Easter fun

On Easter Sunday, in between sessions, we made a quick trip over to Grandma Janeen's for some lunch and Easter baskets. Since Hunter was still feeling yucky just Eleyna and I went while the boys stayed home. Eleyna loves spending time at Janeen's! She plays with Grandma's dollies and out in the sandbox and thinks she's in heaven.Janeen's parents were in town for conference so Eleyna got to spend some time with her great-grandparents. Her and Grandpa Rassmussen had lots of fun playing puzzles.

For Easter we got Eleyna and Hunter some baby ducks.

They live in our garage right now in a cardboard box. I can't believe how quickly they are growing! New living arrangements may be required in the near future. We named them Blackie and Maddy.

Eleyna's interest level has been pretty consistent. She is still too nervous to hold them. I love the way she refers to them cause it comes out sounding like "gucks" instead of ducks.

She really likes watching them swim. She has to be in the tub with them since watching from the other side of the tub just doesn't give her a close enough view. :)

Las Vegas vacation

Last week, Bryson had a conference for work in Las Vegas and at the last minute we decided to tag along. My dad was going to the conference too, so my parents scheduled their Marriot time share for that week so my mom and sibs could go down and play. Only Ryan and Deanna were able to go so there was plenty of room for me and the kids at the hotel. It worked out great. The ride down was fairly painless. While the boys were at the conference during the day, me, mom, Dede, Ry and the kids got to hang out. It was okay weather. Not really warm enough to spend a lot of time poolside, but we did have one day in the mid-sixties that felt like heaven after a long winter. The girls in the hotel shuttle on our way to the grocery store.

Whenever we're in Vegas we get to visit Grandpa Brad's house.

On our way to the pool. I love how happy Eleyna's face is.

On the drive home we stopped at the Pirate Island in St. George for lunch.

My little pirate princess.

Guess what!

I bet you're all wondering what excuse I'm going to give for my hiatus from blogging these past few months. I know, I know, I never even posted pictures from Christmas...

What kind of a mother am I?!!

Well, I actually have a fairly solid alibi.


~I'm pregnant~


Baby number three is due in September. Bryson is really excited, and I will be too when I stop feeling like the living dead. :)

Beautiful

Becky and April

Almost a year ago I made two new friends, April and Becky. April has a five year old named Caleb. Caleb's brain didn't form completely before he was born and he has hydrocephalus. Becky's son is named Ben. He is seven and was born with microcephaly. Obviously, both of these sweet boys are SO much more than their diagnoses-just like Hunter, but it was our special calling as caregivers that brought us together originally. After Thanksgiving, Becky came to Utah to visit for a week (she lives in New Hampshire). The three of us got to spend some quality time together while Becky was here and it was SO fun. It was more than that too, though; like a balm for my soul. Spending time with these lovely ladies convinced me that not only will we enjoy the same "sociality" (D&C 130:2) in heaven as we did here, but also that we probably developed relationships before this life. And while our minds may not remember, our spirits definitely do. BYU v. Utah football game - go Cougars! April, Becky and me

Becky snuggling with Hunter.

GNO to Farr's Fresh. Yummy!

Me and Becky

Hanging out at April's, holding Caleb. Thanks for hosting the whole crew at your place that week April!

"Real friends share the gospel—the living of it and the loving of it. No stronger bond nor higher compliment can be given from one friend to another." (Elder Holland, New Era 1998)

Excellence

In a book I read recently it said the following:

"...she had piano lessons which she enjoyed, she passed her exams, but she had a need of excellence which she herself could not provide." (The book was The Morning Gift by Eva Ibbotsen.)

This really struck me. I can totally relate to what is being described. I have a need of excellence in so many areas-art, music, literature, etc.-that I could never provide myself. I'm so grateful for the talents of others which resultantly produce my favorite books, my favorite works of art, my favorite songs. I love feeling awed and inspired by someone else's capabilities. I only had a handful of truly exceptional teachers in college, but I will never forget any of them. They practiced their craft with excellence and it left an enduring mark on me.

I think that is why I love general conference so much too. I adore basking in the blindingly bright testimonies that the general authorities exude, even through the tv. I feel so inspired by their strength.

I'm so grateful for glimpses now and then of excellence. For a moment, I'm lifted to a higher sphere.

A quick glimpse...

Been wondering what the Bennetts have been up to? Here's a very brief review. This is Eleyna with her cousin Kyser at Dave's (Bry's bro) wedding. The whole family looking pretty for the camera at the reception.
Eleyna is much more aware of Hunter lately. She surprises me with her love and concern for him. So cute!
Bry and I on our 5th anniversary. We had dinner at Communal. Love that place!
The family on Thanksgiving at Aunt Mary's house.
Mom and Hunter on Thanksgiving.
Eleyna has taken to walking around in mom's shoes recently. I sure love this little girlie!Bry and Hunter on a usual evening at our house. Bry's snuggling skills are legendary! This is me and the kiddos at the Make-A-Wish family fun run. I ran the 5k. One of my proudest accomplishments of '09.
Eleyna with her new uncle, Danaan Clarke, and my sis, Heather, on their wedding day. I finally have a married sibling-yea!
Momma and her boy.
Eleyna in her new snow duds. What a sweet smile she has!
We've had tons of snow to play in this winter. (Which makes my snowboarder hubby happy and me unhappy at the same time.)