Coolest thing ever

I got the coolest link in an email today from my friend Marci. I just had to share it. Because I am a dork and cannot load it right now onto the blog here is the link.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Easter

We had a wonderful Easter this year. We were able to spend it with many family members and were all able to participate in a couple Easter egg hunts. I would put pictures up to show all the fun we had but my camera is dead and I cannot find the battery charger. My guess is that's it's in storage, way in the back of the unit. So I will just have to steal some from other people.

We started off dying eggs on Saturday with the family. Kellen thought it was so fun to put three eggs in the dye at a time. He was just trying to be efficient I suppose. On Sunday morning we had an egg hunt with my family. In recent years my parents have upped the anti with money in some of the eggs. This year Aunt Shellie won the "golden egg" which contained $5. Also, Katie collected the most eggs so she got a dollar. She is so excited because tomorrow she gets to go to the dollar store and buy whatever she wants. I have this feeling that she is going to try and buy candy. We'll see.

After church we went over to Shannyn and John's house. The cousins had another egg hunt and got yummy jelly beans and fun little toys. After a while Kellen was so tired and was rather cranky. As we were gathering our things to go home Tom pointed out a picture of Jesus. Normally, Kellen would have loved to see the picture but tonight his response was,"that's gross". Well goes to show that if you have one little two year old that has not had a nap it equates to one super grumpy kid!! What can I say though, he's two!

I hope everyone had a great Easter. Pictures are on the way.

Best Buds

Katie and Kellen are such good little friends. Yesterday Katie was put into time out for talking back. After her five minute stint on the stairs I went and talked to her. I was talking a stern tone and Kellen was sitting right next to her. He grabbed her little hand and then said to me "Mom, don't be mean to my sister!" He was so protective of her! I hope they are always good friends.

Goodbye Utah, Hello Arizona

This past weekend we made the trek back to Arizona. We moved in with my parents so we could regroup. The last day of school in Utah Katie cried and was very upset but upon hearing that we were going to see Grandma and Grandpa Lyle, Scott, and other friends and family in Arizona again she felt better. We packed up our truck Saturday, cleaned, and then left Sunday for St.George to stay with Tom's parents for the night. Then on Monday Tom drove the truck, I drove one car and Ann (Tom's mom) drove another car down. Thanks Ann for your help! We are now enjoying the warm Arizona weather and having fun seeing our friends again.


Our townhouse. Notice the snow!





The week before we left it snowed so Tom took Katie for one last sled down the hill. Tom didn't take Kellen so Kellen we sledding down our stairs instead.


Our living room was full of boxes. This is only half of everything. Toward the end of the week we felt like we were living in a den made of boxes.



Katie and her little school friends (Sierra,Savannah,Katie and Madelyn).


Kellen and Michael (the spanish boy) playing with the sled before we deflated it. Now we can use it in the pool!

Congratulations Katie!!!

I want to send a "shout out" to my daughter Katie who has finally reached 32 pounds!! It only took 5 1/2 years, but you did it. I am sure you owe it to the many fruits and veggies given to you by me at various meals and many "sugar tastas" you snuck behind my back:). We did a little cheer in the doctor's office for Katie for reaching a weight above 30 pounds!!! Love you kid!!

Ruff!

The other day Tom and I were telling Katie that Heavenly Father can command the animals to do things. I am bad at explaining things so this will have to do. Here is how it went:

Katie: Can Heavenly Father talk to animals?

Tom: Yes, he can command them to do certain things.

Katie: Can He talk with Cassie (our dog)?

Tom: Yes, He could if he needed to.

Katie: What does Heavenly Father ruff like?

Tom: You mean ruff like a dog?

Katie: Yes, does he ruff to talk to dogs?

Tom: (much laughter) No, he just talks to them in their heart.

Katie: Hm.

The Latest

As I mentioned in our last post we had news. After much prayer, fasting, and attending the temple we have finally received an answer to go back to Arizona. During this time of contemplation we have wondered why we were supposed to move to Utah in the first place and really the only answer that I have gotten thus far was to show our willingness to submit our will the Lord and obey. I am certain that as time passes we may find out more as to why, but for now we are heading down to warmer weather and more importantly our family and friends.

People have asked many times during this whole ordeal how we are doing and the answer really has always been, fine. Really, we have been and are fine because we have felt every single prayer offered on our behalf and also every fast on our behalf. We have been strengthened by the love of our friends and family. I have no doubt that as we are going through trials that are overwhelmingly stressful that our Father in Heaven is watching over us and sends us miracles. Never at any time did we need for anything. Sure we may have wanted things here and there, but our needs were always met. We know that is was by the grace of our loving Father, and those that were instuments in His hands, that we were able to make it through this time and actually stay in our town home long enough to meet wonderful people and have Katie attend a wonderful school. Our family has been humbled to a point to where we can see much more clearly each and every miracle in our lives. Believe it or not I am so grateful for this trial and would do it all over again if that meant being able to witness so many miracles in our lives. I am actually awed and so grateful that Heavenly Father trusted us enough to know that we would follow Him during this crazy period in our lives. I am humbled that He would trust us and loved us enough to give us this trial. My heart is full of grateful for the faith that I have been blessed with and the testimony that I have and the person that I have become during this time.

I thank you so much for all of your support during this time. There were days when I thought I couldn't handle the stress of our situation and someone would call, email, or send me a little a message on facebook that would just make my day. Little did you know how much those phone calls/messages meant to me and how each message was considered a blessing in my life. I knew that I was loved and being watched over and that all of my needs were being met. We truly felt that we were being held in the arms of our Father in Heaven during this time.

I really don't know what the future holds. Not knowing can be scarey, but I do know, and have no doubt in my mind, that as we follow the commandments and will of Heavenly Father that we will be blessed for our obedience. We love you, we thank you, and look forward to seeing our AZ family and friends soon. We will be in town the week of March 16th. Hugs until then~The Everett's.