----->>> In a Home Named Destiny: Easter Week!

Easter is a time to rejoice, be thankful, be assured that all is forgiven so life extends beyond the soil of earth.

I can't believe that it is already April. Time is flying by faster than I can think. It is unreal that we have been back in Cali for four months already. Well since Lynnette had to have another surgery (hopefully the last one!) I told dad that I would go up to Arrowhead and hang out with Brandon so he could be with her. I was excited to go because I really haven't had any time off from work since we have been home and I was ready for a little sabbatical. We found out last week that our buddy Tim (our old roomy from Tucson) is flying out of LAX to Hawaii and decided to make a little detour in San Diego. Jordan was so excited that he was going to get to see him before he left. Since I made prior commitments I left for Arrowhead alone so Jordan could spend some time with Tim. It worked out kind of nice though. I enjoyed the quiet time and got to finish some projects that I had started. It is always refreshing to be up there these days. It's home.... it's where I was born and raised and no matter how long I leave it, it will always be home!

On Thursday I went over to my mom's house to help her with an Easter party she threw for Martin and Mackenzie! She's crazy- there was 13 little kids there!!! But also she is pretty amazing too. My mom has always been so good with kids and fun too. She planned games, activities, food, and time to share the gospel. I was glad that I was able to be a part of it! Most of the kids were pretty insane but these two little kindergarden boys were so adorable and kind of stole my heart. They almost made me believe that having a little boy would not be so bad! Haha! After that I was lucky enough to have my friend since junior high, Jenna Keck, drive up the hill from San Bernardino and hang out with me. She has been in my life through almost every single up and down and even if it has been a while since we last hung out... it is always refreshing! I love having people in my life that KNOW me. We had dinner together and then made some carrot cake with my kitchen aid! It was my first time using in 9 months. I had Sara babysit it while we were in Hawaii and man it feels good to have her home. Jordan also made it up to the mountains that evening and it was wonderful just snuggling with him by the fire. We played some board games with Brandon and mostly just relaxed. He is my best friend!

Friday morning we slept in and then decided to take Brandon hiking to the Pinnacles. Both Jordan and I spent many days out there as kids and decided we needed to go back! Let's just say it was a little more intense than I remembered! We made it to the top even though it was a little painful! The boys kept me motivated even though I thought I was going to die.... ok I am being dramatic but it was a really great hike and so worth it at the end! We went and got Thrifty's ice cream afterwards because we definitely deserved a treat. And that is exactly the thing our parents used to get us when we were young. It is these parts of my childhood I love the most and love that I can continue with the little traditions! We were pretty beat after the hike so we just lazed around for the evening. Saturday morning came too quickly and we bolted out the door for San Diego. We were off to the season opener of the Padres who just so happen to being playing the LOS ANGELES DOODGERSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!! It's been a long winter season without baseball and we are so amped that is all starting again. We met up with Uncle John, Aunt Mary, Nicholas, his girlfriend Mary, Ian, Kel, Scott, and Ally in the Gaslamp District before the game. We got dinner and walked around a bit before we found our seats. It was such a beautiful night in San Diego. Perfect weather for a baseball game. We had a blast and I think we almost lost our voices from screaming so much but it was all worth it. We headed home, hit the hay and woke up early the next morning to head back up to Arrowhead to meet the family at church and then to the house for a little lunch. It was the mostly relaxing, enjoyable Easter I have had in a long time. It was so nice to just fellowship and feel the fresh mountain air. It was the first real sunny day of the year up there, so much so that we had to put up the easy up for some shade. After a great meal we hid the eggs in the forest for the kids to find and then just relaxed some more. I am so grateful for the time we got with my grandparents. There are so many grandkids sometimes it is hard to just catch up with them at family events! We said our goodbyes, picked up the truck and headed home. It was an incredible, peaceful week that I enjoyed.

My dad's pond

Lynnette's Flowers! Breast Cancer Survivor and Fighter!

Crazy Munckins on a walk!

They were bragging about how tall they were

Precious girl... my little kindered spirit

The Joker!

Sweetest Smile!

Daffodils!!!

Checking out the ducks!

They loved watching them and telling me all about each different kind

We played on the bridge for 30 minutes...

Treasures they found for me

Always thinking bout him....

Lake Arrowhead..

This is what Brandon did most of the time! Video games....

Crazy head!

I think one day this look might get stuck on his face!

Flash Dance game with the kiddos

Pretty hilarious

This is Nicolai and Christopher my two little buddies

Cutest little giggle I have ever heard

Cute girls

FREEZE!!!!

Mom's cute dcorations

She even died eggs with all those kids!!!!!

She's a brave BRAVE soul!

top of the mountain with the most handsome man!

Brandon hiding from my camera

Insane how far you can see from up there

taking a nap on a rock

Flashback to my childhood!

Petco Park, San Diego CA

Um, Ya that is my boyfriend on second base.... Andre Eithier!

Coronado Bridge and Moon Rise!!

We are so blessed.... we have done nothing to deserve any of these blessings. So we look to the heavens with a smile on our face and give all the glory to him!