Our Greatest Fear

Lizzy and I watched a great movie yesterday: Akeelah and the Bee. I know you are all laughing, but it was actually an inspiring movie. There was a great quote in the movie that I woke up this morning thinking about that I wanted to share with everyone. It is by Marianne Williamson, in her book "Return to Love."

Our Greatest Fear

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other

people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

-Marianne Williamson

Easter Sunday in DC

It is Easter season here in the District! Last week we were sure that the cold weather was on its way out, and the spring was here...unfortunately Mother Nature had other plans. We had a beautiful week of 70-80 degree weather and then this week it went cold on us again! It even snowed Friday night! Despite the cold, Easter was a beautiful day. We woke up and the Easter Bunny had paid a visit to Lizzy and I...

Lizzy and the Easter candy...It is amazing the Easter Bunny always remembers to bring Lizzy Snickers Eggs, her favorite!

The talks and music at church were wonderful. After church we came home and Lizzy and her friend Jessica wanted to color eggs. Jessica invited her soon-to-be brother-in-law, Matt, to come over and join us. So they colored eggs as I enjoyed a wonderful nap!

Lizzy and one of her eggs

Matt, Jessica, and Lizzy decorating their eggs

Finished products

Jessica also made us a delicious brunch with blueberry pancakes, eggs, and potatoes. It was delicious. After that party it was ready to get ready for our next. We had invited the Qualters and the Palmers to come over for dinner with us. The men of the group, in selfless acts to bring joy to our wives, volunteered to prepare the dinner. I got assigned to do the meat, Qualter got the mashed potatoes, and Palmer got the rolls. Qualter and I made a run to Costco where we secured all of the goods we would need to prepare an incredible meal.

Here are the men preparing the feast!

All of us enjoying the meal

For dessert we had strawberries, sour cream, and brown sugar. Everyone was a little nervous, but it was a hit! We finished off a huge container of strawberries. The whole meal was a success! Everyone left full of food and grateful for all the blessings we have. Our wives were especially grateful for their husbands who prepared an incredible Easter dinner.

Here we are enjoying the dessert

Work Out at the Nelson's

We have been very spoiled lately with guests from out of town. Phill was here, and then tonight, Jessica B., Lizzy's friend came down from New York. We went to dinner tonight at Sakana, a sushi place. (I only eat the fried fish) On our way home I called Mike Q and told him to come over and hang out with us; his wife is out of town. We made scones and were sitting around chatting and Jessica pulled out a Jillian Michaels workout video for us to watch. Before we knew it we were all working out....

Lizzy, Mike Q, and Jessica

Jessica working it...

Are those 50lbs?

Cool down...what balance!

Phill Comes to Town...

Phloo flew back into town this week to continue job interviews. We were fortunate enough to get him for a few nights, and then he decided to head home early because he got bored of the job fairs, and he missed his wifey Morgan too much. His last night here, the Qualters came over and Mike Q made cookies for us. We are praying the Looslies move back to town!

Mike Q hard at work making cookies!

Phill and Mike enjoying the cookies. I actually think Mike is trying to show off his bicept by the way he is holding the milk carton, but both Phill and I were unimpressed.

Cherry Blossoms at the TIdal Basin

After the first session of Conference today, Lizzy and I went over to the the Tidal Basin with the Qualters to check out the Cherry Blossoms. They were gorgeous! On our way over there I received a call from my parents saying they had been called to serve a mission in Mongolia! I was sooo shocked, I quickly put the phone on speaker and asked them to tell Lizzy.... Lizzy said to me "It's April Fools Day," I quickly realized my parents had gotten me on my favorite holiday of the year! I was so mad I hadn't realized it was April Fools Day. Anyhow, they got me good. We had a great time at the Cherry Blossoms Festival, here are some pictures.

The beautiful Cherry Blossoms up close

Mike and Liz enjoying the blossoms

Mike Q, Lizzy, and Elaine Q pausing to pose at the Tidal Basin

Lizzy at the Tidal Basin with the Washington Monument in the background

Elaine enjoying the blossoms

Whooa! What is that?

We paused to have a picnic under the blossoms

Q...what are you doing?

Lizzy and Elaine with their favorite symbol behind

Here are a few more artistic photos from the day...