It's a Wonderful Life

Here is a rundown of my morning: Woke up and came downstairs to find cups and cups of flour poured into the dishwasher.  A nice present from Wyatt who had woken up with Jackson earlier. Walked Jackson to school after at least 3 time outs.  Came home and found the camera broken.  He and Wyatt were trying to take the battery out to charge while we were asleep. Took Anna and Wyatt to our home inspection of the beautiful house we were going to buy.  The house reeked of smoke.  The owners had done a really great job of covering up the smoke smell while they were trying to sell it.  I came home and did A TON of research on what is coined "third hand smoke" (even talking to some people at the American Cancer Society).  Basically it's really dangerous for children under 5 (so pretty much 100% of my children!).  It may be possible to get it out, ripping out the flooring, painting every inch of the walls and ceilings with a special primer, getting air...

Today was Jackson's first soccer practice.  The last time he did soccer was in Visalia, and I don't think he was quite ready for it then.  Not to mention he had the most competitive coach in the entire world.  Yelling and screaming at these little 3 and 4 year olds to "step it up" during the games.  The coaches Jackson has now seem much more sane, thankfully! He looked so cute all decked out :)  When I walked up to get him, both coaches told me "he was FAST!"  I'm just happy he got some of that energy out there rather than in our living room! Wyatt did great while we were waiting.  He was so cute and every few minutes would yell to Jackson as loud as he could, "Hey, Jack!  You hungry?  You need some water?"  It was really funny.  The other night we were heading out to the Taylors to help celebrate Clay's 4th birthday.  As we were walking out the door Jackson said, "Mom!  Take the camera to Taryn and Clay'...

Man, I feel like it's been one natural disaster after another around here!  Hurricane Irene blew through yesterday.  Since we are so far inland and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains it didn't do much to us.  It was pretty dark all day and there were periods of intense wind and rain, but that's about it.  Although while Erik was helping to gather information of who in the ward could take in families, provide service for clean up, vehicles, etc. for those displaced, if any, by the Hurricane, it did make it seem more serious.  Saturday morning the kids and I met Andrea and her kids at Marker Miller (honeycrisp apples are in now, yay!).  That place really is fun, but we always seem to go when it's raining!  Wyatt was soaked ! Saturday evening we got a babysitter, and went on a much needed date.  It was great . . . . . . even with Anna there to crash it!  :)  It's funny how my perspective has changed.  Having just Anna with us re...

Well, the first day is over and it was a success!  Jackson really was just as excited as could be.  He was totally dressed, lunch packed, and backpack on all before I even woke up !!  I think he was disappointed to find we still had 2 more hours before we needed go. Looking so handsome!  We had a little spill we had to wipe off on his shirt right before leaving (thus the dark wet spot).  Luckily, it all dried during our walk to school :) It was so much fun walking him with Anna and Wyatt.  Most all kids take the bus around here, but I really wanted to walk him for the first little bit.  Especially because the older kids are with him on the bus to school (I'm sure the older kids are just fine, but having him pick up 3rd grade swear words isn't something I'm ready to deal with quite yet!).  As we walked into his classroom, I noticed he was squeezing my hand a little harder.  I wondered if he was going to have a hard time, b...

Everything has felt so final and ominous this past week.  Running through my head has been, "Oh no this is the last weekend we have before school starts."  Or, "This is the last Family Home Evening before school starts."  Or, "This is the last lunch we're going to eat together before school starts" . . . you get the idea.  Jackson starting kindergarten has definitely been on the brain!  I'm so excited for him, yet so sad I won't know everything that is going on during his day.  Jackson is NOT a sharer, so I know I'll have to learn some major surgical skills to extract any nugget of information from him . ..  or maybe he'll surprise me and tell me everything, we'll see!  Anyway, the past few days we've tried to enjoy summer and our last days of Jackson being with us 24/7 as much as we could :) On Saturday, we finally went letter boxing for the first time!  We found a good one at a park in Stephen's City (not too far away). ...

