We have been outside quite a bit with the warmer weather for a few days there. It was fun. Sunday evening we did our family walk. Such a gorgeous sunset! We all enjoyed the pretty views and sky. And plenty of practicing of dribbling while we walked. Our boys like to play hard I tell ya.
Here's a brief update on the fam...
Greg - currently training well for a Marathon he's running in May. He's had a little knee pain but otherwise is loving it. He's almost lost his goal in weight. More on that later I guess. Working hard, not much free time, and is enjoying being in Young Mens in our ward. He makes dinner almost every Sunday. And let's me nap on Sundays. But he does get to sleep in a little when he can as well. It's a trade off.
Jax - plugging away at school. Wants to eat school lunch almost everyday. He begs to walk with his friends to school. He can always be found "prancing" around the house, meaning he runs, jumps, and is playing some imaginary ninja type something (all the boys do this). He only likes to play video games for a few minutes then he's done. He is liking playing the piano. He asks for hot cocoa every morning, don't worry, we only let him every-so-often. He loves going to scouts. And is always asking questions or wants to talk about something, anything. We all love that he can speak French. It's kinda neat to know they are learning it.
Creed - 1st grade is good to him. He loves his friends and gets wet everyday with the snow. Soggy feet, wet hair, etc. It's getting old. He still gets injured at recess at least once a week. He is obsessed with video games. It's always a battle of when and how long he gets to play. But it motivates him like no other to get his homework, or goals, or piano done. He loves to take HOT showers. Crazy hot. I get mad at him and tell him it can't be good for him. He now gags on school lunch and home lunch. So his home lunch supply is tiny in selection. Right now it's chips/salsa and cold cereal. I know, I know. He's the picky eater king! Oh boy does he have sweet tooth. Oh and his 2 front teeth are finally growing in. 10 1/2 months isn't too long with no teeth is it? Ha!
Bodie - Tells me every morning that he hates preschool. Although he really LOVES it. Happy as can be going and coming home. Wants to play with his little buddy Canon everyday. He writes his name the cutest way. He gets all 5 letters, scattered all over the page in random order. We take him to speech class every week and he loves that. So do I. He's a little like Creed in always wanting to play video games. But he usually turns it off before I have to tell him time's up. He carries around all his little collected things and toys. From his bed, to the couch, to the table or car. Then I tell him he has too many and needs to put some things away. He's like a hoarder. But all my boys did that for a while.
Rafe - He can play all day. In fact that's what he does. He watches a few Disney shows (Mickey Mouse) every morning so I can finish getting ready for the day. And then he likes to hang on me and loves to eat. He's always wanting a snack. He is a good eater. He'll eat anything and lots of it. We have been "introducing" potty training to him for months now. Starting to really work at it as he's almost 3! He's just learned to hold up 3 fingers so he can say he's three come his b-day. I find him singing songs, which he loves. Every night after I read Bodie and Rafe their bedtime story, he asks to look at the book again, by himself. Then I hear him talking about the book as if he's reading it. So cute.
I am really missing the baby stage of life. I know I say that often, but I am glad I had it and will cherish it. I think I love the idea of it now more than I did when I was in it. The boys are all growing up so fast. There are sure pluses to having the kids older and self sufficient. I get excited thinking of the things we can do without such little ones. We've been keeping Rafe out of nursery every week. And he hasn't been sick the last few months. Well one time, but... knock on wood. Everyone at church now knows who Rafe is, that's for sure. He's the one who is smiley and happy and then the next minute he's screaming no or crying of something. Fun stuff. My calling is in the Relief Society extra meetings committee. So I do planning and activities. And I plan all the play groups in our ward.
Greg's parents are doing well. His dad is close to retirement. Greg's mom is gracious in helping to teach our boys piano. And they help visit Great G-ma Bangerter in her recovery center. And my parents are, hopefully I can type this through the tears in my eyes, my mom is using all her strength to care for my dad with Alzheimer's. Her new full time job is taking care of dad's every need. And dad is so far gone. He sleeps a lot, will get up often and in the night, gets changed, he eats, showered, and my mom begs him to get in the car when they need to leave. But he still laughs, he was always good at humor and laughing, but now it's just not at the right things sometimes :) . He's like a toddler (giant size), it's so heart breaking. We are always praying for them. And especially my mom.
I certainly can't wait for winter to be over. I keep thinking there are so many things I want to do, so now I need to do them. I've been trying to work out more, and eat healthier foods. Be a more patient parent. Teach my kids all the best and be the best example. Gosh it's so hard.
Never easy, only worth it, right?
