Everything is a Bloom

What a year it has been! I know people always look to New Years to feel like they are getting that fresh start but I feel like that happens to me on Easter.  I am in love with Spring! In the month of February I started to feel like I needed some extra sunshine and warmth again. And just like that, hit March the clouds, and gloom parted and the sun made its way back into my life.  Everything is blooming right now.  I am beyond giddy right now because everyday is a new surprise.  It's my first spring in this home and I didn't know how many wonderful surprises it had for me come spring.  These flowers are blooming on my tree.  Aren't they so pretty? I love flowers! And then I have like Tulips or some family related to them springing up everywhere in my front yard.   And the grass is turning a vibrate green.  There are so many trees in town that are starting to bloom and they have the most beautiful lime green hue to them.  When the sun hits it just right it is breath taking.  

I feel like this spring feels extra special, because I feel like my family back home is blooming just like everything here.  I feel like my family had a little dormant period and I feel like something is stirring.  I love my family so much! And I am so happy we are starting to get our stride back.  I have learned so much from them about forgiveness, love, endurance, trials.  I am just so grateful that in my youth my parents taught me about my Savior.  I feel like there have been wonderful times in my life, and there have been times when things have felt still and bitter like the winter cold.  But, because I have been taught to love and rely on my Savior, I have always been lucky to have him thaw away at the bitter cold that tries to engulf us.  The days are feeling a tad warmer.  And my heart today feels warm and overjoyed with the knowledge that my Savior lives. 

Happy Easter Everyone! Much Love from our family to yours.

This is such a cool video.  If you have time you should definitely watch.  

5 and Counting

Happy Birthday Viggo! You are officially Five years old.  We have had such a fun birthday week together.  Lucky you that your birthday landed on the week of spring break.  We got to have lots of cousin time, sleep overs at Grandma and Grandpa's, hiking through Grandpa's property, roasting hot dogs, fun at Manito, getting to know your new niece, and you got to eat lots and lots of cake. 

I don't want this week to end.  There has been no shortage of fun.  So much so, that sometimes I thought you and your siblings looked like little hand grenades who's pin had been taken out.  And at nights end I was looking out for any signs that you might implode from having fun overload.  

Things about Viggo at 5

- When I found out I was having a boy at my Doctor's appointment I was so nervous.  But five years later there is not a day that goes by that I don't think how lucky I am that you brought your energy into my life

- You love building! Not just legos.  You love just constructing things out of anything.  You will take paper, or whatever is lying around and you will create the coolest little inventions.

- At five I think you officially have your first crush.  Her name is Leila.  The other day I found you laughing and and I asked you why? You said, "Mom Leila is so funny.  "She just makes me happy."  First crush I believe is the first indication that you are not so little anymore.  

- You are super athletic.  At your first day of preschool you impressed everyone with your ability to get through the big kid stable monkey bars.  Your teacher was so happy.  That is her goal for all of you to reach by the end of the school year. You are now working the swinging monkey bars like a champ.

- TANTRUMS- you have come a long way! But there are days when you mix up your emotions of feeling embarrassed or insecure and you react with frustration and anger.  But you are have improved soooo much!

- You have the faith of someone that believes they could move a mountain.  The other day I got lost, and you may have sensed my frustration ( maybe from the "mumbling" about how I detest my GPS sometimes) and you encouraged me to pull over and say a little prayer.  That was a pretty humbling moment.  Yup, mom of the year over here.  

- You are the best body guard ever.  You feel the need to protect me all the time.  The other day we had some weirdo look through our door at night. I guess he just stared at Ariana for a little bit.  I guess he has been staking out our neighborhood.  Anyways we had the talk about not talking to strangers.  And you gave me the look of no problem mom. No one is going to miss with this.  Adorable but sometimes scary because I really do think you think you are invincible.

-  You want to be just like your Dad.  You think he is so strong.  Every time someone asks you what you want to be when your grow up, your response is "I want to be like my Dad."

- You argue with your sister and brother often.  But you love them like nothing else. You are fiercely loyal. And you just enjoy being a brother to both of them so much.  

- Favorite food.  You are all about being a fit kid.  So right now it's anything that you think is healthy.  But you do concede for cupcakes or a slice of cake. You take after me in that way.

I love you Viggo! I love seeing who you are becoming.  It is remarkable to see how much you do take after us, but I love that you have the ability to charter your own path as well.  It's amazing to be here and get to watch you grow.  Happy 5th birthday big guy!