Tuscany

I really wanted to see this:



and this:


But I'm counting my many blessings because I got to see this:

Venice

Venice looked fake. Amazingly fake. As we walked around all day, I kept remarking that it looked just like a movie set. I honestly couldn't get over it. It was gorgeous. I don't think I've been to a more unique city. Whoever decided to build it on the water like that??

Entrance to our Hotel . . . so cute.

My man sampling the gelato

The Gondolas at St. Marks Square

Everywhere in Venice looked just like this . . . amazing.

How I Love This Man!

On our way too expensive Gondola Ride in Venice.

When the rain is blowing in your face,

And the whole world is on your case,

I would offer you a warm embrace,

To Make You Feel My Love.

When evening shadows and the stars appear,

And there is noone to dry your tears,

I would hold you for a million years,

To Make You Feel My Love.

Zach sang me this song at our wedding and he proves these lyrics everyday. He is the most supportive, patient, loving husband anybody could ask for. I express my gratitude to Heavenly Father for him EVERYDAY. He makes my life fun, he takes care of me, he shows me the way through it all.

When life gives you lemons . . .

disappointed: depressed or discouraged by the failure of one's hopes or expectations.

the lemons trees at our Tuscan Villa

I should be grateful that I didn't anticipate having any problems on our trip to Italy. Before leaving, I was excited and a bit nervous, and I never anticipated I would react to being 6000 miles away from home with such desperate panic. After 3 days of consistent panic attacks with no end in sight and no means of alleviating the pain, we had to come home.

We saw Venice and spent a day in Tuscany and then we boarded the 14 hours of flights home. I feel relief to be home again, with my children. But of course, I feel disappointed.

I'm trying to make lemonade out of this experience and all I can think of are the things I'm grateful for.
My children. They didn't forget us during those 4 days.
My parents. For being the witnesses of my life and for helping me through the past 27 years.
My Husband . . . oh my Husband.
Family, Friends, everyone who loves me and supports me.
Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for teaching me what I apparently must learn to grow but also providing safe harbor.

Easter 2009 vs. 2010

I guess Easter and bubbles go hand in hand. Last year Grandma gave the kiddos easter jammies, but this year she got them swimsuits. I wanted to dig out the picture of Violet and Emma last year to compare how much they've changed in a year and found that they were playing with bubbles then too.

Emma and Violet in Easter Jammies: 2009

Emma and Violet in Easter Swimsuits: 2010

Bubbles in 2009:

Bubbles in 2010


That last picture is a bit confusing because Violet is wearing last year's jammies. Yes, she still fits in them. She wore them almost every night this week in honor of Easter. Thanks Grandma for the cute jammies and the very cute swimsuit too.

Easter: The Main Event

I just loved this Easter week this year. It was so fun to talk to Violet about what it all means and watch her really enjoy it all. On Saturday we celebrated with the cousins (though we missed the Arnold's terribly!). Violet and Emma played so well together and we had a great time at the Wilys. I borrowed some of these shots from my sis-in-law.


Violet likes the egg hunt, but she has no concern at all about the quantity of eggs. She walks casually from one egg to the next and is quite happy with just a few eggs. I suspect in the next couple of years that will change.



Daddy helping Scotty. Scotty just wanted to eat the Fruit Loops he stole from his cousin Emma. Sorry Emma, but they sure made him happy the entire evening!





Violet and Emma are the cutest little cousins ever.

Easter Warm-Ups

I love Easter! It's just almost equal to Christmas in my mind. I love the beginning of Spring and what the holiday means. I especially love having children to only further my enjoyment of the holiday. On Monday, Haley had the first of three easter egg hunts for Violet. It was so fun! And Violet loves playing with her friends.



Scott with my beautiful friend, Angela

Scotty and Kruz


Then on Tuesday night we colored Easter Eggs. We had a little Family Night Easter lesson and Violet told us all about Jesus' nailprints in his hands and how his friends were all very sad when he died. But he came out of the tomb and the angel said "He is not here, for He is Risen." Seriously, Violet has the best Sunbeams teachers ever! She knew all of the answers and I've never really talked to her before about the Resurrection. We then had fun dyeing the eggs.