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eAsTeR + MaRiSha ViSiTs + FrEsH sTaRt

April was a difficult month for me. Easter is my favorite Holiday, and I was afraid it wouldn't feel like it usually does. But, I must say Easter was beautiful. I stayed in Provo with TC and Ashley and had dinner with them. Ashley's mom was in town too so it was cool to see her and of course spending time with little Savanna was heaven.

This silly girl makes my heart swell.
And this gorgeous girl (along with many others) reminded me of my strength when I didn't know I had any left.
My Grandma Perry, Aunt Susan and Aunt MaryLou came into town from Montana so we had a little get together. 3 amazing powerful women with strong words of wisdom for me. Girlies who know how to make me laugh and remind me who I am and why I am here. Marisha came in town for a few days between her move from Hawaii to Alaska! We visited the Draper Temple while she was in town and we enjoyed the Spring weather. I'm so blessed to be able to see almost 5 temples from where I live. SLC, Jordan River, Day Break, Draper and Timpanogos is right over the mountain.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. Spring...Easter...new life...fresh start.

I'm don't want Spring to end. I don't want lots of things to end. But like Spring becoming Summer, sometimes things happen that we cannot change...and we must move along in the way that must be. And I've never been so grateful that the Lord has a plan for me.

"I know our trials are truly blessings in disguise; blessings meant to purify us so that when we come out of the refiner's fire we will be sanctified in Christ. I pray that your trials of faith will be to you more precious than that of silver or gold."

Letter from Lexi

As if I could resist posting this letter I got in the mail from my (just barely) 3 year old niece! --Spoken from Lexi's mouth, written by her Mommy, (my sister) Kristin.

"Dear April,
I love you April! Happy Birthday April! Happy Birthday Marisha and Dustin. (Dustin is her dad's brother). I dear love you all the family for you. April about the cars when I was about a baby. Let's make cookies! I dear love you cookies. I dear love you curtains. I'm just sweeping and playing. April just sleeps in my bed because she is sick. When you aren't here you say, "Oh Lexi, just leave me." Cricket is my favorite person. Cricket is my favorite person because she plays with April. I dear love you April. And I dear love you Cricket.
Love,
Lexi"

*Don't miss out on my other 3 recent posts, people! Scroll down!

Noteworthy 'N Nonsense

Jena Malia Nagamine Hernandez Gerrard had her baby recently and we did a shower at my house after she was born so we could meet her and cuddle her! :) She's the cutest little thing and her name is Amaya Havanna Gerrard. She is 1/4 Mexican, 1/8 Japanese, 1/8 Hawaiian and 1/2 Caucasian. (I felt really cool when I figured that out).

From the left, Jena, Rachel (Stitt) Woodhouse, Angie Cazier and me.

Uh, this was a picture from my back kitchen window when it snowed...in APRIL. Grrrr!
I live on the bench in Draper and usually you can see all the way to North Salt Lake,
but not this day!

Then Cricket and I playing in the snow.

Poor Cricket: (heeheehee)
I'm not the kind of person who sees their dog as their baby. She's my cute pet who keeps me company and I do love her. Anyway, that being said, I don't really dress my dog in doggie clothes. HOWEVER, this sweater so adorable (and on clearance) so I bought it hoping it would fit me. Ha! When it didn't, I brought her home after the goomer had put a green bow on her head, then I added the new non matching sweater to her ensamble. Can you tell she felt humiliated! No, judging by the look on her face, I think she was pissed. And if you look really closely you can see her exaggerated underbite. Aww...Crickey...!

Speaking of dogs, my niece Savanna has become fixated on watching videos of "da doggy" on my cell phone. In fact, whenever I come around she starts to search me and my purse for my phone saying, "Doggy" over and over again until I give it up. She even has her favorite videos picked out. Sometimes I wonder if she just uses me for my Cricket videos. No way, impossible.

hAppY BiRtHdAyS & aNNiVeRsArIeS

*Happy Happy Birthday to Mom , Kaytlin-(1) and Lexi (3) this month!
*Happy Happy Anniversary to TC and Ashley (4 years) and Mom and Dad, (31 years)

-Wait a sec here...Mom, how can you only be 29 but be married for 31 years?!

Happy [fill in the blank] to everyone else outside of my immediate family who had a special day this month! I think that about covers it! :)

TC and Ashley April 23rd

Tom and Ann Perry April 28th

Kaytlin-April 24th, Lexi-April 28thThis is when Lexi turned 1. Our Birthday's are 2 days apart so we had a combined Birthday Party. That day I'd taught Lexi how to say "Awwwww" while she was eating. (Yes, I'm the rebel/bad influence aunt).

