Update

I haven't posted pictures of Lane (anyone) for a while and I've been promising some to Milla 'cause people keep telling me he looks like Parks. So here he is, Mr. "not quite 5 months old and I want to crawl". He gets up on his hands and knees and scoots himself forward in a face-planting kind of way. He rolls all over and is very mobile. He already has rough & red crawler's knees.

He is about the smilingest baby around! Unfortunately, he was mostly enthralled with the camera and so I didn't get any very good pictures of his cute smiles! He really does smile for anyone and he laughs a lot. He is fun!

I've been needing to highlight this little guy since he celebrated his birthday a few weeks ago, on Feb. 16! Cade is such a firecracker and we love him!

He wasn't feeling too good on his bday but he enjoyed the ice cream!


He was NOT thrilled about the whole blowing out the candles thing.

What Cade's into these days:

1. Lightning McQueen

2. balls

3. throwing rocks

4. helping in the garden (not to be confused with #3)

5. riding his trike (this translates to pushing his trike as fast as he can, while his little legs try to keep up - for some reason he doesn't like to sit on it)

6. playing outside

7. sleeping in his big boy bed (the bottom bunk)

8. taking Maddie to school (he always says, "Bye honey" or "Love you, sweetie")

9. talking, he has quite the vocabulary and talks a lot

10. Did I mention Lightning McQueen? (the cutest is when he pushes his Lightning car around yelling, "Mack! Mack! Wait! Mack!")

11. helping in the kitchen

12. mac-n-cheese

13. his uncles (he has been calling Quinton "Uncon" - like a combo of Uncle and Quinton)

14. talking on the phone to his grandmas (or grandpas...or aunts...or anyone else who will talk to him)

What Cade's not into:

1. church - he starts crying right when we walk into the chapel

2. waking up from his nap

3. having Cole tell him what to do

4. getting dressed in the morning (this means taking his Lightning jammies off)

5. having to come in from outside

We sure love our Cade and are happy he is in our family! Here's to a great 3rd year!

New Authors

Well, I finally did it. Due to lots of peer pressure from Camilla, my mom, and Jeff...we are now private! j/k Happy to have you all here & if you know of someone who would like an invite but didn't get one, just let me know! So I have now added two new authors to my blog: my dear husband Jeff, and little Madlyn. Stay tuned for some fun additions! Although I wouldn't hold your breath for a post from Jeff, because he has informed me that he will not be posting on our blog. In fact, he has denied any affiliation whatsoever. :) But I wanted him to know he's always welcome to put in his two bits every now and again. On the other hand, I'm sure Madlyn will be posting soon.

It may not be surprising to some of you to know that I often break out in loud, semi-obnoxious singing. The kind of singing that can be heard two houses down. The music for any particular day seems to carry a common theme for that day, whether it be happy, sad, or whatever. Some days you might hear me singing "Chi Vuol La Zingarella", "Pieta, Signore", or some other classical Italian piece. Good times find me singing "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today" and "Press Forward, Saints". A few days ago I realized I was going to town with

Git along home, Cindy, Cindy
Git along home, Cindy, Cindy
Git along home, Cindy, Cindy
I'll marry you someday.

I just caught the funniness in the fact that one of my best friend's name is Cindy...hmmm.

And then there was yesterday. It was dinnertime; I had just rushed through some homework for my Lit. class and Jeff had left to make some missionary visits. I was able to really sit down for the first time all day and the exhaustion started seeping in. It worked its way to my outer limbs and I just sat there, limp, and in a trance. Then it slowly came out in a low, throaty voice,

Ah gets weary, and sick o' tryin'
Ah'm tired of livin' and skeered o' dyin'

And then a Crescendo, the intensity increased

But ol' man river,
He jest keeps rollin'
He keeps on rollin'...a long.

It seemed to fit somewhat. I was WEARY (not so sick of tryin'). And so that's how it was, all through bath time and jammie time. I was 'toting that barge' and 'liftin' that bale', even 'gettin' a little drunk and landin' in ja-il'.

Pretty sure my kids thought I was a little nutso. And now you do too.

Is today today?

Poor Cole is getting a little confused about the whole yesterday, today, and tomorrow thing. He'll often ask, "Mom, is today tomorrow?" Well, yes. Today is yesterday's tomorrow, but now that's way too confusing for a 3 year old! So this morning we're running some errands and this is our conversation:

Cole: Mom, is today today?
Me: Yes, it is Son.
Cole: Whooooo! I love today today!

Cole Boy is on one these days. He started saying, "What the...?" He doesn't say the bad word, he just says 'what the' like he's going to and then stops abruptly - you all know what I mean. Anyways, I promise you he didn't learn that from me because I immediately told him that I didn't like the way that sounded (at least coming from a 3-yr. old) and "would he please not say it anymore?" Well, it seemed like he started saying it more and more and every time I asked him not to say it, he would spit it out a few more times. On Sunday evening we were at my in-laws' house and he said it. I looked at him and started to remind him not to say it (I know, I'm a mean mom) and he interrupted me with, "Mom(very matter-of-factly). If you ask me not to say it, I'm only going to say it more and more times." What?? I look over at my father-in-law, who is busting up, and then to my husband sitting next to me who is trying his best not to crack, and I had to cover my mouth so the giggles wouldn't come rushing out.

