Happy Easter!

     On Saturday we went to an egg hunt. Because, P and Q were on separate fields Aunt Pepper came to help.  Here they are anxiously waiting for the firetruck to say go.

     After the egg hunt was over we came home to play outside. There was still a little bit of snow left so, they of course had a snow fight.

     Sunday morning the Easter bunny had left us an egg hunt of our own.

      P was very excited to see the eggs all around the house. Q however, was much more interested in gobbling up all the candy as fast as possible.

     The boys stared around the room for a bit before they noticed there were baskets too. They both got some awesome looking suits for church, a couple of  movies and of course more candy.

     After oohing and aahing over how great they would look in their suits they set out to find the eggs.

      By the time there were about ten eggs left Q had finally, eaten enough candy to be motivated enough for egg hunting. I think he found maybe three or four.

     I would say this is by far P's favorite holiday, after all it involves hide & seek and, lots of running. What more does a boy need? Looking at the pictures I'd say the Easter bunny over did it just a bit maybe, less candy and more church clothes next year.

     I told you the suits were awesome! Not sure if you can tell but P's is purple and Q's is blue. Don't they look handsome for church?
     We hope that you and your family had a wonderful Easter. We are so grateful for the real reason of  Easter, Our Savior Jesus Christ and for his resurrection. We feel so blessed to know that because of all He did for us we can be a family and live together again some day. 

HAPPY EASTER!!

From the Flight Crew

I love mail!

Yesterday, I opened my mailbox to find three envelopes from M. Two were letters and, the third were the guest passes to get on base. The first letter was from quite awhile ago. It was written before he'd even gotten a chance to call home. He talked about having laundry duty and, how he enjoys it because it gives him some time alone to think. He said he was a little sick but, I already know not to worry cause he sounds much better now.
The second letter is much more recent though. M talks about how much he loves getting letters because, they keep him motivated. (Thank you everyone who writes to him) He said the best part of BMT is the road run. The worst is that he's not getting enough sleep. The hardest part for him is during class when he has to fight to stay awake. Finally, M said the letters from the boys were awesome even though they made him cry. (That was secretly my goal)
After reading both of the letters a few times I opened the base passes and, checked them out. They don't look anything like what I expected. I thought they'd look more like movie tickets. Instead, they are big sheets of paper that have our names and, dates printed on them. Along with a little bit of M's info so they know that he is our sponsor.
I love when he writes home. It makes me feel like I can last just a little bit longer. Now, that my trip is booked and, we have the guest passes graduation feels VERY close. I'm so very excited only 28 more days til I get to see my hubby! Also rumor has it we should get two phone calls this weekend because it's a holiday. We'll see if it really happens though.

The letter Z

      We are very Zealous about the outdoors. The less time we spend inside it seems the better. While, we were dating M and I spent alot of our time walking around town or hiking up the mountain.When P was a baby we used to go for a walk every night. It was a way for us to talk well still being able to be active. This fall, when we moved back to Ephraim (our college town) we went for lots of walks around town. We also did a few hikes up the mountain. With M gone the boys and I tend to go to the park or play in the backyard a lot.I have simply found that the fresh air and sunshine helps me to feel better. I have also learned that if the boys get to play and be crazy outside then, they sleep better at night and my house stays clean during the day.
      The days that we stay inside too much I tend to feel like my house is a Zoo. I'm sure it looks like one too. The boys will have a billion blankets and toys spread out through the living room. For some reason, they also believe if they're not outside they don't need clothes on. So of course their clothes that should be on their bodies are laying somewhere in the house. Then, as any mom of small boys knows there is constant noise. Everything they do must be accompanied by a sound effect. I love my kiddos but inside days certainly make me feel like a zoo keeper to wild animals.
     We like Zucchini a lot at our house. I make zucchini bread, zucchini cookies (with chocolate chips of course), it also tends to go in our stir fry. I know that doesn't sound like a lot of recipes with it but if you saw the quantities of such things being made you would understand. Hopefully, when we move on base we can have a garden; so, that we can start to grow more yummy veggies at our house instead of having to buy them like we do now.

