We ARE family...

While the exhaustion of the week set in...

I found myself

crashed out early last night,

laptop on my lap...

blog open...

pictures in the middle of edit...

and too tired to finish what I must have started.

I had spent several sleepless nights this week in worry and I had prayed hard to allow my

MIND

to let go the overwhelming stress I had felt for my son.

It worked...

I slept 10 hours last night and it felt like a 

MIRACLE!

We had too many fabulous memories of 

EASTER and VISITOR'S

not to document all that we did and all that we enjoyed.

 Peter Piper Pizza 

does have worthwhile "junk" when it is placed on Kylie in the form of jewelry!

 Only in Arizona can you swim in April because you are actually HOT!

 Cade enjoyed sneaking up on Rachel and pushing her in!

Rachel gave him "payback" several times over after that and this cute boy loved every minute of it!

 She rocks the sunglasses and floaties!

 Our Easter Egg Hunt crew!

 On your mark...

get set...

 GO!

 In an attempt to "keep up" with the big kids her feet wouldn't keep up and down she goes!

 It only slowed her down for a moment!

 So grateful that Kent and Whitney joined us for

EASTER Sunday!

Our kids LOVE them and all the FUN and LOVE

they bring with them. 

 We got these TWO boys to come outside and away from the video games to at least WATCH the fun!

Way to go Chris and Tom!

 At one point and time we had 20 of us all together!

Rachel reminded me that during

holidays and with NO family around we are usually

ALONE.

I think my kids were especially grateful to have so many family members join us this year!

 We attempted to get a picture with Jacob and myself in the picture...Jacob wouldn't be a part of it!

 These girls make me smile!

 I sure love my granddaughter...

she is a beautiful girl!

 Kylie loved hanging out with my "BIG" girls!

 We attempted to COLOR EASTER EGGS...

but no one was really interested

 They were just having too much fun with all the FAMILY

doing silly things like this:

 Whitney is a good sport!

Last year I threw away all my EASTER baskets...

I'm not really sure this year why I did that or what I was thinking.

So I had to get creative...

knowing they needed new TOWELS

I came up with this: 

 I found a FREE printable with the following saying:

HIP HOP hooray

Some BUNNY was here!

 Kylie's TWO favorite people:

Kent and Whitney!

 J.T. spent lots of time in everyone's arms as we all 

LOVED

being able to meet him!

Such a sweet happy little boy!

 They were also supportive of my kids

attending Rachel's soccer game and Chris's volleyball game!

We sure do love our family...

and we sure LOVED that they came to visit! 

We had ONE other activity but I will share those photos tomorrow! 

      

I'm THANKFUL for...

 

One of my greatest blessings in life has been the opportunity

to be BORN into a family

where the FULNESS of the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST

was taught.

A wonderful example was set

by two

LOVING parents.

And yes...it was even a blessing to have seven siblings!

And while I spent another

THANKSGIVING

without my siblings or parents,

I was able to have my brother Kent come the following day to spend a few days with our family!

Yippee...I love him so much!

And his wonderful wife Whitney...

well I love her just AS MUCH!

She is pretty much amazing and fits into our family perfectly!

I regret not taking more pictures of all that we did...

but we did enjoy an afternoon of 

BOCCE BALL

and they pretty much "killed" us...

but lucky for me

I was too busy enjoying there company!

Jacob only wanted to COLOR!

Side note: Ron had to work the entire weekend including the night before Thanksgiving and the following day after Thanksgiving.  Unfortunately he wasn't able to participate in all our activities. While I am thankful he has a job...and a good job at that, I'm sad that we can't spend more time with him during holidays and weekends!

Note to God

Dear God,

Thank you for sending me an

ANGEL.

During my visit with him

I found the PEACE and JOY

I had been searching for at a time in my life when all I felt was

ALONE.

Why do I always doubt whether you are on the other side of that door?

When all I have to do is LET you in!

So you brought me help in the form of my BABY brother!

Who is a GREAT role model to my children,

and teaches them how to be GOOD!

Who plays with them...no matter what they want to do.

Who gave me wisdom and insight...far beyond his years.

I don't think he will ever know what he gave me that week...but I know You do!

Thanks for ALWAYS blessing me with exactly what I need.

Your loving daughter,

Jana

Kent, myself and Chris...Bass Pro Shops!

Swimming time fun with Uncle Kent and kids

Christopher's favorite buddy!

Taken the TRAIN......again!

Kent, Kent - Bo Bent!

YES, I can rhyme!
(I have no shame! Hee!)



When Kent came to visit in April...
I cried when he left!
This AMAZING younger brother of mine
left me inspired!


I called MOM and DAD and gave them a BIG kudos in raising such a great young man!

Kent - you have the makings of Captain Moroni!
"Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever!"

I believe in YOU!
My children LOOK up to YOU!
And I LOVE you!

Wishing you... a BIG
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!