So, she kept doing it all throughout her birthday party. We were all laughing our head's off which only encouraged her. She was, (and still is) such a ham!

Lexi, 4/28 - Kaytlin, 4/24

fAMiLy fRiDay ~ My Dear Sweet Dad

Preface:
*O Yasumi Nasai is Japanese for Goodnight.
*No, you may not steal my daddy away.

Thomas C. Perry III was born June 8, 1950. He grew up in Kalispell, MT with 4 sisters and wonderful parents. My dad is the one who taught us how to pray. As small children, he'd kneel with us at our bed at night while we said our personal prayers. Then came the tuck-in routine. Once in our bed he'd put a hand on each side of us and bounce us on the mattress while chanting: "Goodnight, all night, O Yasumi Nasai, don't let the bed bugs bite. If they do, hit 'em with a shoe until they're black and blue, I LOVE YOU!" "Again Daddy, again!" But, he'd only do it once. (However, he did bend a little on getting me "one more" drink of water if I persisted). I enjoyed this quality time so much every night. Later in my high school years, he'd still tuck me in and kiss me goodnight...but the mornings weren't as tender when he was reminding me for the 3rd time to get out of bed or I was going to be late for school! Heehee. I was lucky enough to have him help me wake up!

I was the little girl who wanted to marry her Daddy when she grew up.
My Dad is a hard worker! He bailed hay at a very young age and his father taught him to manage money well. I'm grateful that he instilled that same in each of us. He got a Bachelor's Degree in Japanese and a Master's Degree in Public Administration. He has worked for roughly 3 decades for the Government as an Auditor. (The Governmental Accountability Office, formally known as The General Accounting Office). He will be retiring soon and is looking forward to it!

Now let's go back: Not many know this...but my Dad was an athlete! He was a gymnast who trained 3-4 hours a day at one point. His body was so strong from his training that he could go from laying on his stomach with his palms flat on the ground into a handstand position ~ no joke. He could also walk on his hands up and down the stairs! (At almost age 60, he also can still do an aerial off a diving board and can walk on his hands). In 1969 he got 14th place in the National Title of Gymnastics all around. In 1970, he qualified to try out for a spot in the Olympics but chose to serve a mission instead.

He served a full and honorable mission in Japan and still keeps in touch with some of the the people he met and baptized there.

My Dad likes to listen to the Beatles and Johnny Cash. His favorite movies are The Majestic, A Blast from the Past and Back to the Future. (Notice a trend)?

Thanks to Dad, all of us kids know how to water ski. He has spent countless, patient hours driving the boat for our fun. (Not to mention gas money)! This picture is of my sis Marisha getting up on skiis on Swan Lake, MT.My dad has a way of making me feel beautiful, unique and capable. He recently said to a friend of mine who was driving me to the airport, "Please drive safely; you are transporting precious cargo." Aww! Makes me want to cry when I think of how much love he has.

This is an old fashioned picture that Mom and Dad took on their honeymoon. Even though it was for fun, they looked all stern and distinguished.Well don't let their serious expression fool you!! The following picture reveals the family that they created over the last 31 years due to their sense of humor and good nature!I am honored to have the Father I do. He is hilarious and just cute!

I love you Dad. I know you were specifically chosen to be my Father and chose Mom to be my Mother. HAPPY 31st ANNIVERSARY ON THE 28th!.
I'm blessed to have you both ~ keep taking care of each other now that you're empty nesters!

Dad, another adventurous chapter of your life begins now! :)

LeT's tAlK aMeRiCaN iDoL

Who do you think is getting the boot this week?

Anoop isn't super consistenct in my opinion but I love him! Scott has stayed around a lot longer than I thought and question has been raised if he's getting charity votes? Don't get me wrong, he is adorably nerdy and sweet, also great on the piano, but I don't love his voice. (You know I'm a pro critic, right)? Ha! ;)

Megan is gorgeous and unique but doesn't seem to have as strong of voice as Danny or Adam. Rough-neck Michael doesn't knock my socks off either, in fact I'm usually bored during his performances. And then there's Kris. He's good too, but he does that weird tongue curl-up when he sings that bugs me!

Has Lil' Rounds plateaued in your opinion? She's got a crazy amazing voice! But I haven't felt like she continues to bust it out better each week.

I personally believe that souful Matt and red-haired Allison have been strong and consistent. And I'll admit that while I love almost all of them, my favorites are Megan, Danny and Adam. (What was up with Adam's "self indulgent rubbish" last week)? LOL. His voice is incredible, but I felt uncomfortable watching it! I'm excited to see what everyone brings to the table this week!

What are your thoughts? (Don't forget to vote)! See poll on the right.