Nikki's 7th birthday

We had Nikki's birthday party last Saturday. It was the opening day for our neighborhood pool, and Nikki was so excited about that because then she could have a pool party! Looking at these pictures makes me realize just how much she is growing up. I didn't get nearly enough pictures.

She wanted a three-layer cake with a sun, butterflies, and dragonflies. She has had it planned out for probably six months. I also have had an idea in my head of how I would do it and what it would look like for a while, but every step of making it ended up in near catastrophe. So, it ended up that Nikki really liked it and that's all that matters!

Thanks to all the cousins and aunts and uncles who came to her party! She had a great time and started asking when we would all get together again about 5 minutes after you left!

The Mothers in My Life

These are the amazing mothers that have had a hand in shaping my life. My mom, Eileen, Nate's mom, whom I had to include because my life wouldn't be the same without the love she has always given to Nate and now offers to me and our children, Grandma Bass, and Grandma White. Is there an adequate way to express gratitude for all that these mothers have given? I haven't found it yet.

And then Mother's Day is also a beautiful day because of these three precious children. What a privilege to be their mother. It's so humbling to see their unconditional love for me. So often I fall short of who they need me to be, but they still think I'm the best mom. Well, Nikki's card might have come a little closer to the truth this morning. It read: "From: Nikki   To: My Sweet Mom   I love you! You are the beast!"  

A couple of weeks ago Nate told me that he would take the kids to the zoo this Saturday, and I could have a free day to use that coupon for a massage I had and just do whatever I wanted. After a couple of days, I told him I actually wanted to go to the zoo. I didn't really want to be left out of the fun. But then he was out of town all last week. When he came home on Friday I told him I had an appointment for my massage and I hoped he and the kids had fun at the zoo. :) It was a great day! Usually when you go on vacation, by the time you get home you're ready to get back in the mix of things again. Maybe I needed a longer vacation because I  think I could go a couple of more days with no responsibilities. But then when I saw how tired Nate was getting into bed last night, I did feel sorry for him and know that I can't take too much time off. Running a family really does take two, and I am grateful I have a special role to fulfill.

Just so cute!

One day last week Kristen watched Ryan for me while I met Nate for lunch. She sent me these pictures of their playtime. Her littlest girl is just about Ryan's age. Are these not just the most adorable pictures? Ryan's fussing when I left was such an act. He didn't miss me.

Nikki's writing

Nikki brought home some of the cutest stories today, and I just had to put a couple of them up here. I don't know why this first one got rotated, but I'll transcribe her stories below the pictures.

If a Leprechaun granted me 3 wishes, I would first wish for a blue Mermaid. Then I would wish for a 3 dollar bill. Finally, I would wish for rollerskates!!! I love those things.

If I had a umbrella it would be big enough to fit my whole family! It would have the rainbow colors. It would be humongous. On rainy days I would bring it. I would be reading to it. playing with it. Sing with it. And it would talk to me. It's birthday is May 11! Like me! I would love an umbrella. But mom wouldn't let me. (The last line made me laugh!)

Our Overgrown Paradise

We live in such a beautiful place! It may be a little overgrown and rundown, but I just love being here.

The view from our back deck may not be all that spectacular in just a picture, but we love all the wildlife we see in our backyard. We have squirrels, robins, beautiful cardinals, lots of other birds, and this morning we were almost late to church because we were watching two rabbits chase each other around.

Of course, I love this view in the back yard, too.

M.I.A.

Our internet has been cutting out off and on throughout the week -- it's been more off than on, which is a pain with my morning work online and also the fact that our phone is set up through our internet. But we have a Tracfone for such situations, because how can you get your internet fixed if you can't call to let them know you have a problem? This usually works well, except Ryan has a thing for phones. So yesterday, when I couldn't find the Tracfone I knew it was because Ryan had it. I thought if I cleaned up enough it would turn up. But I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. By bedtime the house was in shipshape, and I still hadn't seen any sign of that phone! This morning, our internet thankfully was back on and I called the Tracfone from our regular phone. Sure enough, it started ringing away, and I found it in a vase under the kitchen sink. Ryan Robbins!! Okay, so I didn't clean out under my sink last night. That's what I get for thinking I had cleaned up everywhere!

It's all about perspective

I was about to start feeling sorry for myself that Nate is out of town for the next three days, but then I remembered that Josh is getting deployed and Kim will have her husband out of town MUCH longer. So, I'm not going to complain. I think I'll be grateful. Maybe I could make a 3-ring paper chain?

Easter

We had a really nice Easter, but I didn't get that many pictures. This is my favorite. I didn't plan well enough to get the eggs dyed during Ryan's nap. He really didn't appreciate being buckled in his seat away from the action, but there really was no other choice.

It was a great weekend to just be home and together and to remember the Savior. I hope everyone else enjoyed it as much as we did.

Daddy's Little Helper

April Fools!

I finally got Nate with a good April Fools joke! The girls really wanted to do something and had three or four plans to get him. Doesn't this chocolate cake look yummy? I turned my cake pans upside down and frosted them. It was perfect because it was lopsided just like I would normally make a cake. :) Nate was in a hurry when he got home from work because he was going out with the missionaries, so he didn't have time to cut into until he got home later. He served himself some ice cream, got out a nice long knife, and tried to cut into the cake. Oh, I got such a good laugh! He was so disappointed, and I just couldn't wait very long to bring out the real cake that I made. The girls were already in bed and missed the moment, which was sad because they were really looking forward to it. But they did get some chocolate cake, so I think they're okay. Thanks for the laugh, Nate!!