September

September was a full, busy month for us. It also saw my front yard bursting with blooming Cosmos! I planted wildflowers in a section of the front yard we hadn't landscaped yet. Michael thought I was crazy and said they looked like weeds for the first half the summer (they did). But once the flowers started blooming they were amazing! I don't think I'll plant them there again next year, but I loved having them this year. 

Hazel and I worked concessions at a BYU football game to start earning money towards her choir tour to Canada next summer. It brought back lots of memories for me from working in food service to crowding on a bus packed with excited college students. Game day is always a fun atmosphere, and Hazel and I enjoyed working together. 

For Labor Day, we hosted family dinner in our happy place up Payson canyon. It was perfect! 

Walter and his cousin Ellis are only 4 months apart. They're going to be great friends someday!

Book club started back up for the girls. This year we split in to two groups - one for Lenora and girls her age, and one for the older girls. The older girls met at the park this month and ended up dancing Highland dances on tables. I love these girls so much! 

The boys found the coolest spider in the backyard. It's a cat-faced orbweaver. It was SO big and SO orange. We enjoyed looking at it (then fed it to the chickens). 

We spent a great Friday evening doing another campfire and foil dinners. Fall is our favorite time for campfires! 

Hazel attended the closing ball for Heroic Youth. She wore a dress that I wore to Homecoming when I was 16. She had an absolute blast! 

Hazel and Eliza found a folk ensemble that they joined this year. Eliza has been wanting to learn the fiddle and this group has been perfect! They played in their first "gig" at the Farmer's Market in Mapleton and earned $4 each. They can't wait to go busking again! 

Last but not least, the girls and I got to attend a homeschool performance of Around the World in 80 Days. It was awesome!

Six is for Soccer!

Conrad turned six the end of September! You'd be hard pressed to find a little boy with more energy and more excitement for life. Especially now that's he's found his life's calling - soccer. 

Conrad starting playing on a rec league the middle of September and is now obsessed! Soccer is life. He had the BEST coach who helped foster his passion and skills. Conrad naturally is a good little soccer player, and it has been so fun to watch him further his passion. He was thrilled to be chosen as player of the game twice during their season! 

During most waking hours, you can find Conrad outside dribbling the ball, practicing his kicks and chips, and even working on his goalie dive. He insisted on watching the movie The Big Green the other day. Next thing we know, he's trying out drills he saw in the movie and working up to running for 12 minutes. What a kid! By the way, he's going to win the World Cup some day, so be on the lookout for that. 

When he's not playing soccer, what's Conrad up to these days? Eating for one thing, though you'd never guess that based on how skinny he is. Guess he's putting all that food energy in to growing taller and soccer. It's working! 

Conrad started Kindergarten this year and has done so well! I'll be honest, I was worried about how he'd do, but I shouldn't have been. He diligently sits down for his lessons each day. While he struggled last year learning his letters and letter sounds, everything finally clicked and he's doing great picking up reading. As a fun side note... the other day he sounded out the word kid and I jokingly tapped his nose and said, "like you!" He tapped my nose right back and said, "You're a kid too. You're God's kid."  Thanks for that beautiful reminder Conrad. I loved it!

Another fun Conrad quote lately came at dinner one day when he asked, "Who invented salt?" Hazel replied, "God did" to which Conrad enthusiastically stated, "He's a genius!!!" 

Conrad is the sweetest big brother. He always talks to Walter in a high-pitched sing-song voice. We frequently find him bent over Walter singing songs he's learned at IMA. My favorite was the time he was singing "God Bless America" in an extremely high key. Walter LOVES it! 

For some reason, Conrad is really in to buzz cuts. A few months ago he asked for a haircut as I was headed out the door. I told him I'd happily cut it the next day, but that was too long to wait so he took matters into his own hands...

Since then he's wanted me to cut his hair short again every few weeks. So buzz cuts it is! He also has a great sense of style when it comes to clothes - like this great outfit he put together for church one week. 

A few other things Conrad loves right now... legos, music, riding his bike, playing outside, and any sport he sees. I love the catcher's gear he put together! 

Conrad is still endlessly curious. One Sunday after church my kids picked up a bunch of chestnuts that had fallen off the tree with the plan to try and roast them over the fire. Later that week, Conrad was playing with them and smashing them open with a rock. Next thing I know, he was crying hysterically that his eyes hurt. It didn't take too long for me to realize something in chestnuts must irritate the eyes. Thankfully after irrigating them well with water he was as good as new. 

Conrad had BIG plans for his birthday this year, and we tried our best to live up to them. First, he wanted breakfast in bed...

... he also really wanted a birthday party this year. Of course it should be soccer themed! He had a few friend over for an afternoon of playing soccer, snacks, and a soccer ball pinata (which they kicked instead of hitting with a bat). It was a super fun party! 

