How can Spring be sprung when the sky won't stop with the snow?

Ian, being the most wonderful man in the world, brought me home roses unexpectedly last Saturday. I put them in my flower box and they have brightened every day since!

I went to a Women's Conference a few weeks ago and there was a class about 'Taking Care of Yourself.' I went, thinking I'd come away with some new idea on how to pamper myself. (As if I couldn't come up with at least 10 ways in a split second!) Instead, the class was extremely negative and about how life is hard and nobody else is going to take care of you, so you have to take care of yourself.

The teacher asked, "Who's husband would actually say to you, "Go take an hour for yourself and I'll do the dishes." She also asked, "Whose kids would volunteer to help with dinner if they saw you were stressed out?" I don't think she wanted anyone to respond that their husband and kids would do those things, but I raised my hand. How lucky am I that my husband and kids actually have done that - often - and had actually done it in the previous week?

I just feel so blessed with the wonderful people that surround me and that I not only know them, but am able to call them 'family' - and that they will be with me forever.

I got up and left that class. I'm grateful that I didn't need the message that was being shared.

Anyway...on to what these wonderful people have been doing!

Gracie and Shaylor made themselves forts beside my bed last week and tucked themselves in all cozy while I did laundry.

Ashlyn and Noelle had crazy-hair day at school. They looked like they belonged in Who-ville!

Shaylor and Ian have enjoyed watching videos online about fire engines and bulldozers and other manly things. Here is Shaylor picking out which one he wants next.

We made brownies (so yummy! Check my other blog tomorrow for the recipe! ameliascookbook.blogspot.com ) Here are the kids enjoying the batter!

Gracie has become quite the challenge lately. She's almost 2 which explains it. However, she was being cute one day, and I took tons of pictures of her. I finally got her hair into pigtails!

I painted her toenails a few days earlier. She will never sit still for me to cut her little nails, but she saw me painting the girls' nails and was as still as a statue so I could paint hers! Every time she sees them (especially during diaper changes) she points to them and says, "pree!" (pretty).

The, she got tired of me taking her picture and wanted me to stop and I wouldn't. So she started to cry.

Which I, of course thought was adorable and when I took a picture of her crying, she did this:

I guess she gave up all hope of me putting the camera down! Cute little thing.

On the first day of spring, our first little blossoms bloomed. The girls' came inside so excited to show me! Here they are:

Too bad two days later, they were covered in snow again. Will Spring ever really get here?

(Hey Rachel, do you like my alliteration in the Title? I thought of you as I was typing it!)