Easter 2010

Easter is one of my favorite holidays (Thanksgiving is my all time favorite). You thought I would say Christmas, didn't you? I love everything about Easter, from the new clothes, to the egg hunts and candy, but most importantly the reason we celebrate.

Our Lord and Savior died for us and we use that time to remember and praise his Holy name. The music on Sunday morning is celebratory and inspiring. The message is one of hope and mercy. And while we celebrate Christ's sacrifice and love for us every Sunday, Easter is an amazing, powerful day in the lives of Christians.

So our family remembered the undeserving sacrifice made by the Lamb of God by celebrating at church, having a quiet lunch, and being together all day!

I missed my parents, and aunt and uncle, and sweet cousins since we've had Easter dinner with them for the last few years, but it was great to be home and be a family!

My Crazy monkeys

Our "angels"

Annie Turns 12

Annemarie Campbell Pico "Annie" was born on April 2, 1998 at 6:39 pm after 60 hours of labor. Yes, that would be almost 3 days worth of labor. My labor ended with a c-section and that was the moment our life changed forever.

She was one of the most beautiful babies I had ever seen. She took my breath away. Nurses would come by our room to look at the baby that everyone was talking about.

Those first few days were rough (understatement). We were young parents and boy, could you tell. I'm surprised Annie survived our folly! They handed her to Cam for the first time and he looked at me and said, "what do I do with her?" looking like he was afraid she would break. We found out quickly she wasn't as fragile as we thought.

I think she cried the ENTIRE first year of her life and wouldn't sleep unless she was laying on her dad or I. How could we let our precious angel cry it out (yes, that was dumb and naive)? Being the first grandchild on both sides, she was well loved, spoiled, and was pretty sure the world revolved around her. Didn't it? Everything she did was amazing and brilliant and as her mom, I have been so proud of her since the very first moments of her life.

She continues to make us proud, so we've come up with a top ten list of reasons we love Annie (in no particular order).

1. She loves her family and watches out for her brother and sister.
2. She has a most tender heart.
3. She is disciplined and that is exemplified in all aspects of her life, including her obedience to her Father in Heaven and her parents.
4. She has a very strong sense of right and wrong.
5. She has a sophisticated sense of humor and cracks us up daily.
6. She loves animals.
7. Annie has a flair for drama (something she comes by honestly)
8. She has a growing Christ-like spirit and loves her Lord.
9. Her imagination (one of her cousins says she loves playing with Annie because she makes up the most creative and fun games).
10. There is NO one like her!

As she turns 12, we realize her time as a little girl is coming to an end. Our journey as parents started with her and we have learned SO many lessons from our "bugface. So, thank you, Annie for being one of the most incredible people I have ever met. I am so proud to be your mother and sometimes feel as if I fall short, but you are always there to remind me that you are one of my best achievements.

I look forward to our continued journey together and can't wait to see what wonderful things you will accomplish in life. Keep the Lord at the center of your life and never forget mommy and daddy adore you and support you!

Our little family.

She loves her daddy and he always makes time to make her feel special. She is just like him, which is a good thing, since I love them both.

A passion that comes from the Pico side of the family. Annie has played club soccer for the last 2 years and enjoys it just like she enjoys everything else she does (except piano)!

This is a love we both share. We have such a great time riding together. It keeps us connected, so we plan on doing it for a very long time!

We love you as a daughter, sister, friend, follower in Christ, and an overall fabulous person.

Charlie's 6th Birthday Party

MOM'S 1ST LEGO CAKE
Thanks to other mom's blogs

IS THIS THE BIRTHDAY BOY
OR THE BIRTHDAY MONKEY?

WE GUESSED HOW MANY LEGOS WERE IN THE JAR
AND THE BOYS TOOK HOME SOME GOOD LOOT!

THEY TOOK THEIR LEGO "BUILDING" VERY SERIOUSLY

BEFORE

AFTER

Yes, it is April. Yes, his birthday is in February. Better late than never! We had a blast and I enjoyed this all boy party (our first). I think the birthday boy enjoyed himself, as well.

This Week

WOW! This week has been a week from H-E-L-L. Let me give the top 10 reasons this week makes the "I Definitely Need a Do-Over" list.

Here they are in no particular order:

1. I've had a monster headache for the last 2 days.
2 I started my period, hence the monster headache.
3. I've fought with my husband and been impatient with my kids (see #1 and #2)
4. I'm having a hard time sleeping.
5. I've had to work with the 7th graders.
6. I can't go to Target for the next couple of weeks because we had to pay some unexpected bills.
7. Our neighbors (I don't need to say anymore about that)
8. We have to find homes for our cats (any takers?)
9. I found out my hubby can't take terminal leave, which means I have to be in charge of the move to AZ.
10. And last, but certainly not least, I haven't lost any weight in over 2 weeks (poo).

I understand that people have way worse problems than these and would be willing to trade places with me in a hearbeat. I don't need a lecture about that. Yes, it sounds petty, especially #10, but I don't care. It's my blog and I'll write what I want. I've tried to be grateful for the little things this week, but that's not working out.

So, thankfully we start a new week in a few days and hopefully I can have a renewed attitude or at least not want to kill everyone around me.

TGIF!