Whoa, I just experienced a Virginia earthquake!  They really don't happen very often (once every few decades an earthquake will hit the east coast I guess).  I was putting Anna down for a nap, and everything just started shaking!  Literally the whole room was shaking!  My first thought was that the boys were doing something crazy downstairs again- I was so scared!  But since it was so strong and we don't keep bomb making material within reach, I knew it had to be something else.  Then I thought it was a big wind storm barrelling through, but I peeked out the window and nothing was moving.  I quickly came downstairs, and found the boys playing with soapy water (what is it with the soap and water??? At least this time it was contained nicely in a sink!).  They didn't even notice the shaking.  It was a 5.8 originating, I think, between Richmond and DC.   It was definitely the biggest earthquake I'd felt since the Bay Area qua...

I emailed this to my family in our group email that we have, and decided to post it.  Parenthood really is a roller coaster of highs and lows! We had a crazy Sunday yesterday. Our friends the Taylors have been on vacation, and last week their mini van broke down in NJ on their way to CT. They got a rental to finish their vacation, and Erik drove out yesterday and picked them and their van up with a big trailer. This left me to take all of the kids to church by myself. It actually went just fine. I found someone to watch Anna for my lesson. But after church, as I was putting Anna down for a nap, the "fun" began. I guess Jackson clogged the toilet (he uses too much toilet paper, TMI?). The boys kept flushing and flushing, so a ton of water got all over the downstairs. Then they decided to mop it up, so Jackson got out the mop, a bucket, and dumped half of a huge Costco sized dish soap bottle all over the wood floors. When I came out of Anna's room there was a TON of soapy...

Does anyone remember that song?  The boys and I listened to it yesterday on YouTube, and it instantly brought me back to Ms. Tingey's 8th grade science class at Delta Sierra . . . yikes! Yesterday there was a peach fesitival at an orchard nearby.  I was a little too excited about this thing, planning for weeks to go.  It wasn't anything too special, but it was just right for our little family! It was sprinkling when we left our house, and by the time we got to peach festival, it was pouring rain !  We debated if we should even go at that point, but the kids insisted.  I figured if nothing else I could get my produce loot for the next few days. Those were hard earned peach cobblers.  I got soaked standing in line for them, and let me tell you they were delicious!  Seriously the best peach cobbler I've ever had.  I need to figure out a similar recipe now! Kids are so funny, and will brave anything to play on a playground! Anna, ...

.  My two tomato plants and my green pepper plant have some sort of disease.  Sad!  My previous gardens never had this type of thing.  I think this is what happens when you buy plant starts on clearance after all of the good ones have been taken.  And this is what happens when you have a dog that likes to chew up plastic container pots.  Poor cilantro! At least the basil has been growing well.  I've already put up one big batch of pesto in the freezer, and I think it's about time to do another! And in unrelated Anna news, she had her 4 month well check up today.  She did so great.  In fact it almost made me sad that she barely cried after her shots.  I don't know why, but somehow it was sadder.  She is still at the top of the charts for weight, off the charts for height, and above average for head size.  And a "funny" Anna story: I was out in the foyer with her during the Sacrament yesterday, during ...

One thing that has been hard for me, living in Virginia, is trying to get used to this humidity!  Having lived out west my entire life, it is something totally foreign that I can't say I'm too fond of.  The moment I walk outside, it feels like an oppressive, warm, wet blanket has surrounded me- not pleasant!  Anyway, earlier this week there was a blessed break from the humidity.  It felt soooooo nice.  It was still quite hot, but it felt like Idaho hot, bright, breezy, and sunny.  I celebrated while Wyatt and Anna were napping with Jackson by reading books in the backyard.  It was wonderful, Ray Charles sunglasses and all :)

Still adorable.  Still waking up every two to three hours (ouch!).  Still big (wearing size 6-12 months).  Still social and easy going. Has taken a stronger liking to toys.  Rolls with more speed.  Loves supported sitting and standing.  More vocal with cute sounds and "songs."  Facing out in baby bjorn now :) As you can see I have a hard time editing pictures out, so here they all are.  Behold Anna in all of her 4 month splendor :)