Easter 2011 at home

This was the first year that Matthew could have a little fun with Easter. We died eggs with Meagan, Seth, and Sage the week before Easter. Jamie and I had a great time hiding eggs for Matthew to find. He got bored of it pretty quick until I showed him there was candy inside. Then we was excited to find more.

Some of the eggs were shaped like cars.

We put his basket in the hallway so he would find it first when he came out of his room.

He needs a sibling so that he has someone to share all that candy with.

I love you Nana, I will always remember you.

My dear Nana (my great Grandmother) passed away this spring of pneumonia at the ripe old age of 96 years old. She had an amazing life that I only fully learned about after her death. I remember my Nana as an always sweet woman who was always offering things. She had a beautiful southern drawl that was un mistakable. I never once heard her raise her voice or speak ill of another person. She worked tirelessly at each family reunion I attended. I didn't have the opportunity to see her very frequently but when I did I remember her being very sweet. I had never met anyone like her before and I never will. I love you Nana. I know you are happy up in heaven with Papa.

Four generations on the fifth generation's porch. I was really sad to never be able to get a picture of the 5 generations. At least I got one on Nana's porch.

Nana's orange tree has always been a hit. She had the best oranges around. When we were there for the funeral we picked a bucket full and brought them home with us. They went fast. The thing I remember most about visiting Nana and Papa's home was their garden. It was always amassing. They really optimized all the space they had. I hope to some day do the same.

These are the blackberry bushes that I loved to so through and pick from when I was a kid. I remember spending hours searching for the sweet berries. Nana a lot of times would send us home with a jar full of really tasty jam. I took a small start of this bush so that I can carry on the tradition at home.

These are the beads that hung in front of Nana's closet. We weren't allowed to play in them but I remember every so often when I was a little girl I would sneak in there and play with them. I always thought they were so neat.

Timbeeeeeeerrrrrrrrr

My parents moved last year to a new home in American Fork. It sits on an old lot where a previous home had been torn down. There were some very large and very ugly cottonwood trees on either side of the home. They asked Jamie to cut them down. Dad rented a large boom lift and one Saturday in early spring we all helped as Jamie slowly but steadily cut the trees down. We had a few close calls but for the most part they came down safely and steadily. Now my parents are having the stumps pulled and a rock wall placed around the basement with some sod placed. It is going to look nice. I am glad I have such a handy husband. He is almost always willing to learn something new. I takes a lot after my Grandfather. He is very handy with his hands.

Im a big boy now Mommy!

Yes, now I deffinately have a toddler and I am finding it incredibly difficult. Matthew is extremely strong willed. I know mom, it came true, I have a little me. He will fight back whenever he isn't getting what he wants. He wants to be independent, when throwing a tantrum in can go on almost until the world ends as long as he gets what he wants. It is challenging my parenting skills and I am realizing how difficult it must have been for my parents. There are so many times that I just want to give him what he wants or not punish him so he is happy. I hate it when he is sad. I kills me, but I know he has to learn.
He now loves to "brush" his teeth and he won't have anything to do with my definition of brushing your teeth. To him, brushing your teeth means putting A LOT of tooth paste on the brush, sucking it clean, then dipping the brush multiple times in the water and sucking it out as his refreshing drink. I hope to help him understand there is a little more to it before his teeth fall out.
Recently it is becoming increasingly difficult to attend church. Our church is backwards. We have relief society first, then Sunday school, then sacrament meeting. Church starts at 11am, naptime. By the time we reach sacrament meeting at 12:45 Matthew is so ready to leave and is VERY tired. When he is tired he gets loud and rambunctious, not conducive to sacrament meeting. We don't want him to learn that he can just cry and go out and play so we have had to make leaving the chapel unpleasant. It has been very hard. He has to stay in our arms, not get down and play, until he is ready to be quiet again and go back into pew. Last week I went in and out probably 10 + times and each time right as I went to enter the pew he started crying. I about lost it. It was so hard. When we went out side he would scream and yell to be put down. I would call it an all out war between parents and child to see who would give in first. Lets just say we all ended up going home exhausted and Matthew crying. I pray that I will have enough patience to endure a strong willed child.

Matthew Tyrone

When Jamie was young his dad made it a point to the store and pick up a black cabbage patch kid for Jamie. He grew up with 3 sisters so naturally he wanted a cabbage patch kid, and it had to be black. Jamie absolutely loved black people and he loved this cabbage patch kid. When Matthew was born Jamie's sisters got together, found Matthew Tyrone in the possession of one of his nieces, cleaned him up, and gifted him back to Jamie. It meant a lot to Jamie because this is the only item of his childhood that he now possesses. Matthew has not begun to play with Matthew Tyrone (Matty Ty). One evening after dinner all Matthew wanted to do is suck on Matty Ty's head. It was pretty cute.

Refiner's Fire

Okay Okay, I should be shot. Well, maybe not shot but I admit I have been REALLY bad about updating this blog. The refiner's fire of life has gotten in the way. A lot has happened since the last time I posted and I frankly don't know where to start.
Jamie went through another semester of school as we prepare to begin a new business, this time one that Jamie is passionate about, catering. We are preparing to purchase a large catering trailer that Jamie will cater and vend out of. He took two classes spring semester to help him prepare for owning this buisness. He learned a lot from both of them. They were Financial Accounting and Entrepreneurship. He also spent A LOT of time preparing his business plan. It turned out really nice. I am proud of all his hard work and diligence in getting this done. I know it was really hard for him but he pushed through it and I know he will shine once this business gets off the ground.
In case you are wondering, these pictures are of a fireplace grate that Jamie made as a project for school in his entrepreneurship class. I think it turned out really nice but in the long time it was too expensive to sell.

Prayers Needed

I know of a little family that has a REALLY sick little girl going through a really hard time. Her site is http://michelleagnew.blogspot.com/ Prayers would be appreciated for this little one.