It's Easter. This has always been my favorite holiday. Yeah, I like Christmas and Thanksgiving too, but Easter has always been my favorite. Little did I know in years past how much I would really come to understand the significance and importance of this holiday. It's because of what our Savior did for us, a couple of thousand years ago that makes it possible for us to live again after we die. I have always known this truth, but it hasn't been until this past year that I have come to truly believe in it as I do now. I miss Jake so much each and every day, and some days it's very hard to want to get out of bed. But - the knowledge that I have about life after death is something that I can never deny and because of that I go on. I am also extremely blessed to have such wonderful kids and a husband that loves me, and I want to be the best I can for them. I came across a quote the other day that I want to share here too, cause I shared it with the ladies I visit teach and on facebook. "Part of the reason the Savior suffered in Gethsemane was so that He would have an infinite compassion for us as we experience our trials and tribulations. Through His suffering in Gethsemane, the Savior became qualified to be the perfect judge. Not one of us will be able to approach Him on the Judgment Day and say, "You don't know what it was like." He knows the nature of our trials better that we do, for He descended below them all." Glenn L. Pace, Ensign September 1988. I love my Savior.

Derick left for South Africa yesterday morning. Because his plane left at 6:50am, we decided to stay at a hotel by the airport so that we didn't have to get up at 3am to be ready to leave our house by 4am. Derick and the kids went swimming in the hotel pool Thursday night and they had a great time. I guess our kids are kind of spoiled when it comes to going to hotels, cause Zane had just asked the week before if we could go to one, so he lucked out:) We went to the dentist yesterday too, and that's down in Salt Lake as well, so it worked out perfect. None of us have any cavities - YAY! After that we went and visited our friends the Potter's. We haven't seen them since Christmas so it was about time! Ingvild and I talk a lot on the phone, but it's way better to see her in person:)

I am very excited for Derick to have school behind him. It has been a lot of stress for him to balance work, school and home. All work and no play can be very stressful, so I hope he is able to relax and have a good time in Africa, even if he is traveling with people he probably wouldn't pick himself to go places with.

Well, the kids are still awake, so I need to stop for now so that I can get them to go to bed. McCall is giving a talk in primary tomorrow, he is going to read an article out of the Friend about Easter, it's the easy way out for me;-}

We colored Easter eggs today. This year I didn't buy just regular dye, I got a pack that they could decorate their eggs as monsters. It was fun and the kids liked it:) These pictures were taken before Zane got a haircut, that happened this afternoon.

Spring break is almost over:( I am very ready for summer to be here and school to be out for a while. Derick commented one night that the kids think it's summer already because they have been staying up waaaaaaaay past their regular bed time. It has been so nice though! Not having to worry about bed time or getting up at a certain time or homework, just chillin' at home - LOVELY! The weather could have been nicer, but at least the kids were able to enjoy being outside without jackets, and that's something:) Hopefully Derick only has one more class to go to and then he is DONE! The one professor is a dope and he needs to get over himself and really figure out how to be a professor - a GOOD professor! Anyway, I am so very proud of Derick. I know that he didn't want to go back to school last fall, after losing Jake. He just wanted to come home to us after work, so I admire him for continuing on, even after he really didn't want to. I can't put into words, in English or Norwegian:) of how much I love that man. He makes me extremely happy and I am so blessed to be his wife. The one thing that he has to do before being able to say sayonara to Westminster College for good, is going on a foreign trip. He chose South Africa, and he leaves on Friday:( He'll be gone for 10 days, and I am not too excited about it. He had to do this to be able to graduate, it's a part of the curriculum. He could chose from South America, Asia, Europe and South Africa. He wanted me to go with him, but since we went to Norway for my dad's funeral in January we really can't do that right now, and I also have no idea what we would have done with the kids for that long. I just hope and pray that he is safe while he is gone. Somebody told me once that it's easier to be the one leaving, then the one staying home and I believe she was right:) Oh yeah, so I got myself a new phone on Thursday! I have had the same phone for the last 5 years , so it was about time:) It is intimidating me a little bit, but I'll get over it eventually. It's bigger then my old phone and I can't just put it in my pocket, which is a bummer cause I really liked being able to just have it in there. The guy at the store transferred all my info from my old one to my new one, and today I was looking at all the pictures I had on there. There were so many of Jake. I haven't looked at those pictures in a while and it made me cry a little to see that handsome little guy. I miss him. OK, so about that Heber Valley Milk place. Not impressed. I can't believe it even passes as a store. They have hardly any inventory. There's an ice cream counter, and some cheeses and unpasteurized and unhomogenized milk, that's it! Oh wait, they also had Winder dairy chocolate milk and they charged $1 more then the store here in Midway called "The Store". To say that I was not impressed is an understatement. At least now my curiosity is stilled and I don't have to go there ever again:) I also decided to say no to what I was asked to do. I just can't do it. I seriously had a headache for 2 days because of this, and I finally felt at peace when I decided to not do it. It's nothing major, but it's something that I can never see myself doing - so I won't:) Now all I have to do is let the right people know... Our windows are open and I can hear my kids and the other kids in the neighborhood outside playing. I love that about spring and summer:) I ordered a couple of Adirondack chairs from HSN a little over a week ago and they came this week. They had to be assembled and Derick was able to do that, and today was our first day of using them - AWESOME! I think It'll be nice to sit out there this summer. Yes, spring, I am ready for you to come and stay a while IF you bring nice weather;-}

I am having such a hard time with myself today! I said yes to something that I wish I had said no to. I even told myself a long time ago that if I was ever asked to do this I would never say yes. I called my friend Ingvild and complained and I cried a little too, but that's also because it's that time of month so I am more emotional than usual. Anyway, she is such a great friend and told me that it's something I should pray about and see if it makes me feel differently. So, that's what I am going to do:) I really hate that I'm feeling this way. Right now I am going to stop thinking about it, it just gives me a headache. Other than this going on, I am enjoying this beautiful day.

The kids have spring break this whole week, and although we are not going anywhere, we are going to enjoy it:) It's such a happy feeling to see that things are 'waking' up again after a long winter, and to see buds on trees. I went on a little bike ride this morning, it felt great to be out there when the air is still crisp and to feel the muscles working:)

It is also a great feeling knowing that your house is somewhat presentable and not just in the living room, but all the rooms! It's typical though, that no one ever drops by unannounced when my house looks like this, it's only when it looks like a tornado hit that people drop by. Oh well, I am enjoying it anyway:)

I need to look into getting a headstone for Jake's grave. It's something that I am not looking forward to do, but I know it needs to be done. I sure miss that boy. Derick cleaned out our garage a little over a week ago and we got rid of a trike, a bike and a scooter with three wheels. These are things that Jake should have been able to enjoy this spring and summer. Dang it! Life is really hard at times!

There is a new dairy store that has opened here in Midway called Heber Valley Milk. I have never been there, but I want to try it out today so I think I'll head on over there in a little bit. Wonder if there really is a difference that you can tell or if it's just something that people say. If I remember next time I write here, maybe I'll let you know what my opinion about that place is:)