Placing Blame

"Mom, I am so so so so so soooooooo sorry that I pooped in my pants," Corban says as he's sitting in the tub while I clean up the messy pants, "It was my bum's fault."

What a blessing!

This past weekend held such joy for our family as we prepared for Javen's blessing on Sunday. Of course, cleaning for guests is never fun but the feeling of a pristine home feels wonderful after the work is done. Having friends, family, and food all together is never a bad feeling either.

While sitting in church, Javen started getting fussy and I quickly became worried that Javen was going to be one of those babies that screamed through the whole blessing so much so that you can't even hear what is being said by the father. I was trying to get him to calm down with a binky. ....Javen hates binkies. Brandon even ran home to get a different variety of binkies to try. Being stressed that Brandon wasn't going to get back in time, I was shocked that Javen gave in to the binky and fell asleep.
Our angel baby
When the second counselor of the bishopric announced that we had 2 blessings that day, he got a smile on his face as he tried to pronounce Javen's first name and totally messed it up and knew exactly how to pronounce his middle name of Kal-el. (Must be a Superman fan.) :)

Javen in his blessing outfit.

The gentlemen in Javen's blessing circle were Brandon, Bishop Pike, Gil, Roger, Zane (in uniform), Stan, and Mike. Brandon gave Javen a very heart felt and beautiful blessing. Brandon told me that throughout the blessing Javen just sat awake staring at all the gentlemen in the circle. -He didn't make a peep! :D Everyone "awed" as Brandon lifted our handsome little guy for the congregation to see.


We had wonderful food afterward and enjoyed all of our family's company. Brandon's and my family members got to catch up with one another. There was lots of laughter and loads of love that filled our home as we celebrated Javen's special day.

Yummy breakfast food after the blessing

Kellan entertained us with his version of "Pants on the ground" from this season's American Idol.

Again, words taken literally

A couple nights ago as Brandon was tucking Makade in to bed, he had suggested to the young fellow that taking off his socks would be a good idea to let his feet breath a little better.

This evening as Brandon was ritually tucking Makade in; Makade had decided his curiosity had increased enough to ask, "Dad, how exactly do your feet breath?"

Brotherly Update

So you know Corban's realization that he has 3 brothers? Well now each and every day I get to answer "Yes." to various questions such as...

"Mom, is Javen still my brother?"

"Mom, I still have 3 brothers?"

"Mom, am I Javen's brother?"

I wonder how long it will take for Corban to feel secure that Javen is here to stay.

Headed for a New Chapter

This evening I took my baby girl, Tarryn and 2 friends to the store so they could find another friend a birthday gift. Although this may seem like nothing to cry celebrate about, I have to say it took my mind through a whirl wind of things to come.

In the past, taking my children to any given store we always seem to find ourselves in the region I'd like to call, "The Toy Zone." For many places they have their marketing down to sticking toys at the front of the store, or like Justice, all over the entire stinking store! However, today was a quite different experience. We walked in, and spent our entire time looking for presents in the jewelry section and the girls clothing department. Toys weren't even mentioned on this trip!

I find myself constantly being reminded that time is slipping away when it comes to my one and only daughter. I find this a bit disheartening, yet also exciting as I watch Tarryn mature from little girl to young lady. I hope I can enjoy all the moments to come...even the ones I dread like first dates and even the horrible ones like being told that she knows more than me.

Sibling Comprehension

While driving to school today, we had a Signing Time DVD playing that was talking about members of a family. Corban decided to announce what his family consisted of:

Corban: "I have 1 sister and 2 brothers."

Me: "Uh Buddy, you have 1 sister and 3 brothers."

Corban: "I do? Who's the other brother?"

Me: (Thinking who he could be missing as a brother) "There's Makade, Kellan, and Javen."

Corban: "You mean Javen's my brother?!"

...And all this time he's been so accepting of this new little stranger in our home!

Derby Delight

Once upon a time in a kingdom not so far away. There was a town full of small warriors who would spend hour after hour with their Father warriors planning, and cutting, sanding, and painting, weighing, and using powdered graphite. All to get ready for the big race called The Pinewood Derby.

This really was a great bonding experience for Brandon and Makade. ....and a little of Tarryn on the side who really wanted her own car as well. I'm still surprised at all the tricks it takes to get a box containing a block of wood and 4 wheels ready to race. I would say what they are, but I've been sworn to secrecy. *wink wink*

I was certain all the hard work in our household would be in vain, since it only took them 4 days to complete Makade's tank. (Having a baby tends to put things like blocks of pine on the back burner.) Because they hadn't spent weeks upon weeks gearing up for the Derby, I had planned a wonderful speech for Makade using sentences like, "It's okay you didn't win. The fun part was building the car with Dad." "Think of the hard work you did in 4 days, others have been working on theirs for weeks." Even a, "We'll get 'em next time buddy." was planned for the evening so imagine my surprise when Makade's tank came in first or second with every race

As Makade raced his car in the finals, it became quite apparent that he was going to win this thing! .....apparent to all of the crowd; not so apparent to Makade. When the track director asked the winner to come up, he had Makade come find me to give me a hug Tarryn came running over and asked, "Did Makade win?!" We confirmed he did. "Makade! You won!!!", Tarryn shouted as she jumped up and down. "I did?" Makade looked surprised and then, comprehension dawning, "I did!!!" and he started jumping for joy as well. ...... ah well, my speech can wait till next year. :)