Lassere France

We made it to Catelnau de Montmiral in southwest France! Our journey took us from Salt Lake City to Minnesota to London. We rented a car in London and began the drive. FYI: the steering wheel is on the right side and we had to drive on the left side of the road in England until we got to France! Why are the British the only ones who think this is the right way to drive? Anyway, we crossed the English channel via the Eurochunnel. It was a cool experience. We felt like we were riding in cattle cars with miniature windows that were only for viewing the dark tunnel. We can check that off the list of things to do. It was cool but expensive. I think we will try the ferry on the way back. We are in the Tarn region of France and it is beautiful! We are amongst rolling hills of wheat fields, farms, vineyards,etc. The farmhouse we are renting was built in 1829 and it is a typical French farmhouse. Thick stone walls, tiled floors, huge wood beams on the ceilings, stables attached to the farmhouse, stone steps, etc. We love it! I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming! We do not have any neighbors, ie. Vendras, so we miss that daily interaction with the "frenchies". The children are loving the wide open spaces to run, play, ride bikes, etc. This is a little piece of heaven!

Happy Easter 2012!

Happy Easter! We got so spoiled with a beautiful, warm sunday! All the kids looked so nice in pink and spring colors! We missed having Julia home with us but she sent me an "Easter" picture in her sunday dress with a few of her friends. She looked cute and tan!

We had a wonderful Sunday church service and a relaxing day as a family, including Aaron. He did not have many sunday obligations :). We had a nice dinner and then the older children hid easter eggs in the backyard for Jack and Sophie. Jack was so excited to participate in this! He talked about it all week and quickly gathered as many eggs as his basket could hold. Sophie was intrigued by the whole affair. She would follow Tristan around and pick up eggs and then walk over to her basket and put them in. She would occasionally check her basket to make sure the eggs were there. They were both so fun to watch!

This Easter was especially difficult and comforting. A year ago was the last time my Dad was in our home and I had so many emotional moments on Sunday. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that this earthly journey is not the end. I know that Jesus Christ was resurrected that we too can be resurrected and if we live righteously we will be with our loved ones who have passed beyond the veil. I know God is our Eternal Father in Heaven and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and willingly overcame death so we might live again. I know I will see my Father again and I look forward to the joyful day! :)

Picking Up the Pieces

I have not blogged in a year! Yikes! I always check in with a few blogs I follow but always forget to visit my own! (How sad is that?) Maybe I should set a new goal... to blog once a week, maybe twice? Who knows...

My life in a year has changed ALOT!

1)My oldest daughter, Julia, graduated from high school last year and began attending Brigham Young University in June! That is Julia in the picture below as our whole family was watching her walk away and begin her new chapter of life. It was very emotional for Aaron and me.

2) My father passed away suddenly on May 18th from a heart attack.

3) Sophie Ann is now 13 months old. She is a beautiful little girl who adds so much "noise" to our family! (As if we didn't have enough before her!) We all love her to pieces!

4)We survived another Christmas...

I will add more later. Sophie is making her beautiful noise...

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! My Mom bought AJ, Austin and Tristan fun hats to wear today! They were so excited to wear them to school. Tristan came home a little sad because he said some of the kids were laughing at him and it wasn't a nice laugh. Sophie looked so cute in her "I'm a McCutie!" and one of the cute bows her aunt Dore' made. I am a little occupied with other things this year so I am not making anything green for dinner except asparagus! Oh well, there is always next year!

College Bound!

Julia got accepted to BYU! She will start in June! I have already shed tears as I will miss her so much even though she will only be 2 hours south. Julia is an awesome daughter and I have enjoyed every minute with her (ok, not during 9th grade and a little of 10th)! :) She is so smart and fun and I love all the conversations that we have. They get more and more interesting as she gets older. I love you Jules!

SOPHIE

BABY SOPHIE ANN!

Sophie Ann was born Monday, February 7, 2011 at 6:01 pm. She weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz. ; our lightest child! She weighed one ounce less than Alexis. She has beautiful, long fingers and big hands and feet! She has lots of dark brown hair and I am hoping it will be curly! :) After being in this world for 18 hours she decided to turn yellow! Well, after testing she was Coombs positive which means her and I had a blood incompatibility. I am O+ and Sophie is A+. So, my red blood cells were acting as an antibody against her red blood cells which caused her to have a high risk case of jaundice. Her count got up to 16.2. 20 is critical and can cause brain damage. We were very lucky we noticed her coloring when we did. She was able to come home with a light table that she had to stay under for 10 days. We had to take her to the hospital every day to get her blood drawn. It was hard because no one could really hold her and love on her. I could take her out to nurse her but then it was back under the lights. Sophie did awesome that whole time. We are so lucky to have her in our home! She is darling and we love her!