Again

 My poor Lydia is getting too well aquainted with neon pink casts.  Yesterday she was helping me fold laundry on my bed and pretending to fall off.  Well, she did fall off and landed on her wrist.  To my surpise, X-rays showed that she had fractured it.  She had started acting more normal by the time we got out of the doctor's office and I thought she was alright and was even debating getting the X-rays done, but now I am glad that we did.  She still remembers her leg cast, so she wasn't too excited about getting another one put on, but at least this time she can still run and play and maintain her normal busy lifestyle.  This morning she had a Dora birthday party to attend.  She had a great time though she wasn't sure she would be able to go at first because of the cast.  Family pictures however, will have to be put on hold.  

Colton's favorite time: when he is eating.
My favorite time: When Colton is sleeping.
The cute little filly at Grandma Hansen's house. She may be cute, but she bites hard. I speak from experience.
My two cuties: immobile momentarily.
Easter Egg hunting with cousins.
Playing in a water fountain.

Hats

Today we went to the Spring Fest at Purdue. Lydia and Colton both got these awesome balloon hats. Once they got sick of them, Courtney and I wore them. Lydia's made her look like a "who" with that red feather thing sticking out. She kept hitting people in the face with it.
Yesterday we went on a bike ride and had a picnic in the park. I love his little sun hat. For part of the ride the chin strap was dangling off his nose, but he didn't seem to care one bit. He's a pretty chill little guy.
Oh I love biking with these two. We are averaging 5 miles a day!
Mike with Colton and his Purdue hat. He never once tried to take it off. I guess he likes being a boilermaker.

Easter

The weather is very rainy and blah today, but we have enjoyed some nice weather and the trees are blooming, so I can't complain. Lydia seems to like the weather rain or shine. Just a few pics since I couldn't get them to post last time. My little Colton is crawling! He has been at it a week now and bonks his head a lot as he hits it on things he tries to pull up on. I think I would officially declare Lydia potty trained. She hasn't had an accident in a week! Yesterday Colton fell down ALL the stairs. However, the scenario is a lot like on toy story when buzz "falls" out the window. Did he fall, or was he pushed? My gut tells me he was pushed, but all Lydia will say about it is, "uh oh, baby owie." He was alright, just a skinned up nose, but I still cringe thinking about it.

Learning Lydia

I am feeling quite domestic today. My kids are in bed, I am doing laundry and I just baked a successful batch of bread. Mmm . . . great with homemade honey butter. In this quiet moment, I have had lots of thoughts, so I thought I would share. I am excited because I am going to Nauvoo next month. Mike and I are in love. We have made it a point to go out on dates and it is so fun. I can't wait to start logging some miles on my bike. (if only the weather would cooperate.) I am excited for Easter. I really haven't told Lydia anything about the easter bunny or all that. Not because I am a grump who doesn't celebrate, but because I can't find my easter decorations, AND my thoughts have been on Christ. Isn't it amazing? . . . He lives! Colton is starting to pull himself up to things and loves to get into whatever Lydia is getting into.

This brings me to Lydia- who I have been thinking about the most lately. The last several days Lydia seems to finally be getting the hang of potty training. Through the process I discovered something about her. She needs continual positive reinforcement. I wouldn't say she gets discouraged easily, but her tender little heart needs lots of affection. It's hard to describe my new finding, but I think it is something that will be pivotal in raising her.

Yesterday Lydia told me for the first time that she loved me as she gave me a great big hug. What can I say? It was one of those moments parents live for. Not just because of her sudden show of affection while we were making play-dough gingerbread men, but because she said it. Her speech has been so slow to develop and so much on my mind. You worry about your children and difficulties they may have. Lydia's difficulty becomes mine, just as our difficulties become our Heavenly Father's. Hmmm, none of this is coming out how I imagined it. And now my kids are awake and I can't seem to post any pictures so I guess I am done rambling.

Dance

The youth sponsored a dance for a fundraiser last night and Mike and I had a great time! We went not really planning on cutting a rug, but by the end of the night we had both let loose and had a great time. Lydia escaped from the nursery by the end of the night and also enjoyed the evening shaking her sugar. She loved the strobe light and each time a song would end, she would emphatically exclaim, "More, More!" Thanks to Kristine N. for the pictures!

After all the excitement from the dance I lost my voice. I have seldom in my life lost my voice, but I was fortunate enough to lose it on one of those times when I would need it because today was my speech competition. After going mute and drinking honey and lemon water, and also after a blessing from Mike, my voice held out just long enough for me to give my speech and it couldn't have sounded too bad because I took 2nd place. (I was competing against all of Northern Indiana) This does not qualify me to move on to the next round, but I did feel that this was my best presentation of my speech yet, so I was satisfied because I knew I had done the best I was able. It was very fulfilling.

And on the topic of fulfilling- I had mentioned some time ago about finding a league to play basketball. Well I did my research and found there are no women's leagues in the area unless you play with the Purdue intramurals. This sounded alright, but sometimes the college girls can be a little ruff around the edges, so I took some initiative and am now in charge of "tri-ward Relief Society basketball" every thursday night. This last thursday was our first night and it was so much fun! (One might say it was fulfilling) I am afraid not all had as much fun though because one girl did end up tearing her LCL coming down from a rebound. I am giving her a ride to the doctor on Monday and hope that her injury doesn't end the beginning of thursday night basketball.

Until next time.