He’s got your back

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Lincoln is a good big brother.

Of that there is no question. He is always looking out for his little buddy, "Cwish." He will grab a cracker and break it in half to share. If he's asking for milk, he makes sure to ask on Christian's behalf as well. In fact, if he's ever eating anything…he wants his little bro to join in the fun. I think he loves to be in cahoots with someone. Christian doesn't mind one bit.

I, for one, am really…no extremely glad that Christian has someone like Lincoln looking out for him. Here's a little example of why.

Just a few days ago both boys were out playing in the backyard. As usual, I will periodically call out their names just to make sure all is well. I was standing at the kitchen sink making dinner when I heard a clank from the back gate. A clank is never a good sound when Christian is involved. I quickly went over to the back door and yelled out their names. Lincoln answered, but the voice was little too faint. "Oh no," I thought as I bolted to the front door, threw it open and ran out into the front yard.

There, in the middle of the driveway, was Lincoln sitting on the ground with his hands gripping Christian's ankles. He was holding on with all his might while Christian was on all fours lunging (with all his might) toward the road and trying to break free from the grasp. Lincoln turned to me and yelled out frantically, "Mom! Cwish is trying to go in the stweet!"

I ran and scooped Christian up into my arms just as Lincoln let go with a sigh of relief.

I turned to Lincoln and grinned. "You are a hero, Linc! Thank you for taking good care of your brother."

He beamed. And I breathed a sigh of relief too.

I'm glad he's got Christian's back. And I'm sure someday Christian will be glad too.

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Worth a fist pump

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Watching this happen in front of my eyes made me want to do a huge fist pump in the air.

Dallin asked Jeff to take him out surfing one afternoon. I have been secretly hoping this would happen one day but I never wanted to push him too soon for fear that it would backfire. When I overheard their conversation, I felt my lips curl into a smile. I grabbed the camera and followed them out so I could watch it unfold.

As life would have it, a mischevious 19-month-old kept me from actually seeing them out in the water. But when I saw Dallin coming back dripping wet with a huge grin on his face, I knew it had been a success.

Watching him do something hard and scary (and that would make me scream like a baby) is definitely worth a fist pump and maybe a little victory dance too.

Way to go, D. Way to go.

 

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the ornament “break”down

i've had the same ornaments decorating the Christmas tree for more than 15 years. they've been through college, early marriage, 3 toddlers' sticky fingers, and they've managed to stay in tact with only one broken(which happened at the Riviera long, long ago).

until now.

the tree has met its match.
and his name is Christian.
total broken ornaments tally: 6 and counting
okay, so i broke one this year too so I'll cut him a little slack.
but not too much slack.
whenever it's too quiet i run to the tree and usually he's there with two in his hands.
as i take a step toward him, he gets that look and smashes them together. sweet destruction!
lucky for him, he hasn't been hurt.
unlucky for the tree, it now has a bare bottom. 🙂

my favorite decoration this year, though, is these ornaments.

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every year i collect new photo ornaments and put in a picture of each child. i love that our tree is scattered with pictures of them from every age. i think they might even love it more than i do.

sure does help whenever Christian breaks another ornament and I look at his cute face on the tree. I can't be mad for too long!

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six people in november

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This may be my favorite picture yet from this project. Taken during a pit stop while passing through the Glen Canyon Dam. I see each of my children's personalities in this photo. More so than just a regular "hey stand here and smile." I see Lincoln's wide eyed expression of excitement. I see Ella's profile and her sweet inquisitive mind. I see Dallin wanting to be a little crazy and stand out. I see me blending into Jeff. I see Christian laughing and smiling on shoulders. And I see Jeff being the entertaining Dad that he is. I love this photo. I see us. 

