Easter

He has Risen!

April 6th

As long as I can remember every single April 6th my Mother made this day extra special. We celebrated our Saviors real birthday. My mom would make indian fry bread. She would put out grapes, fig newtons, stuff like people would eat in Jesus's time! My family would all come together with beautiful music playing and enjoy a meal on the floor. My Mom had us think of something we could do better in honor of him. Or give away something that wasn't the best. I am not sure who it was but I remember a CD one year being thrown away in the big brown sack! I looked forward every year to April 6th. Now that I have my own family I have decided to carry on the tradition. Before I sat everything up I had the kids watch a kids New Testament show of the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Monkey and I explained how yes it's fun to have the Easter bunny but Easter bunny or no Easter bunny the reason we celebrate Easter is not for the bunny it is to celebrate Christ! His Atonement, his life, and for his Resurrection. Belle was so into it! She was so excited about everything. After the video the kids and Monkey went upstairs and got dressed nice and they talked what stories they loved about Jesus and what they wanted to try to do better. They came downstairs finally and I had a tent up, food, and a picture of the Savior (I think I added too many candles). We enjoyed our "back in the day meal" with beautiful music and talking about our favorite stories of Jesus. Then I asked what everyone was going to do better. I said I am going to try to have more patience. Monkey said he was going to not be judgmental. Belle said she was going to be nicer and not yell!! and Cash said he was going to give Jesus his muffin! We all started laughing and Belle said with the biggest and most sweetest smile said, "This is the bestest birthday party ever!" I have to agree Belle! We had a wonderful time together. I am so excited to celebrate Easter with these guys! And so excited for the next April 6th. 

Thoughts from Jaclyn

My sister Jaclyn had a post today on her blog I would like to keep it to remember (with permission of course).... If you haven't already become a follower of her blog you should... It's filled with great stuff like this... 


ok this post might get a little heavy, but i need some honest commenters out there.
there is something going on out in the world and it's freaking me out.
i have to get this all out, so here we go.

handsome and i have had multiple discussions about how distracted we each get with internet usage, social networks, and gadgets.
do you notice that too?
i have been IGing like nobody's business and blake loves himself some twitter and facebook.
in fact, we have been so into our www. lives that we have been neglecting the real lives we have in our home.
when we are home together after nikson is asleep you will most definitely find us using up our data plan.
don't read this wrong, no one is committing adultery here, but we are definitely not in the right.
i was pointing out the mote in blake's eye last night, while he so kindly reminded me of the beam in my own eye if you know what i mean.
we have a problem.
it isn't too serious, but i suppose my fear is that when things are jiving at home the outlet of the world wide web of disaster with work it's way into our hearts and tangle us up in some serious danger.
there are thousands of articles out there suggesting the danger that comes from not focusing on the family.
some powerful articles are here, here, and here.
the last article is freaky.
i know it is not ALL bad.
i have met some great people out there that i would have never met had it not been for the blog and the connections people have.
i love pinterest because it motivates me to create and i feel like creating is a basic instinct of humanity.
i also realize that there is massive good that can come from buoying each other up and knowing you are not alone.
but sometimes too much of a good thing can get consuming and overwhelming.
you can get caught up in your our self. your own needs and wants.
and its not always about you.

it is really hard to hear that you are doing something wrong.
it's even more hard to think that your actions could be damaging a relationship that matters.

so we went to sleep last night with a resolve to create some personal boundaries.
my prayers have been a little more intense as i try to work out this funky thing going on in my life.
the internet is a great source of learning and the ability to communicate with people all over the world is amazing.
we have some great resources through the church we belong to that i frequently go to for some inspiration.
i have to figure out what is most important.
you know it is bad when i would rather check out my instagram feed instead of talk to my husband about his day.
RED FLAG PEOPLE.
red flag.

so what are your thoughts?
this post isn't complete because i have a lot of thoughts to sort through.
where are you at in terms of living real life or looking at other's lives?




