It's Joshie's Birthday, I think!

So, before we get to the fun details of Joshie's birthday celebration we had this evening I have a confession to make.  I figured I should record it for posterity sake even though I know it will come to haunt me in the future.

Yesterday afternoon my mom called to wish Joshie a happy birthday.  I laughed a little and said, "That's fine, Mom, but his birthday isn't until tomorrow."  I thought to myself that it was a little funny that she had called a day early, especially since she did that to Isaac a few weeks ago.  Then Mom said to me, "Jen, I really think today is his birthday.  Dad checked his geneology records and he has today down as his birthday."  When she said that I started to wonder because Dad is pretty accurate about those kinds of things.  At the same moment a few other thoughts came to mind such as:

    

 *A few weeks ago the kids said Joshie's name was on the bulletin board at church for the 27th.  I just told them someone probably made a typo because his birthday is on the 28th.

     *Monday morning, after checking the calendar and seeing that I had Joshie's birthday written on the 28th, Thomas told me, "I guess with so many siblings it gets harder to remember birthdays because I was sure Joshie's birthday was on the 27th.  I replied that it's a good thing we write them down on the calendar at the beginning of the year.

     *On Monday Joshie got a birthday card in the mail from my Grandpa.  I chuckled because Grandpa had written on the corner of the envelope "27th".  I just thought it was great he remembered and figured one day off wasn't bad!

I wasn't at home when my mom had called so she suggested that I go home and check his birth certificate.  I did just that as soon as I got home.  I looked at his birth certificate and saw 9/27/2008 listed as his birthdate.  My mom was right!  I didn't know the birthdate of our son!  I was a little sheepish as I called my Mom back and confessed.  I told her I was just glad she let us know so we don't continue to celebrate his birthday on the wrong day each year!

Unfortunately, Joel had a work dinner last night so we just continued as planned to celebrate Joshie's birthday today.  He has been so cute today as we tell him happy birthday and ask him how old he is. At first he would tell us he was "2" with his cute little smile and giggle.  Then he'd say, "I just kidding. I 3!"  He had a huge smile on his face as he went to pick out his balloon and a balloon for each of his siblings.  He loved his chosed dinner of homemade pizza and his "blue car cake."  He only ate 2 bites of his cake though because he just wanted to get back down and play with his new toys.  Although we missed his birthday yesterday, I think he will remember today fondly and hopefully we will be able to celebrate on the correct day from here on out!  We love you, Joshie!

11 Months

Our little man is 11 months old.  He is such a charmer too.  I was carrying him upstairs with me today and thinking how a year ago I was so anxious to hold him in my arms for the first time.  I am so grateful that he still wants me to hold him and cuddle him even though he is growing up.  Here's a glimpse into his fascinating life as an 11 month old:

*He waves to everyone, wherever we are.  This wave is always accompanied by a huge smile.

*When I pick him up he will stick his whole arm out and point, grunting, to where he wants to go.  He will keep doing this until I have gone the correct direction.

*He lights up when his siblings come into his line of sight.  When he is in his highchair and one of them come by he gets so excited and watches them with full attention.  As soon as they leave the room his expression turns somber.

*He and Joshie can often be found laughing together and crawling around the house.

*He is beginning to walk...not along furniture, but along walls.  He stands up the wall and then walks the length of it.  I'm surprised he hasn't fallen over while doing this.

*He loves his storytime at the library.

*He has discovered all the drawers and cupboards in the kitchen.  For the longest time I thought I had him convinced that the only fun drawer was the one with lids that I let him play in.  He fooled me.  He especially likes to open the drawer with ziploc bags and pull each bag out one at a time, hence why we have a drawer with a bunch of loose bags stuffed in it all the time.

*He loves bananas, but not cut up in little pieces.  He wants the whole thing to feed himself.

*He has discovered his tongue and can be found chewing on it and sticking it out.

*He still gives me the greatest hugs and is definately my boy.  He is the first of our children that has been so attached to me. 

I love our Gideon and am so grateful for the calming and happy influence he is in our home.  He is a blessing to each and every one of us.

Sammy Reading

Sammy came home from school so excited to be able to read his first books.  He even volunteered to read to Joshie in bed before his nap.  Sammy took him upstairs, read him his books, and then tucked him in for naptime.  What a big boy he is becoming.  It is so amazing to see his joy and excitement as he is learning.

