Stronger than the Storm

To my dear friends, family,
For those of you who have noticed or not noticed, I have been feeling a little bit absent
lately. Kind of like the phrase, "The lights are on, but nobody's home." Needless to say,
the past few months or more have been a little bit of a "storm" in my life. And, since I know I
am not the only one who has ever been put through trials or tribulations, or had my faith tested, I KNOW you understand what I am trying to say.
Please know that I am not avoiding you if I don't answer your call, or I'm not mad at you if I decline the invitation.
I just need some time right now to figure out how to "Turn my Lights back On." I have the most wonderful friends and family a girl could ever ask for! Thank you for you support, prayers and unconditional love.

I've come to realize lately, that difficult times in our life can become an opportunity for growth that may not come in any other way. Most of all, I've come to appreciate aspects of the Atonement that I didn't understood before. I know the Savior understands our pain and if we let him, he will lift our burdens.

Easterssss...

So for those of you who have seen Nacho Libre, you will understand the inside joke of the word Eastersss. Jaydan and Jeff love Nacho Libre and couldn't get enough of saying Eastersss on Easter.

You will never know by looking at this picture that Kayleigh threw a tantrum 15 min. before because I tried to curl her hair. Cassidy wanted to wear her hair straight with NOTHING in it even though I spent $10 on an adorable white flower for her hair. And Jaydan...oh jeez...once I handed him a hot pink tie to wear to church you would think the world was coming to an end! Basically I had to bribe him with money to wear it. But, alls well ends well and we had a great easter! Pink tie and all!

Daddy and the kids!

We had Easter dinner at our cousin Kathy and David's house! Wow, what a meal!

The kids are counting their easter eggs

Our cousins Mary and Adam

My Three Little Bugs

I Have three lovable little bugs

Who march through my home each day.

Mess up their rooms in fun and games

And then they are gone to play.

Out in the grass, dirt, and sun

With dolls, and sports, and other fun.

But when their day is done at last

They march back in to eat and bath.

With smiling faces, hugs and kisses

I hope their day was fun and filled

With dreams and granted wishes...

I'm not always the kind of mom who gets down on the ground and plays barbie's or trucks with the kids...but, I do love to spend time with them, and one of our favorite things to do is to cook together! We are making a berry cobbler for Sunday dessert

Clean Up!

Once again, baseball season has arrived! Which means 3 practices a week and 1 or 2

games a week.

Jaydan made the zero flight team which is the highest ranked team in the league.

We are very proud of him if I may brag for a moment!

He is pitching for the first time this year. It's just so cute. He doesn't think
it's very cute when I scream "Good job baby boy!" Just kidding I don't really
do that....ok, maybe I just did it once.




Cassidy has a new hobby too...after trying many other activities such as soccer, ballet,
and gymnastics, she has decided she would like to be a rodeo girl when she grows up.
She now takes horseback riding lessons and loves it!
(of course she had to love the most expensive activity!$$$)



Getting ready to saddle her horse


Grooming her training horse Carousel

I don't think Kayleigh wants to be a rodeo girl...she can't even handle

the smell of the horses

Weekend In California

Most of you know that my cousin Sheyanne lived with us for 4 months

during her pregnancy. We got very close to Shey and the little baby girl in her belly.

Sheyanne delivered her baby Sienah about a month ago and I headed down to California

last weekend to spend some time with her.

Michele, Sienah and Mommy Shey...she's such a good mommy

The twins...My Grandma and Nana

I was in baby heaven that weekend! Sienah and Jaelyn

Kami and Me

Sisters Weekend!

My sisters decided to make a spontaneous trip to Colorado to visit me! We had so much fun as usual! Went out to dinner and a movie, went to the zoo with the kids and my two cousins Genesee and Leslie, stayed up late, slept in (oh wait, that was just Lindsay sleeping in), and had so much fun! We were in baby heaven with Jack and baby Skye too!

Meet the newest members of the Newman Family

Well, we didn't go too long without getting a new dog for our family. We just loved Daisy so much, we couldn't bear to not have another big dog running around. So, we still have our little Shi Tzu DJ (which is of course short for Derek Jeter) and we just adopted a 6 month old Chocolate Lab/Siberian Husky Mix from the animal shelter. His name is Sawyer. We just love him! The first week with him was a little rough to say the least (just ask Jason and Jessica Carter) but I think he is starting to become familiar with us and his surroundings. Cassidy also adopted a baby gecko and Jaydan now has a new pet rat as well. So, if you want to take your kids on a field trip, just come to our house. We are a full on zoo!!

Our Beloved DAISY 2002-2009

Tonight was a sad night in the Newman home. Most of you know our wonderful dog Daisy. We got Daisy when Jaydan was 2 years old, and they have been best friends ever since.
Unfortunately, the past few days, Daisy has been acting very sick. It finally got to the point where we had to take her to the vet tonight and they gave us the bad news that she was having severe kidney failure and would not make it thru the night. We made the decision as a family to put her down. We took a few last pictures of us telling our girl Daisy goodbye. Jaydan took it the hardest. Daisy sleeps in Jaydan's bed and under the covers with him every night, so they have a very special bond. The process was quick and painless and very peaceful. Even tho it was very sad, the kids understand that Daisy's spirit is now happier. Cassidy even made the comment that at least Daisy gets to go play with James now. We will never forget the special times we had with our girl Daisy...