Daddy's Home

The kids were super excited for Daddy to be home from his trip to Ohio. On Friday Sammy wanted to make cookies so we could give some to Daddy when he got home late that night. Sammy, Mary, and Joshie loved helping make the cookies and Joshie soon discovered he could quickly snag a handful of cookie dough from the mixer when I wasn't looking. He thought he was such a big boy.

After the kids came home from school we made a big candy gram poster for Daddy. While we were making it Sammy said, "I think Daddy will share with us because he can't eat all this candy himself or he will get sick!" Joel got home late Friday night after the kids were already asleep. The next morning when they woke up they came running in to see him and "welcome" him home! We had a fun day working around the house and having fun together. We went for a walk to the park and the kids were so hot on they way home they decided it was time to run in the sprinklers until dinner. We are all happy that Daddy is home now!

Weekend in Southern California

We went down to Southern California this past weekend to hear Joel's cousin, Bryce, speak in Sacrament Meeting prior to leaving for his mission to Tallahassee, Florida. We were able to visit Joel's grandparents as well. We always enjoy staying at Uncle Carl and Aunt Kathy's home. They make everyone feel so welcome and it is always such a relaxing time visiting with family. We look forward to hearing about the wonderful experiences Bryce will have on his mission. Our children are so blessed to have countless examples from their aunts, uncles, and cousins that faithfully serve missions.

Farewell to Sister Dodds

Last night we were privledged to attend the farewell testimony meeting for the missionaries from the Fresno Mission. Sister Dodds has been serving in our ward for the last 6 months and we have had the wonderful opportunity to have her in our home often during that time teaching lessons to investigators and sharing meals with our family. Our children adore her and we all think she is wonderful. We will miss her, especially Spring who is having a very difficult time with her going home, and hope to keep in touch with her. After the testimony meeting we were able to visit for a short time with her. She told us that Sammy's interrupting cow knock-knock joke is used by the sisters when they are having a rough day or are a little down. They say it is well known amongst them. I am grateful for her sharing this with us because sometimes I get frustrated with Sammy and his constant silliness and being funny. I need these reminders to help me appreciate the gift he has at bringing happiness and joy into the lives of others just by simply being himself. We will miss Sister Dodds and will forever cherish the wonderful memories we have shared together.

She Did It!

We have tried off and on to potty train Mary for the last few months. She just has never had any interest in it and just would not do it. I am not one to push our kids to be potty trained because I don't want to deal with the messes and the frustrations if they are not ready. I figure when they are ready they will do it and it will be so much easier. Well, last week Mary decided she was ready when she asked me if she could wear panties. She has said this before so I wasn't too excited. Well, that was last Thursday and she has been wearing panties ever since without a single accident! Sunday she insisted on wearing panties to church so she could "show my teacher my new panties." I must admit I was nervous about it but I allowed her to do it. She made it all through church dry! She is so funny when she goes potty. She comes out and if I don't tell her that I'm proud of her she will say, "Mommy you so proud of me...and Daddy proud of me, and Thomas proud of me, and Spring proud of me, and Sammy proud of me, and Joshie proud of me, and Aunt Alanna proud of me, and I think even Uncle Eric proud of me!" We are so excited for her. I am grateful I waited until she was ready because it really is so much easier! I don't quite know what to do only having one child in diapers...it's been almost 4 years since we've only had one in diapers.

"Can we go swimming?"

Yesterday afternoon Sammy and Mary came out of their room in swim suits. They had also put Joshie's swim trunks on him. They told me they wanted to go swimming and started outside. I quickly reminded them it was raining outside and too cold to swim. They still wanted to swim and promised me they wouldn't get cold. Fortunately, my idea of swimming in the bathtub appeased them. Sammy quickly said, "I want HOT water, Mom. I just love hot water." So they went swimming for a LONG time in the bathtub. I love that such joy can come to them from the simple things in life.

County Spelling Bee

Yesterday Thomas competed in the County Spelling Bee. There were 22 3rd graders representing the county in which there are 2166 total 3rd graders. Thomas did a great job in the bee and finished in 5th place. He missed the word, "acceleration." He told me after that he had never even heard that word before. Well, he can spell it now. I am relieved that the spelling bees are over and that there is not another competition past the county level until they reach 5th grade! He told me yesterday after the bee, "Now I can focus on preparing for Certificate of Merit." His motivation and drive amazes me.