Our Easter Weekend :)

First of all, Happy Easter! We pretty much dropped the ball on getting Jaden anything fun or doing anything traditional as a new family for our first holiday. I'm going to chalk it up to having a 6 week old and traveling more than 400 miles with him. He won't remember anyway.... we could even make up stories about all the fun things we did for him on his very first Easter, but darn it, mom forgot to get out the camera again. ;)  Anyway. We did have a lot of fun over Easter weekend visiting our Northern family. Before I get into that (and do my typical photo dump) I wanted to share some of my feelings on Easter. 

Matthew 28:6 "He is not here: for he is risen..."

I watched this video a few days before the weekend, and it really has touched my heart and stayed with me. I still get teary every time I watch it. I've been having kind of a hard time with feeling super anxious all the time since having Jaden. I figured I was out of the woods on emotional things when I didn't get postpartum depression, but then this kicked in. I've dealt with anxiety before, but it hasn't been this bad in years, so I was having a hard time with the idea of driving so much and taking our baby around so many people all at once. It was a really rough afternoon when I finally decided to watch this video clip- I'd scrolled over it on facebook for a few days already- and I'm so happy I did. 

I remembered that my Savior, and brother, lived and died and felt everything for me. He loves me, and he understood exactly how I felt anxious, and does understand everything I ever struggle with or rejoice in. I remembered that his atonement isn't just for me to use when I make mistakes. It has enabling powers that can strengthen me so I'm able to get through anything life throws my way. I realized that I didn't need to obsess over the what ifs for Jaden, because the same atoning power will help him through everything he'll have to do in his life.  Because of him I can continue to grow, and learn, and improve in my marriage.  Because of him I can learn to love those around me more perfectly. Because of him I can become a better mother.  Because of him nothing is impossible. Because of him death isn't the end, and I will see all the people that I've loved and lost. Because of him I can find peace and borrow his forgiveness when I struggle to forgive. Because of him I can be my best. Because of him we have the brightest hope. Because of him we have everything. 
I testify that Jesus Christ is real; that he lived and died for each of us, and because of that we will all live again. I love my Savior, and I'm so thankful that in him I have a true friend who always loves me and is proud of my progress- regardless of how small it seems to me. I know he atoned for me, and that I can rely on the atonement in every single aspect of my life. :)  Isn't it so wonderful to have been given so much hope in life? I loved being able to spend Easter with our family that we love so much, and being able to put things into perspective because of the Gospel.

Now for our Easter adventures. :) We have such a sweet boy, he was an awesome little traveler! He was pretty wiped by the end of each day we were up there, but he was still so mild tempered. :) He's our Super Dude!  Friday Matt was able to leave early, so we headed out of town around 11 (an hour behind what we had planned on. I'm learning that when you have a schedule for how you want things to go with a little one, it never goes as planned. He's always hungry at the wrong times when I'm trying to get out of here for one reason or another. :p) We made it to about Nephi before we had to stop for a quick bottle and diaper change. (It's been so nice to have the pump that Claudia let me borrow!) We made it to Grandma Wilde's house in Sandy around 3ish? She just got back from her mission about a week ago, and she didn't think the Nebraska family was going to be able to come over for her homecoming. Well, little did she know, they were on their way to Utah. Matt and I were able to visit her and Grandma Coffin for a little while before Mike, Jen, and the kids got here. Grandma Wilde's face was priceless when she realized it was Kennedy standing in the doorway once they all got here. :)  Mallorie and Matt live in the cutest basement apartment under Dan and Heather now, and so we got to stay with them again! It was the perfect set up so that we could be around everyone, but we had our own space if we needed to get Jaden down for a nap or something.  Saturday we hung out at Dan and Heather's in Saratoga Springs, and colored eggs. Matt and I even got to take a nap that afternoon while Jaden slept before we went back to Sandy for dinner and visiting some more. Sunday morning we drove to Cottonwood Heights to visit Mike and Vicki and so Grandma Benson could finally meet Jaden. :) It was so nice that we were able to stop by and see everyone for at least a few minutes while we were up there. :)  Up until Sunday I was doing really great anxiety wise (thank you dad for your Priesthood blessing before we left), but I discovered that I'm really grateful we're in a young married ward now. There aren't nearly as many snotty, coughing, sneezing, drooling kids in young married wards. ;) I thought I was going to die. I'm turning into Monk. 

Luckily, we all survived. ;)  Grandma Wilde did such a great job on her talk, she's such a sweet lady and an awesome example of service and loving others. :)  After church we went to Steven and Laura's for the luncheon, and got to visit some more with everyone. :)  We didn't leave as early as we had planned (but I kind of was expecting that anyway) and so we didn't get home until almost 11. We had to stop again in Nephi to feed and change Jaden, but he did great for the rest of the drive!  It really was such a fun get away, and for as much as I think I'm going to have separation anxiety while passing my baby around, it always ends up being kind of nice to have a 'break'. I mean I still have to feed him every 2-ish hours, but I can shower and eat uninterrupted when we visit family because there's never a shortage of volunteers to hold him for me. ;) When we come home I kind of miss it at times. (Like when I really have to use the bathroom but he's in the middle of eating or being changed or something. :p) Next time we have a family get together, I promise not to be a pansy and actually take more pictures to share. :) (I always feel so awkward taking pictures, but good grief. What did we buy this camera for anyway??)

At Great Grandma Coffin's house. :) (Where she
"hugged the stuffins" out of her great grandson. :)

Meeting Grandpa Coffin 

And Grandma Coffin :)

And Aunt Kennedy

Great Grandma Wilde at Dan and Heather's

This is the view from Dan and Heather's back porch. Pretty
great, right? 

Jen getting her snuggles in :)

Aunt Morgan :)

Dan and Heather's oldest, Maddison. :)
She loved holding Jaden until he started
pooping his pants, haha. I don't blame her! ;)

 

Great Grandma Lola, and Grandma Vicki (Gallegos) at Mike and Vicki's

Grandma got some good smiles and expressions
from Jaden :)