Family blessings

I love being a wife & mother! I feel incredibly blessed to be married to a man who recognizes my efforts, encourages me to be more and celebrates my successes! I couldn't help but smile today as I quietly stood back watching LeAnne play in our back yard. I can't believe our baby girl is growing up so fast, she's now an adorable little girl and I realize before we know she too will be going off to her prom just as her big sister did this weekend. Time flies by so quickly!



Amanda at the Junior/Senior Prom Saturday night!

Easter at Grandma Marcia's

Happy Easter! Jesus has risen! The tomb is empty so we are not! I am humbled by his sacrifice and so thankful to have a relationship with Jesus. Thankful for the hope I have because of our savior!

LeAnne & I had an fun afternoon at Grandma Marcia's house! LeAnne enjoyed her Easter egg hunt, playing with all the candy and new toys. Thanks for the Harmonica Oma. :-) My mama cooked a VERY yummy dinner too. :-) LeAnne was so in love with her little blue car from Oma that she took a bath with it. :-)

Thank-you very much Auntie Katie for LeAnne's beautiful Easter dresses! She really enjoyed getting dressed up this weekend and looked absolutely adorable. Saturday morning John asked her if she was pretty and she said "YES"!! :-)

Easter egg hunt

Today Oma & I took LeAnne to her first Easter egg hunt at our city park. It was windy but the sun was shinning bright. I had not idea there would be such a big turn out of people. We got there just as they were getting ready to start. The Easter egg hunt was sponsored by a local church so it was awesome that a nice prayer was said before the hunt began. Oh my goodness I was shocked that LeAnne knew exactly what to do. As soon as we showed her where she could hunt she started picking up eggs as quickly as she could. Her basket was full! She briefly saw the Easter bunny who wanted to give her more candy but she just wanted the eggs in his basket. Then we went back to Oma's where she enjoyed lining her candy up and playing with the car from Oma.


As I put LeAnne's dress on her today she said "princess"









LeAnne & her friend

Spring Break 2010

This has been an excellent Spring break full of lots of family fun! Friday March 26th the three of us headed to Salem,Oregon to spend a few days with Grammy & Grampy. We were thrilled that Amanda drove up to visit with us Friday night & the majority of Saturday. Amanda is doing well in school, enjoying track and excited to attend prom April 17th. On Saturday we went to a children museum called A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village in Salem. That was a lot of fun! I wish we had something like this near us. Then LeAnne went on her first Carousel ride. She loved it, kept saying "wee fun" and didn't want to get off. She was so exhausted that she fell asleep almost instantly and slept through John holding her at McDonald's while we ate lunch. Sunday John & his family headed down to Eugene, Oregon for his cousins celebration of life. We had a very nice visit. LeAnne slept decent, had a blast playing with Grammy's toys and it was so cool to see her interacting with her Grammy, Grampy & big sister!














Then Monday morning we headed up to Kent, Washington to be with family there. We pulled into Aunt Katie's at the same time as Oma (Grandma Marcia), Greg & Dane. It was so AWESOME to be able to spend some time with my brother & his son Dane. Dane has grown so much since I last saw him. He's one adorable little boy. It was so much fun to see my little brother being a daddy. He seems to be an old pro, very comfortable with his son and enjoying him. The most precious sight was to see him cooing with his son. LeAnne didn't like it at all when Dane would cry! Poor little guy has some acid reflux so he gets a bit fussy, Greg handles like a trooper and Dane certainly calmed down once his mom arrived.

On Tuesday we had lunch with my friends from Boeing then did some shopping. Lunch was excellent! LeAnne was so personable with everyone, giving out lots of hugs & kisses. Thank-you so much Aunt Laura for the Easter present and sharing your lunch with LeAnne! :-) I know LeAnne will have lots of fun with you, Aunt Katie & Oma the end of April when I'm in class. Oh I miss my Boeing family! Thank-you all for your efforts to stay connected with our family. You all had a big impact on my life & I'll be forever grateful!

