Easter

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me. I tremble to know that for me he was crucified, that for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died. Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me Enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me! (“I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns, no. 193)

I am so blessed and have so much that it overwhelms my heart sometimes.

Spring Break

I am so behind...

That's life huh. But better late than never so here is my post from spring break. We went to Moab one day and Goblin Valley one day. We had such a great time hiking, four wheeling, swimming and exploring. I couldn't believe I had never been to Goblin Valley before, I highly recommend it. We played sardines and explored all over rock formations, tunnels and then found a canyon called little wild horse and did a hike there. That hike was probably the coolest hike I have ever done. It started out wide and then went down to slot canyons that were so beautiful and I forgot my camera-duh!

If you have been to Moab before I am sure you have seen the big sand mountain just off the road before you turn off for Arches. We have always wanted to stop there and let the kids play so we finally did it this year. It is this crazy steep hill that is just pure sand. The kids love to climb to the top and run, roll, sled, oh what ever, down the hill.

I couldn't even watch the kids when they were climbing up because I was sure one of them would lose their balance and then tumble backward FOREVER. They just played and played and burried each other and had a great time until it was time to go and they were covered in sand and I mean, every nook and cranny was filled with sand.

The Hair Cut

"Before"

"After"

I know it's silly but I have been having a hard time parting with Colin's hair. I guess it's like letting a part of my baby go. But I know he is growing up and I can't do anything about that. He eats like Tyson (my 18 year old nephew) and when I try to carry him to bed, his legs stick out so far I end up banging them on the wall...oops!

So, he got a little hair cut (bangs...a lot) and I didn't cry so I am guess that is a good sign. Still, he will always be my baby.

10 Years

Love is the very essence of life. It is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Yet is is not found only at the end of the rainbow. Love is at the beginning also, and it springs the beauty that arches across the sky on a stormy day. Love is the security for which children weep, the yearning of youth, the adhesive that binds marriage, and the lubricant that prevents devastating friction in the home. It is the peace of old age, the sunlight of hope shining through death. How rich are those who enjoy it in their associations with family, friends, and neighbors! Love, like faith, is a gift of God. It is also the most enduring and most powerful virtue. -Gordon B. Hinckley

I can't believe we have been married for ten years. I know people say it all the time and I never really understood but time really does fly. It has been such a fantastic ten year and I always tell Chad, he is my lucky charm because my life has been so blessed since he came into it. The joy of being a wife and a mother is the greatest joy of my life. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Happy Birthday Chad

Yesterday was Chad's birthday and if you don't know what a great guy he is, I am going to tell you.

First of all he has a wicked sense of humor. I mean wicked because if you don't know he is kidding, you might be a little upset. It has taken me years to figure out that he is kidding about 98 percent of the time. He has quick wit and comes up with stuff so quickly and seriously that I still fall for his antics sometimes.

He's about the handiest guy I have ever met and still am amazed at the thing he can do. I am always wondering, "where did he learn to do that?" There is nothing he can't do.

He is earnest and full of integrity. If he says he is going to do something, he is going to do it and do it right and then some.

He is always helping people. Seriously, I should charge rent. He is always happy to help anyone and NEVER complains...and I mean about anything.

He is the best dad in the whole world. The kids love it when Dad is home. They wrestle, play the Wii and of course they play every sport. He even plays Boogie Super Star with Brooklyn which includes a lot of singing and dancing (very hilarious).
It isn't uncommon for Chad to be in the yard playing football, basketball or some made up game called attack with the entire neighborhood. Neighbor kids knock on the door to see if Chad can play.

He takes very good care of us all and in his quiet way, is the most unselfish person. In fact, I often wish he was a little more selfish of his time with me ;).

I could go on and on about how strong, handsome....but I will spare anyone reading this. I know it's going to be hard not to be jealous but in addition to all these thing, he is very adorable. Flannel and all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAD! WE LOVE YOU!

Our New Laundry Room

I am so mad at myself for not really taking a "before" picture because unless you have seen it, you wouldn't believe the transformation. Since we moved into our new house, the laundry room has been a very sore spot with me. When you have a new house, you hate to complain about much but it really was the most ridiculous room.

Try to get this image in your head. There were no cabinets, just a shelf that seemed to attract every "what should we do with that" item in our house. Then, there was the "mudroom" that we actually had to pay to upgrade even though we lost a half bath in doing so. Well, the so called mudroom was a bench which they enclosed so there was no place for shoes. The bench was so high that even I was uncomfortable sitting on it to put my shoes on so it became a catch all for more of those strange items in our house not to mention, lots of smelly shoes. Then several feet above the bench was some hooks that were so high that even me, at 5 foot 7 inches, had to get on to my tiptoes to hang anything up. I am telling you, it was the most dysfunctional space in history.

Well, I have always had grand plans for this space but there is this issue of money that always seems to hinder my grand plans. So I waited and waited and researched and researched and finally, after much searching and getting bids for cabinets, I found the deal of the century on KSL.com (love that place).

What you are about to see really needs to be appreciated in person so all are welcome to come have a look. I must also mention that NONE of this would have been remotely possible without my extremely talented, handy man, Chad. He did demolition, repaired walls, painted (with a little help from me), hung the cabinets, made a little bench, did trim and then topped it off with more cubbies and crown molding. It looks AMAZING! Each of the kids has their own locker that they can't wait to decorate (inside only) and Mason has his own cubby that he is going to put all of his trophies in and I don't have to see anything out of place. I love it! Thanks Chad!

St. Patties Day

Happy St. Patties Day from the O'Kilgore's! Hope yours was complete with green milk, green cookies, all things shamrock and messes from the Leprechaun's of course! I swear there is a leprechaun that lives at my house all the time and likes to make lots of mischief. When I ask the kids how every single toy in the toy room got dumped out again, they have no idea. A wee but curious, isn't it? May the luck of the Irish be with you.