The Game, The Story, and The Great Boy

For years now, Ben has been in love with the Mario games he discovered from his older cousins. Several months ago, Ben asked Joe if we could get him a game. To this Joe responded with "a deal". The deal was, if Ben would write a full page story, and have almost no mistakes, then he would buy Ben a game. For months, Ben would start a page and then quit after a few lines. (It is really hard for a five year old to stay focused for a long time on something that is challenging, such as writing each and every letter perfectly.) The goal Joe had set seemed daunting to him and something he felt was too hard to accomplish. He'd ask if we could just buy it for Christmas, or have grandma buy it, but the deal was he could only have a game if he earned it.


But, the other night, his drive was renewed. With some help from Joe and me, he finally finished his story and earned his game. By the end of writing his little hand was so tired. I witnessed the struggle to remember all the strokes to every letter. And, every line was filled. You might be able to read a little; it's a cute little story. Ben took his finished page to Joe and waited nervously while Joe read it out loud. Joe finally came back with the announcement that he thought it was worthy of earning a game. Immediately, Joe took Ben and Kade to the store and finally bought the glorious game (this was around bedtime Saturday night) . When the boys got home, it was way to late for them to play. Ben was disappointed,but he knew it was way past bedtime. Then we remembered that the next day was Sunday, and we reminded him that he wouldn't be able to play the game tomorrow either. He didn't cry or complain at that thought either. He accepted it. He knows that's we just don't do those things on Sunday, and he knew that mom and dad wouldn't go back on that rule just to let him play a game -no matter how badly he wanted to play. so, he never cried, begged or tried to negotiate. I am very proud of Ben's maturity. He pushed himself and really accomplished a hard thing. I am even more impressed that he didn't fight me and Joe on the rules (of bedtime or of the Sabbath) -not once. (disclaimer: Ben has argued against rules before, and has cried when disappointed and has tired negotiating his way out of things (although not often)-I'm no way trying to claim he's perfect.) I am grateful for a husband who finds ways for the kids to earn what they have and to stick with his arrangements with them. I am grateful that Joe and I have been consistent enough that our kids know what they can expect from us in any given situation. They know we're doing our best and trying to follow the Lord. I like that Joe and I can be on the same page with the way our kids are raised and disciplined. I am all around grateful for the things that took place this past Saturday and Sunday. I am proud of all involved. Now, onto a new life of gaming rules, terms and limitations, and following through on those rules, terms and limits. (Yay!....sarcastic.)

Carter is ONE!

My sweet, precious baby is now one year old. This morning when he woke up, Joe got him and brought him into to bed and laid him on my chest. Instantly, my mind went back to the evening he was born when the doctor laid him on my chest. I cuddled him this morning the way I did then. I sung happy birthday to him. Carter is a joy to our family, and we have been more than blessed to have him. He has grown so quickly, and I cannot believe time has flown through another year. Carter is funny and sweet and so smart. He is a little thing, but so full of big personality and stubbornness. He is a big talker and a big kiss giver. Carter is a miracle -in no small way. All he accomplishes reminds us of the greatness and mercy of our Heavenly Father. He has been an easy baby and an incredible little brother. As a mom, I get to bare these children and help raise them. I get to witness little moments as well as the big. I am grateful for Carter and the opportunity I have to be his mom. I am glad I've shared this big year with our little guy. We love him and can't wait for the year 2 and all that it will bring.

Halloween!!

Here are the cute boys! Carter is wearing the Scarecrow costume both Ben and Kade wore at age one. He looked so cute in it to say the least. Kade was SUPERMAN! He's wanted to dress up as Superman for so long, and once he put his costume on, he truly became the hero himself. Ben dressed as Batman again this year, because he "loves Batman". He too really believes he is the the mask hero once he's wearing the mask and cape.

They look so good and so excited!

My sweet Carter is almost one! I can picture the older boys when they wore this costume and it just reminds me of how fast Carter will be turning three then four then five. It's fun watching him grow and get so big. It was a great Holiday. On to Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Farm and Pumpkin Patch Fun!

We went to the pumpkin patch and farm with Grandma this past week. Both boys had been here recently for school field trips, and they were excited to be back. Carter had never been and really enjoyed himself. It is loaded with fun things to do and animals to look at. I just uploaded the pics in a random order. I couldn't have been prouder of Kade. He carried this pumpkin, probably 40 yards, from the patch to the tractor. It weighed 10.5 pounds! It was a challenge for him. He'd stop, put it down, get a better grip on it and pick it right back up. I have yet to meet a more determined kid. He doesn't give up and he pushes himself to do hard things.

