Easter Celebrations

Easter has some pretty fun traditions. Asher's accident through a few kinks in our celebrations. Unfortunately we did not get to enjoy my families party because we were in the emergency room the whole time. Luckily Asher has a great brother who took care of him and gathered stuff for him. Asher was disappointed because he loves the scavenger hunt that Grandma always does.

We started the celebration with dying eggs at our house. We have fun experimenting new things.








At our house the Easter Bunny comes on Saturday instead of Sunday. We originally did this since Nelson was never home on Sunday. The hunt started with a string that was strung all over the house inside and out). The kids had to follow the string to find clues to here their baskets were. Once they found their baskets then they had more clues to find the items that went in the basket. The kids had a great time and loved every minute of it. We could not keep up with Asher he was running everywhere.








On Sunday we were able to enjoy a get together with the Bowen's. As always their Easter Egg hunts are crazy. Just tons and tons of candy all over the ground for the kids. Needless to say we did not go home with a shortage of goodies.



















We are grateful for the traditions we are able to enjoy but most of all grateful we are able to remember the Savior and the sacrifice he made for us. This holiday seemed to be a little more humbling for me.

We are very blessed- Asher's accident

After the race was finished Asher and I waited while Nelson and Max showered up. As soon as they were done we walked over to the park to participate in the Easter Egg hunt. Asher was so excited that he headed off ahead of us. I kept hollering at him to stop and wait for us. I absolutely hate parking lots and don't feel safe in them. Asher stopped at one point but then started on his way again. As he rushed through the parking lot he darted across as fast as he could. Not noticing there was a car right there. The right side of the moving car ended up hitting him and tossing him 8 to 10 feet. Nelson and I saw the whole thing. I still remember the scream he made, the look on his face and his body being tossed. Our hearts started racing as we ran as fast as we could to get to him.

We firmly believe that Asher was being watched over. We were blessed to have a nurse and awesome bystanders right there who instantly started helping out. It is a little hard as a mom to keep your emotions under control when you see this happen to your child. Asher started to complain of back and neck pain. Because of this the nurse and medical staff wanted to keep him still. He ended up having to have his shirt and jacket cut off and then was strapped down to a board. He was pretty calm until this happened. While all this was going on I stood next to the women who hit him. We stood with our arms around each other in a way consoling each other. Not a ton of words were exchanged but enough to feel the love and support from each other.

Once they got Asher settled they had to transport him in the ambulance. We could not believe how calm he was. I held it together pretty good until we were in the ambulance and he started crying " I just want to go home". How do you hold it together when they are saying that. I am sure he was frigthened, uncomfortable and wanted the whole thing to be over. He broke down about 7 more times during the whole thing. Mostly over wanting to go home or upset about his jacket. He could not get over the fact that he had to have his jacket cut off. At that time of the day it was the most favorite jacket he ever owned. (it is the gray jacket he is wearing in the race pictures below)

He did not care much for the ambulance ride and does not care to repeat this experience again. Once we got to the hospital we had to wait a few minutes for him to be seen. He was pretty restless and agitated. Nelson gave him a blessing and it was amazing the difference it made. His actions were totally different as soon as he got that blessing. He ended up having to have about 7 x rays on his back and neck to ensure he did not cause any damage. After about 3 hours in the emergency room we were finally able to go.

Asher shortly after arriving at the hospital:

Waiting to go in for X rays. He was trying to put on a happy face:

Completely sick of "his new necklace" and can't wait for it to come off:

Getting close to leave- he can't wait to get out of there.

The crazy thing about this whole thing is that he walked out of the hospital with his only injury being road rash on his left knee. We have talked many times to him that daily in our prayers when we ask Heavenly Father to protect us and watch over us, he is listening. There is no doubt he is listening and watching over us. This experience has strengthened our testimony in this. We continue thanking our Father in Heaven for the blessing our family received. As we know the outcome easily could have been completely different than it was.

