Table for Eight

This was the 3rd year our neighborhood celebrated Easter with the Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt. Our friends Mary and Andrea brought the tradition to us--from their previous neighborhood. It's just THE MOST FUN THING we do as a neighborhood. I think every neighborhood should do one--there's not too much set up or clean up and it's a TON of fun to see the kids on the hillside with their flashlights hunting for plastic eggs. Thanks Jenn, Andrea, and Mary for hosting. Seth and Angie for bringing the megaphone. Dave, for taking photos. Kai, Cal, Jonah, friends . . . for doing the announcements and hiding eggs. And all of our FUN FUN FUN (and beautiful) friends/neighbors for coming.   Happy Easter!

Dave and I have been talking a lot about how you can't choose what happens to you in life. How sure, some things we choose to do help us avoid negative consequences or experiences (for example, exercising makes us less likely to have heart problems OR gives us more energy, etc.). But for the most part, we really have very little control over what happens to us in this life. The good. The bad. We really have very little control over it all. We really only have control over our response to life's events. And that's PRETTY heavy when you think about it. Why? Because I don't really like everything that happens to me--or my family and friends--in life. In fact, there's A LOT I don't like. There's A LOT I want to be able to change. How can I enjoy life if I can't control it? How can I enjoy life when there's literally a crap storm all around me? How can I enjoy life AMIDST A LOT of crappy, crummy, often OVERWHELMING things that

Just reminding everyone that it's the perfect time to coordinate your neighborhood Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt! Ours is scheduled for 3/29 and we can't wait! It's SOOOOOOOO fun to see the kids with all of their flashlights on the hillside searching for eggs!

This month has been filled with a lot of highs and lows. In fact, I think life has been more intense for us than normal--which actually makes me laugh (because I'm pretty good and bringing intensity to our lives). Anyhow, I haven't blogged as much as usual, but I'm thinking that's because there's been sooooooooo much I could/should say. I haven't known where to begin or where to end. SO, this weekend I just realized I needed to find my camera, take some photos, and start posting regularly again (Now some of you are laughing because "regularly" for you may mean updating a blog quarterly--but for me, "regularly" means daily.). Because writing the blog really keeps me from losing my marbles. (It's therapeutic for me for some reason.) With that preface, here goes-- My Julie Andrews' Favorite Things this month (a sampling, at least): No more green room. Phew! Still my favorite planter (espec. b/c I don't put dirt in it). Irish Soda B

First it was the weather "man." (It may rain today. Really? ) Then it was the President. (Monica L. and President Clinton scandal. Really? ) Next, Wallstreet and AIG. (All for money? Really? ) Then, the Catholic Church. (That many "bad" Priests. Really?) Then Tiger. (Poor Elin. And the Waffle House lady times 15? Really? ) And now, Jesse James? (With a tattoo model--although not confirmed. Really? ) Really? People, I'm losin' my faith in humanity here. Does anyone know how important it is for us to TRUST one another as we forge our way on Planet E? I'm seriously dying. If I can't trust the weather, the leader of the free world, a religious leader, the most incredible athlete in history, my financial institution, or the star of MONSTER GARAGE, then tell me: WHO AM I SUPPOSED TO TRUST? (And I know, there are plenty of examples of situations where good people do good things and honor their marriage/job/etc. And I know, I've broken bonds/commitments

I really really love St. Paddy's Day. For one, Dave's family is of Irish descent. And for two, it's just a fun day. No pressure to exchange gifts. Opportunities to pinch mean people and then say, "Oh, I thought you didn't have any green on." Green treats. Gold coins. Gnomes. Leprechauns. And even an Irish-themed dinner (for us, Corned Beef and Cabbage--is there corn in that? Ech.). Anyhow, I have always had great memories of St. Paddy's Day. Here are two of the funniest ones: 1. Dave's dad dressing up as a leprehaun--in green tights, shorts, jacket--and then handing out gold coins the whole day long. And I mean whole day. One year I went to a Jazzercise class with his wife and he showed up there. There's just something hilarious about having your father-in-law hand out gold coins while you jazzercise with friends. 2. Esther Boyer reading my "Kiss Me I'm Irish" shirt--and then LITERALLY kissing me on the lips in the McDonald'

Today was a day we've really been looking forward to for a long time--the day when we could take Jr. and LuLu to the Temple to have them "sealed" to our family (for Latter-day Saints, this is a special blessing/ordinance we participate in--to bind our family in heaven and on earth). The Temple is a really special place for us, and usually children are not inside--unless for a special occasion like this one. SO, our kids were pretty excited today as we got ready. And it WAS an awesome day! The kids were beautiful and amazing. The Temple workers/helpers were beautiful and amazing. The person performing the sealing was beautiful and amazing. And the dear friends who came to support us were beautiful and amazing. Then, after the Temple, we had lunch at our home . . . and it SNOWED! (We love snow, and we've had hardly any this winter, so I felt like that was a little bit of God's hand in our lives today.) Jonah took most of the photos for us. Thanks, J. The g