"Happy Halloween, Dufus!"

Have any of you ever seen the movie Monster House?  That's Carter's favorite line from that movie.  He's been waiting a while to be able to say it.....now, obviously, it's not a nice thing to say, but I let it slide for today and even said it back to him a few times.   

Camdon decided that 11 was too old to trick-or-treat, so I enlisted his help at the front door passing out candy while I took the other two boys around the neighborhood.  Yes, my husband was home, but he hates Halloween, and refuses to participate in the festivities.  He did, however surprise me last night and carved the sweetest pumkin ever!

Carter was a devil and Jamon was a spy. The weather was perfect and after trick-or-treating, we all went down to our neighborhood clubhouse for an open house with the neighbors. The boys are in bed and Justin and I are going to settle in for a movie......Happy Halloween!

Just so you know....

Okay, as requested by a certain brother-in-law (hee hee) I'd like to announce that I am the one who does the yard work at my house.  That's right...I mow, I run the weed-wacker....I try to keep up on the weeding.  Sometimes I even fertilize, but I get stripes, so I usually leave that part to Justin.

Here are my reasons why I, the woman, choose to do the yard work:

1.  It's good exercise

2. The boys want to be outside anyway.

3.  It takes so stinkin' long with this big yard we have that if I left it to Justin he'd never find          time to do it. I like him to spend his home time with me, or the boys, or both.

4. I'm kinda OCD about the way it's done, and it's easier to do it myself than be frustrated      when it's not quite right.  

Sometimes Justin will come home while I'm in the middle of it and he'll ask if I want a break.  I let him finish up for me, but it' not something I would ever expect him to do.  I just like to do it.

I won't say who the brother-in-law is that requested I publicly share this information.  I know he's just kidding.....but, I needed something to blog about anyway! 

What a difference paint makes..

I have begun the enormous task of painting my doors and trim.  It'll take forever, but I think it'll make the difference we need.  Both Justin and my aunt (who's judgement I trust COMPLETELY) say that I'll never be able to sell the house until I fix the paint.  The job seemed overwhelming, but my friend reccommended painting the doors.  I'll start there...we have wood-wrapped windows that you don't even notice because they're so dark, so I think when I'm brave enough, I'll do those too.  I'll post pics when I get far enough along, but for now...so far so good!  

"Behold your little ones...."

If any of you have ever served in the primary, you know that on any given Sunday you experience a wide range of emotion.  Some moments you're watching the clock, ready to shoot yourself, while other times you're so consumed by the spirit, you can't speak a sentence.  Well, today was our primary program and one of those "bawling" days. It's definately the most stressful part of the job to any Presidency, but also one of the most rewarding.  

We have about 120 kids, which isn't small, but isn't the biggest I've ever seen, either.  The program went off without a hitch, and when they all stood to sing "Called to Serve", there was hardly a dry eye in the place.  Camdon was so nervous for his part, but played perfectly in front of hundreds of people!  There was no hope for me after that.  I shouldn't have worried about mascarra today!  

Anyway, I wanted to share my feelings about the great priviledge and responsibility it is to teach these little ones the basic principles of the gospel.  We are laying the foundation for the rest of their lives.  When I first received the call, I was disappointed and even a little bitter, but exactly one year later, I am so thrilled to be a part of this special organization.  When the Savior visited the Nephite people he gathered them 'round about him.  "And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them:  Behold your little ones."

These little ones are so beloved of the Savior and I am humbled by the choice calling it is to serve and teach them.  

Our Little Running Back

Jamon had his championship game yesterday.  They were undefeated the whole season, but sadly, they lost this last game.  I don't think Jamon even cared that he lost.  He was just so happy that his Uncle Brian was here to watch his last game.  Justin got some great footage of his last touchdown of the season.  At the end of year party, the coach told us he earned a spot as running back on next year's tackle team.  It'll be a long wait this winter for Jamon...he's already talking about spring training!  

