Clint Came Home!!

On Thursday the 17th it was finally our turn to welcome home our soldier, hero, husband, father. Here the kids are playing while we wait for our big moment!

Little man...

American cowgirl

Waiting so patiently

The suspense was killing us!!

Finally together again!  We are so grateful to have Clint home with us.  We know many families don't get to be reunited.  Thanks everyone for your support and love during this past year.  We have come out of it stronger and closer as individuals and as a family.

PS

I was called to be the first counselor in the Relief Society at my church!!!  It's a big job.  A responsibility that I am honored to have.  I feel so blessed that the Lord has trusted me to be a leader in his church.

What is the Relief Society?
It is one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the world.  It was founded in 1842 and has over 6 million members in 170+ countries/territories.

It's purpose?
To increase faith and righteousness, strengthen families and homes, seek out and help those in need.

Motto?
"Charity Never Faileth"

Basically each LDS church has it's own "chapter" of this organization.  And each "chapter" has a president and 2 counselors that lead and direct the efforts of the Relief Society in it's community.

The Rest of April

Morgan and her friend Glady at their dance recital rehearsal. Morgan and Glady go to preK together too.

Layla and Ava with Morgan and Glady

Morgan likes to take pictures of herself with my phone.

We've been spending lots of time in the sun.  Soon it will be too hot to play outside!

Morgan likes to dress herself.  She does pretty good...sometimes.

On April 28th I ran another 5k and placed 2nd in my age group!  It was my first ever medal and I was really excited!

Playing at the Celebrate Killeen Festival after the 5k.

Surprisingly, Jacks was the one afraid of the motorcycle.

Animal cruelty zoo....I mean PETTING zoo.

This is our "Daddy Countdown Jar".  It's almost EMPTY!!!  Clint leaves Afghanistan SOON and will hopefully be home in 3 weeks or so.

I AM Strong 5k

I FINALLY beat my 5k PR!!!  I ran this race in 24:37.  It was about 100 yards short of 5 kilometers, so let's say 25 minutes.  It was awesome!  I ran without music and without a watch, which I think made a huge difference.  I felt so free and light!  It was incredible!

April Happenings

Morgan has a dance recital coming up in June. This is her dance costume she'll be wearing :)

Again, pictures are out of order.
We made baked s'mores for FHE one night.

Ready to go!

Dinner in the backyard before our FHE

On this particular day Jackson decided to suck on a marker instead of color with it.  Even his tongue was blue!

We've been going to story time every Thursday at the library.  The kids LOVE it!

Last week we did an Earth Day project.  We colored a coffee filter and then sprayed it with water.  It's supposed to look like the Earth.

At the park

The kids enjoying my green smoothie.

Jackson always wants to do what his sister is doing.

They love to wrestle.  People tell me I'm crazy for having my kids "so close", especially when I tell them I would have had another one by now if I could.  But my kids truly love one another and are best friends, which I am so grateful for.

Playing in the sprinklers at Uncle Jason's house.  Yes, Jackson is in his underwear.

Jacks showing off his new water bottle that the Easter bunny brought.

Morgan is really good at puzzles.  The Easter bunny brought her one.

Easter Weekend in Dallas

Apparantly the new Blogger loads pictures in it's own order of choosing, so these are a little off. Over Easter weekend, when my mom was here visiting, we went to Six Flags.

Obviously this was at the END of the day, not the beginning :)

Playing at the hotel pool.

This was at the Aquarium on Day 2 of Dallas.  We went on a carriage ride afterward.

Inside the Aquarium

One of the best things about being a mom:  seeing the look on their faces when they discover something amazing....

Weird tree

Jacks was facinated with this baby crocodile.

Not sure what they saw, but it must have been cool!

Back at Six Flags

Jacks was not a huge fan of the rides this time.  But there were a few that he did okay on.

Morgan, of course, loved every second of every ride.  She's a little thrill seeker.

Little Super Heros