Swensen Sentral

Overheard Sawyer talking to himself on his bike today saying "Go Sawyer go! You can do it!".  It was so cute I was laughing to myself! I was changing Estelle's diaper and she rolled over before getting the clean one on and pointed her naked little bum bum at Amelie who said "Eewwww! Lele has her bum cracked at me!"  Hahaha!  I love the way Amelie phrases things sometimes.

Today was filled with lots of wonderful moments.  Here are a few of them. 1. Open windows, fresh air, and a slight warm breeze through my house.  I love the beginnings of summer. 2. Air Conditioner blasting on my hot sticky skin.  One of the best feelings ever. 3. Amelie asked me when it would be summer so we could get out the swimming pool.  I was so happy that I could say "today!"  She jumped for joy, it was so cute!  Can't believe we are enjoying 90 degrees in April. 4. Watching all 4 of my kids run around the yard almost naked in the warm sunshine, splashing in the pool, running through the sprinkler, swinging on the swings, giggling with delight.  Pure bliss! I love summer days.  So happy we get to have lots of them this year. :) (Amelie decided to be a pirate today ;)

We made it home.  That's all I have to say.  Took 13 1/2 hours from Orem to Castaic.  We learned one thing: never drive home through Vegas on a Sunday night. Despite the drive there and back, our 2 week vacation was well worth it.  We saw EVERYONE in both of our families.  It was so nice and made me feel so grateful for the wonderful families that Rick and I are apart of, and how grateful I am for the good relationships we have with both of them.  We miss them and would love to be closer, but for now intermittent vacations will have to due. Did laundry on Monday and unpacked 5 suitcases (looking forward to the day when my kids can unpack their own stuff).  Washed an extremely dirty van on Tuesday and put away all the junk we managed to travel with inside our vehicle.  Why in the world do we need so much? Who doesn't love Nana's house when she offers sucker bribes ;)

Amelie: Grandma you make the yummiest food ever. She loved Grandma's cooked turkey. What a nice compliment :)

2 weekends ago I proved to myself I can do hard things.  I embarked on a drive from LA to Boise, all by myself with 4 kids in tow.  I was really nervous about it and did a lot of preparation to make sure I had lots and lots of entertainment for the kids on our 16 hour drive.  My friends called me crazy, but really my motivation came from wanting to visit home so badly. The first day we drove 6 hrs to Sacramento.  We made one stop about halfway for gas and a kid break and overall things went surprisingly well.  We visited with my Grandma & Grandpa and stayed overnight at my Aunt Julie's house.  It was so wonderful to see family, especially my Grandpa Tom who is very sick and may pass away soon. The next day we drove 10 hrs from Sacramento to Boise.  That was the hardest part of the trek, surprisingly not because of the length of drive but because of the bad weather we encountered.  Driving through Donner's Pass we hit very heavy rain, which...

Today I went to church, listened to inspiring messages about the Savior and His resurrection.  Then I went to a play put on by our church called Savior of the World, about the resurrection.  I feel so blessed to know the Savior, to know that He knows me and loves me, and performed such a great sacrifice because of that love.  I'm grateful for Easter each year because it reminds me of His love, and how much I need Him in my life.  I know He lived a perfect life that I might follow Him.  I know He suffered for my sins, that I might be forgiven of them.  I know that after death He came back to life on the third day.  He conquered death so that I too can conquer death.  I know He still lives, and watches over me each day.  He is my Lord, my Savior, my Brother.  And I know that after death I can live with Him and my family again someday.  Knowing this brings me peace.  I'm SO grateful to know Him. Watch this video and more at Bibl...