So on to November. It was probably our busiest month this year. Strike that. It was the busiest month this year. Full with homework, helping in classrooms, walk jog run club, carpool, cub scouts, music lessons, the Gilbert Temple groundbreaking, stake conference, birthday parties (forgot one though), a baby shower, loads of family photo sessions, photo editing, card making, scout campouts, lesson planning, doctor appointments, Christmas shopping, driving to Utah, Thanksgiving, time with grandparents and cousins, missionary homecoming, family photos, driving home from Utah (in a blizzard), and not a whole lot of sleeping (on my part or Lincoln's).  

I'm definitely ready to slow. it. down.

As I have thought of all the things that have happened this month. One experience stands out in my mind. One experience that lasted maybe an hour. But perhaps was more important than all those other hours combined.

It was a visit with someone dear.

Aunt Shirley.

We drove cautiously through blizzardy weather trying to race the fading sunlight. Knowing we would be in much worse road conditions if we stopped to visit, there was no question in our minds. We needed to stop. I knew her health was fading and tried to prepare myself. Jeff went in first while we waited in the car. I wondered what to expect. I was feeling a little nervous. He came out and I went in.

I walked into her bedroom and took her by the hand. She smiled a beautiful smile just like she always does. My worry was gone. It was Aunt Shirley after all. She could make a doorknob feel right at home. I held her hand tightly as we talked for a while. We laughed and I listened as she told me about the things she has learned through this trial. About forgiveness and love. We talked about our children. She wanted to know all about mine. So I told her about each one…how Dallin is in his role as a big brother, how Ella loves to have a captive audience, how Lincoln can be a sweet spitfire, and how cute Christian is when he says his new word "happy." 

Then she said how she would love to see them. I hesitated about bringing them in. But then she asked again. Almost pleading. Of course I would bring them. I ran out to the car and we all came in together. She smiled as big as ever when she saw them. I couldn't help but think this was truly our gift to her.

We talked a little longer. We gave her hugs, she gave us apples. And then it was time to go. A few tears were shed as we said goodbye knowing this might be our last.

As we drove away, I was grateful. More grateful than I had ever been during this month of Thanksgiving. Grateful for this meaningful experience that we were blessed to have. As I look back at November and ahead to the month of December, I know that I want more meaning in my life. More experiences that teach. More experiences that uplift. More experiences to give and receive love. More experiences that bring the Spirit into my life and to my family. I know they can happen if we seek them.

Thank you for giving this to us, Aunt Shirley. We love you!

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Pumpkins and Grandparents

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A conversation with Ella last week

Ella: Mom, do pumpkins grow on trees?

Me: No, Ella. They grow along the ground like the zucchini plants in our garden (which are dead).

Ella: If Grandpa was here, he could come and fix our garden all up good.

Me: Isn't Grandpa is the best?

Ella: Wouldn't it be great if he and Grandma moved to our house and lived with us forever?

Me: Wow! That would be fun.

Ella: (said in a somber voice) I think I'm going to cry. I miss them soooo much.

Sweet, sweet Ella. She has a heart of gold. I reminded her that we would be seeing them very soon and not to worry. I love that the holidays are fast approaching. I can't wait!

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halloween wrap up

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It was a weekend full of festivities…a ward party, a block party, and our little family party too. it was a lot of fun with the usual costume dilemma drama. Lincoln ended up dressed in Batman pajamas after much convincing that it would be so fun to wear pajamas instead of a costume. Heaven forbid a costume! He screamed at the very thought, but pajamas…wearing pajamas was a deal.

We had Iron Man, Minnie, Batman, and Scooby this year. Scooby ran from the camera so I only got to see the backside to prove he was here. He was cute though. Trust me.

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My favorite part of the weekend was staying at home, carving pumpkins and having a cozy dinner with soup in bread bowls, hot cider, and pumpkin cookies. I think everyone else loved it as much as I did. Except for digging out the pumpkin guts. Nobody really loved that part. But they did love flinging it all over. Nice.

Unfortunately the camera didn't come out much this weekend. I'm finding that it is nigh impossible to have a 16-month-old and a camera at the same time. I get bummed at times when i can't capture something that I don't want to forget, but I realize this is the phase of life we are in. It has it's challenges to be sure. I am stretched to my very limits.

