This is the Story of...

how Alayna got stitches. Alayna wanted to earn some money so she could purchase a book from her school's book order. So, after school, she kept asking me what she could do to earn money. I told her I would give her $1 for doing the dishes. She happily did them. After she was finished, she decided to clean the sink for $1 more. As she was cleaning the sink, perched up on the counter top, she fell and hit her chin on the counter top. I was in my room working when I heard her crying. It's just one of those cries where you know that something is really wrong. I went into the kitchen and she had her hand on her chin. I consoled her enough for her to remove her hand so I could see. Sure enough, she had cut open her chin. She was quite concerned that she was bleeding, so I got a paper towel and had her place it on her chin. After finding someone to watch the boys, a neighbor who is awesome by the way, I took Alayna to Instacare. Here are some picture I took with my phone, which means they're not very good.

After we checked in, a nurse put some numbing gel

and a makeshift bandage on Alayna's chin. After only

a couple of minutes, she couldn't feel a thing.

This is what her little chin looked like before the stitches.

See her 3 pretty blue stitches?

Alayna was such a trooper. The numbing gel worked

so well, the doctor didn't have to use Lidocaine. Alayna

didn't even cry, and she held so very still. She even got

this shiny metallic bandage as her reward. At least she

felt it was her reward.

Matthew's Birthday

Today was Matthew's 7th Birthday. I can't believe that my baby is 7 years old! He has grown way too quickly. We had a great day today. We went to the dollar theaters and saw National Treasure 2, then we headed back home for cake and ice cream. Matthew received several toys but his favorite was the one's he bought himself with the money that grandma and grandpa gave to him, his Bakugan toys. Then, and I hate to admit this, his next favorite was a transforming Power Ranger from his uncle and aunt (Stephen and Danielle). So, the presents that the kids and I gave him were last in line, but he really did love everything that he received, and he was very thankful for all his presents.

Matthew at 1 month old.

The Big 7

Yummy cake.

The Birthday Boy

His favorite toy.

SNOW!!!!!

OMGosh, guess what we woke up to this morning? A couple inches of snow! I knew there was going to be some snow on the ground when I woke up in the early hours hearing it hit the windows, but at that time it was really raining so I didn't think it would stick. Boy was I surprised when I finally got out of bed a few hours later. Here are some pictures from my front door and back door.

Jeff's Gone

Jeff left on Monday to do some training with the Army National Guard. He'll be gone for 5-6 weeks. It's nothing compared to the year he spent in Iraq, but it's still a long time. Today was his 36th birthday. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY honey/daddy.

Easter

Easter Sunday was a wonderful day. We went to church with my parents, then afterwards we went to their house for lunch and our annual Easter Egg (Candy) Hunt. It was a beautiful day outside, so we were able to have the hunt out in their backyard. The kids got so much candy, and money. My parents put different amounts of money into plastic eggs and limit how many each person gets. My brother's family ended up getting the $5 bills, but we did pretty good too. Anyway, here are some pictures of the kids during the hunt.

Firsts

There are so many firsts in a child's life, and today I was able to experience another one in Donovan. Because he is 12 now, it didn't occur to me that he could still experience firsts. My 'duh' moment of the day.

Today, because he is in Young Men's, he wasn't able to go up with the other Primary kids during Sacrament Meeting to sing. So, for the first time since his Primary life, he was able to sit with me and enjoy the other kids' singing. Then, I realized that I had not written about him passing the Sacrament for the first time last week, or going to Young Men's for the first time two weeks ago.

He seems to be getting so old, yet at the same time, he is still experiencing firsts. So, now, the next time I tell him, "You're getting so old, stop growing," I'll realize that in some ways he is still very young, like a baby, experiencing many firsts, and I'm just a young mom still trying to figure him out.

The Big 12

Last Saturday, Donovan turned 12 years old. Where has my baby gone? We had a quiet party, just us, at home, with cake and presents. Then, on Sunday, Donovan was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. Now we have two priesthood holders in our home. Unbelievable! I am so pleased with the way that he conducts his life, I could not be happier of the decisions he has made. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

This is Donovan at 1 month old. This is one
of the pictures we took in his blessing outfit.

The famous birthday cake. Devil's Food Cake
with Milk Chocolate frosting. Delicious!

The look on his face is priceless. He was
so excited to be receiving this gift, the Rubik's
Revolution game. He really wanted it. LOL

Another favorite present...a video game!