Restoration Medley

Niagra Falls State Park

On our way home from Palmyra we stopped at Niagra Falls and spent most of the day there.  In the morning we went on the "Maid of the Mist" boat ride down to the base of the falls.  It was amazing and so worth the trip to see these powerful waterfalls up close.  We got soaked but had a great time.  My mom and dad took Thomas, Spring, and Sammy with them into Canada since they already had passports.  They tell us the view from the Canadian side is even more spectacular.  The kids loved the idea that they were able to be in a different country...something I have yet to do.  We were also able to explore much more of the State Park and see the falls from so many different views.  It was an amazing day spent together.  I'm so grateful we have been able to see these different places and that our children are having these opportunities to do this as well.  It was great to have my parents join us on this event packed and fun weekend.

Palmyra, NY

We were able to go to Palmyra again this past weekend, this time with Grandma and Grandpa Powell.  It was wonderful to be near these sacred places again.  I loved seeing the Sacred Grove in a different season from the last time we went.  It was absolutely beautiful and so calm to walk through the Sacred Grove.  I love the peace that I feel as I walk through the Sacred Grove.  I was so impressed with Spring's desire to pray and reflect on her own while in the Sacred Grove this time.  She wanted to be sure she had a testimony of the First Vision.  She took the time to be alone in the Grove and gain the confirmation by the Spirit of the reality of Joseph's First Vision.  I hope this is something she will always remember.

ABC'S

Joshie loves to sing his ABC's and he sings them all day long...ALL day long!  Today I decided to get a video of him singing.  If I thought I would be missing the silliness when Sammy was in school, I didn't need to worry.  Joshie has definately helped fill that void!

Sand

Yesterday our Family Home Evening lesson centered on the scripture, Helaman 5:12.  We discussed what it means to build our foundation on the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.  We talked about continually increasing our testimonies.  We reminded the kids that all we do in life is to help us continue to build our foundation on the rock.  We also tied in the parable of the wise man building his house on the rock and the foolish man building his house on the sand.  We even built houses on sand and on a rock and used water from the hose to show what happens when "storms" come to us in life and how if we are built on the rock of our Redeemer then we can withstand these blows.  Although we will still have trials and at times we will struggle, we will be able to withstand all that is sent our way.  It was a fun afternoon and I hope our kids will remember the reason we do all that we do is to be sure we are building ourselves on the rock and not on the sand.

After it was over they all loved playing in the sand and we forgot to clean it up last night after they went to bed.  After naptime today, Sammy and Joshie headed outside for some more fun in the sand.  They played for at least an hour in the sand and, of course since Joshie was involved, water was turned on and used as well.  We even found sand on our driveway tonight!  When it was time to come inside Sammy, Mary, and Joshie all had sand in their hair, clothes, and all over themselves.  They thought it was great though because they were able to get a bath in the afternoon!  Again I was reminded of the joy in simple things.  I love watching them play and enjoy each other.

Gotcha Thomas

We were cleaning up after dinner tonight and I decided to play a little joke on Thomas.  I set it up and then Joel asked Thomas to rinse out the bowl because I knew I couldnt' keep a straight face.  As soon as it happened Thomas exclaimed, "MOM!"  I asked him why he thought it was me and he said that's just something I would do.  Wow, do our kids know me, or what!

Sammy's Perspective of School

Sammy continues to love school, however, he does not like waiting all morning for the bus to come.  I mean, goodness he has to wait until the ever so late hour of 8:30!  I guess that seems like an eternity for him when he is up, showered, dressed, breakfast eaten, hair/teeth brushed, and all his morning responsibilities completed by 7:00 am!  It makes for one very long hour and half and countless inquiries of, "Can I go meet the bus YET?!"

When I pick him up from school he is all hot and sweaty because they just finish recess before coming home.  Yesterday on the way home from school he told me, "Mom, Kindergarten is hard work."  To which I replied, "Is it, what makes it hard?"  He answered me, as if he couldn't figure out why I didn't already know the answer, "Cause I get all hot and sweaty playing superheroes at recess!"  I guess I forgot the most important thing about Kindergarten!

While we were eating lunch yesterday he told me he learned the alphabet the "kindergarten way" that day.  I asked if he would teach me and he said he couldn't remember all of it anymore.  He said things go into his brain but they keep sliding out from all the hard superhero work at recess.  I asked him how it was different from the alphabet he already learned and he said, "Oh Mom, there are lots more letters in this alphabet!"  Not sure what alphabet he is learning but it must be a pretty good one!