A few days ago, Ella asked me if I carried her around when she was little like I do with Christian now. I told her that I did and she exclaimed, "You are like my servant!" I laughed and said, "I am the best servant you will ever have." She smiled back at me with a giddy look. Strangley, it felt like a sweet little connection between us. She knows I do what I do because I love her. And that's the best job I could ever have.

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Back to work

This morning Ella wanted to write a letter to Santa. In my surprise, I told her that maybe Santa hasn't started working yet because Halloween isn't even here. She didn't buy that and insisted that we get started on her Christmas list right away. So I got her a piece of paper, intrigued to hear what she needed to tell Santa this early.

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I guess I better tell Santa that his vacation is officially over. 

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six people in september

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It's been busy around here. A good busy filled with much anticipated events, house guests, and lots of friend & family time. I love having a full house but with that comes the departures that leave me standing at the door way in tears. This is part of our life that I'm still not used to. Even though we've been through it over and over again, it still stings every time we have to say goodbye.

September came and left and I find myself struggling to remember what happened. I think there have been so many things on my mind lately that I can only concentrate on a few days at a time. Anything too far in the past or future is blurry. I'm glad I started doing this project because it forces me to reflect on things that I otherwise might forget. And I don't want to forget.

Our picture was a quick one during a trip to the temple the last Sunday in September. I love the peace I feel there. And I love going as a family and seeing how excited the kids are to be at the temple. I am looking forward to having one a little closer to home.

We had a birthday this month. It was a big one. Number 8. Dallin has been anticipating it for a long time. Somehow I always end up staying up to the wee hours to decorate or do something special. I don't mind though. I never want them to feel like their birthday is just another day. This one was definitely a success. He is still basking in his 8-ness. Which he should. It's a great age to be. Awkward teeth and all.

I feel like we've gotten into the swing of school. I have been so worried about how Ella would do in Kindergarten. I worried about what school would be like for her period. I think all my worries were in vain. She loves it. And I am so grateful. Granted, she's only there half day. But we're off to a good start. Only one thing she doesn't like, her teacher said they couldn't hum while they worked. I had a good laugh at that.

Lincoln is still Lincoln. We still have tantrums and screaming daily but I also get squeeze hugs and that sweet, sweet dimpled smile. He loves to sit on the couch with his sippy cup of milk, blanket in hand, and watch his favorite buddies, The Wonder Pets. I love the time we have each day when the older ones are at school and the little one is asleep. Just us.

Christian started walking. He also threw a phone in the toilet. Oh man, I'm not ready for this stage of constant trouble. How do you keep a bathroom locked down when you have a 3-year old that is still trying to figure out the potty training thing? Needless to say, I've found Christian toilet fishing on more than 10 occasions. Other than that not-so-fun thing, I love this age of Frankenstein toddling. I also love to smother his cheeks with kisses. He usually doesn't mind until the 20th time and then he starts to whine a little. I just can't help myself.

Jeff spent lots of time scouting and I spent lots of time primary-ing. I was recently called to be the Primary chorister just in time for the Primary program at the end of September. I stepped in right after they had already learned all the songs. Phew! 😉 I am completely exhausted when I come home from church each Sunday, but truly it is one of the most fulfilling places to be. There is nothing sweeter than hearing children sing and feeling the truthfulness of the simple messages in those words.

While I can't quite remember every detail of September, I do know that we spent time as a family loving each other. Dinner around the table is still my favorite time of day. Even if someone is usually crying or whining that they don't like what I've made. Even so, I love that we love each other. Now I need to take counsel from Pres. Uchtdorf in General Conference and focus on loving myself more. I've spent way too many years struggling with this one thing. September was a low point for me in that regard. I'm grateful for his words that spoke to my soul and I'm determined to put them into practice.

September is gone. October is here. I'm ready for it.

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