Surprise!!!!!

I know I have titled another post "Surprise!!!!" But this surprise trumps the other surprise. Last week the boys and I decided that we were tired of being away from Jake. We have spent most of the last year or so apart. With some proding from my friends and some prayers we decided it was time for us to make the move to Boise. So, with the help of our wonderful branch in Kentucky, I packed up a few things, left the house clean and ready for showings, and packed up the van and the kids and we drove to Boise. Jake had no idea that we were even thinking of coming. I felt bad with all of the fibs that were told, but we really wanted to make the surprise special for Jake. Jake would call while we were on the road and I would tell him we were in the car on the way to the zoo. One time I couldn't get Kyle to stop talking while I was talking to Jake (he was supposed to be at school at that time) and I threw a water bottle back at him and mistakenly hit him in the head. Which was not the outcome I needed because it caused him to cry. Poor Kyle, I felt so bad, he got a lot of apologizing from me when I got back in the van.
But needless to say, it was all worth it to see Jake's face (and tears) when he saw us in his room. He will never admit to the tears, but he got pretty choked up and if you ask Caden he will say that daddy cried. We are here in Boise safely and I am forever grateful for the wonderful help we received from our friends in Kentucky. I miss the green and our home. But it is good to ba a family again and to have some help with the boys.
I also had a great time surprising our family. We had a busy weekend this weekend with 2 baby blessings and surprising our family. No one knew we were coming home. My family (brothers and their children) haven't been all together for over 2 years. I didn't think it was very fair that we were the only ones that wouldn't be here. But it was good to see my brothers again and meet my new niece and be all together.
So, since I pulled off, packing and moving myself and 4 kids across the country without Jake figuring it out. So thanks to the people that helped me pull this off. It was worth it. We love you all and will miss Kentucky, especially our branch.

Spring break

We have had a busy week here in Kentucky. We were told that it would rain all week except for Monday. So on Monday we went to the zoo, along with everyone else in Louisville. I guess everyone had the same thought process, it is spring break and sunny, everyone to the zoo!!!!! We went with a bunch of families from our branch and had a great time.

The Friday before Spring Break we had Christopher's pinewood derby. Well, needless to say, he and mommy have learned a few things about making a car. Next year we will be unstoppable. Of course daddy will be helping. Christopher came in 3rd a few times and 4th quite a few more times than that. We had some tears and a talk about being a good sport. We also talked about learning from our mistakes. Next year will be much better. Hopefully his first year with he and mommy making the car will not continue to be a bad memory.

We had a good week. We had a lot to do and kept pretty busy. This weekend we spent cleaning the house after a week of kids at home. They are excited to go back to school on Monday. Mommy is excited for them to go back too, and for us to get back on our schedule.

Conference

I didn't get to watch all of conference this weekend. But what I did see, was so good. It is hard to say that only one topic stood out to me, because there were so many good talks and topics that I needed to hear. There were good talks on prayer and accepting the Lord's answers as He would have them be and not what we want and feel we need when we need it. There were good talks on being a shining example to those around us, missionary work, the scriptures, and the family. I loved how all the general authorities lovingly talked about their wives. But my favorite talk was by M. Russell Ballard who talked about mothers. I loved the story of him, after 10 years, having to sit alone with their 6 kids during church on the back row. I only have 4 and I completely understand. It was a wonderful talk that made me feel appreciated as a mother. I encourage all of you who missed to read it and the husbands should even give it a read (especially mine!!!!!). I also loved President Monson's closing remarks. I was so sad when President Hinckley dies, because I thought that I would miss that special spirit and humor about him. But I have seen that in President Monson this conference. Many people have mentioned that they see the prophet's mantle being rested on him. What a special man.
So for all of you who enjoyed conference, I did too. For those who played hookie I encourage you to feast.

Angel baby

This week started off a little interesting. Katy was up Sunday night with a fever. She has never had a fever, and except for croup, she has never been sick up to this point. On Monday, the fever was still there and she was a little irritable. I could tell she wasn't feeling well, but the only symptoms she gave me were the fever and she got irritable when her fever was up. It got up to 102.9 axxilary. I finally called the doctor and luckily their office was open until 9 on Monday. (I love our doctor's office here, I am so sad to leave it.) She had an ear infection. So my poor sweet girl is finally feeling better and the fever has gone. But to have an ear infection and only get slightly irritable when the fever gets high is new to me. She has been so sweet and is finally back to herself. She is such a trooper for being so good when she was sick. Someone said yesterday, as they were watching my kids, that Katy was such a good baby. She just hangs out and watches and plays. She has been so much fun for me. After those horrible first 5 months, she is an angel baby now. I wouldn't trade her for anything.