My thoughts I commented on her blog-


That last article is freaky.. but so true. It's scary that only by sending a message may and can create feelings to another person that isn't your husband or wife. I also have a problem with www. I find as you have... it being so useful but so demeaning. Like I go on facebook a while ago and their is porn waiting for me and worse waiting for my husband more than once. Or on pinterest I type in a word hoping to find something so innocent for a baby's room and I see more porn. i understand I have the choice to look or not but the www. takes that agency away from me. Just as easy as it is to send a message and get attracted somehow to someone else it is just as easy or easier to get addicted to pictures if not easier just by one look. Which sadly has happened too many times and has separated two people so in love you never would think that could happen to. I don't like that at all it makes me sick. I am grateful the world has people like you to seriously realize their is a problem with too much of something and really try to do something about it. Life is very short and www., always having to find more ideas to improve ones house instead of ones self or family, stocking peoples lives on facebook, telling people what you are doing at the moment, is really not important, just a weird pleasure we have created. I loved reading your post today... I may not have a facebook page that I use etc... but I have a lot to think about concerning what is important and what is not... And actually make a change. Thanks for your thoughts. I am excited to read more.




After reading Jac's Blog I sat and thought for a while... I do have a lot to fix... And I am excited about it. Her thoughts made me think of one of the conference talks just recently. I think this world is in need of a change. For my children- I hope you realize as you grow up how important it is to STAND for what is right even when everyone you know and may love is saying it's stupid to do so or WHEN your alone and have a choice to turn something off or look ... I hope you STAND for what you know is right!! I hope you realize that your choices effect everyone around you not just yourself. I hope you realize how important it is to be on the Lord's side not the world's. Life is not easy... it never will be... but you will always find happiness when you do what is right. Never be AFRAID to do whats right. I love you all so much! 


Thanks Jaclyn for your post!

Spring Break 2012

So this spring break I have to be honest I started being really sad... We were suppose to go to Utah with Monkey's parents. We were going to have like a Mullins reunion. We were going to get to go to Conference and I was going to get to see my sisters Jaclyn and Natalie. But because of  some prego issues I wasn't able to go. And again sadly it was suppose to rain in Forest Grove all week long. So I was a bit sad. Monkey the positive person that he is said we can have as much fun here in the rain as we could there. So thats just what we decided to do!

 We got one sunny day so we spent it all day outside! having a picnic, playing hop scotch, Cash skidding his whole face on the pavement (sooo sad), swinging, and basking in the sun!

The rest of the week rained so we spent it window shopping, at sweet tomatoes... which is the kids favorite place to eat! Playing waterfall down the stairs! And best of all being with Monkey! Belle hardly left his side the entire week!

 Monkey was so cute he did a surprise date for me! I came downstairs to Cancun retreat! He made the best coconut chicken and pineapple smoothies! He had music and pictures of paradise! I don't know how he does it but everyday he makes me feel more and more loved by them sweetest and most simple things!

 The rest of Spring Break we explored Forest Grove... finding all the beauty Spring has to offer, almost buying chicks and a baby duck at the pet store, watching a field full of geese.... and going to Out of this World with our good friends Scott and Kristen... Or should I say Cash's Uncle Scott which Cash always calls him!

Now save the best for last! Saturday and Sunday was spent snuggling in our bed watching General Conference! I love General Conference. I especially loved this year because my kids know President Monson. They were giggling and smiling when he got up to speak! What a time to be uplifted! I get so motivated to be better. I learn what is really important. I cherish these days! Belle wanted to make it more special by waking up early and making the boys warm dairy free biscuits and honey! So we sat on our bed eating warm biscuits and honey and soaking in every word our leaders said! I am so grateful to have a prophet living on this earth today! I know he speaks for our Father in heaven and his son Jesus Christ! The talks this general conference really touched my heart. It made me want to become better. It made me want to think of people for who they are as a son/daughter of God and not judge them by impressions. It made me really understand that if I make a mistake my Heavenly Father will always love me and through Jesus Christ's atonement I can truly become clean! I got so motivated to make myself better and happier! I am so excited for this upcoming week to take time out and really focus on what was going on in the Saviors life 100rds and 100rds of years ago. I have no idea what he must have been feeling as he knew he soon would suffer for all our sins and die for us! Pure Love. I can't express how I feel... I am overwhelmed with love for the sacrifice he made for me that if I live righteously and use his selfless atonement I can live with him and my Father again. I am so excited to celebrate his Resurrection and his birthday this week. I can't wait till my children really understand how important this week is...

