Out of the Mouth of Babes!

Ok, so I'm not the best at getting pictures of those once in a lifetime moments, - like the time Kaden came out of my room, his face and hair covered in my hair wax and holding a bottle of Tilex - or recording all the milestones they've ever reached in their life, but lately I have noticed some of the things my kids have been saying and have made a conscious effort to write them down. If they gave me a little laugh, I thought they might amuse you as well:
Kaden: Pointing his finger and saying "No, No, No!" to his little Goofy figure as he put him in time out. (Can you guess where he spends most of his time?)
Gavin: When asked if he wanted me to change his stinky diaper "No thanks mom, I'm fine."
Sam is the one who really gets me rolling!

• During a conversation about when one of her fish died "Do they have a fishbowl in heaven?"
• When the missionaries were coming over for dinner we talked a little about missions and that daddy had served a mission "Now daddy has a new mission, taking care of sick people."
• While saying the scripture for primary "Nephi wrote upon the blades of grass." (plates of brass)
• After trying on a skirt that someone had given us, and realizing that it fit "That Rocks!"
• "Look at that pea-hawk!" (peacock)
• "Mom, lets pinkie square." (pinkie swear)
• "Oh, it's the poor tomato!" (the tornado in Wizard of Oz)
• "I'm so frustrated with you, mom!"
• "When I grow up I'm going to find a boy and get married."

And my personal favorites:

• "Satan made me do it!"
• "Mom, I only love Daddy!" (after getting sent to time-out)
• "You're ruining my life!" (again, after being sent to time-out)

Yes, she is really only 4! Drama, drama, drama!

The Elusive Ya-Ya

I thought I should probably add a little something about life with twins. It's funny the things people say when they find we have twins. First, the inevitable: "You have your hands full." That one goes without saying. Second: "Oh, how fun!" Well, considering they are two, and both boys - I'm not sure if "fun" is really the right word. Crazy, loud, busy, messy, frustrating, and funny at times, but I think the "fun" comes later. I will admit, it is neat to watch them interact with each other and develop their own personalities. Listening to their little "conversations" is actually fun! And for the third reaction: "I've always wanted twins!" Well, depending on the day, you can have them! I think it's always the people who say they just want one at a time who get so lucky - I'm the perfect example!
Lately though, I actually think there is a missing triplet! Whenever we ask the boys who is "stinky" or needs their diaper changed, they both point and say "Ya-Ya!" Who should get out of the bath first? "Ya-Ya!" Who hit sissy? "Ya-Ya!" Or we hear: "Ya-Ya bite me!" "Ya-Ya not nice." Or, my personal favorite: "Ya-Ya toot!" Who is this Ya-Ya? Sam even refers to a Ya-Ya when one of her toys has been taken out of her room and her books have been thrown out of her bookcase. Ya-Ya has even been known to make a complete disaster of her room! (I do think Ya-Ya is getting blamed for much more than his actual mischief!)
I guess it's that infamous twin language! Ya-Ya is what the boys call each other. They made the name up themselves. At first we thought it was their word for brother, but they will actually say brother, so we figured it must just be the name they came up with for each other. The other day I was putting the boys down for a nap and laid in their room with them for a little bit. Gavin was talking and singing to himself and Kaden kept telling him to "shhhh". Finally, Kaden sat up and said "Ya-Ya shhhh!" I had to hold in the laughter. That was definitely one of the fun times!

Boys will be Boys!

A few days ago it was actually nice, so I let the kids dig in our garden since we haven't planted anything yet this year. I thought, yeah for me, letting them get outside and play instead of watching TV all day - again. Well, they definitely had a good time, but as was to be expected boys will be boys! Which is worse, cleaning up a big mess, or TV all day? Ok, for the sake of good parenting, I'll say TV is worse than a big mess. (Well, it depends on the day!) All three kids, trying to be nice and share the toys - trying!

Kaden afterwards: No that isn't chocolate all over his mouth!

At least Gavin was a little bit cleaner!

Nightingale Nominee

Ok, I get to brag about Mike for a little bit. Last night we attended the 2008 Denver Nightingale Recognition Banquet. The Nightingale Award recognizes outstanding performance in the nursing profession. Mike was among about 7 nurses nominated from Parker Hospital. There are about 50, 000 nurses in Colorado and only 290 nurses were nominated for this award this year, 170 being from the Denver region. Last night we went to the banquet where they honored all the nominees and selected 8 finalists from the Denver area. Unfortunately nursing is one of the few professions where men are the minority, and Mike was one of only 3 men nominated, so all night people kept congratulating me on my nomination and saying to Mike that he must be so proud of me. Don't worry, I did correct them, it was Mike's night after all, and I was very proud of him!

The Miracle of Easter

For the past few days I have been preparing a talk for church on Easter Sunday about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Invevitably my thoughts are turned to my little sister, Katie - especially during this time of year. Last Saturday, March 15 was the 9th anniversary of her passing. Katie died as a result of inujuries she sustained in a skiing accident during her freshman year at BYU. Katie Merlene Bills
September 17, 1979 - March 15, 1999

Despite the 9 year lapse, my memories of that weekend are quite acute, and I can recall every detail from the moment I received the initial call informing me of the accident, to the moment my family said our last goodbyes. When I think back to that time, a time in my life of such deep sorrow, I also think of it as one of the most spiritual moments in my life. It was during that time that I felt closer to my Savior than I have ever felt before. I knew He was with me and my family, and I felt His love for me continually as I learned how to deal with the loss of one so dear. There were days when He carried me, because I could not walk alone, and I felt His spirit near in the form of many angels sent to comfort me in so many ways. Though time has made the loss easier to bear, the wound will never be healed, and there are still days when my heart aches from the pain. As I did 9 years ago, I still feel my Savior by my side pushing me forward. I am so grateful for His compassion and love for each of us. The miracle of Easter always lives in my heart, and I know the Resurrection is real, and that He lives! I know that because of His sacrifice I will see my sister again! I will see her sweet face and I will feel her arms around me as we meet again one day. Until then, I will continue sending kisses to heaven each night, and hope that you are sending them back! I love you, Katie!
Happy Easter, Everyone!