Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Quinner :: Captain Sloth!

Finding our farm camp pumpkins

Two years old seems to suit you little fart.  Two years old is driving me a little batty.  Your dad and I were talking the other night about how you are about a 60/40 mix of your brothers, leaning, at least for now, more towards Elliott as a two year old than Wyatt.  But, believe you me, you've definitely got some of Wyatt's habits (albeit mostly bad ones) oozing out of you lately, too.

As we were trying to get everyone settled down last night for family prayer, you wouldn't stop talking.  I said to your dad that I cannot remember the exact day, but I'm pretty sure I remember that at about the same exact age, I remember thinking about Elliott that I wished you would just stop talking.  You are a jabbering fool, non stop talking machine.  You say the word gorilla at least 75 times a day.  You only talk about animals - the animal fair, the animals at the zoo, the animals in your bag, in your book, on the kindle.  You dance like a gorilla, your growl like a cheetah.  And, if you aren't talking about animals, you are talking about bodily functions.  And, just as dad said started saying the prayer last night, you shouted, "my farted on Elliott's bed.  Elliott farted at grandma's house."  Oh, you are hilarious.

Lately, you are a lazy sloth.  You sleep in and when it's time to take the boys to school you haven't eaten breakfast or gotten dressed.  In fact, I cannot seem to get you dressed before 10:30 am without hissy fits or bribes.  But, every morning when I say, "Okay, let's go" you run to the open door and then put on the brakes and shout, "cold feet!" Then, with the sweetest look you can muster you beg, "mom, carry you?" which really means, "mom, from the bottom of my heart, it is so cold and dreary this morning would you please do me the favor of carrying me to the car in your big strong arms."  Every morning I laugh at "cold feet" and every morning I carry you.  Then, when we get home about 10 minutes later, you will not get out of the car.  Instead you sit in the middle, climb in the back, then climb in the front and push every single button so that, when it's time to get Wyatt the warning lights, brights, and turn signals are all on as well as the seat warmers, the air conditioner and generally, the radio is really loud.

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You can run any technological device put in front of you in a matter of minutes.  We went to see "book of life" over the weekend with all the dual immersion kids from Elliott's school and you sat on dad's lap with your own bag of popcorn and didn't move a muscle for the whole movie.  And, after the movie when we asked you what your favorite part was, you said the pig and the snakes (obviously) but your favorite part was original and not a copy cat of either brother.

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You are non-stop talking all day long like Elliott was when he was little.  Also like Elliott you are curious, full of questions, quick to notice slight changes in routine and have an opinion about every thing.  But, like Wyatt, you are also turning into a lazy couch potato slug.  One who, at least when the TV is on, loses his ability to support his own body weight and head, resorting to the closest floor, couch and pillow combination you can find.  It's okay.  Right now, it's funny.  You love to watch "wild atts", "bubble uppies" "oconots" and "curus dorge".  You don't seem to be able to pronounce any hard syllables in any words - not sure if it's because it's too hard or because you are a sloth.  But tonight, when I was on the phone trying to fix a problem with our basketball tickets, you took of your own pants.  Apparently you cannot watch bubble guppies with pants on.  Maybe that's your new thing.

And, like both brothers, you have a temper.  Man alive, you have a temper!  You throw stuff like Elliott used to and you scream and grown like Wyatt.  At first it was cute, but like a parrot that has outlived it's owner, your scream has outlived it's welcome.  We love you, not the screaming.

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But, when you aren't screaming, you say some pretty funny things like, "oh my heck!".  You are also the official button pusher and dishwasher soap loader in the house as well as quickly becoming the official tattle tale.  You are very good at ratting out your brothers, especially when they haven't done anything.  It's pretty funny.  You very rarely call them by their names, instead just saying, "Mom, the boys...."  I like it when you call them the boys.

You eat pizza really, really, slow but can finish one of those giant slices from Costco all by yourself.  And, you think every single flower can do a trick like a snap dragon so when we are outside, you pull the heads off of every single flower and try to make them do something.  They don't.

Except for these two knuckle heads who just giggled and ate sweedish fish.