As Nelson and I talked later it was touching to hear how Max reacted as well as see him throughout the day. He did anything he could for his brother. He loves him so much. He even gave us the $3.00 the Easter Bunny gave him to help with the medical bills. I only wish the 3.00 would make any impact at all. The organizers of the hunt brought over baskets, chocolates and stuffed animals. It was humbling to see the compassion and love we received from friends as well as complete strangers.

When we ask Asher about it now he comments that he does not care to go through that again and that it was not fun. He admits he will never run in a parking lot again. So thankful for the lesson that can be learned but most of all grateful for the outcome because we realize how different it really could have been.

Easter Race

The day before Easter (sat) We gave the kids the choice of going to the City Easter Egg hunt or going up to Hill Air Force Base to do a race. The kids instantly chose to go to the race. It was a little colder than we thought, but was a great day for a race. Asher and I did the kid mile while Nelson and Max did the 5k. I was suppose to run with Max but ended up hurting my hip flexor a few nights before.

Asher had a great race. He came in third, right behind a 13 and 10 year old. He finished it in 9:40. He was so proud of himself. He did such a great job and did not have to walk once. This is him chugging down some Gatorade in his new race bottle. He then had the perks of getting his picture taken with the Easter Bunny. He thought he was the coolest kid in the world.










This is Max and Nelson at the very end of the race. Max ended up finishing the race in the top 10 of everyone who entered. His time was 22:42 which was a 7:52 pace each mile. This is the best he has gotten yet. He was so excited. As you can tell, he pushed it and was pretty beat.











Nelson and the boys after their race:













Later that day Max commented he was disappointed we did not really get to celebrate how well he did because of Asher's accident. Hope he knows how proud of him we really are. They did fantastic. Feel bad the events of the day overshadowed the accomplishment.

Asher's Field Trip

It is crazy to think that kindergarten is almost over and Asher will be heading to 1st grade. I sure will miss my buddy I have had some great times with him. On Friday his grade went to the American Heritage center. Thank heavens I got to go enjoy the day with him. They were able to see and learn more about the baby animals on the farm. Here are some highlights from the trip:

Asher petting the baby cow and bunny








Holding a baby duck and combing the ponies hair








Petting and holding a baby goat








We had a great time seeing all the animals. Fun field trip.

Some April Happenings

For some reason our month sure has seemed crazy. Time is getting away from me and I feel like we have been running constantly. This month I have often wondered why I can't keep up with everything going on. At times I have to remind myself to enjoy what I have. The boys are still in soccer and have started swimming lessons. Here are some random things from April:

Quick picture with Max before he ran out the door for school. I love hanging out with my boys.

Max had his spring choir concert. He has loved being in choir. His favorite song this time was Viva La Vida by coldplay. It has been fun watching him perform. This time he jammed out- it was a fun performance.

The kids are still crazy as ever- Asher enjoying some relaxing time. Bit of an odd place, but still relaxing to him.

We got a pogo stick- The kids wanted a pogo stick and after many hours of searching we finally found one. They have spent hours in the garage practicing. Asher can now make it to 100 and max I can't even count that high. They have had a blast with such a simple toy. Yes that is Asher in his undies. Someday he will care that I have pictures of it.

Weird, Disgusting and just gross

Ever since I had Max I always thought I was meant to be a boy mom. I can handle the ciaos, craziness and fighting. Was never sure I was meant for the hair dos and the whining. Last night I had to question those thoughts a bit. I decided I am a little squeamish in the stomach and not sure I am "good" with all the things boys experiment with.

Nelson and I decided instead of going out for the night we really needed to get some work done at the house. We are behind on a few things. While Nelson was mowing, I started working on the flower beds. Asher decided to come join me for a chat. One second later he spotted something unusual in the flower beds (Luckily it was ahead of me and I had not gotten there yet). I told him to go check it out and see what it was. A second later he was hollering with excitement that he just got himself a dead bird. The bird must of hit the side of our house and not made it. Normally I can handle a dead bird, but man this was not your typical little bird. Lucky for me, Nelson was home so I asked Asher to go get his dad.

