Very blessed year.

Now that Erick is down to his last 10 days in Iraq. I have just been reflecting a little about the last year. I have never felt so blessed in my life. I know that my heavenly father has taken our little family into his care and filled our life with blessings. We have been so well protected and taken care of and I have had a strength I didn't know possible. I am also blessed to have such a wonderful family. While I have been here My sister Corey had a baby boy and my sister Jenn had twin boys. I haven't been able to be with them yet for there baby's. It has really been fun being an aunt (not a mom) to these sweet little boys. I have been able to grow so close to my sisters and have know that I could count on there support and love through this hard time. This picture is all of us together . There are 15 grand children. We had this picture taken while Erick was visiting for Christmas. I am also so greatful for my parents. My dad has been over almost every saturday fixing things around the house or helping out with the yard etc. My mom lifts my spirits every time I am with her . She expressing to me daily that I am a wonderful mother and I am doing an amazing job. I have loved being close to them. My brother who also served in Iraq as a general sergeon also returned to Utah resently after being in the army for 12 years. Has been so good to me by taking me out to dinner or taking my kids to do fun things. They all love there Uncle Rob and his wife Tara. I also am thankful for my friends who have been praying for us and sending Erick packages and emails. We have felt your prayers and we thank you for taking that time to think of our family. We truly love you. We look forward to the next adventure that our life will bring. I am blessed to come from such a wonderful supportive family and I know that I could not have done this without them. I know I am a stronger women because of this experience and I am greatful for this trial I have been given. I just pray that more trials don't come my way for a long long time. I am ready for a break. I am going to Virgina to pick up Erick in May and look forward to that time with my guy. I love Erick more than ever before and I am so proud of his postive attitude of this experience he has made the best of things and that has kept him happy, and given me peace of mind.
We love you and thanks again for coming into our lives.

Easter

Easter was a big success at our house. The easter bunny comes on Saturday that way we still keep the real reason for easter in our hearts on Sunday. After all the sewing of these dresses. I made the kids take some pictures so we could send them to Erick right away. We headed to church and I notice everyone in the chapel started to stand. I look back and walking up to the stand is Elder Dalin H Oaks. He is an apostle of the LDS Church. I have never been in the presence of an apostle. He brought with him such a wonderful spirit. His daugher is in our ward so he came to visit for easter. We did not have the privelage to hear from him but it was amazing. He also attend Sunday School and some of Relief Society. Isaac gave a talk in primary about Easter and he did a great job. After our meeting we headed to Erick's parents for dinner. The kids had an easter egg hunt with there cousins. When I think of Easter last year , I remember we arrived in Utah the day before Easter. Erick spent the holiday with us. On Easter sunday we knew it was going to be our last sunday together for the next year. We spent most of sacrament meeting wiping away tears , it was very hard day. 5 days later he left us for training. I can not believe that we are down to the last 5 weeks of being apart. I am so excited. We know that all of your prayers have been heard in his behalf. We appreciate all the love and support.

Kiah's St Patricks Day

Kiah had such a fun decorating these shirts seen in the picture. They sprayed there hair green and they all wore green skirts. It was a fun day. Who knew that 4th grade would be so fun. She has such a fun teacher this year named Miss Nelson. Kiah is taking voice lessons and is in the school choir. She got a solo in the choir that she will be performing in May. She also is singing a solo in Sacrament meeting in June. She has such a fun personality. I enjoy being the mom to a ten year old girl. Most of the creative things we do are her idea I just provide what is necessary.

Busy month

March has been such a busy month for me. I was looking for Easter dresses for my 4 girls and ran into the cutest dress at Gymboree the problem was that they were 50 dollars each and 4 girls you do the math. No way was I going to spend that. So I decided I would sew the exact dress. So I went and got all the fabric and notions and spent 60 dollars for everything I needed. So I have been busy making 4 darling dresses in time for easter (pictures will be posted later). Also this month Kiah decided that her friends wanted to dress the same for St. Patrick's day. So I told her to have all there friend come over and bring a white shirt and we would decorate them. They did such a good job. And they had a blast together. Kiah has such a fun group of friends this year they are amazing girls. I also started a Joy school with some other women in the ward so this was my week to teach. It has been a fun thing I teach one week of the month on a tuesday and thursday. Sadie and Saylor love it. With easter around the corner I have been getting stuff for baskets and sending Erick his own easter stuff as well. We have also had 5 birthday parties to attend this month. I never remember March being so busy but this year with Easter so early I guess that's what happens. Erick is still doing great. He is still looking for a job. He has lots of leads and we are hoping something happens by June so we can make plans for the future. We love Utah and hope we don't have to leave. We miss all of our friends and hope to cross paths againg with all of you. I will be going to Va Beach the end of May to pick up Erick we will spend 4 days there just the 2 of us I can't wait.

Celebrating 11 years

I haven't been a very good blogger lately, sorry. Next week Erick and I will celebrate out 11th aniversary. It has been an amazing 11 years. We started dating when we were 17 so we have been together 14 years almost half of our lives. I have been so blessed to have spent this time with him I can't image my life with anyone else. We have spent now 10 months apart and it has been the most bonding experience for us. We have had to express our love for each other over web cams, emails and phone calls. I have never felt more close to him then I do now and we are so far apart. I just know he is the man that makes me a better person. When I met him I was not in a good place in life and he really did save me. He brought joy and happiness and hope when I needed it most. I love him so much and am thankful for him. I want to encourage everyone to really spend good quality time with your spouse. We seem to get so caught up in our children that sometimes that relationship can go on the back burner. When that relationship should be #1 at all times. I know that every minute I have with Erick will be so special to me when he returns and I look forward to new memories.