We love you, Papa.

Bryan Thomas Christensen passed away today. It is definately something that you can't ever prepare for. You may think you are prepared until it actually happens. This past week we were given the opportunity to be in Seattle. We are truly grateful that we were able to see him, to spend time with him, to kiss him, to hold his hand, to tell him that we love him, and to say goodbye. As we left the hospital room on Sunday evening, and as we said goodbye, we hoped that this wouldn't be the last time. Sometimes things don't work out like we want them to, but rather work out as they should. We are so sad to lose our Papa, our father, our father-in-law, but are so happy that his suffering is over. He is happy. He wants us to be happy. He is in a good place.

Without the gospel and the knowledge that we have, I know that this would be so much harder. But, knowing that we will reunite with him makes things so much better. Families are eternal, they are forever. He was a great man, and he will be greatly missed. We all have so many great memories to cherish that we can hold on to forever. We love you, Papa!

For you, "It's back to the salt mines." There is more work for you to do.

Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA

My mom, dad, and Cory came up for Macie's recital. It was so good to see them. I hadn't seen them since October, which is a long time for me. I think it was the longest stretch. And Dad surprised us and was able to get the time off work to come, too. It was good to be able to show him Santa Maria, he hasn't ever been here. The weather was pretty crappy, not typical for the Central Coast, really. But, we still had fun!

On Sunday we attended our ward and in Sunday School the teacher described Carmel-By-the Sea. She had just recently gone there, and said the sand was white, and the water was turqoise and it was beautiful. My mom was sold. She wanted to go there. She has always wanted to drive up Highway 1 along the coast, so it was a perfect opportunity. So, we loaded up the Ford Flex, and we were off.

where to begin?

Dance Recital. Vistors. Carmel-By-The-Sea. Disneyland. Cutest kids ever.

So much to blog about, but so little time...

Is he mine?

I'm beginning to wonder if Jacob really is my son. He always had a different look about him. And he has curly hair. Where did that come from? But then I remembered that I think I was the only white patient in the hospital! ;-) He really is mine, and he's very cute, I'm very glad to be his mother.

Except when he eats snails. Yuck. He ate at least two that I know of. And I have scooped snail guts and shell out of his mouth twice. And then today he was playing with a spider like it was his best friend. He laughed and laughed as the spider crawled around his fingers. And then he played with the ants by the front door. He was down on the ground on his belly just poking them and smiling.

I HATE BUGS. Any type. I hate spiders. I hate snails. I pretty much hate nature. I like to look at it, but I don't care if I'm not in it! But, I have a son who loves creepy crawly things. Where did he come from? I thought this would be a good thing. And maybe I'd have someone to kill the spiders for me, but I'm afraid he will want to keep them as pets. That, I'm not okay with.

she's pretty funny.

Macie is a crack up. Half the time we have no clue where she gets the things she says or does. Things come from no where. However, there are things that she says that I know that I say a lot, but I don't think she's listening, or I don't realize I'm saying it. I say "like" a lot. Not like Valley Girl "like." But I do say it quite a bit. Macie does too. Probably got it from me, I'm afraid. More recently, she has started to use the phrase "freak out." I know I say that. Coming from a three year old is different! It's quite shocking to hear her say it! But, pretty funny, too. This morning when she came downstairs to eat breakfast, she was sniffing quite a bit. Our whole house suffers from allergies after it rains for some reason. So, she was sniffing and walking down the stairs. When she got down she yelled, "Mom! My nose is really FREAKING me out. It like won't like sniff up. Like, it's freaking me out."

Do I really talk like that?

Just another example of my three year old going on 18.

{this is just one of the MANY self portraits of this girl!}

Remember this?

A long, long time ago, I wanted to do THIS And I asked you if it was possble. And, because of the encouragment, I embarked on the journey to make Macie an adorable girly duvet cover. A friend from our ward happened to have a roll of the perfect fabric. {thanks, Anna!} It is light pink, and just what the project needed. It's almost been a year, I'm almost done...

boy crazy.

Macie is boy crazy. She is three. I dread what it will be like in 13 years. Goodness.

After dinner yesterday she left the table and started heading up the stairs.

Adam: "Where are you going, Mace. You're not excused from the table."
Macie: "I'm going to see my sweet, sweet boyfriend."
Adam: (trying not to just bust a gut laughing) "You're sweet, sweet boyfriend? What is his name?"
Macie: (blushing a bit) "I'm not going to say it."
Adam: "Does it start with an 'M'?"
Macie: "Uh-Huh."
Adam: "Is his name Michael?"
Macie: "Yes!"
Lindsay: "But what about Bode?"
Macie: "Oh, he's upstairs, Michael is downstairs."

Two "boyfriends" for one three year old girl in one house, both of which are 7. Hmmm, should I be worried?

Sunday photo session.

We tried...again. This is what we got.


{Macie and Noah totally looked like they were going to a dance together. Noah's red tie matched Macie's red tie on her dress, it was kind of comical. Yes, we were the matchy family at church today. Well, Adam broke the trend. He wore a green tie. Oh, Adam! But, really, it wasn't intentional...much.}

Angels are Awesome!

T-ball season has now come to an end. I don't think it has even started in many places. But, in sunny California, we're done. Now we have nothing to look forward to on Saturday morning! It was fun while it lasted. It's always great to watch them write their name in the dirt, and skip around, and walk from base to base...wait, they don't ALL do that, just Noah! ;-) He enjoyed it, he just likes to bat a heck of a lot better than the outfield. I must admit, though, playing outfield does get boring! I'd much rather be batting and running as well!

Throughout the season, Noah has improved a lot. He now hits the ball after it is pitched, instead of using the Tee. He actually runs to the bases, rather than walking. He wants to play again next year, which is also a plus! Maybe after he gets into school, he'll be able to focus a little bit better!

Noah is awesome though. He loved being on a team and being with all boys. He was in heaven having so many boys to run around with. All those boys to talk about Batman and Bakugan with...he loved it.

GO ANGELS!

Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day, to every mother out there! I especially want to say Happy Mother's Day to all of the mother's in my life, the mother's that have made it possible for me to be a mother. I have had wonderful examples, and hard shoes to fill. I have learned so much from each one of them. I know how to find a good bargain, I can make a pretty good chocolate cake, I have a little more decorating sense than I used to, I love my family and know how important they are to me, I have a testimony of the gospel, I've learned to enjoy the simpler things in life, I know how to be happy, and know that I can always be happy. All of these things I have learned from all of the mother's in my life, and am ever grateful for it. Without you, I couldn't be the mother that I am today. I wouldn't have the opportunity to have the life that I have. I love being a mother, it's the best job in the world. It may be a 24/7 job, but I wouldn't trade it. And I can honestly say it's because of you. Thank you!

I love you Mom!

I love you, Myrt!

I love you Carol!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!