Anyways, so we've been trying to come up with other expletives (or not) that he can say to substitute for 'what the...' . His ideas: "What the carnation?" and "What the heck?" I threw out "Holy moly" and "Oh my goodness". He liked "Holy moly" but said he doesn't want to say "Oh my goodness" just in case it's a bad word. So "holy moly" it is. I've already heard it at least 5 times today. Haha. At least he's not trying to say anything worse :)

Closing our Doors...

to the public, that is. Yes, we're taking our blog private. It's something I've been thinking about doing for a while now but just have been procrastinating I guess. Leave your email address if you'd still like to have access. Please do. I don't want to lock out my friends or people I know (it's all the rest of the world I worry about) so if you know us and would like an invite, please leave your email. We're planning on making the switch within the next week or so. Thanks!

Whoo-hoo!

At random intervals throughout the day, Cole will yell out excitedly, "Whoo!" or "Whoo-hoo!" I'm usually not sure what has made him so excited but it's pretty cute anyways. Well, right now I am sending out a big electronic "Whoo-hoo!" I had an analytical essay due today for my American Lit. class and it has been hanging over my head for the past 6 weeks. Out of character for me, I really stressed and worried about this assignment and had lots and lots of trouble writing it. I know, weird. But all that is over!! I am DONE!! A big thanks to my mother-in-law for taking pity on a sick, tired, and stressed mom and coming over to take the boys to the park yesterday (and bringing a casserole for dinner - it was delish), my mom and sister for listening to me agonize daily on the phone about this essay for the past 2 weeks, and most of all to Jeff for listening to my complaints, bringing home his MLA handbook for me, watching 24 without me and telling me what happened later, bringing me flowers last night, and for staying home from work today to wash dishes, clean house, and take care of kids so that I could finish. Thanks honey! I love you & appreciate all you do!

*Now it's on to the next essay due in 6 weeks from now. S i g h.

What We're Doing...

I used to be lots better at posting and it bugs me that it is now only every couple of weeks, if that. It's just that things have been a little crazy over here at our house. I am the kind of person that prides myself on having a relaxed and comfortable home, and a slow-paced, unstressful life. So needless to say, it has been a little bit difficult for me to adjust to our new lifestyle.

I now have 4 children...holy moly! My children are adorable, sweet, funny, and a lot of work. Maddie is in school now which means I actually have to be on somewhat of a schedule to get her to school in the morning - yuck! Mads is a collector and loves stuff. She loves to fill purses with things and she has little piles all over the house. Most days, there is a trail of little cutesies leading from my bedroom to the kitchen to her bedroom. She's fun and cute and learning a lot but man, she keeps me hopping! Cole Boy is 3 1/2 and testing his boundaries like crazy. He loves his independence and to make his own choices. He loves to make sure that everyone around him is choosing the right, even if he has to use physical force to do so! The poor kid has been spending plenty of time in his room deciding if he wants to be kind and respectful! Thankfully, he is learning to be responsible enough to use the bathroom by himself in a timely manner (he is so busy it's hard for him to find the time - and accidents inevitably occur)! Cade hasn't been feeling well this past week and so has been a little extra needy. He is quite a grump when he is sick and I pretty much have to hold him all day. And when he is feeling good he loves to dump bins of toys out on the ground and string them all over the house! He is such a sweetie though and loves to snuggle and I love that! Lane is also not feeling well but he is still such a sweetheart. He hasn't been napping extremely well but he sleeps pretty good at night. I get to hold him a lot too. Lucky for me, my biceps are getting pretty tough!

I am currently taking 6 credits from BYU-Idaho and it is pretty much kicking my trash. OK, so not really...I have 100% in one class and 96% in the other (just have to put that in) but it is keeping me extremely busy. I decided that I only want to be in school if I can do it without causing adverse effects on my family, so I basically do homework during afternoon nap time and in the late-night and early-morning hours. I am loving the challenge but I am beginning to feel a little exhausted and frazzled.

I am the assistant secretary in our Primary. OK, so this really isn't too tough of a job except on Sundays but did you know we have over 200 children in our Primary and Nursery? For goodness sakes, we have 4 Sunbeam classes for a total of 36 Sunbeams! The logistics of keeping all the lists updated, the positions staffed, etc. are insane! I work with a great group of women though and I really love it!

Jeff is keeping very busy with work and studying. He is taking a review course for a professional exam and so he'll be busy for a couple of months. The kids and I really miss him when he's gone and I'm afraid his absence makes us all a little more emotional. We're such a fun group to come home to!

I had an amazing roommate back in my single college days who would say that being 'stressed-out' is a state of mind, something that we can control. I really agree with that and now that I have lots of stress in my life (not all good, not all bad) I have been thinking of her advice often. It makes me feel empowered on the days that I have lots going on and I can control the anxiety and panic that I sometimes feel.

And just so ya know, I'm not trying to complain or gripe or make people feel sorry for me. I just feel like I should explain my lack of blogging and other social niceties. Maybe after I get my essay done this week I'll come back up for air...

• By the way, we have so much to be grateful for - we are extremely blessed. We have wonderful and generous family members who have helped us out so much, great friends & neighbors, and I have the most amazing, selfless husband ever. He is so great to work so hard for our family and then come home and pitch in around here and even give me a night out every once in a while. I love and appreciate him so much! Also, we have a loving Heavenly Father and we have had many prayers answered and 'tender mercies'. Life is busy, but oh so good.