Missing Us!?!

I just wanted to say that I am sorry for neglecting the blogging world. I miss it and maybe you miss us, but I promise I have so many un-edited posts just waiting to make there debut. I just can't seem to find the time to devote to this. I have exactly 2 weeks left of school and then 3 weeks of my "summer break", before I start summer school (for fun, yes I know, I am crazy). This semester has been SUPER easy. I've had a TON of work that kept me busy, busier than in the past, just minus the MAD STRESS.

Another reason I just can't squeeze in the time, is because of my little Miss Jay. It hard for me to think about the fact that Jayla will almost be 5 years old by the time I am done with nursing school. I feel as if I am missing out on so much of Jay's life, working my butt off to make something of myself and when I finally get there, she will be starting school herself. I'm trying to cherish every little moment I have with her and make the most of my free time. I've come to realize, the laundry can wait, the house can stay dirty, and my "me" time is not for me anymore. I now know that it will be a long while until I have this opportunity again, or even if we will, so I've made a little promise to Jay that everything else can wait (except school) so we can make the most out of these precious times. Anyone who has a baby can relate to how fast this time flies and how much the first years are irreplaceable, the moments when you watch your baby girl grow into this beautiful, smart little person.

So to my blogging friends, if you don't hear from me, please know that I love you and I'm still watching you. Please don't be offended if I don't leave comments (right away, because you know I'll always get around to it).

And to my family, my mom and dad especially, I PROMISE to keep this blog up and running, as much as I can. I know how much you love seeing all the pictures of Jayla. It is the closest way to seeing her, with out actually being here. Because of you, the Garrett family blog will continue! We love and miss you so much!!

Easter Fun

Saturday we headed to the mall right before it opened to be first in line to see the Easter bunny. Little did we know the Easter bunny didn't clock in until 11am. So we walked around for a little bit, enjoyed a cinnabun and walked back to find a line. People don't mess around with this stuff!! We were so worried Jayla would have a melt down, with Mr. Bunny, but she LOVED him. Yes we cheated, I didn't want to buy the cheesy packages from their photographer, so I snapped a few myself!! Jearel even got video of it. They didn't even care. Good to know for the future.

This was Sunday night at Grandma and Grandpa Riley's house. (A bit out of order, I know! Does anyone know if they have a picture arranger on this thing?)
She is such a little lady!

Saturday afternoon Grandma and Grandpa Riley stopped by to help Jayla color her Easter eggs.

As you can see daddy bought the princess decorating kit!

Jay was a little hesitant at first, but it didn't take her long to bust out her crafty side (she gets that from her Grandma Skorstad)!!

Every egg had to have a sticker, of course!

The finished work of art!

Then came Easter morning!! Jayla was so excited to see her basket the Easter bunny left her. She went straight for a sucker and opened it up for the perfect nutritional breakfast!!

~Notice in this picture she is wearing big girl panties~

Jayla has been doing a GREAT job with using the potty over the past 2 weeks. Her success rate is about 90%. A few accidents here and there, mostly when she is hard a play and forgets to take a break to use the potty. Oh and of course she is lacking getting the pooping thing down. I thought for sure she would be golden with that, since this was the first thing she ever did on the potty. Either way we are soooo very proud of our big girl and I am happy to say we are diaper free through out the day. I am sure it will be a matter of weeks before she is FULLY potty trained. I also owe a HUGE thank you to Grandma Riley for helping make this happen.

Happy girl!

The Easter bunny and Grandma and Grandpa Skorstad spoiled her with gifts, Easter morning!

After we watched Jay open her presents, we rushed out of the house to head down to The Wigwam Resort for an Easter egg hunt and brunch. Jayla instantly became a star. Not sure if anyone catched her on news channel 3, but Brittney Shipp interviewed Jayla and daddy. It was so cute!! Here is proof of my little star :). She said "Happy Easter" to everyone watching!!

hunting for the eggs

YAY! Jayla got to see the Easter bunny AGAIN. She was a little scared of this one.

We all enjoyed a YUMMY brunch at The Wigwam. Champagne, prime rib, crab, shrimp... you name it, we ate it!! Jayla was a big fan of the deserts.

After we left The Wigwam, we headed over to see our good friends the Roselands. Jayla was missing her best friend, Lola.

Seriously, can there be any cuter picture than this?!

These two have one special bond and it gets cuter and cuter to see them together!!

That night we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Riley's house (pics in the beginning of the post), where Jayla got spoiled once more.

We enjoyed the BEST dinner, prime rib, grilled veggies, potatoes and the best salad in town! There is something about Jearel's mom's salads that are to die for!!

Thank you mom and dad for the cutest presents for Jay. I wish you guys could have been here. We miss you so much!

Thank you to Phyllis and Larry for never wanting to miss a moment with Jay. She is in love with her little bunny. Also thanks for the yummy dinner!

Hope everyone had a great Easter!!