Piano Man

Camdon has been working on his Faith in God award and one of the requirements is to help plan and carry out a primary activity.  So he chose....okay, I chose....to have him play a special musical number for the primary program next week.  He'll play the song through once while the kids sing, and then he'll play again while another girl plays the violin.  They've been practicing together Sunday mornings before church, and they sound wonderful.  I wish you could hear the whole thing, but here's his part of the performance.  We're proud of his hard work even though he hates the piano and hates us for making him learn. Oh, well.  Someday he'll thank us ( I think).  

About a Boy

Camdon's birthday was Saturday and came and went without any pomp or circumstance.  It was so different from Jamon's big day on Tuesday.  Camdon doesn't need a big to-do.  He had a little list of things he really wanted, which he got, and the only thing he wanted to do for his birthday was go to dinner with his best friend, Brandon.  Brandon also turned 11 this week, so it was a little gift for both of them.  Justin took Jamon to Taylor's to watch the game and I took the two birthday boys out to eat.  Afterwards, I took them shopping to spend a little of their birthday money.  

As I was pondering the fact that I now have an 11 year old (how did that happen?), I was so proud to realize Camdon is the spittin' image of is dad.  Not in the physical sense ( I think he looks more like me) but rather in personality.  Justin doesn't like a lot of attention to be drawn to him and Camdon is the same way.  In fact when Grandma Kay called to talk to him, he declined.  Hmmm..who else does this remind me of? :)  I'm usually the one who talks to my mother-in-law on the phone.  

Camdon, like Justin, has a small circle of friends he considers "soul mates".  This is so different from Jamon who has a different best friend every week and is all about being the center of attention.  Camdon is wise beyond his years and very cautious about the choices he makes.  He is kind and loving and smart as a whip.  He is first to offer help and as I watched Justin and Camdon dig up the potatoes together, I knew his work ethic will be as impressive as Justin's.  

Anyway, it's exciting to see him grow into a young man.  He earned his Weblos and this week at pack meeting he'll be receiving his arrow of light.  For those of you not familiar with scouting, it's the highest award a cub scout can earn (it's the equivalent of the Eagle Scout award for the Boy Scouts).  He turned 11 just in time for his first scout camp-out this weekend.  We have a phenomenal group of boys that age and I'm glad he gets the opportunity to go through the scouting program with them.  

So, happy birthday, Camdon.  I'm so glad you're like your dad!  I love you both so much!!!

Here he is with one of the books he's been wanting and his Boise State beanie to keep him warm this fall.  Which by the way, is another way he's like his dad. He asked for things he "needed".  Gotta love 'em!  

Lessons from a four year old....

Yesterday was my day to do carpool for preschool.  When I picked up the kids Carter taught me a very valuable lesson:  

We have built-in car-seats and the five point harness can be tricky to someone who doesn't know what they're doing.  So, I was helping Kylie and showing her what to do, while Carter was waiting his turn just outside the van.  So, when it was his turn to get in I turned to him and he was bent down picking up rocks and playing in the dirt and being a boy.  I said, "Carter c'mon...get in."  He was diddling around and I said, "Hurry, Carter!"  Then when he wanted help buckling, I said, "You don't need help, you know how."  

He instantly started crying and asked: "Why do you always save your patience and kindness for other people??!!"

OUCH!  Wow, I guess I don't give him enough credit.  I hadn't realized he was even paying attention to the way I was treating Kylie.  And, he's right.  I think we all do it.  We treat strangers on the street better than we treat our own families sometimes.  It reminded me of the quote by President Hinckley.  We CAN all be doing a little better and be a little kinder.  Sorry, little man.  And thanks for keeping me on my toes!  

Okay, my husband's a genius..

 

As usual, I struggle & struggle and Justin swoops in and does what needs doing in a matter of minutes! Here's the video of him seeing his bed for the first time.

Jamon's Birthday Bronco Bed

I have perfected the art of procrastination.  I know it's not something to be proud of, but it's true.  I pay my bills the DAY  they're due, I request time off from work AS the manager is sitting down to write the schedule, and I birthday shop for my boys ON the day of they're birthday.  It's enough to make my husband want to leave me (hee hee..love ya honey), but today it really paid off for me in a big way!  

