?" I also managed to do some laundry, NOT burn dinner, and get cupcakes frosted, all before Matt got home. (This is where I pat myself on the back)

At the end of the day it was all worth it for 2 reasons : chocolate frosting and ice cream were involved, plus my sweet and adorable kids go to bed at 7:30 pm. (Whew!)