Thirty-threeeee

Pretty crazy that I'm 33...most days I still feel 14. But thats ok because I truly feel that I am at the prime of my life. I didn't have much planned for my birthday because Chad was in a busy season at work, but he did manage to surprise me on my birthday morning. I woke up to this card saying that he had arranged a babysitter and that I had a massage apt waiting for me later that day! He sure knows the way to my heart!!!! 

I taught step class and we had donuts afterwards, then went to Cafe Rio for lunch with Janna, Emily, and Nannette and ALL our kids. It truly was a labor of love to go to lunch with me 

Later that night we did gifts and cupcakes as always and just enjoyed the day as a family. 

THEN it was time to party! A few weeks ago my friend Alex asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday and I told her rollerskating (thinking of going with my family). A few days later she told me she had put together a party on facebook and that we were doing a girls night rollerskating night!!!WHAT?! How cool of friends do I have?!
So we pulled out all the neon, 80's, random things we could find! Carter was totally embarrassed.

All these friends came over to celebrate and eat this incredibly AMAZING rollerskating cake that Alex made. She has mad cake skills!!

 I mean seriously, a dream come true kind of cake!

 The bottom later was rice crispies with REESES PB CUPS mixed in with it! AMAZING! YUM!

 Then we hit the road to Classic Fun Center in Sandy! Love these 8 ladies who dressed up shamelessly to come celebrate me!

Party favors were of course....neon socks! We slapped them on and hit the roller rink (some of us harder then others....ahem....Nan...)

 The night was filled with  (lousy) music....what do kids listen to these days?? Am I THAT old? Until 9 when they kick the kids off and only 18 and up skate...THEN the good music came on.

I guess it was also super hero night so we got pics with all of them!

 Cute girls in pink!!

 Luckily for those who weren't too comfortable on skates could still hang out and chat the night away. I think everyone had a good time. Even those who left with a few more bruises.

 Janna was of course a blast and loved seeing her let loose on the floor!

 Me and Nan!

 And to conclude my birthday week, a  package from my brother Jordan showed up on my door step and it was one of my favorite games!! I was very excited!

Until we meet again April 3rd! Be good to me this year!

Historic General conference

We were so excited to listen to General Conference this year for many reasons....We got a new prophet, President Nelson with President Eyring and Oaks at this side in the first presidency. What incredible men they are!

Whenever a new prophet is called, we get to participate in a Solemn Assembly where the whole church gets to stand and sustain our new prophet, as do his counselors. It was a very powerful moment and I was told by the spirit that he was called of God. 

                                         
They showed his face at some point during the sustaining and it looked like this. So humble, so grateful and so full of love.

Then, 2 new apostles were called! Elders Gerrit W. Gong and Ulisses Soares. They had a chance to share a short testimony again, the spirit testified this is where they are supposed to be. Another historic change for the church as they are the first Chinese and Brazilian members. 

                                           

We had heard rumors about other big changes being made, but didnt know what. At one point during the morning I had a thought come to me that what if they got rid of Home and visiting teaching and called it ministering!? As soon as it came, I pushed it away, thinking Naaaa....They'd never do that. Durring the Saturday evening session when the prophet announced that exact thing I was shocked! I felt incredibly blessed that I was able to receive a tiny bit of revelation before that big thing was announced. I knew the second the words came out that THIS is exactly how it is supposed to be in Christs church. He would have us be ministers to one another.

As Chad and my dad went off to preisthood session, more changes were to come! Half way through Chad text me to confirm more big changes were announced. They have decided to do away with the high priest group and combine ALL the priesthood into one big Elders Quorum. Chad, who was the current president, was released along with all high priest and EQ callings immediately.

Later that night someone sent this to my dad and it is TOO GOOD not to keep around!!! HAHA!

Chad was re-called as the new EQP and we are excite for this historic calling as he gets to start this program from the ground up almost! He will be so great and I know it will give him so much spiritual strength and bless our family. When he was set apart, he was told by the stake president many cool things, but my personal favorite was that our family relations would improve and our family would be blessed and that Chad and I's relationship would be strengthened. I'm grateful for this opportunity to serve so we can receive blessings.

Jordan River Temple rededication

One of the best things about living in utah is we have atleast 5 temples within an hour radius around us. Still, I wish we had one in Tooele, and it wasn't the most popular place to go to the temple, but yes, I am grateful. And even more so that we get to take our children inside so many of them through dedications and re dedications. The Jordan River Temple was reconstructed and updated and so we had the opportunity to go through it as a family. It was fairly plain, but the ART work through out it was my favorite! And we all loved the incredible chandeliers! 

 WE ALL LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE!

Easter

Easter festivities started off with a preschool egg hunt at Ms Lori's house. Brielle was beyond excited to hunt for eggs. She was also able to color eggs and peel her own carrot. She was so proud of herself!

 And just because this is too cute to pass by, here is Rylee wearing some Barbie boots! She was so pleased!

 We tried, and tried, and tried, and TRIED to get a nice family Easter picture, but after 19 tries I gave up and we ended with...

 THIS ONE! Sigh.....maybe next year.

 Two cute girls enjoying some treats!

 G&G Reed came for Easter this year and it was so fun having them around! The kids woke up to candy filled Easter baskets and they all got a shirt for Disneyland!

 Between sessions of General Conference we had an egg hunt at our house that Grandma filled eggs for. The kids are all in PJs since it was conference sunday, but who cares, we enjoyed ourselves.

 All the kids and their eggs.

 Everyone then took turns showing off their tricks while they gobbled up candy. Dad even got in on the fun.

Grandpa Reed continued a tradition that Grandpa DeGiulio always did for me and my siblings, he stuffed a $1 coin in an egg and gave them to each kid. It was a special gift and a tradition I'm glad will be continued! :)

We had a great Easter and loved that we got to hear from our new prophet and feel the spirit of Christ. What better way to celebrate Easter. I love my Savior. I know the Atonement is real. I find that I am always learning about what it can encompass and conquer. I'm grateful he loves me and that he paid for my sins. And for the sins of others that affected me. He is my brother and friend and I love him dearly.

Buddies

One of my greatest desires as a mom is that my kids grow up having good friends. I truly believe it can make you or break you. We've been spoiled by the Ogilvie family too many times and we are so grateful to call them amazing friends! This first picture was at Brightyn's unicorn birthday party. It's a blurry shot, but so so cute!

 We sometimes escape to Target together and try on all the accessories and take pictures.

 And pull out the over sized animals!

And take a little nap with them right in the isle...totally normal.

These girls are two peas in a pod. They get along so great and have the cutest little imaginations.

 But there's more! Rylee and Remington have become quite the little buddies too while they wait for their big sisters at dance class.

 I think they could pass for brother and sister! Remmy is 6 months younger, but just as big as Ry!

We love having GREAT friends!!!