I was at Wal-Mart two hours before Jamon got home from school finishing his birthday shopping.  We decided to get him a new bed this year.  He's been sleeping on one of the bunk beds we bought when Camdon and Jamon were just two and four.  The mattress he's been using was suitable for a little toddler, but not for a growing nine year old boy.  Anyway, to go along with the bed, we got him a Boise State comforter set complete with sheets and a big body pillow.  I've had my eye on this set for a while and my mom even sent money to help over a week ago.  But, of course, I didn't go a week ago.  I went today.  I'm glad I did because all of it was on clearance!  Woo Hoo!  Normally I criticize the Big-Box stores for how early they try to commercialize Christmas.  But, today I was so happy they needed to make room for all the fake Christmas trees, because I got this whole set for half the price I would've gotten it last week.

 

I had it all set up when Jamon got home from school and then hid in his room to film his reaction.  As you'll see...he loves it! **  

The only bad part of the day was when a few neighbor boys showed up for the party.  UUHH..what party?  One kid even had a gift and I felt horrible because there was no party! Jamon mentioned to ONE neighbor kid a few weeks ago that we MIGHT go see a movie for his birthday.  That kid told another kid that we were watching movies at Jamon's for his birthday and that kid told two more kids.  I'm still trying to figure out how this happened!!!  Wouldn't a parent verify party plans?  I never had any conversation with any parent about a party...interesting.  Anyway, I felt bad for all these boys who thought they were getting to come to a party, so I threw them all in the van and we went and got ice cream form Arctic Circle.  There....we had a party.  :)

Anyway, Happy Birthday, Jamon.  Enjoy your new "big boy" bed!!

**  Okay, so I don't know how to add video yet.  I'm still learning.  

The Longest Mile

This morning Marci ran her 14 mile marathon!  It was so fun to go downtown and wait at the finish line.  We were so proud of her as we saw her come around the corner.  She was in a lot of pain, but she finished the race in 2 hours and 20 min.  This is a great accomplishment because her goal was to do it in 2 1/2 hours.  It was a goal that I think she thought was unreachable.  She said that the last mile was the hardest.  It seemed more like seven.  It reminded me of a favorite poem:  

There's no thrill in easy sailing when the skies are clear and blue.

There's no thrill in merely doing things which anyone can do. 

But there is some satisfaction that is mighty sweet to take, 

when you reach a destination that you thought you'd never make.  

Way to go Marci!  We love you!

Fall Family Fun gone very badly...

My brother and his wife are in town for Marci's marathon tomorrow and we wanted to show them some good old fashioned "fall family fun".  So, this afternoon we went to Linder Farms for some pumpkin pickin'.  It started off fun enough...

But, soon after getting there we saw a storm coming....

We decided we still had time to take the hayride out to the pumpkin patch.

Boy, were we wrong!  The tractor got stuck in the mud...twice and before they were able to free us, it started to pour.  Carter thought this was great fun, but I felt so bad for Marci being out there with her little baby.  Brinlee didn't seem to care. In fact, she fell asleep out there on the back of that muddy tractor trailer. :)  

We were soaked and muddy by the time we got back home.   So much for our fall family fun...

Good for you guys!

 First of all, Jamon's making a name for himself as a running back.  The first offensive play of the game he ran 25 yards for a touchdown.  He's very excited to have his Uncle Andrew here this weekend to watch his game.

Which brings me to the next "good for you".  My sister-in-law, Marci is running in a marathon this weekend.  As luck would have it, the marathon is in Boise and we are very happy to have them stay a few days with us.  She is my second sister-in-law to do this.  Jess did a triathalon a while back in Seattle....AMAZING!  

My other brother, Aaron (and his wife), just had their fourth baby this week. They named her Avery Michelle and we're very happy for them.  Avery was one of the names I had picked out for a girl.  Since I never got to use it, I'm happy it stayed in the family.  I think it's adorable!  

Okay Ryan, even though the puzzles were only seen on T.V. for like a second, we were so thrilled to see them hanging there on the wall of that Extreme Home Makeover!  Good for you!!

And lastly, to my friend Connie...."good for you".  I'm so happy for you.  You know what this is for :)   Way to hang in there and not let the crap get to you.  You really deserve this and I know you'll do a fabulous job!!