So this is what happened when he got his dad. They had to move it around and get pictures, of course showing how big it was. Nelson is thinking it is some sort of Raptor bird. At this point Asher is still thinking he is he coolest kid because we have a dead bird in our yard.


Nelson could not just take the bird and throw it away, he had to relive a childhood memory. I learned last night that when he was a kid they cut a bit of the leg off down to the claw. They would then pull the ligament or tendon on the leg so the claw would close and open. So that is what Nelson did for Asher.

As you can tell Asher thought this was the coolest thing ever. Asher walked up and down the street with the claw showing everyone. He got mixed responses: some of disgust, some thought it was cool and most did not know what to think.

For now the happy little claw is tucked safely away in a baggy in the garage. It is not allowed in the house. Deep down I am hoping he forgets about this new little experiment his dad just taught him.

Terms of Endearment

When I married into the Bowen family I caught on that when someone was leaving or at the end of a call they would say: See Ya, Love Ya, Goodbye. I had never heard it before, but it sure is catchy and becomes a routine to say. The other day I was thinking a bit of the this and other ways we say love you. I learned that with the Bowen's, this whole things started Nelson's sister Betsy. At some points it even became a game to see who could say it first and most of all the fastest (with still getting all of it in).

Lately I have noticed when Nelson or someone else says love you Max and I have been responding with Luv. Who knows if that is our families new little way or if it is just pure laziness to say the whole thing.
No matter what way we say it, I am just grateful I have people in my life to love and be grateful for. The only time it is awkward is when I am ending a call to a neighbor or stranger and end up saying love ya. Oops that is a little embarrassing, but it really shouldn't be.

Soccer

Each Season when a new sport comes up we let the kids pick what they want to play. Soccer and baseball are sports they always pick each year. For some reason they gravitate to soccer and love every minute of it.
Max has struggled a bit with his team this year and is not sure he wants to do it again. Who knows if he will be signed up again or not we will see what he decides. Asher is loving every minute of it, but then again he is still getting to play with friends on his team and that is what makes it fun.
Here are this years soccer pictures:

Asher's team- "The Green Machines". While they were playing the RSL soccer mascot was hanging out so they got their picture taken with him.


Max's Team- The Cougars (Once they get older they tend to pick names that don't include the color of their shirts. Takes awhile for them to hit this stage).

Crazy Hair Day

Every once in awhile the school has "crazy hair" day for the kids. The kids get so excited about it. But being a mom to boys- how do you really do their hair to make it crazy? There are a few times when it pops in my head to just bag it and not worry about supporting it. But then you can't do that. The kids love being a part of it and having fun. It is fun seeing them let loose a bit and just having fun. We had to get a little creative this time. Max has way short hair, so there was not much we could do with it. Asher's hair is a little longer but not much.Here is what the kids chose:

Asher at the bus with his mohawk ponytails

The kids at the bus: Charlie, Asher, Trey, Mason, Carson

Max with his mullet wig- I am so glad this is not the style!!

Conference traditions

Two times a year right before conference I always have such big ambitions. I am convinced I am going to search all the cute websites to find "Fun Conference Packets." I am on the search for the cutest thing to help keep the kids listening during General Conference. No fail, each time, I fall short. My intentions don't go very far without action.

This Conference was no different. I woke up Sunday morning a little disappointed I let time get ahead of me and once again forgot to pull together a packet. When Asher woke up he came running in our room and said "Mom, can we do our notebooks again for conference". Perfect, I thought, why sure yes you can. Each conference the kids get a notebook and draw a picture of the tie of the person speaking.
After conference I came to the conclusion there is no reason to worry and put such high expectations. The kids enjoy what we have been doing and they are still listening. I think from here on out I will just stick with our normal tradition.

Completed Conference Notebook:

It was great to be taught during General Conference. I loved all that was said. The only sad note about conference is I was singing with the choir and my whole family instantly told me to stop. I jokingly told them that I had dreams to be in the Mormon Tabernacle choir and they advised not to even bother. Now if you are reading this and thinking oh how mean- it really isn't. I have no singing abilities and I just learned a little more how awful I really sound. So I guess my dreams of joining a choir are over.