I just cannot believe how, all of a sudden you are such a grown up kid.  I mean, just a few months ago, you were afraid of your own shadow and now, you and Jack are best friends and you run and play and laugh and giggle at each other and make the rest of us laugh.  You two are so good for each other.  You have to speed up your sloth mode a little to follow Jack around and Jack has to slow down the climbing a little to let you catch up.  Hopefully, you two will always be buddies. 

Monday, October 20, 2014

Happy Happy Birthday!

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Twas my momacita's birthday over the weekend.  It was a big one.  A DECADE birthday.  You only have one of those once every 10 years you know.

I have a good mom.  My kids have a good grandma.  We spent my mom's birthday weekend working in my grandpa's yard, eating dinner at Crown Burger, watching Wyatt play soccer, and having a fancy french dinner at my house on Sunday while cracking jokes about Stacy from Wayne's World.  You had to be there.

"Thanks Stacy.  A gun rack.  I don't have one gun, let alone multiple guns that would necessitate the use of a gun rack."

"Hiiiii Wwwaaaayyyynnnneeee."

Hopefully, my mom had a good birthday and knows that we love her and that she is important.

Mom, we love you and you are important.

Happy Birthday.


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

sheppard :: Say Geronimo

at any given moment in our house, one of the three boys will be singing, "Say Geronimo" or "can you feel it?"

This song may have become their new theme song.  It's catchy.  It's fun.  It's Australian.

We like it.





Can you feel it?
Now it's coming back we can steal it.
If we bridge this gap,
I can see you
Through the curtains of the waterfall.

When I lost it,
Yeah you held my hand,
But I tossed it,
Didn't understand,
You were waiting,
As I dove into the waterfall.

So say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!

Can you feel my love?
Bombs away,
Bombs away,
Bombs away.
Can you feel my love?
Bombs away,
Bombs away,
Bombs away,
Say Geronimo!

Well we rushed it,
Moving away to fast.
That we crushed it,
But it's in the past.
We can make this leap,
Through the curtains of the waterfall.

So Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!

Can you feel my love?
Bombs away,
Bombs away,
Bombs away.
Can you feel my love?
Bombs away,
Bombs away,
Bombs away.

Well I'm just a boy,
With a broken toy,
All lost and coy,
At the curtains of the waterfall.
So it's here I stand,
As a broken man,
But I've found my friend,
At the curtains of the waterfall.

Now I'm falling down,
Through the crashing sound.
And you've come around,
At the curtains of the waterfall.

And you rushed to me,
And it sets us free.
So I fall to my knees,
At the curtains of the waterfall.

So Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!
Say Geronimo!

Can you feel (Say Geronimo! [x4]) my love?
Bombs away! [x3] (Say Geronimo! [x4])
Can you feel (make this leap [x3]) my love? Make this leap.
Can you feel my love?

Monday, October 13, 2014

When it all falls apart

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You know how when you are in the hospital, they ask you to rank your pain? You have a scale of 1-10, 10 being the worst pain you ever could feel in your life I suppose. I've been in those situations and never really ranked my pain higher than a 7 probably. Either the pain of the procedures I've had hasn't been bad (really, it has been though) or I have a pretty high thresh hold for pain. Either way, I've not been higher than a 7 and as soon as I'm home, I quit the hard stuff and recuperate on tylenol and advil.

The last 15 days or so of my life haven't gone so well. They've been around an 8 or 9 on the "pain" scale. Pretty much every single day, something in my world of #firstworldproblems has gone terribly wrong and if you would have talked to me at any given time in those last two weeks, I probably, if I wasn't wallowing in my own "pain" would have sat down and told you all the gory details.  There has been a lot of arguing and raising of voices, dramatic expression of frustration at the actions of other people towards and around me and my family, sadness at the choices of others.  Many things have broken, strange conversations have happened, and bad attitudes, at least on my part, abound.  I've pretty much felt like giving up on just about everything because nothing has been happening as it should.

Yesterday, we skipped out on stake conference because we were going to attend a baby blessing instead and it was the first I've been to church in three weeks time.  It was, honestly, a little strange to be in such a familiar setting, and really refreshing, too.  It was a Fast Sunday and let's face it, Fast Sunday in a different ward has the potential to be full of surprises.  But instead, for the most part, it was really good.  I was happy to be in the meeting and feel the spirit that was there.  I was happy to hear the messages that were shared.  I was happy to be reminded that no one is forcing me to make the choices I make in this life - that they are mine, and I make them happily.

