Lily LaCoco!

Yesterday we welcomed a new member into our little family, a 4 1/2 year old chihuahua who we named Lily LaCoco! Since our little Peyton died I have been wanting another small dog, so anytime we have the chance to look we try. Well, yesterday after leaving Costco I asked James if we could run by PetSmart to see if they were having dog adoptions (that's where we got Giselle 3 1/2 years ago). As luck would have it they WERE having adoptions! I've never really wanted a chihuahua, but after reading about Lily James and I thought we should at least hold her and walk her around the store. After TWO HOURS of holding her and walking her around (and going back and forth over whether or not it was the right time to adopt another dog), we finally had Eric bring Giselle up to PetSmart and decided that their relationship would be the deciding factor. Obviously they got along just fine, and now we have two little girls! Lily is so sweet- she just wants to be held and follow you around. She grew up in a house with 12 kids, so she's fabulous with them. And she barely even barks. Love her! After getting home and settled Sean, Alexa, and Hattie came over for dinner. We hadn't seen them in almost 2 months! It's ridiculous how crazy everyone's lives get so that you don't even see friends that live a few miles away! They were so nice to bring this little Creamsicle cake for dessert! It seriously tasted just like an orange Creamsicle. Loved my dress so much I just had to take a pic before church :) After we had lunch and Lily and I napped (she loves to sleep next to you under the blanket- SO cute!), we took the girls to a park to play and enjoy the warm weather. Lily does so well on a leash, Giselle needs to learn a thing or two from her. I love my little family. Ha-look how Giselle is laying under the bench trying to be in the shade-so prissy! We're so happy to have little Lily and I'm sure she will be center of many posts to come.

A little more Easter

Today when I got home from school I had this waiting for me!A couple of weeks ago I was thinking about an Easter dress and thought I'd call and ask my mom if she wouldn't mind making it for me. Just as a side note, my momma always made our Easter dresses every year. They were always heirloom and beautiful, but I certainly didn't appreciate it then. If you had told me twelve years ago that I would be thrilled to have my mom make my Easter dress I would have rolled my eyes and never believed you. She's so talented and I'm thankful to be able to use her skills :) Anyways, it turned out just how we originally pictured in our minds! She's also making my graduation dress, so I'll post that when I get it. Here's just some more of her work (sorry the picture wouldn't cooperate). I had her make this set for a baby gift for Hattie. I really can't wait 'til she can make things like this for MY babies! :)My mom also sent these homemade petit fours with my dress. When I was growing up she would always get them for Easter from this bakery in Tuscaloosa. But then the bakery burned down and we haven't had any as good since. A couple of weeks ago, though, she had a tea party and made some herself. They're actually really good. Maybe I'll have a tea party and make them, too!

Easter Sunday

Happy Easter! We had such a wonderful day today. We were all woken up by Houston by about 7:30 this morning--he was so excited to find all of his presents hidden by the Easter Bunny. (I guess these boys always had their Easter treats hidden and had to find them in the morning, but when I was growing up we had large baskets with everything displayed neatly in the living room).

Houston got all kinds of gifts and was equally excited to find each one!

So after he found all of his gifts I displayed them on the coffee table and made him pose for a picture-- it's just been ingrained in me to do it this way, and the boys were very nice to cooperate with me :) .

In the midst of all the Easter morning excitement, I thought "It sure looks bright outside, I should open the blinds"-- horrible idea! I was greeted with this scene! What kind of Easter IS THIS?! So good thing we didn't have church today because I would not be bustin' out my cute springy Easter dress in this. Luckily it melted by the afternoon.

Later in the morning we got to see/talk to some family on Skype. We saw Sally and Tag (James's mom and step-dad), Jessica, Ross, Brooklyn, and Pierce (James's sister and family), and while I was cooking lunch the boys talked to their Dad and step-mom (Mark and Debra). Everyone was so excited to see Houston, and he's so cute when he sees everyone on the laptop--he gets very excited and talkative.

For lunch we had Baked Lemon Chicken, Green Bean Casserole, and Shells n' Cheese. It was pretty good, I have to say. Before we ate I read the story of the resurrection out of the book of John, and I was very impressed with how much Houston knew and how well he listened. Before I started reading I asked him why we celebrated Easter and expected that he would talk about the Easter bunny (we had had a long conversation the night before about the Easter Bunny while the boys were at the Priesthood session of Conference). I was so shocked when he said "He was there, and then he wasn't." The child is so smart! So on that note I read the verses and he listened intently the whole time, even being patient when I got emotional. After I was done reading he said, "Thank you Aunt Magan for reading that story to me." I just love him!

I also love this man, my Savior, Jesus Christ, so much. I am so happy that today I was able to reflect on the Atonement and His sacrifice for me, a sinner, who yet He still loves. I know that Christ was risen and lives today, and loves all of us. And that if we follow his commandments-- what a Conference speaker referred to yesterday as "a protection against self-inflicted pain"-- and repent when we fail to do so, His loving sacrifice will not have been in vain and we can return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father. Isn't that so comforting to know? I am forever grateful for this man, my Redeemer, and all that he has done for me; for loving me, being an example to me, sacrificing Himself for me, and being a person who will NEVER disappoint or forsake me. I am so thankful to have had today to remind me of these things.

Happy Easter!

Conference Saturday

Different family and friends were in town for Conference this weekend so we all met up at Red Iguana for lunch today. This restaurant had been suggested to us by some friends a while back and I'm so happy that we finally went because it was DELICIOUS!

This is the "Red Iguana" combo plate that a few others and I ordered. It includes everything you see: a tostada, taco, enchilada, stufffed chile, and flauta. And I am not ashamed to say that I ate every last bite! It really was so good and I would recommend it to everyone.

I'm a little sad that we don't have church tomorrow because of Conference, it seems weird to not be going to church on Easter! I'm a little relieved though since my Easter dress won't be here til Monday :( the US Postal Service messed up. But I think tomorrow will still be really Eastery since Houston is here and we'll have the excitement of him opening his Easter basket, and I'm also making a nice lunch for us.