27 weeks

Oh mercy! You would think I was ready to deliver already and not have 3 more months to go! This pregnancy has for sure been interesting! She defiantly kicks and moves way more than Belle or Cash ever did!! Today I was holding Belle and Paige kept kicking like get off me! Later in the car Belle goes...
Belle- "Mom, I don't want to ever be pregnant..."
Me- "What?!!! Why?!!"
Belle- "Because I don't want to the baby to kick me!"
Me- "Belle that is a good thing if the baby kicks... it doesn't hurt. It means the baby is getting big and that is so  good!"
Belle- "But I don't want a baby..."
Me- "Well I bet you will when you get married... it's very special"
Belle- "But I will get sick...."
OHHHH hahah having a baby is quite the 9 months. I am so grateful I became a mother! Yes I have my moments... but never regret! Right now I feel huge... I have gained 35 pounds which is not suppose to happen and I eat fine... So I just am a lucky one! I feel tired, I feel like a blob most the time .... but I am so grateful! Yes I am bigger than I have ever been and it's going to take a lot of work to even try to get back where I was. Yes I have more stretch marks than a zebra has stripes, Yes my legs look like giant size sausages, Yes I have heart burn, Yes I get sick, Yes when I walk up the stairs I feel like I am moving a boulder, Yes I have issues, Yes I am a totally disaster at times.... But when I lay down and see little Paige move and Belle and Cash whispering hello to her... My heart swells with complete gratitude! I am so in love with my two children! Every hard thing pregnancy has to offer I would do it again to have these sweet little ones. Bad and good days! So hopefully I will bare these next 3 months with the same gratitude! July 1, 2012 can't come any sooner! So sweet Belle hopefully you will look forward to having your own baby! It's the most amazing thing you'll ever do! You won't want to miss it! Especially if you have a baby like you! I love you Belle!

Susy's Baby Shower

So this last week I threw my good friend Susy a baby shower! I am so excited for her! She is due the beginning of May and she is having her first boy... She has 3 girls! I loved watching her open all her boy stuff... You could tell how excited she was to have blue this time round! Now only a couple more weeks till we meet her little guy! Happy Baby Shower Suz!

Special thanks to my main man Monkey.... I seriously could not have done it without his help... Balloons, fruit, oranges haha, cake, cleaning, chairs, taping, peeling, patience, kids, ummm everything! Thanks Babe I love you!

Fairy Party

 So tonight I babysat some of Belle's friends and I decided to jazz it up by using my friends idea to have a fairy party. I did not tell Belle or Cash about it till the time the girls arrived. My kids woke up from their naps and I told them they had a huge surprise that they were going to love and we have to dress up like fairies... THEY BOTH FREAKED!!! Well I couldn't leave Cash out so he dressed up as a bird that the fairies take care of! (Halloween all over again). Anyways the kids made a big pink couch and awaited their surprise! Cash said he thought it was a treat and Belle thought it was something magical... They starred out the window for ten minutes just waiting for there surprise! And it was magical alright... their friends pulled up and all dressed in their fairy outfits! Belle could not believe she was having her very own fairy party! Monkey got them all dollar store wands.. yes Cash too! They played fairies and Mr. Potato head for awhile! I made dinner and they played more!!! Then pizza and apples were ready and they all had a picnic on the floor while watching Tinker Belle and the great fairy rescue! Great movie.. I cry ever time! The girls never saw it before so it was even more special! We busted out some pink starbursts and some strawberry milkshake oreos.... PINK- Totally fairy friendly!!! We had such a great time and the time went way too fast! We will have to do it again next time I babysit!

 PS- Sorry Cash I had to get you a wand... look at your face, hahah you are loving it! And you loved Tinker Belle! And you love your baby dolls! Thats all you play and sleep with these days! So I promise when your older- when I have fairy parties with Belle and Paige you and Dad can go to a Bronco game or something and your room will have no dolls or wands only cool guy stuff!!! haha I love you!