Today is Monday.  Monday is preparation day in Lithuania, which means it is letter day from that big Iggy brother of mine.  Words cannot begin to describe how I look forward to Monday mornings.  Lately, I've taken to keeping my phone by my bedside on Sunday nights because 1) on the off chance that I wake up around the time he sends his e-mails, I think about trying to catch him and 2) the first thing I do when I get out of bed on Monday morning is read his letter.  It lifts me up and inspires me and makes me smile.

This Monday, I got an e-mail from him.  My brother likes to talk about our "chi" - our inner spirit that guides us and keeps us balanced.  My letter to him for the week, basically, detailed how my chi was lost, and my struggle to try and find it.  (Seriously Internet, you have no idea how rough these last two weeks have been.  Going to lunch and me talking the WHOLE time couldn't even begin to cover it!)  I told him of a couple experience though that were helping me feel like I was getting back on track.  He told me that my e-mail was intense to read, but then he shared some things with me that were really important for me to hear from my wise missionary little brother, who, is way too skinny.  It's funny how from so far away, in a different time zone, he knew the right things to say to me.

And then, in typical Willie fashion, he signed off like this:
Be calm. Be happy.
Express your thoughts. Let it all out. 
May all of your wildest dreams come true :)
 
Thanks Napoleon.  For your information, I drink almond milk and yes, it's because I think I'm fat!

Oh, get to the point, right?

What is the point?

I think that the point is - sometimes life really really sucks.  It sucks so hard and so bad that you don't even want to get out of bed.  It just sucks your will right out of you.  But, no matter what, there are things that make it better.  Like your goofball kids doing well in school, and making each other laugh, and having great soccer games.  Or, your baby saying the word "cooties" all the time and calls his brothers, "the boys" and sings the chorus, "say Geronimo" from the song we heard on the radio all day long.  And, a husband who is your opposite so when you are sitting inside the emotional toilet, he is at least on the seat, not all the way in.  Or your mom and your aunts remind you that girl power rules and that learning how to work hard is pretty much the most important thing.

And all of that stuff, if only for the fact that it is barely keeping me sane, is the stuff I need to think about.
 
 

Monday, October 06, 2014

Kodaline :: Love Like This

This isn't a new song, but it's one I've been listening to a lot lately.  I really, really like it.

Running through the heat heart beat
You shine like silver in the sunlight
You light up my whole heart
It feels like in the sun, the sun
We're running around and around
Like nothing else could matter in our life
But wait, but wait, but wait
The sun will stop shining soon
And you'll be gone from my life
Yeah, you'll be gone, it's as simple as a change of heart
But I'm not gonna think about the future

A love like this won't last forever
I know that a love like this won't last forever
But I, I don't really mind, I don't really mind at all

Slipping into the night love
It grows dark but you don't mind
Hiding in the back streets, yeah, you'll never notice me
All that I was thinking about was cleaning up my conscience
Lost in the memory as it shakes up the corners of my heart
Was it my mistake?
Or maybe it was just as simple as a change in your heart
Just as simple as a change in your heart

I know now a love like this won't last forever
I know that a love like this won't last forever
But I, I know that a love like this won't last forever
I know that a love like this won't last forever
But I, and I

I don't mind at all
A love like this won't last forever
A love like this, a love like this
A love like this won't last forever


Sunday, October 05, 2014

What's been happening.....

I  keep up this blog, and don't write nearly as much as I used to, in years past.  But then when I do write, I'm not sure that it is about enough of the things that are going on.  Sometimes I wonder that, if the boys were to look back at this blog, and the books I've made of our little family history, if it would accurately portray the life that we have been living.

Anyway, things are busy and bustling and with the fall weather hitting us hard in the last week or so, I've realized that the year is almost over and panicked a little.  I probably do a little panic dance every year around the first week of October, so this year is like all the others.

The boys have been super busy with soccer and school.  Ross busy with work and scouts.  Me busy with some sewing projects, all that mom stuff, and all of my church calling as well.  Quinn has been busy being a cute little monster, throwing fits and protesting all aspects of his life that don't involve carrying around a kindle and watching videos of gorillas on YouTube.

So, for the sake of a quick but maybe not so quick recap - here it goes.

