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.

It's a Baby

That's right, even though I have not mentioned it (except once in my Christmas letter post) I am having a baby. More than that, I'm really happy and excited about it. That being said, my baby and pregnancy have been overshadowed by the sickness of Mom. I have just been so preoccupied with all my emotions that have come with the news of her brain tumer, and I've barely given my sweet baby a second thought.
I'm sorry baby.
I love you baby.
Almost the only times I have thought of my baby lately have been with a heavy heart, because I know my sweet Mom will not be able to hold my sweet baby in this life, and that makes me want to cry. befor Mom lost her speech completly, she told Dad she just had to hold on till the baby was born, and she had to see the baby. But it doesn't look like that is the Lords plan for her, she is so close.
Mom came with me and Craig to the Ultrasound last week, and she got to see my baby! As you can imagine, that was an emotional moment for us all.
How special.
How blessed.
Back to baby. The moment I found out I was expecting a baby, I had a deep feeling in my heart that told me I would be blessed with another boy...and I've known it would be a very special boy ever since. I love this baby so much, and know that he has a very special spirit. He will come into our family at the perfect time, when we all need his sweet perfect spirit most. He will help us heal.
How spcial.
How blessed.

Moms Blog

My Family started a blog for my Mom. We will be posting updates there, and it will be a place where her/our loved ones can leave messages to the family.
the link is www.leslieromriellupdate.blogspot.com . It was getting hard for us to say the whole diagnosis to people over, and over, and over. So we make sure to keep it updated.

Another thing. My sisters and I just realized we have a whole life time worth of questions we want to ask her, but our chances of haveing them answered are fewer and fewer each day. We started a list, but we are having a hard time thinking of all the things we will wish we had asked her.

Here is what we have so far:
1. what advise would you want to give your grandchildren about high school?
2. what advise would you giveto your grandchildren about dating?
3. what do we say if we have a child that doesn't want to go to church?
4. what activities do you want us to do as a family?
5. Are there any traditions you want to make sure we pass on to our children?
6. How do we deal with daughter in laws?
7. What advise do you have for us when our children get married?

If you have any ideas of things we shoul ask her, or do with her this week please let me know. Thank you again for all the prayers and love.

Love, Susan