Bye, Bye, quiet little predictable life...

So, I'll admit it... I have a type A personality. I like things clean. I like order. I have to have things organized. I do not do well with change. I panic over the unknown. I have 100 different lists. I don't do well with toys on the floor. I color code my clothing. I adore the vaccuum lines in the carpet as much as my Grandfather. I am a planner, and I plan about 2-3 months out depending on the event. I worry about everything. I stress about everything.Things have to be perfect or close to it. I would die without my hand sanitizer. I don't want to share my water bottle with anyone, but would if we were dying in the desert. I can't sit and relax. I have to be doing something, helping someone or cleaning something. I hate dishes in the sink. I hate sticky hand prints on my walls. I like to know what to expect. I rarely try anything if I know I will fail at it. I like things to be predictable. I have huge anxiety over being late and I don't do well when diswashers leak for 2 1/2 weeks without telling me!
So, there is my confession. That's the real, not very nice person that I am.
Here are the last photos of my kitchen before they started tearing it apart.

Chelsea's baby Shower...

We had Chelsea's baby shower on Saturday and it was great! She had tons of friends and family there who spoiled her with adorable clothes, toys and baby stuff. Everything turned out wonderful and I was almost brought to tears as I stood back and watched her finally having her moment. I cannot even count the baby showers she has attended, the hospital visits she has made, the home visits after friends brought their babies home, the meals she has taken familes and the showers she has thrown, all while trying to hide her pain and sadness over the years. I cry now, because I adore this girl. She's like a sister to me and it has killed me to watch Shane and her struggle for so many years to have a family. I think of Shane as a brother who I want to protect and sheild from pain, so the joy I feel now as they prepare for their twins, is undescrible. I am beyond thrilled. I am like that over bearing Mother who wants to know every detail, everything that happened at the Dr. appointment, every kick and movement... I just love these two and know they will win the most amazing parents award (we'll see how they do at being on time though!!! Just kidding. Actually, no, I'm being seroius!) I didn't take any pictures at the shower, so here's a tiny peek at some of her decorations. (Christy is on the left and about to have her little guy in 8 days or less, good luck hot Mama!!!!)

When Audra comes to town....

One of my best friends, Audra, was in town last week and she and her 4 beautiful kids stoped by for the afternoon. It was WONDERFUL to sit and talk for hours and just watch the kids play together. It was great to catch up, to see how the kids had grown in such a short time, to laugh and just relax. Audra is such an amazing, talented, loving, sweet, thoughtful & giving person and I miss her like crazy everyday. I am grateful for our memories of painting bedrooms, having yard sales, going thrift store shopping, hanging out until 2:00 in the morning, our road trip to Seattle, pulling each other up a hundred times when we were falling apart,eating chocolate chip cookies, helping her wash her downstairs floor (one of us would spray, the other would mop- it was A LOT of floor)having Daisy's 1st birthday party at her house, trusting her with my babies, finding cute green polka dot blankets with her after Christmas (Which we both still have), visiting her 100 different houses, laughing, crying, helping and relying on each other for so long and on and on... I am gratful for our years of friendship and for having a safe place to turn when I need to. I love you Audra and I think of you everytime I turn on my kitchen light, wear the temple dress you gave me and wrap Willow in her adorable blanket. Thank you for being my wonderful friend over the years, I miss you sweet girl...

Willow is 6 months old!

Willow turned 6 months old on the 1st and is LOVING food! Today was her first try at carrots, they were a hit! She had an appointment today and is 14 pounds! I love this girl!

A trip to Cabela's...

When my brother was in town, they took a trip to Cabela's, which all the kids LOVED! They came home with presents and stories about the animals, the fish and other cool stuff- So when we went to Cabela's yesterday with Travis, the girls were thrilled to show me all around...

Easter at G-ma & G-pa's house...

We went to Trav's parents for Easter dinner this year. Will, Ellen and the cousins were there too so the kids played together all afternoon. I had an Easter egg hunt for them too, I think they had a pretty fun day.

Dying Easter eggs & checking out the loot...

The kids had fun dying Easter eggs this year. Here's Willow with her bunny ears!

Easter morning...

When I went out into the living room Easter morning, this is what I found: my kiddos watching TV- I thought they looked pretty cute. Every year they have to find their Easter baskets. Tristin's was in the oven. Daisy's was in the tub, Grace's was in the fireplace & Trav's was on the shelf.

Making Easter cakes with Angie...

This year Angie and I made our bunny cakes together. Mom always made these growing up, so I've had to carry on the tradition. (Sorry, Mom, mine doesn't have coconut!)
I think the girls had fun decorating them! Love you Angie...

Tristin & his bike...

Tristin had been wanting to go to the "bike jumps" for the longest time, so a few days ago Trav and I took the kids over to ride for awhile. Tristin did really well getting over the hills/bumps/jumps, but didn't have a lot of speed. He had a blast and was covered in dirt when it was time to go. He also managed to get a flat tire out there, so we'll see how long it takes until he's asking to back. He was pretty cute out there- all grown up.