Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday was perfect. The pictures speak for themselves! The girls were darling and we tried to focus on the true reason for Easter. Love is just swelling within me as I look at these pictures. I love my family! Happy Easter to all!

This is the newest addition to our flock, Bunny.

 

 

 

Happy Sisters

 

If you could see this picture close enough, you'd see Addison's beautiful green eyes.

Ella and her bubbly personality.

 

 

The Harward grandchildren and grandparents.

More cousins!

Chick Days at the Harwards!

We took the plunge on Saturday and decided to get some chicks! Addison has been BEGGING for some sort of pet and I will NOT do a dog right now. James is allergic to cats and the idea of a hamster does not appeal. (Hamsters take me back to my childhood - stinky and not as fun as anticipated!)

Chickens, however, are a useful pet. They provide eggs, are cute in the beginning, and will live outside in a very short while with minimum care. I'm hoping it will live up to my expectations as the perfect pet. :)

We currently have five chicks. The girls each have one egg layer and James purchased two Cornish hens to butcher in 1 1/2 months (James named them "Broil" and "Rotisserie"). We tried different breeds for the egg layers - a Rhode Island Red (Ella's, named Lianna), a Buff Orfington (Addie's, named Belle), and an Australorp (Ruby's). I'm thinking of going back and getting an "easter egg" hen when they get some in stock. It will lay either lt blue, pink, or yellow eggs! I think that'd be fun for the girls.

The chicks are already proving their worth as a great motivator for chores so they can be held!

Wish us luck in our new adventure!

Four Months

Little Ruby is already four-months-old. Time is just flying by. I am LOVING this stage. Just look at her joyful expression and how could I not?! I believe it was Addison who bestowed Rapunzel's crown on her. She is often the recipient of such loving attention.

Very studious with Daddy's glasses.
Addie & Ella tried them on and insisted everyone else do the same.

I know this picture is a bit washed out from the flash, but I loved it anyway.
Those big BLUE eyes are gorgeous and she looks like a doll. She's so beautiful.

If something else is going on she has to see it!
Accomplishments: Rolls over from tummy to back. Can you believe she already has stranger anxiety?! It seems like that didn't show up until eight months with the other girls.

We're looking forward to James getting back sometime in the early hours of the morning from a trip to Washington.  It's been five whole days!

Ella Bella

Our little Ella turned three this month! She has quite the personality. In a few words she's enthusiastic, loving, determined, smart, and sweet.

Ella & Addie LOVE to dig in the dirt.
This year they'll each get their own little section to plant and take care of what they wish.

I overheard Ella talking to Ruby in the car recently. This is what I heard in a sing-song voice (background info - she'd just told me she's thirsty), "Are you thirsty too Ruby? Mommy's got some milk in her "things" for you." I don't know why but that was just so funny to me. Addison always called them my "milks."

The birthday girl in her birthday dress with her gumball birthday cake. And YES, the cake is sliding off the board. It was hot in there and the frosting was melting!

Happy Valentines day!

Jami an I had a really nice Valentines day. I guess I should say night. The day was a normal day. Me with school, and Jami getting ran over by children. I came home to a fun and delicious meal prepared by Jami. Home made macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets, and green beans. We spent a little time with the family, and decided to get them ready for bed. The remainder of the evening went something like this:

Had the girls go potty.

Brushed teeth.

Read scriptures while Jami nursed the baby.

Sent child #2 to bed early for being mean.

Read books.

Said prayers.

Had the girls go potty.

Sang songs with the girls.

Gave kisses good night.

Jami nursed the baby.

We started to watch a show together.

Confiscated a noise-making flash light from girl #1

Jami nursed the baby.

Tried watching the show together again.

Changed the sheets off of girl #2's bed after going potty on them.

Finished watching the show while Jami nursed the baby.

We then crash from exhaustion.

Naturally we didn't get to sleep the whole night through. Jami nursed the baby a few more times, and we clean the sheets from girl #1 going potty on them before the rising of the sun. The dynamics of Valentins day have changed a bit from when Jami and first started sharing them together, but this is the life we built together. Through our love, we started this whole mess. This all really is just a manifestation of our love. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I love you Jami!

What I meant to say . . .

Yesterday was Fast & Testimony meeting in our church. This is a Sunday where those who choose can get up and share their testimony of Christ in front of everyone instead of a scheduled speaker/topic. Addison shared a desire to get up and asked me to help her. James was out in the hall with Ruby so Addie, Ella (with one shoe on and one left behind at our seats) and I trotted on up to wait for our turn.

As we go up I have a flashback to the last time I came up with both girls. I see one lady obviously having a flashback as well as she is slowly shaking her head back and forth. I just know everyone in the front row was holding their breath, waiting to see how my children would behave this time. Last time was a fiasco, with both Addie and Ella trying to climb on the rail during my turn. Why does no one help when you're obviously struggling? Do they think you don't want help, or do they just enjoy watching the show? Just FYI, I would like help if you happen to be in the audience and aren't occupied with your own rambunctious offspring. :)

I help Addison with her own testimony (she asked me to) and Ella tells me she wants to go, but won't say anything so I proceed with my own. I can barely manage to talk, I am so emotional. I attribute the emotions to mainly a lack of sleep, which always brings them close to the surface, but also gratitude and love for my Savior. Which brings me to the point of this post. Since I wasn't able to fully express myself yesterday, I'll do it today. What I meant to say is this:

I have a testimony of my savior, Jesus Christ. I know that he died for me, you, everyone. I am grateful for his example. I fall incredibly short of living up to my potential every day, but I know that I can keep trying because of the Atonement of Christ. I don't have an amazing experience to share, only this knowledge and gratitude for the help I receive on a daily basis through the promptings I feel in my heart. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

All the rest of this post is really the rantings of an insecure young mother. The important part is the short paragraph above, which although short and simple, is what I meant to say. I'm trying to forget about the embarassment I felt/feel about crying in front of everyone as I walked quickly, holding a bawling Ella (she was having regrets about not taking her turn), back to our seats. The important part is that I tried to share a message of gratitude for my Savior with others and I hope they felt that and looked past all the rest.

Ruby's Blessing Pics

Thanks to all the friends and family who joined us in celebrating the beginning of Ruby's life and blessing. It was especially special to have ALL of my sisters there. That was most likely the only time that'll happen!
Such a beautiful baby.

Happy eyes and the hint of a smile. Love it.