See what a slacker I am! I mean really where does the time go? So I thought I better write something before you give up on me! Things here are about the same...cold. I can't wait for spring. All I keep thinking is where in the world do we hide the Easter eggs? Obviously outside isn't an option, which reminds me I need to go shopping for their Easter baskets. I did find a Peter Rabbit stuffed animal that Madelyn kept asking for. She loves the Peter Cottontail books. And of course the basket has to include chocolate. Have I ever told you how much she likes chocolate? She would live on it if I let her. In that regard her and Dallan are like two peas in a pod. We are planning a trip to Arizona next month. It is my grandparent’s 60th wedding anniversary. I was on my mission when they celebrated their 50th and so I wanted to make sure I was there this time around. Has ten years really gone by? I think the older you get the faster time moves. Madelyn is so excited to go. She loves going there. Probably because of all the attention she gets. I am telling you it is ridiculous at times! From the moment we get off the plane her every wish is someone's command. She has nonstop playmates and unlimited amounts of treats and toys. I mean who wouldn't want that right? It takes me weeks to get her back into a normal state. But she loves it and so do they. Her and Jackson are the only little grandchildren and they definitely reap those benefits. We won't be staying as long as we normally do because Madelyn has her first little dance recital and has to be back for the dress rehearsal. They can't dance if they don't make that one practice. She has loved her dance class and it is amazing to me how much progress she has made since her first class. She really pays attention and tries very hard to do her little routines. It is quite cute! They are doing two numbers. One to this song called "Flip, Flop, Fly" and for that one they are wearing these yellow dance outfits. At first I thought they were hideous but after seeing and hearing the music I have to admit it is going to be really cute. The next song is the classical music to angels we have heard on high. For this one they have these adorable white dresses that have wings attached to them. They are very pretty. I will make sure and take lots of pictures and if I can ever figure out how to download my video footage I will post some actual live dancing. Let's see what else is happening....We are almost done with our adoption papers, so if you know any babies who are in need of a home I hope you will think of us. Every night Madelyn prays that I will get a baby in my tummy. I think she has forgotten about my "tummy being broken". But let me tell you she still remembers what I told her about you and Clinton. Every once in a while she will say "Mom, do you know that you are my new mom" and I will say really why is that and her reply is well remember I was in Stephanie's belly and she really loved me but she couldn't take care of me so you got to be my mom. Yes, I remember Madelyn. Well that is why you are my new mom. And then she will drop it for a while and when you are least expecting it she will bring it up again. She mostly says it to me but there have been times when she tells Dallan about how he is her new dad. The first time it happened was pretty funny. He had come home from work and I hadn't told him yet about this new insight of hers. So there we were sitting on the couch and she said Dad, I am happy you are my new dad. And he said what are you talking about Madelyn and she said you know...um mom what is his name again? His name is Clinton Madelyn. Oh yeah that's right (like she has known him for a long time or something). You know Clinton used to be my dad but now you are my new dad. He just hugged her and said I am so glad I got to be your new dad. Well there you have it that has been the last two months in a nut shell! Again, I am sorry I haven’t been very good at keeping this up. I emailed you some pictures of our girl, I hope you got them. Let me know if you didn’t okay? I hope you and the boys are doing well. We think about you often and always pray that you are safe and happy. We love you.
