Hiding

It was a normal busy morning. All the kids were up and getting ready for school. Niel and I had just finished up our morning prayers. It was freezing in our room, so we jumped on the bed to warm ourselves in the covers. We were snuggled up close to each other, trying to get warm.... and prolonging getting off to work.

We were enjoying warming up when we heard two little feet walk into our room. We heard the little feet come in, but we didn't raise our heads to see who it was. The little feet sounded like Zander. The little feet walked into our room and then stopped for a second. Then, the little feet walked around to our bathroom. They walked into the bathroom, paused, and then walked about again. It was obvious by the the pauses in steps that the little person was looking for us.

"Hello? Who is there?" Niel said loudly, to let the little person know we were in the room and to find out who it was.

"Who was that?" came the little voice. We recognized the little voice, with the little curious foot steps, belonging to Zander.

"Hello!" came Niel's voice again.

"Who is there?" Zander said, waiting for a response.

At this point is was pretty clear Zander couldn't see us in the bed, under the covers. He could hear Niel's voice, but he couldn't figure out where we were. Zander's little foot steps walked past the bed, across the bedroom, and over to the closet. His foot steps stopped. He looked into the closet and was perplexed when he couldn't see anyone there.

"Hello!" Niel said again.

"Where are you?" said Zander. This time, his voice had a slight hint of irritation. His little feet carried him across the bedroom and back over to the bathroom. Once again he couldn't find anyone in the bathroom. He just couldn't figure it out.

"I can hear you! WHERE ARE YOU?" By this time Zander was frustrated. He dashed out of the bedroom and into the hallway.

This time, Niel and I sat up and said, "Zander! Come back into our room. We are right here!"

Zander's little feet brought him back into the bedroom. He came in with an angry face.

"Stop teasing me! I can't find you!!"

Ah.... Zander cracks me up on a regular basis. He definitely started our morning with a good laugh!

Scared!

It was my day to pick up Gar and James from football practice. It was late, dark and cold. As I pulled up into the parking lot, I noticed there weren't many cars around at all. I was slightly perplexed and wondered where everyone was. Practice had been changed to a new school. I had dropped the boys off 2 hours earlier but they were late because I wasn't sure where I was going. The boys had told me they were at the right school and anxiously climbed out of the car.... they do not like to be late.

Now, it was two hours later.... and very dark outside. I got out of the car and walked around to the side of the school. I didn't see anyone. No one in the parking lot, no little football player. All I could hear was the sound of my car running. My first thought was practice must have gotten over early because it was so cold out. I figured the boys must have gotten a ride home from another parent in our neighborhood and I had just missed them. I climbed back into the car and started driving off slowly. I looked back one more time for any signs of the kids.... and still nothing. So, I headed home. A 10 minute drive.

When I walked in the door I was greeted by Stockton and Conner.... but no Garrett. I ran down to his bedroom... still nothing. He was not home. I then realized he must still be at the school park.... or worse, he was lost! My heart started racing. Poor little Garrett. He is only 6 years old! It was very dark and super cold outside. My mind started thinking terrible thoughts. I had to tell myself to calm down. No need to freak out yet. Just get back into the car and drive back to the school.... and start searching for the boys.

I drove as fast as my car could go. As I drove up.... there stood little Garrett, eyes red with tears. And poor James... his eyes red from crying too. It was a happy, sad moment. I was so happy to see them but I felt so bad for leaving them in the dark and not looking harder for them.

I ran over to Garrett. He was so upset. "Mom, why did you leave us?" He could barely talk. His little body was shivering from the cold weather and his fear. "Oh Garrett! I am so sorry! I came to pick you up and didn't see you. I thought someone else had given you a ride." With tears in his eyes he said, "We saw you drive away. We even said two sprayer that we would be safe. We were so cold!"

The boys had been sitting out in the cold, dark night for about 20 minutes... all alone! They thought I had left them there. They were far away from the house. I can't even imagine what their little minds thought. I was grateful they had thought to pray and I am so very grateful they had stayed still and not tried to start walking home or something. I felt very blessed they were both all right and safe.

As I tucked Garrett into bed that night he told me he was still upset with me. I asked him if he would ever forgive me. He said, "Maybe tomorrow! I am still cold!"

Numbers

The family woke up bright and early! It was the day of our BIG fun run! This was a local event in Provo canyon in which the entire family could participate. Niel and I enjoy running 5K's! It is a great way to stay in shape. Plus, it is really fun.
Niel, Conner and I signed up for the 5K. Stockton and Garrett signed up for 1/2 mile and Zander signed up for the 1/4 mile. Everyone was super excited as we woke up extra early.... everyone except for Stockton. He was dragging his feet, moving slower then usual, and had his head hang low. This is fairly unusual for Stocks. Most of the time he is the anxious one to get out and try something new. Although waking up early for exercise isn't his most favorite way to spend sleeping hours. I asked him, "What is wrong Stocks?"

"My least favorite number is 5 and I don't like the letter K!"