On our way to the pumpkin patch on the tractor.

Kade was able to swing on the rope swing! He said he "just held on tight." It was awesome to see, 'cause other kids were struggling with it.

Ben didn't give up trying the swing, but wasn't able to get a real good swing in. It was tough, but he had a blast flopping on the big mattresses below. It's was all fun.

Carter seeing animals he's never seen before. Cool!

This was an awesome bouncy thing that all the boys just loved.Carter was able to sit on a donkey! He was pretty excited.

Turkey! Carter liked these guys too....until one pecked his finger.

The boys rode horses, climbed things and slid down slides. They were outside and playing in the beautiful weather of St.G. It was all around a great time. I love the Fall.

The Amazing Carter!!

Carter has been walking around furniture for a while now. He's started using an end table as a walker to move all around the house. Yesterday, after he dragged the vacuum from room to room as a walking aid, I decided to bring out this little push toy. Both Ben and Kade got this for their first birthdays. I was saving it for Carter's first -only a couple weeks away, but there's no need to wait. As you can see, he's already a pro at using this thing. I shot this video only a few minutes after giving it to him. He's amazing. He has already mastered steering and redirecting. He also climbs up the two little stairs in front and stands up. EEK! He's gonna be falling down a lot in the near future, I think. After his stroke, when I met with the early intervention women, they asked what goal I'd like to work towards. Then, I wasn't sure how and when Carter would ever crawl, and that was our goal. But, Carter has met every milestone on time pretty much and he's on time for walking too. I am amazed at how physical he is all around. He is our amazing Carter.

Second Tooth!!

Two weeks after loosing his first tooth, Ben has now lost his second tooth! Crazy! It came about it the classic, or cliche, way of biting into an apple. He was pretty surprised this time; he said he looked down and thought it was a "white seed" in the apple, then he realized. Since he's a mature tooth looser, he called Joe very casually and let him know the news. As, you can see, the first adult tooth is already almost all the way out, and the second is already coming up. Craziness.

More pics for Joe

The Goose Egg. This morning Carter slipped while standing against a door and hit his head on the tile floor. Poor little guy. I've watched him all day, and he's been fine.

Messy face! Baths are one of his favorite things to do, and he really needed this one. He had a blast though getting scrubbed down and splashing it up. And, Carter is very excited about his tongue these days/ He sticks it out all the time' it's pretty funny.

Clean and shiny!! And smellin' good too. I love this little guy.

First Tooth!!!!

Here's Ben's "something that is so exciting". He lost his 1st tooth! Literally minutes ago. He came upstairs and told me, "Mom, something really exciting just happened." He'd lost a tooth. Then he called Joe and opened the conversation with, "Dad, I have something that is so exciting to tell ya...." He's feeling pretty cool right now. If you look at the little bloody hole, you can see the new tooth already half way out. Crazy!! But, he did get teeth super early -and quickly one right after another, so I figured the new teeth would come in similarly. The other middle baby front bottom tooth, is already already loose. And, the tooth coming up seems to be pushing it's way up under the tooth to the right side of the missing one as well, so I'm thinking that baby one is gonna be "getting gone" here pretty quick. Yay for growing kids!! And yay for the tooth fairy's first visit. (disclaimer:he had just eaten, thus the specks of food on his teeth.)

For Joe......

Joe is out of town, and since he has a government computer, he can't get on fb, but can look on our blog to see updates. So, while he's gone I'll try to update -especially for his sake- what we're up to around here. Here are just a a few funny pics of Carter feeding himself some Cheerios. I still can't decide who he looks like the most. Either way, he's too cute.

I'm pretty sure more Cheerios made it into his mouth, rather than on his pants.....although, it doesn't look like that would be the case.

 The boys stood in line forever to "fight" with the big sticks and knock each other down. They had a hard time lifting the heavy round things but they were able to swing them enough to knock each other down, so they felt successful. They had a good time.They both swung at each other, but I think at the end they both just lost their balance and fell off.

This was Ben's Mario hair.

Kade livin' it up with his root beer.

Kade chose green and his hair is STILL a little green. We've scrubbed his head multiple times in many showers and there are still a few green spots.

Carter did so well at the carnival, because he had his own thing to play on. He climbed up and down his stroller and was so proud of himself. He tried over and over to climb to the top of the handles and just couldn't figure out how to do it.

This picture was taken awhile ago, but I don't know if you (Joe) have seen it. He's just too cute.