Hear Me

a few months back I mentioned a blogging conference that I was going to speak at...far distant into the future. Well, it snuck up on me. Tomorrow my sister Judy and I are headed down to Salt Lake for the CBC (Casual Bloggers Conference).

Things I'm excited for...

1. The yummy food at the speakers dinner
2. pedicure at Thursday night girls night
3. message at Thursday night girls night
4. hanging out with my girl
5. making new friends
6. being rejuvenated
7. having no kids for 2 1/2 days
8. speaking

Things I'm dreading a little...

1. packing and getting the kids all set for while I'm gone
2. Speaking
3. having no kids for 2 1/2 days
4. making new friends
5. not sleeping in my bed

Isn't it funny how sometimes the best parts of life are also the hardest?
I am learning a lot of things in my life recently, and this whole trial/rewards thing is one of them.
I have so many pictures to update on here...your going to love them.
Wish me luck this weekend, and I'll let you know how it goes, promise....it just might not be immediately:)

top ten for the week

Top ten most memorable moment of my week (in no particular order):

10- Pulling a muscle in my right leg know as the "Groin muscle". Craig has had a great time teasing me about the fact that I didn't know I had one...what, it sounds like something only boys would have. Does it not?

9- Layla pooping at the petting zoo, and me almost trading her for a kitten.

8- riding electric cart through Walmart (because of aforementioned leg injury)

7- running into display and knocking over BIG garbage can with electric cart in the dead silent middle of walmart. (where were all the crying children? I mean really, when is walmart EVER quiet.)

6- playing in the rain with Carter and Layla

5- Seeking advice from older, wiser, kinder sister, and being awed by her wisdom.

4- moving my fridge and oven back into my newly remodeled kitchen after five weeks without them. Welcome back oven... we baked brownies in honer of your return to us.

3- taking 48 hand impressions in the past 10 days.

2- Talking Layla into sending her poo down to the magical water world under our house. (aka, pooing on the toilet)

1- Carter and Layla singing me to sleep, and gently stroking my face after I hurt myself.


Life is beautiful...sometimes you just have to look harder to see it.

Easter Activities

I have been waiting for the pictures from My Moms funeral so I could do an Easter weekend post, but I still haven't seen them, so I'll just go ahead and post our Easter activities pictures.
Moms Funeral was Friday, we had an Easter party and egg hunt with the kids Saturday, and watched General Conference and dyed eggs with the Halls Sunday. I'll just say, I was pooped by Sunday night, but I think the kids still had some good times.
I hope you had a great Easter, and felt the Saviors loving embrace the way I did.


carter and Layla with their favorite Aunt Annabeth...we LOVE her.

Craig and the chickies dying their eggs

Cute little curly Q

Can I just say "awwwww, sooooo cute!!!"
I was folding laundry when Layla came in with the curlers, and told me she wanted them in her hair. We had never put curlers in all of her hair before, and she was willing to sit...so we gave it a whirl. Layla has a cute little cousin with super tight natural curls, and when we took the curlers out Layla looked in the mirror and said "look Mom, I'm Kayley now".
The women in my family are prone to creating boys. The pink ones come few and far between, so I was shocked and thrilled the day I found out my baby would be a girl... maybe the only one I get, who knows. If she does turn out to be my only one I would not feel sad for a moment, because she fills the sweet little feminine role so completely. I often get reprimanded from her for waking up her baby dolls, but a tender little hug of apology is always close behind. It is a beautiful gift God gives to all females from the time we are born, the gift of nurturing. Today I'm thankful for my little girl, and her sweet hugs full of comfort and love.

BFF

Today I spend the morning with my Grandma Anna, and she commented how great it is that carter and Layla have each other. We listened for a moment to them talk, and play together.
It made me think of my big brother Paul, we are the same age difference as carter and layla. He is such a great friend to me, and I always know he will have my back when I need him...but our friendship didn't start out so sweet.
We didn't exactly like each other when we were young, OK, we flat out hated each other. He got no greater joy out of life then to make me cry, and my most accomplished moments were the ones when he was getting in trouble. I would cry in my sleep "Paul, stop it", and my poor Mother would rush into my room in annoyance that he was bothering me at that time of night... but all she would find was me, fast asleep.
Not sure exactly what made the 360 change for us, but when I was 15, we suddenly decided we could stand each other. More than that, we actually started hanging out, and joining our groups of friends.
Now Paul has graduated from Dental School, and is 1st in his specialization program. He is married to the red headed version of me (I adore her of course), and has had each of his 2 1/2 children within a month of my 2 1/2 children. He is kind, strong, bold, and changing lives.
Paul, if you ever read this...I love you!

She went Home

I know it is my little sister Amelias turn to be with you now Mom, and that you have lots of work to do up there. I am forever greatful that I got you for 28 years, and I'll always look to you as the Mother I want to be. I miss you Already Mom...so so much, but I know we will be together again someday.

Love your girl,
Susie

Baked French Toast

I have so so so many pictures I need to post, it isn't even funny... but we will get to that some other time, right? I have had this wonderful recipe we love for so long that I can't remember who I got it from, so I'm sorry if it was you... but we really do love it if that makes you feel any better.
Truly, I wish I had discoverd it myself, because it is way easy and delish. The best thing about it is that you can prep it the night befor, and just pop it in the oven in the morning. Hope you enjoy.

12 cups cubed french bread
3 cups half & half
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. Vanilla
8 eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt

1. Spray 9x13 glass baking dish with non-stick spray. place bread cubes in the dish. 2. In a large bowl beat eggs, half & half, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla with a whisk until smooth; pour over bread cubes. Cover tightly and refridgerate 4-24 hours.
3. bake @400` 20-30 minutes until knife comes out clean.

cover with your favorite toppings. Berries, whipped cream, powder sugar, syrup, butter, or whatever makes your heart happy.