Family Photos

 These three boy are the light of our lives! Aren't they adorable?! I love that they're all smiling and sweet. They are fantastic boys; we are blessed! What a great picture -definitely one of my favorites.

Yay for a great family photo! I love everything about it. I can't imagine life being any better. Life is good. It's been a great year of experiences and blessings. I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my life with these four incredible cute and handsome guys.

Just pictures For Journaling

Ben is SIX.

Ben turned SIX! How is this possible? He has gotten so big, so fast. He's growing into an incredible big boy. This year we celebrated on the 9th and the 10th. On friday, his actual birthday, Joe took Ben and Kade to Pizza Hut for a guys' night. They all got there own personal pizzas. Then he opened one present -a huge pack of white paper, tracing paper and mechanical pencils. He is drawing up a storm these days. Also, on Thursday, aunt Nattie took him to the store to buy any toy he wanted (within reason), and he was thrilled to get a Mario figure.

On Saturday, we went out with grandma and our amazing friends Cami, and her boys Nathan and Ashton. We went to McDonalds and had happy meals and let the boys play for as long as we possibly could, then came home and opened presents. It was a great weekend for our big six year old! Craziness! We love him.

Proposals? Already?

This past week both boys proposed marriage. Sweet and funny boys. Kade, very seriously, told his cousin Karly that he would "be her fiance ,and kiss her when they were married, and go to the store and buy her flowers." (He was trying to make her feel better after her fiance past away a couple weeks ago. Joe went out to AZ a couple times, and we had explained that cousin Karly was sad and "dad was helping her feel better." ) Kade is always one to try to cheer someone up and make them feel better. He is such a sweet boy.
Finally, Ben has mentioned, a few times, a little girl from school named Madelyn. And, a couple days ago he stated he wanted to "write her a note" (on the back of a recently colored Mario picture, no less). He didn't want to tell us what he was going to write until later. When he finally told us, we learned he had written, "Dear Madelyn, What do you think about marrying me? Done. Ben." Haha, funny boy. We asked him what he liked the most about her, and he replied, "Her cute face."
I love my boys, they are sweet and funny, and they have the most loving hearts. They will, no doubt, make some cute husbands in the future -but, I think we easily have 20 years or so until they do so. I love these boys.

Just So I'll Always Remember....

A few weeks ago, the boys and I watched 17 Miracles. At one point a woman is kept hidden from her abusive husband -"...the Lord helped the man not see her" I explained." A couple days later, we were driving to school. The topic of magic came up, which I spun off onto a topic of "real" power -and a discussion on the power of the priesthood. I reminded them that Jesus used the power of the priesthood to do great things, like make people see..." Kade interrupted to say that He makes people not see too. I started to correct a little, and said I didn't think Jesus would make people not see, 'cause he heals people. But, then Ben piped up and said, "Uh huh, Paul." I quickly said, "Right, he did take Saul's sight, and Saul was Paul. Right!" Then Kade piped up and said, "And he made the lady's husband not see her." Again, I stood corrected and said, "Yes, he did keep the man from seeing." I was amazed and had been taught -yet again- by my boys.

Not too long ago, Joe taught Ben and Kade about the "natural man" and how we should try our best to not listen to that part of us that might want us to do wrong. Joe and I both agree that nothing has stuck with Kade quite the way this concept seems to have. Because, Kade is constantly reminding us and himself not to listen to the natural man. He is striving really hard to follow his heart, or the Holy Ghost, or the Priesthood (as he'll say). Well, last week, when Joe took the boys to McDonald's, a boy pinched Kade. Kade could not let that slide, so he found this kid's mom and told her what her son had done. Later, the mom came to Joe and explained that we'd done a "really good job teaching our son. Because, he had taught her a lesson all about how her son had followed the natural man and not the priesthood." I'm sure Joe was pretty proud of Kade for really understanding the lesson and actually relaying it to others. I was very happy to hear the story, and grateful for Kade's goodness. I try really hard to talk about the gospel with the boys throughout each day. During one of our conversations we talked about things that are the most important in the Eternal perspective and where our priorities should be. Ben has really taken to heart which things are the best things. In casual conversation he'll say, "I love my Mario game, but, not as much as I love Heavenly Father and my family." I've heard him say this type of thing several times, but while I was out of town, Joe text me to relay that Ben had said these things. He was impressed with Ben's thoughtfulness. I am grateful to have boys who already know the gospel and have testimonies of some of its principals.

I know that I have not "taught" the boys these things -just simply reminding them of things they've already learned before they ever came to me. With very little effort on my part, these boys are grasping and completely excepting the principals of the gospel. They are developing amazing testimonies of the Savior, His power and His commandments. They are such blessings to me. They teach me more than I could ever think to teach them. I am more grateful than I can say, for the gospel we have and for the blessings we see in our lives because of it.

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