Changing my name

After almost five years of marriage I decided it's probably time to finally, change my last name. (It's a long story just know that I'm justified in not having done it yet.) On Tuesday the boys and I headed to the social security office to change everything. We got there and, waited for our number to be called only to find out I needed the original of my marriage license. Which as luck would have it is in Texas with M (for all the dependent paperwork). Then, we proceeded to the health department that was all of ten minutes away (YAY!) to get an official copy. After which, we went back to the social securities office to finish what we'd started. Once, things were settled there we drove to Farmington to change the name on my drivers license. The boys and, I went in filled out the proper forms. Then, waited again for our number to be called. Well of course me not being used to the new last name signed the papers wrong; which, meant they printed the wrong name on the new card. So, we had to do the process a second time. This time thankfully resulted in the right name.
The poor kiddos were of course totally bored and, frustrated by how much waiting around they had to do that day. I'm gratefully for two angel Grandma's at both locations who helped me entertain them. The first lady chatted with them about different letters and, pictures around the room. The second lady is probably P's new best friend cause she sat and, showed him various pictures of Buzz Lightyear and, Mickey Mouse. Then, she pulled out a measuring tape from her purse and, assisted him in measuring various things around us. All of which measured out to 29 according to P. I don't know these women or their names but I feel SO very blessed that they took time out of what they were doing to bless my children's lives. Don't worry I rewarded my awesome boys with a trip to the park at the end of  all this.
(Oh yeah and don't forget the name change is a surprise for M so SHHHHH don't tell.)

The letter Y

     I hate Yogurt. I'm not sure if it's a texture thing or what. It literally makes me gag to eat it. I do know that it doesn't help that somebody once told me it's bacteria or something like that. The boys love it. M seems to like it too. So for their sakes I buy it but truthfully I'll eat almost anything else in the house before I eat the yogurt. 
     M is almost the Youngest in his family. With 15 other siblings you might think it doesn't matter but, that is quite to the contrary. In fact it almost matters more. It determines a lot of who he is close to, who he has memories of, and who we tend to spend more time with. We spend a lot of time with D because they look almost like twins. We love seeing N and, her family. Especially, since they have two boys just like us. M's real buddy however was L. If, you look at pictures M and L can often be found playing around or, working together side by side. From what I've heard L was goofy another reason that he and, hubby got along so well. I have never met this brother that he loves so much. Just like M his brother L is a soldier. L went to fight in Afghanistan during 2006 and, didn't come home. He is part of the reason that M wanted to be a soldier. L is also the reason we all worry secretly about M being one. I'm grateful for all the memories this family has of each other. Also, How through the sharing of memories I get to learn more about those in the family who have already moved on to the other side. I hope when I meet L that he and, I get along. I'm also excited for the day when M and, L can embrace each other again. I do pray however that it's not too soon. 

The letter X

      P is a Xanthochroid. Now, before you go telling me that's not a word Google it. It means someone with light-colored hair and fair complexion. Granted I'm not quite sure that he is what they had in mind when the word was created but, for the sake of this post it will have to do. He is very fair skinned. In fact, both kiddos are thanks to me. We don't go out without sunscreen (in case you were curious). P however is the only one with blonde hair. Either way he's a good looking healthy normal boy.
      I was surprised to learn how much P know about the letter X. He saw the picture for today's post and said "is that an X Mommy?" To which I replied yes it is. Then, he said "look it's an x-ray of a heart." I'm impressed that he not only recognized the letter but that he also knows what an X-ray is. Between Sesame Street and me he must be actually learning something.
     (Warning for the next x word in this post I'll be cheating. However, you would cheat too if you saw the list of words that start with X. Trust me when I say nothing about a xylophone describes us. Besides I'm the author which means I can take some liberties right? Ok so continue on happily please and just pretend with me.)
     We are very eXcited right now. Not only do we only have 32 days til we get to see M but, we're also really excited for all the upcoming changes.  By the beginning of May, we will know for sure where our first base is. (which means house shopping and moving. YAY!) I'm hoping that it's in Mississippi simply because that is where tech school is for M. This would mean we could move and be with him sooner. Plus, that would mean we're close to the ocean. How cool of a swimming pool is that? I will however, be happy where ever we are assigned. (And to have my husband back home. Where ever that happens to be.) We are also excited simply because, for the first time in our married life ever we have a consistent job that pays great. We finally don't have to worry about how we're going to pay our bills or, feed our kids. This is such an amazing blessing especially in this economy. We feel so very blessed to have this opportunity. The best part is that so far M loves it.

Half Way!!

Talked with M for 45 minutes tonight. He's doing really good if we got to talk that long. He mentioned one guy got recycled. He also, said that he has messed up a few times on simple things (starting to get too comfortable maybe). We talked about General Conference and how great it's been so far. He'll get to watch it next week. :) M is excited to for the obstacle course this coming week. I found out that the obstacle course (along with a few other things) aren't required for graduation. It was so great to talk to him today. Best of all was that with such a long phone call we got to actually joke and talk to each other this time. Bring on week 4 the faster we get to May the better.