Trying to get a decent picture of the girls on Easter morning was nearly impossible. By the time I had made it downstairs most of the candy was eaten and anything that was in their baskets was now all over the table. So trying to take pictures on a sugar high was no easy task. The sugar high was followed by the crash during church. At least they look cute...and silly.
The girls really wanted to dye Easter eggs. So, the night before Easter in our jammies I got the dye out and the girls decorated them with stickers. They thought it was the best thing.
Joey snapped a picture while we were reading scriptures. I love this part of the day. It's special to see how quickly little ones can pick out a picture of Jesus. And then they start to think any bearded, long-haired man is Jesus. Even if he has tattoos. After the kids were in bed I was determined to make scones. Joey did most of the work while I sat at the table. When morning came no one wanted the scones, except for Joey. At least I made someone happy because apparently the Easter Bunny didn't even bring that good of candy. How is it that my picky eaters are even picky about candy? In spite of my Easter follies this year (the girls were disappointed that I didn't make my traditional cookie bouquet) it really was a wonderful Easter. We taught our children the important things, spent time as a family, and talked about the Savior. It felt special. It's the things that we don't plan that teach us the most. The unplanned conversations, the cuddling to read at night, the sweet hugs and kisses, and the prayers that are said. I feel like our family is closer because of the simple and important things.
In spite of all the difficulties the last couple of months, life has still gone on. The girls are happy, healthy, and busy. My mom has been here so much and the girls have loved it. They planted flowers. My mom knows that I am much happier when there are cheerful blooms adorning the front yard. 
Olivia and Joey went to the Daddy Daughter Dance at school. They had a great time and Olivia loved getting ready for the dance much more than the dance itself. Sort of like prom. The anticipation is much more exciting than the actual thing. 
Sammie has been having so much fun at preschool and learning so much. She is soooo ready for kindergarten next year and she's all registered! All of her friends were talking about their Kindergarten shots. It's hard core. They examine these kids like they're going into the military. 
These two have been playing together now. It's weird now that Abby is a little more "grown up." I sort of miss having a baby. She's becoming quite a feisty little thing. Still sweet, just she is definitely learning to voice her opinion...very loudly. 
So we're happy and living with some bumps along the way. But the bumps bring us closer together and we love each other lots!
I started writing this blog entry a few weeks ago, but couldn't get it out because I wasn't feeling so hopeful. Sometimes things just happen and sometimes things are just hard. In February I had a big "relapse" of symptoms. It all started with the strep throat and everything went downhill from there. I became not functional again. My body just stopped working and I went back to being in so much pain. I've been getting so much help from soooo many people. It's been a difficult time right now especially after seeing so much improvement over the months prior. 