LeAnne had lots of fun with Auntie Katie's Raggedy Anne & Andy tea party figurine. So much fun Auntie Katie bought her a a tea set to keep at her house. :-)


Blowing bubbles on Auntie Katie's porch


Tea anyone?




Oh boy it was so fun to go shopping at Target & The Dollar Tree! LeAnne got 2 new Llama llama books, a nursery rhyme book, a beginners train set, some bubbles, some clothes, & a Hula Hoop just her size from Oma and a tea set from Auntie Katie.



We headed home Wednesday morning. Why does the drive home seem to be twice as long? We sure did have fun. I love to watch LeAnne interact with her family and explore new environments. She had her moments but all in all she behaved well. While there she did start saying "help, help, help" when she needed/wanted something.

We came home to prizes; the Cozy Coupe I won on a blog contest held on Silver savings blog. It is an adorable car and ya gotta love the price tag...FREE! I also received a Learner’s Bib from the Bragging Mommy Blog & Minky Blanket with matching Ribbon Lovie from Piece of Me Blog that will be stored away for baby# 2. These blog contests are a lot of fun and I am learning about some great products.







I can't believe how fast this week has flown by and it really makes me look forward to summer vacation. It has been great to spend time together! I was also blessed by the time in the car to read Miracles Happen by Mary Kay Ash. Mary Kay was an amazing woman! The more Mary Kay product I try the more in love I fall with this company. I love how the skin care products make my skin feel. Now Lord please help me to set aside my fears, open my mouth and share this miracle with other women. Lord, please use me to bless other women.

Time to wrap up my shopping list and head off to town for groceries. We will be finishing up Spring break by celebrating Easter. Stay tune for pictures of LeAnne in her adorable dress.

LeAnne's New Apron

LeAnne looking adorable in an apron I won her on a blog contest at Take Time to Smell the Rose. The apron is from Flirty Aprons. They have some of the most beautiful aprons. I was so excited to put LeAnne's apron on her. Once I had it on she didn't want to take it off! Now our girl is all set to bake cookies! :-)

Mama's New hair style & Bedtime story

Say good bye curls and hello straight sassy hair! This is the first time I've ever parted my hair off to the side. I like it but it's a huge change from my curls. It almost seems like I have no style but I know it will just take some getting use to. I plan to go back in after in a few weeks to get some highlights. When I walked in the door, LeAnne said "oh no mama Hair". :-) So what do you think?



It sounds like LeAnne & Daddy had an amazing day! John can't believe how much she is talking. He said she was trying to carry on a conversation all day long and he heard many new words today. He also started teaching her how to pray before she eats today. Had her fold her hands, then he said "Thank-you God for this food, Amen". Tonight she said "amen". It was so sweet. :-) Here is a short clip of him reading her a bedtime story.

The buzz in our house...

The Leonard family is healthy, thriving and busy! I have not been taking many photographs or blogging much because I taken a big leap of faith. I have not come to this decision lightly, spent much time in prayer and talking with my awesome husband. I am blessed to have the support and encouragement of my husband! I have plans and goals. Now it's time to get educated and get started working my business. I am proud to say I am now an Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay! I love the way Mary Kay skin care products make my skin feel and I would love the opportunity to share them with other women. I am excited to make other woman feel good and make extra income for my family! So who's up for a facial appointment? Who would like to get a free hostess gift and earn free product? Give me a call to schedule. Oh and I have a website; http://www.marykay.com/JanaLeonard/default.aspx


I think our dear LeAnne might turn into a peanut butter & jelly sandwich! Every time we turn around lately we hear "p-butter Jel". The other morning she was asking for a sandwich the second she woke up! She did get brave last weekend and at some Macaroni & cheese, pizza and a flour tortilla. :-)

John continues to take her to toddler story time at the library ever other Tuesday and she loves it! Last week she sat a little more still for the story and even did the motions to the songs!

Last week daddy started playing store with her while making Micky & Minnie Mouse puppets. LeAnne LOVES this! He's one awesome daddy for sure!! Here is a video I shot of them playing;