Conrad wanting to go  bowling, to a trampoline park, and to lazer tag for his birthday, but we reminded him that just because it's your birthday doesn't mean you can do everything. He did get to go to a soccer game at UVU with Daddy though and LOVED it!

 

Conrad, we sure love you! We love your energy, your simple faith that God loves us and we are all his children, your endless energy, and your passion. Keep working hard and dreaming cute boy! 

Lessons from Sleep Deprivation

In keeping things real, Walter is wonderful and we wouldn't trade life right now for anything. But I'd forgotten how real sleep deprivation can be and have been feeling it lately! Walter isn't a terrible sleeper, but he definitely still wakes up at night to eat so my sleep is fragmented. Also, some of the struggle to get enough sleep has come from trying to burn the candle at both ends meeting the needs of both teenagers/big kids and a baby. Of course Michael and I work together and he's a huge support, but we're in a unique season of life for sure.

As Walter turned 6 months old, I still hadn't been able to attend the temple and was missing it sorely. I made up my mind to get to a session, made a 7am appointment (the only time in the day that seemed doable to sneak away), and set my alarm. Hazel has early morning seminary every day except Friday, so I have been used to getting up early. Sadly I slept through my alarm that day and missed the session! I was SO disappointed.

I tried again the next week. Of course, Walter slept poorly the night before and I woke up DRAGGING. With stubborn determination, I propped open my eyelids and set off for the temple. As I waited for the session to start, I happened upon this scripture which touched my heart... (3 Nephi 17: 2, 5-9)

2 I perceive that ye are weak, that ye cannot understand all my words which I am commanded of the Father to speak unto you at this time...
5 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were ain tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
6 And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.
7 Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or bleprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy.
8 For I perceive that ye desire that I should show unto you what I have done unto your brethren at Jerusalem, for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you.
9 And it came to pass that when he had thus spoken, all the multitude, with one accord, did go forth with their sick and their afflicted, and their lame, and with their blind, and with their dumb, and with all them that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one as they were brought forth unto him.

With my fuzzy, sleep deprived brain, I felt just like these Nephites - unprepared to understand the words of the Lord, but full of desire to commune with Him. The phrase in verse 9 really stood out to me when they brought forth "... they that were afflicted in any manner; and he did heal them every one." Christ's ability to heal isn't limited to physical ailments. It covers any manner of affliction that prevents us from fully receiving the word of God. It was balm to my sleep deprived soul - that Christ could "heal" me from my aliment. Not by taking it away, but my making up the difference. And He did. I went on to have a wonderful morning in the temple with an alertness and clarity of mind I'd missed for months. I'm forever grateful for my Savior. Life is full of the wonderful and hard walking side-by-side, but He can always be there too if we just come to Him.

Six Months of Walter

I have no idea where the time has flown, but Walter is already half-way to his first birthday! He's grown from a floppy, sleepy newborn to a rambunctious, smiley little guy in the blink of an eye. 

One Day: 

One Month:

Two Months:

Walter starts smiling, finds his voice, and tells us great stories. He hates binkies, but we eventually convince him to take one.

CC: Walter: baby babbling, Mom: Oh yeah? That's a good story! Walter: Lots more babbling, Mom: (laughs) Okay. I love you! 

Three Months: 

Walter grows more and more playful. His smiles light up the room! He finds his feet and is truly a happy baby. This little genius also starts signing "mom" and "dad"! We've never had a baby sign this early and at first Michael didn't believe me. But as he signed more and more consistently, it was clear he was actually signing! 

Four Months: 

Not wanting to be left behind by big siblings, Walter decides it's time to get a move on. At four and a half months, he starts sitting up! He also starts taking a bottle and growing fond on sleeping with his lovey - Lamby. 

CC: Mom: Hi Walter! What do you think you’re doing? Are you sitting like a big boy? How old are you today? What?!? Four and a half months! What are you doing? You’re being so big! I cannot believe it sir! You’re very strong! 

Five Months: 

Walter learns to smack his lips, is more and more interested in toys, and gets to try his first tastes of food. He discovered Hailey and decided he LOVES dogs. 

 

CC: Walter - smacks lips, Mom: Do you have a new skill Walter? Conrad: Yeah, do you have a new skill? (higher pitched) Do you have a new skiiillll? 

Six Months: 

Now Walter is half-way to a year old, and we all love him more than ever. He's thinking about trying to crawl, has pulled himself up to standing a few times, and has been found sitting in his crib after a nap. Walter says "Dada" a ton and has also said "Mama" and what sounded a lot like "Eliza." He's grabbing more and more and trying new foods each day. 

At his 6 month check up, he was only in the 4% for weight (which blows my mind because he has the cutest thigh and wrist rolls). While he's on the small end, the doctor couldn't stop commenting on how advanced his motor and social skills are for his age. 

CC: Eliza - That's right, cave baby!

We love you SO much Walter!