Grandpa B.

Austin's parents came for a lovely visit this past weekend. We played lots of games, ate lots of vegetables, and loved every moment. I think this picture defines it all, with a special thanks to iphoto booth (L-R: Maisie's belly, Grandpa B., and Andy).

Bunny Buns

Maisie found a new recipe from the April Friend that she insisted we try today, Bunny Buns. Cousins Haley and Ty were over to help shape our dough into bunnies. Delicious!



I think we've found ourselves a new Easter tradition.

Conference

General Conference came and went this weekend. We were lucky to share it with the Lybberts and Shelly. Although combined there were seven small children, I did feel the spirit, at times. Of course we ate plenty of treats and colored with new pens.




Evenings together were spent playing games and talking late into the night.


Saturday night 35 ladies came: cousins and their kids, some of Shelly friends, my sisters and kids, and mom and aunt came over during priesthood session to eat dinner and celebrate a lovely cousin. What a time we had. Although I don't have one picture of the event, which I regret, I did make many pleasant memories and spent a lovely evening with all.

Projects

I hadn't talked to my sister in 4 days! She asked me what I've been up to. This.

Exchanged St. Patrick's Day decor for Easter decor.








Began embroidery projects.


Made a menu board for my wall.



A FHE board, still needs work.


Green Smoothies at breakfast.



Baked like crazy! Cheese cake, 10 loaves of whole wheat bread, chocolate chip cookies , brownies, and a delicious dinner every night. (Should have taken pictures. Oh, there is bread on the cloche in the menu-table picture.)

Surging Forward

I finally used my new Bernina Surger. During the fateful past two weeks, I made these.

We wore them last night to Kimberly's reception; we danced the night away.





We loved seeing our Kansas "family."

Tricky Leprechaun

Andy's school assignment was to make a leprechaun trap. Here it is: the leprechaun climbs up the ladder, tries to grab the gold, but falls in the box. TRAPPED!


Maisie decided that she wanted one, too. She and Nick painted the box and collected the rocks. The leprechaun is to climb up the rock wall, knowing the rainbow at the top will lead him to a pile of gold coins. However, once on top, he will slip and fall into the box. GOT HIM!

I wonder what we will catch tomorrow?
P.S. I was pretty smug that these projects were completed without going to the store.

Spring

After the bleakest winters, spring always comes.
Today began (3:30 am) as one of the bleakest winter days, ever. However, today ended with spring in my heart and home.
It's truly humbling to feel the love from all of you. Thank you.

Mary

Yesterday I went to a routine baby doctor appointment and walked away in the depths of despair. My doctor could not find the baby's heartbeat. I thought I knew what was next, a D and C, but I was oh, so wrong. Because our baby was in the 16th week of gestation, I was told that I would have to deliver the baby.

Four hours later I found my self checking into the labor and delivery floor of AF hospital. Austin was with me, I was fitted with my IV, given the drugs to induce labor, and then began the six hour wait. At nine pm I delivered a perfect baby girl, we named her Mary. Her 4.5 inch frame was complete with all ten fingers and toes (including little nail beds and knuckles), and a perfect little head. Together with the doctor we examined her tiny body. His exam proved nothing wrong externally with Mary, and so we were left with only uncertainty as to why her heart stopped.

Certainty in my faith and convictions gives me the knowledge that I don't need all the answers in this life to know that life exists in the world to come. A firm knowledge in my Savior's redeeming love allows me hope and trust in the unknown. Although I will never know the color of her eyes or feed her warm milk, I still love our Mary with all the love a mother.

Finally, and massive thank you to all those who have served and loved Austin and me at this time.

Here are the prints of her hands and feet. Her foot prints fit inside the nail of my pinky.