A Post-Easter Post.

I'm behind. Like super super super de-duper behind. So we'll start with Easter and I'll try to gradually get caught up as the week progresses...

Easter was beyond busy but very memorable as well. We travelled down to Thanksgiving Point so I could do an engagement photoshoot on Friday evening (the tulip gardens were fabulous!).

Then Saturday morning we had the special privilege of being all together in the temple for the first time. (All 5 of Patrick's brothers and sisters and spouses and his parents). There were 13 of us--a slice of heaven indeed. It made me reflect on when my family was able to all be there together as well when my sister Natalie went through for the first time.  How blessed we have been to have this privilege on both sides of the family.

{And this picture is really special to me because it is in the exact same spot where we stood almost 8 years ago to the day for our engagement pictures. The purple blossoms were out and it brought back such wonderful memories. It almost made me want to go back to that time. Almost.}

In the afternoon we had an Easter egg hunt for the grandkids...

Next, we cooked and made preparations for Sadie's open house. And later that evening we did another photoshoot--bridals at the Mt. Timpanogas temple in Lehi.

Sunday morning we had breakfast and then attended Sadie's farewell talk. She did so fantastically well. As I sat listening to her speak, I couldn't help remembering the little girl she was when I first met her. I think she was only 10 and much shorter than me. As the 9 years have passed, she has gradually caught up to me and now far surpassed me in height. She is the sweetest thing and we will miss her bright, shining personality so much! Those Texans have no idea how lucky they are to be getting such a stalwart, wonderful missionary in their midst.

We love you Sadie!!

A few more from October.

Here are the rest of the photos I snapped that haven't appeared here yet:

 This little girl came waltzing into the living room as I was folding clothes, all dolled up with her purse, two phones, perfume, a mirror, a play credit card and wearing my shoes.  And I thought to myself, "What more could a girl want?"

{On this particular rare morning, Tate and Maylie were playing quietly as I cleaned the kitchen.  There was no squabbling or screaming or bothering.  It only last about 5 minutes, but how I treasured those few precious moments.}

When the littles were battling their croup for weeks, the boys decided one Sunday morning that we should all watch Conference together since we couldn't go to church.  So we did.  And made collages for ourselves from cutouts from the Friend and Ensign.  It was a very special day.

And lastly, this was our Friday family movie night a few weeks ago.  We got to watch Mickey together and eat ice cream.

I love my family!!!!!

Oh Daddy.

I'm not so sure Miss May liked being in the dryer...

...but I thought it was pretty cute!

Today, August 11, 2013.

Before church.....

 ...jumping up to get the leaves.

{Sunday Dress-up's are the BEST!}

A Day of Blessing.

On Sunday we celebrated our precious Maylie's baby blessing.

My goal this time around was to simplify and enjoy the day to it's fullest.

So my thoughtful parents suggested sack lunches in pretty pink sacks and we filled them with muffins, bananas, and juice.  At first I was a bit reluctant to abandon the traditional sit-down dinner, but I'm so grateful we did.  The sack lunches were perfectly simple.  It was such a lovely day.

Dear Maylie,

     You were blessed on Sunday, February 5th, 2012...six years and one day after your your Daddy and I were engaged.  And for this reason, I will always remember this special day of yours.

     You looked so lovely in your blessing dress that long ago belonged to me...

      So many of your family members were gathered around you on this day:  Gram and Pop; Great-Grandpa Johnson; Grandpa and Grandma; Papa and Nana; Jacee and Chad (Holland, Eliza, Nelson, and Madeline); Payton and Melissa; Molly and Chris (Colbie); Nicole and Jason; Natalie; Megan and Sadie; Lynne and Gregg; Eva and Sid; and Grandpa and Grandma Lystrup visited last week.

      Daddy gave you the most tender blessing, relaying to you how you are a choice daughter of our Heavenly Father reserved to come to the earth at this time to shine as a light and a star to guide those around you.  You were blessed with the light from the Savior to shine in your countenance that you might be an example throughout your life.

      Maylie, words cannot express how blessed we are to have you in our family.  We have felt that you have been waiting to come for so long...and now you are here in all of your glorious radiance.  Your angelic sweetness fills my heart with joy so abundant that my cup is brimming.  I could not be happier.  Thank you for coming.  Thank you for the grace you have brought to our family.  Thank you for the edge of refinement you have brought to this household of little boys.  Thank you for the heavenly aura you have bestowed on our home.  Thank you for being you.  You are the ray of light that I needed...that we all needed.  And I'm so glad that Heavenly Father sent you to us.  You are Grace my little Maylie.  And I love you.

Love always,

Mommy