Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter! I hope everyone has had a blessed Easter Day. I know we have.

We are still in KC. Tanner doesn't have school tomorrow so Steve and I took the day off as well and that way we didn't have to rush home. I'm so thankful because this way we get to spend more time with family and nothing feels rushed.

We've had a great weekend. Yesterday my brother took Steve to Lawrence, Kansas (home of the Jayhawks-Rock Chalk Jayhawks Go KU!) and showed him around. You would have thought it was Christmas or something, Steve was so excited. He and my brother both were like little boys when they left-so excited to get to go do "boy things together." Steve bought Tanner, himself and I all matching KU Division Champion t-shirts. We look so spiffy!!

While the boys were gone, my sister (in-law) and I took our three girls and we went shopping. KC has a WONDERFUL outdoor mall called The Legends. It's only five minutes from Mom and Dad's and has great stores- a lot of them outlets. We girls shopped until we dropped and also met Mom for a "Girl's Only" lunch. We had a great time and got a lot accomplished.

My youngest niece, Olivia, is a hoot. She just turned four but I'm telling you, she's going on fourteen. She is a handful to say the least, but I love her so much and have had so much fun with her on this trip. She told me last night that she loved me "the moredest" and I told her I was bigger, so that meant I loved her the "mordest." She folded her arms and dead seriously said "Oh yea, well I just turned FOUR!" It was hysterical. She cracks me up with the things that she says and the way that she thinks.

Last night the KU Jayhawks played in the NCAA Basketball Tournament. You have to know, life stops at our house for KU basketball. Since my brother has his "man cave" (that includes a 60" big screen tv and three leather movie style recliners-all in the KU theme) and Mom and Dad only live five doors down, we all went to my brothers to watch the game. It was great. Lots of hollering, lots of eating, and lots of fun. And of course KU won and advanced to the sweet sixteen. GO HAWKS!

My grandparents came over for lunch today. They are doing well; just really showing their age. Both look old and frail. I hate that part of getting old. I'm so glad they were able to come out though. They are really special to me and I cherish whatever time I get with them.

When it was time for my brother and sister to leave, my brother started bartering with the kids and Steve. He wanted to "trade" his two daughters for Steve. That way the girls could watch a movie here that Mom had taped for them and he and Steve could go to the "Man Cave" and watch some other movie. Of course the bartering worked. :)

I'm going to be so sad to leave in the morning. I can already feel it. There will be tears, I know. From all of us, I'm afraid. I feel really hormonal these days and have felt like crying all weekend long. I know part of that is just the thought that even though we've had an awesome time here the last few days, those times are quickly coming to an end. Being here makes me want to move here even more. Steve has told several people that we will be up here permanently "soon" but who knows when "soon" is. Life just feels so right when we're here. We have our moments where we get on each others nerves, but who doesn't? The girls have such a good time playing and hanging out together. They get along so well and they LOVE seeing each other. I love hanging out with my sister (in-law) and my mom and Steve, my brother and my Dad love to hang out as well. When we leave, I always feel like a big part of me is still here. Once we get to Arkansas, our lives go back to "normal" but it's still not the same. I guess my heart will always be here in Kansas City.

I've got to get busy getting things around for tomorrow and then getting in the shower. I've longed for a hot shower all day long for some reason. I think now that the husband and the kid are both occupied, it's time for me to "escape." :)
Happy Easter!!