Elliott:
This kid has been a true gem lately.  Maybe it's the whole, "I'm turning 8 in a few months and tired of being 7 because being 7 sucks" phase he's finally moving out of, but I cannot remember the last time this kid got in trouble.  He asks super smart questions about savings and loans for houses and cars, is saving his own money to buy a red ipod touch (he's up to $140 dollars).    We talk about missions and temple marriages and eternal life.  We talk about why it is important to make good decisions, and save your money, and be kind to other people.  We talk about being tough, and how some of the kids in his dual immersion class are "salty spitoons" and ready for hard work and hard things and how some are "weenie hut juniors" and are afraid of being brave and doing hard things (Thank you SpongeBob for the best analogy this kid and I ever could have created.)  Elliott starts all of these conversations, and it impresses me.  This week, he was one of the spotlight kids at school.  He and I sat down and made a poster together, and he even let me add a few artistic touches.  Elliott is really starting to wrangle all his restless energy and is so good with Quinn and Jack, taking care of the little twiner brother/cousins.  He writes real letters and e-mails to Uncle Willie, he knows how to text, and he tells pretty dumb and funny jokes.  He cannot spell, but he is very good at math.


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Wyatt:
Starting kindergarten was just the best thing for Wyatt. His teacher, Mrs. Woolf, is wonderful and he has made some great friends at school. Not that he wouldn't though, this kid is too cute and too social to not have a herd of friends, boys and girls (lots of girls), trailing behind him at the end of school everyday to tell him goodbye.  He is doing so well, and it's just awesome.  He loves to come home, show me all his papers, and believe it or not, sit right down and do his homework - may he always have this attitude.  Unfortunately for Wyatt, he seems to have lost his spine lately, and with it, his ability to sit up...school seems to take everything out of him and when he gets home, unless it's to build Lego's, he cannot sit up for the rest of the day.  Wyatt though is funny and happy and coughing all the time.  He is also, completely unintentionally, pretty destructive lately, with the piece de resistance being completely destroying a cupboard a couple weeks ago while climbing down off the counter.  But, he did say he was sorry.  Wyatt is doing great at soccer, he draws fabulous pictures, and he is such a good little self-starter.  I don't think I've ever known a kid who can play and invent so much just with a few little Lego's and some markers.  And, he's pretty fun to watch Lego Chima with, too.


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I've been sick with severe stomach and back pains for three days.   Haven't even been able to stand up straight.  Promised this kid lunch out and who knew,  at least right this minute, animal style could cure what aisles me. #howmanypicturesfrominandoutar

"I dont know what happened"  he says.  Anyone know how to repair cabinetry?  #boysbreakeverything

Quinn:
Man alive, this kid turned two and he turned into a beast.  He is a jabbering fool and talks non-stop all day long.  He loves to say, "my don't want it", and "my OK" whenever he isn't interested in something whether it's food, a bath, a ride in the car or a haircut.  He is obsessed with animals, mostly gorillas and has figured out how to find netflix on my kindle, and then find Disney's Tarzan.  Usually, when he's lost, he can be found in my room, on my chair, watching Tarzan.  Or, some animal killing another animal on YouTube.  He seems to manage to find a lot of that stuff, too.  Quinn knows the name of probably 100 animals, from elephant to Okapi.  He loves to eat bacon and Cheetos and pizza.  He loves to dance!  He actually just discovered dancing (go figure) but if we watch, acknowledge or join in, he gets embarrassed and runs away.  Just this week, after a couple of weeks of fights in the car, we gave in and got him a new car seat.  Basically, I wrestled him like a WWE fighter so we could take the boys to school and after they were dropped off, called Ross and told him that Quinn and I were headed to target and we weren't leaving without a new seat, and I'd stay as close to $100 as I could.  Quinn calls his new seat his new car and so far, so good....no major car fits.  This kid though, he is as cuddly as ever, and seems to always want to be perched on my lap, which 85% of the time, I'm totally down with.  He's been pretty sick lately, but finally seems to be back to his normal wandering jabbering self, which couldn't be better.


This child is holding me hostage.



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I always am reminded of that line in Ferris Beuhler's Day Off.

"Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't slow down, you could miss it."

Our lives are moving so fast.  These boys are growing up faster than I can keep track.  I don't want to miss a second of it.

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