Happy Easter

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter. We are so blessed to have an amazing family full of love. I am eager to see what comes our way and know that together Kasey and I have a solid foundation to get through anything. It seems like Easter crept up on us this year and we missed out on many of our family traditions because our focus has been painting the new house. But Kasey reminded me that those fun activitis are not what today is about... no matter how much they mean to all of us. Today is the day that we really focus our attention on teaching our kids the importance of the cross and why it is the core of our faith. But don't get me wrong next year all our traditions will be back and you better watch out... YOU just might get "EGGED!"

The Big # Four....

We got our keys.. and our work cut out for us! I am so excited for our first house. It needs a lot of work but it is going to be beautiful! We have so much to do this weekend because they start the tile on Monday! Lowe's is my new best friend! I can't wait until we are in and have our first dinner as a family. I know we are going to make so many great memories here! I can't wait for all the new things we will experience here on Hudson Pl. The kids love it already!

I voted

So the third new thing is that I actually voted on American Idol. I always thought it was more of a process then it actually was. I will say that I had a hard time trying to decide who to vote for ... so Kasey and I decided to pick our top 2 of the night. I like their style and I want to see them more.

Next week we will let the boys vote for their favorites. You would be suprised whith what they come up with. I can't wait to see who will go home tonight. I hope little David stays even though it was not a great night for him.

I bet you can't have just one!

Our second new thing this month......................

Ok.... so every year I get so excited to find new jelly bean's to enjoy at Easter. I start thinking about it months ahead of time, as soon as you start seeing Easter on the shelves! Well this year we were introduced to these little pieces of heaven by the Kempiaks! Oh my goodness they are addicting. Reese's Pieces are good but nothing compared to my all time favorite of Peanut M&M's. But there is something special about these "eggs". They have more peanut butter and a harder shell. I think I could actually eat them all day along with the rest of my family!Two thumbs up!!

Happy Trails

Our first new thing that we tried was a hike with Kaydon up South Mountain. This is what he wanted to do. I had so much fun just watching him and listening to all his stories he had on the way to the top. It was just over 2 miles up and he never complained. He was amazed by how small the "village" got and by the way the path led us. He was amazed the the sun continued to follow us and happily greeted all the other "hikers". It is so fun to experience things through a child's eye... it becomes new to you. The way they see the world is so inocent- I wish it could stay that way forever.

It was so nice to get away for the afternoon and do something so simple. I haven't been on a hike for over 6 years and I can say this is something we are going to do so much more.... or at least when the weather is cool enough :)

A Challenge for you!

Okay... so we like to teach a lesson to the kids using Holidays as fun and creative way for them to understand and really "get it". So we are using St. Patricks Day as a way of helping to teach our kids the importance of DREAMS!!! We want them to dream and to not be afraid to take risks and try new things. Just think of the idea of finding a pot of Gold at the end of a rainbow! So what we are going to do to help them understand this? We have a couple activities that we are doing..... One is our " DREAM BOX". The idea behind this is to write down your dream and the night before St. Patty day you put it in the box and the Leprechauns will hopefully take it. If they do it means they are giving you luck on your dream and just maybe, they will leave something behind as proof that they were there! The second thing we are doing is throughout the entire month we are going to see how many new things we can do. The goal behind this is to be creative and think...... DREAM!!!! What would you like to do? How can you help encourage one another to do these things and make your ideas (DREAMS) come true... big or small? The idea is to get use to trying new things. I am excited to see what we will be doing and will try to blog about them as we go. So our challenge for you... is to try it in your family and see whta fun adventures you can have.

My Mom

On Saturday I had the honor of walking for my Mom in the Phoenix Heart Walk. I was so amazed by the amount of people that were there.. all for there own reasons and thier own loved ones. The more we can learn and educate people ... the Healthier we all will be.

On Febuary 2,2007 my Mom had a heart attack and I can say that that was one of the scariest moments in my life. I had never fathomed losing either one of my parents. And there I was, waiting in the ER with my Dad praying that she would be okay. It was a long week of hospital transfers and time in the ICU... but in the end she came home without surgury! It broke my heart to watch my Dad as he worried about the love of his life, his partner for the last 34 years... his BEST FRIEND. I had always watched my Mom taking care of her parents and many other family memebers.... to think that times had changed so much- now I was the one with kids in school and taking care of my parents. I am so greatful that I live close enough to be there and that I was able to learn from my Mom for all those years.

I don't know what I would do without my Mom! She is an amazing women and I am so blessed to have her as my Children's Grandmother and my friend. I hope that we have MANY MANY more years with her. I was not fortunate enought to really get to know and enjoy my Grandparents and I am so excited that HER Grandkids have this oppertunity.

Heart Disease is the leading cause of death in the United States killing one person every 34 seconds in the United States alone. This is a serious issue that people need to look at early in life. Watch what you eat.. WHAT YOUR KIDS EAT..... exercise! My Sister and I now have to make sure that we keep on top of ourselves so we can stop the cycle.

So thank you to all the Dr.'s, medical personal, recearchers and all the people who are fighting to stop this epidemic. Without you all ..... my Mom would not be here today.

And Most importantly.. thank you to my Mom, for pulling through and changing your life.You are a fighter! We all love you and need you! Keep up the work.YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!