The 2nd Time & A Calm Sunday Morning

Well, Friday morning I was so proud of myself because I finished exercising and showering at a decent morning hour. It was then that the school nurse called and Jake wasn't feeling well. I told her I would be right there, called a neighbor to watch the boys, and was out the door...almost! The phone rang (thinking it was the school nurse)I answered it and here's how the start of the conversation went:

"Hello"
"Hello, this is the police department. Is everything O.K.? Someone just called 9-1-1!"

Ahhhhh! My mind immediately went back to 2 minutes before when I was in the bathroom getting ready and Matthew was pushing buttons on the phone. Who knew a 1 yr. old could push the exact buttons! I explained the situation to the woman, but of course they had to send an officer out anyway!

I should know that because when we 1st moved to TX we were all getting ready for church and Jake dialed 9-1-1. They also called back then and an officer had to come out. Was this really happening for a 2nd time??? (Jake had dialed "on purpose" because the day before we had talked about what to do in an emergency, etc. and he wanted to try it out. I knew after THAT police officer talked to him he would NEVER do it again.)

After many minutes or more of waiting, getting anxious to get Jake at school, an officer did come to the house. This man was very nice and understanding. I was thankful. Maybe Matthew just wanted to help commemorate 9/11.

Hurricane Ike looked like it was coming toward Dallas, but we just experienced the "outskirt" effects of it. The clouds swirled all day in the grey sky, but all we experienced was rain and wind! It was wonderful to wake up Sunday morning and the skies were as blue as ever. Everything had settled down and we went to Stake Conference on a beautiful, cool morning.

Elder Nelson was there (the other leaders split up to other stakes). He said that people in the airport looked at this group of men strangely because they were headed TOWARD Dallas...along with hurricane Ike. He said, "We'll have a contest to see who gets there first."
Elder Nelson talked about teaching our children: about the atonement, prophets, Joseph Smith, keeping eyes focused on the temple, prayer, and that revelation works! He also invoked a blessing on our new stake. What a blessing to be there and feel of his great spirit. I know that he is a special witness of Jesus Christ.

Precious Moments

Each day brings sweet moments. Here are a few recently:
We had a babysitter and while we were gone Taylor said she'd put Matthew to bed...when we came home she was in the crib asleep too! Precious!

Sean came home from work and when I walked out in the kitchen I saw these...."crazy daisies". Yes, that was their name. He wrote a cute little note. I thought he might say something like...most days you're a crazy lady, but he didn't:) I love the short and sweet thoughts like that. He's fabulous.

This one happened a little while ago, but I was in bed and Austin was the first one awake. I hear this sweet voice say, "wake up mom". When I opened my eyes, Austin was holding a cookie sheet with a banana, yogurt, toast (he did all by himself...I didn't know he could do that) and an apple. It was the sweetest moment. I love breakfast in bed.

Friends that bring over "Extra-Strength" banana bread after a lively morning at church. Something that made my day. Friends that go buy ice cream for a birthday party when your baby is sleeping. A mom and sister that said something so unselfish it brought tears to my eyes (nursery). A mother-in-law that took my baby during the birthday party.
For my own record, I hope to capture moments like this when Matthew is still exploring the world. He was standing on the stool in the 1/2 bath, playing in the water, and making faces at himself.


On Sunday we have our 1st Frisco Stake Conference and guess who's coming??? I am SO excited! President Uchtdorf, Elder Nelson, Elder Bednar, and Elder Acosta. Our bishop encouraged us to write a question for them and put it in our pocket on Sunday. I'm hoping at this conference there will be another precious moment.

Happy Birthday Austin!

Our Austin turned 5 on Monday and I feel like we've been celebrating all week! What could be better. It started out when Kelly and Kristen were in town and we celebrated Austin AND Kelly's birthdays. They each got their own birthday cake. Austin got a big Pokemon set from them and kept saying, "I love you one thousand times!"

Then,ON his actual birthday we decided to do "fondue". The kids weren't into it as much as Sean and I were, but still fun! Austin opened presents and then rented his all time favorite...Scooby Doo. I feel very blessed to be Austin's mom. He is definitely the comedian of the family. He loves to have fun and talk to anyone. He makes new friends wherever he goes. He's a blessing in my life. He still loves to snuggle...I hope that lasts forever.

Today, was the finale. It was his 1st birthday party with friends. We were going to have a pool party, but of course it rained all afternoon, so I had to call all moms and change the location to our house!!! I have to say it got a little crazy, but the kids had fun (especially shredding apart the pinata which I've had in our pantry for like 3 yrs. I'm so happy to get rid of it). I think the peak of the day was when we arrived home from Costco with the cake. Jake got out of the car and accidentally stepped in the cake! Fun! Jake's expression was priceless. If you noticed in the pictures I tried to piece it together and cover a part with plastic balloons. The kids still ate it.




HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUSTIN...WE LOVE YOU!

Diapers, diapers, and more diapers!

I wish I started counting how many diapers one little guy can go through a day. A few days ago Matthew started with a runny nose, then progressed to dee-a-rrreea, and now after changing his diaper at least 10 times today...his little bum is so red. Poor guy! Sometimes he'll just stop walking and start crying because it hurts to even move. I just took him to his 15 month well check and he was perfectly healthy. I swear he got something from the doctor's office. Oh well, germs are good, right? Needless to say, today I was homebound and boy did I get a lot done! (I cleaned out J and A's room, closet and attic. We have 3 bags and 2 boxes to give away, plus 2 bags to throw away. It feels great!)

Family

Yesterday, we waited anxiously as Gustav headed toward Louisiana and Mississippi. We had just driven through those states in July and they are beautiful...we even stayed in Baton Rouge one night! Sean and I watched the news in the morning as the kids played, rode bikes and swam. In the later afternoon we gathered the kids together for Family Home Evening (we played "heads up 7-up" with scripture stories). We then ate dinner and watched a movie together. Simple, but quality time.

I wished I could hold on to last night and not let go. I realized again that this is what life is about...doing the best you can and family. This is what makes me the most happy. We all enjoyed just "being" together without any interruptions: to laugh, play and learn about the gospel. As I lay in bed early this morning holding little Matthew who isn't feeling well, I thought about the families that are away from their homes or in shelters. That would be so hard and our prayers go out to them. It was then again that I felt truly grateful for being in my home, with my family, and safe from any storms.