What we're up to and other such nonsense.

I've really enjoyed catching up on everyone's Easter Sunday. While I do enjoy seeing cute little spring-like outfits, it's been an unpleasant reminder that we've have non-spring-like weather here, making it hard to believe the Easter season was already upon us. I didn't get a single snapshot of our day, but I'm counting on my Dad to post a few of our annual easter egg hunt so I can at least have one to share. Last year I started a tradition of painting Easter eggs the night before so we did that again. The kids really enjoyed being little artists. The other part of the tradition is I make deviled eggs with the easter eggs the following morning and bring them to Easter Dinner. Didn't happen this year, but maybe next?  We closed our Saturday evening with a brief video about the atonement and read the book Mary gave the children for Christmas on death. It's a sweet, well-written book entitled, "What Happens When We Die."  She had a sweet message written in the book for them and it made me cry. The kids loved her letter so much they had me read it again. By the end of the night mascara was all over my face.

We enjoyed a lovely Easter Sunday dinner at my parents' house after an intense Easter egg hunt in their yard. Cade made out like a bandit and Savvy was pretty happy with her finds. My mom was kind and had Ruby duty which was crucial in my hunt and glorious find of the Golden Egg. I was really excited, but I don't feel like I won it fair in square because 1. Melody wasn't trying her hardest (she had a newborn baby on her hip) and 2. Jon wasn't much for competition for some reason so even though he claims he knew where it was after my dad offered the clue, he didn't fight me for it.  I'm hoping next year it will be more cutthroat.

Kyle left a week ago yesterday to work back East, so it was a little sad celebrating Easter without him. I also really would have enjoyed finding the egg against him.   I'm jealous that he's living in my old stomping grounds, and just minutes away from my very dear friend Carrie and her brood of 6 darling children. I'm not so jealous of his long hours and that he doesn't have the pleasure of tucking our sweet little ones in bed every night.  I could go back and forth in my mind debating who "has it worse." Some days I think he has it better than I, and then others, I think of how lucky I am that I have my babies to kiss and read to and play with and firmly believe I have it easier. The reality is, it doesn't  even matter. It's just hard to be apart.

The longest we have been apart since married life was last year's 39 days (During our engagement we were apart some 90-something days. Hard for some to imagine considering there are folks out there who weren't even engaged 90 days!). They were long days. So far we are on Day 8 and we're not sure how many days there will be. We acquired a pest control company in Northern Virginia recently so Kyle's partner will run Chicago and Kyle will run the NoVa office. Since he doesn't have a partner to switch off with, he'll be in Virginia "until further notice."  I just have to tell myself mentally that I won't see him until August, so if it's sooner, it will be a lovely pleasant surprise.

For now I feel like it has been easier being on my own this year in comparison to last year. It has only been 8 days, so that could easily change. Housewise, I'm considerably more settled this year, which makes a huge difference. While I do have an extra child to care for which makes it a bit more stressful, it also makes it better. Not only do I have another child to keep me feeling fulfilled and occupied, that also means I'm not with child.  I have a lot more energy, I'm physically more capable, and not puking my guts out, wishing the days away. I have also been much better about scheduling a sitter so I can go to the temple, volunteer in Cade's classroom, or have an evening out.  That has made all the difference.

But like I said... it has only been 8 days. :)

Savannah is really cute to talk to if you are away from home. She tells you over and over how much she misses you. She's really adorable talking to Kyle. Last Sunday she said, "I wish you could fly here through the phone," Precious. When we Skype, Ruby is fascinated with the computer screen when she sees Kyle and hears his voice.  Savvy just uses it as an opportunity to make silly faces and see herself doing it. Cade so far acts pretty indifferent. So long as everything is going swell in his world, he's pretty unrattled about it. I'm trying to make an earnest effort to make up for the fun that has left the house since Kyle's departure, but I know I'm no Kyle.

Ruby is starting to discover the scoot/army crawl and her lungs. She is expressing herself through squeals and growls in the same breath. We can't seem to smooch her enough. Savannah has herself convinced she can read. She's very good at memorizing stories and making up her own with the pictures. Each time she does it she says, "Mom, I"m learning how to read!!"  Cade is eating up soccer this season. He's starting to get the concept of defense and offense and is on top of the world every time he scores.

I spend my evenings catching up on house work and reading if it's not too late. I've actually done quite well (with the exception of last night) at going to bed earlier.  It has been a struggle of mine all my life to go to bed at a decent hour.  After all these years at the ripe age of 28, I have discovered I have some self-discipline in me after all! It's a silly thing to be proud of, but I really feel like it is one of my greatest accomplishments.  That has also made a great impact on my parenting. Getting enough sleep is vital to good parenting.  I guess that goes for not only the grown-ups, but the kids, too.

I don't mind the quiet nights too much.  I did get to go out with my ever-faithful friends, The Bookettes last night. Our book was Half-broke Horses.  It was a very thought-provoking, inspirational read. In planning the night, we came up with a restaurant that went with the book without having actually read the book yet. Guess where we went? Chuck-a-rama. Hilarious, aren't we? Actually, I don't think any of us went home disappointed. Our bellies full, our hearts lifted through laughter and the sharing of the ups and downs in our lives. Oh, and Kiki brought each of us our very own hand-knitted pot scrubber and Laurel brought us adorable little birdie book marks.  And of course the scones with honey butter made us all even happier. It was a lovely evening.

For your further reading pleasure, below is a picture (which he took-- I swear I'm not snooping) of Kyle's journal entry rating our first few dates the first summer we met in Virginia. If you look closely you'll see that that he gave our first date a C+.  Fireworks in Washington DC on the Fourth of July.  I tell ya, this guy was hard to impress.