What a goof. He was still a good sport about it. Once he found out he got a medal and a prize for participating, he gave it his full Stockton effort! I was proud of him for crossing the finish line.

Too Old!

Ever since I can remember, I have called the boys "sweetie". Most every day, I say "I love you" which is followed by a quick kiss. I have always enjoyed giving my boys these little signs of affection, and I always thought they appreciated it as well.

Conner has informed me, he is simply too old for these kinds of things....

I dropped Conner and his friends off for football practice the other day. As he was getting out of the car I said, "I love you sweetie! Have a great practice!" Conner just gave me this embarrassed look and rolled his eyes. Then, when I would have normally given him a quick kiss on the lips... he pushed his cheek towards me. HIS CHEEK! I figured it out pretty quickly, rather then embarrass him in front of his friends, I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and he jumped out of the car.

I sat there in the car for a little while in complete shock. Has Conner all ready become too old for his mother's sweet nothings? WOW! Where has the time gone? I guess he is 11 years old and I guess it "isn't cool" for a mom to still be calling her mature, football tough son "sweetie".

It has been an incredible journey to watch Conner grown from baby, to little boy, to big boy and then to a young man. But honestly, I have taken for granite those little kisses and sweet words back, "I love you too Mom!"

Later that night when I was tucking him into bed he said, "Mom, could you not kiss me or call me sweetie in front of my friends? Maybe you could just call me Bud or Kiddo, or something like that?" I hesitated for a second and then he said, "But I still love you Mom. I will always love you. I just don't want you to say it in front of my friends.... right before football!"

My little Conner is growing up!!! I am pleased with the man he is becoming, and I will forever miss the little boy he once was.

Boys Humor

Me, Garrett, Zander and a football friend, James, were all in the car and we were heading to football practice. James started laughing, "I just farted!" he said. Garrett, James, and Zander all began laughing loudly. Then Garrett let out a big burp! Again the boys continued laughing. Next, James started to burp over and over again. Garrett was in such amazement that James had such talent!! He asked James to teach him how to burp like that... over and over again. While James was giving Garrett his lesson on burping, Zander was laughing so hard. Zander nearly lost his breath because of his giggles.

Garrett wasn't able to master the lesson of burping.... thank goodness! But the entire 10 minute drive to football practice was non-stop humor for all the boys in the car. They were so amused with the burping fest. It is interesting what boys think is so funny.

"I need to go Potty!"

Megan, Zander and I were making a quick stop at Toys R Us. Zander was in heaven looking at all the toys. I noticed he was doing the potty dance so I asked him if he needed to go to the bathroom. He told me "No" and kept searching through the toys with much excitement. In about 5 minutes I noticed he was doing the potty dance again. Rather then ask him if he had to go, I said "Zander, let's go to the bathroom."

We started walking towards the bathroom. Zander was behind me so I wasn't really paying much attention to what he was doing. As I got to the restroom door I stopped and turned around. Zander was a few feet behind me with pants and underwear down to his ankles, leaving his bare bum exposed to the world. His little feet were scooting along in a quick shuffle with his hand on his pee-pee. "Hurry Mom! I need to go!!! I need to go real quick. It isn't waiting!!" I couldn't help but laugh. I pushed open the bathroom door and he scooted himself inside.

There wasn't anyone around.... good thing, because we didn't want to get in trouble for indecent exposure...haha!

Shocking sights at Borders

We were in Hawaii on our way back from jumping off cliffs at a remote little waterfall. Amy wanted to find a new book to read so her and Zander and I stopped at Borders. Amy went to look for the book she wanted, so I stood with Zander by the magazine rack. I was browsing through football preview magazines when a lady behind me started laughing uncontrollably. I turned around to look at her, and she pointed down to Zander. I realized he could be doing pretty much anything...so I moved my eyes to him, and there he was, pants pulled down, wiping sand off of his...uh...privates. He was serious as could be and intent on cleaning it off. When I asked him what he was doing, he said "Well Nielie, it hurts".

He never ceases to entertain us.

Telephone Moments

The boys are in Montana spending time with their Dad for 5 weeks this summer.  My joys have come from hearing their voices several times a week.  It is incredible how just hearing them say "hello" can brighten my day.  Below are a few of our conversations.....

Stockton: "Mom, you forgot to pack my toothbrush.  I haven't brushed my teeth for 3 weeks and my teeth feel gross."

Me:  "What?  I am sorry I didn't pack your toothbrush, but do you think you could ask someone to buy you a toothbrush?"

Stockton:  "There aren't any stores around here.  We can't just go out and get a tooth brush."

(Denise said she would pick one up when she went into town....laugh!)

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Conner:  "Mom, I got to hold a lizard today.  I know you will say "No," but do you think we could get a pet lizard?"

Me:  "No!"

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Garrett:  "Today I passed level 6 on World of Warcraft.  I got to go mom, I love you."

(Gar would play video games all day and forgo food if we could.  I don't know that I have been on the phone with him for more then 2 minutes.)

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Zander:  "Are you at the Rodeo yet?  Are you at work yet?  Are you going to come sleep over?"

(Zander asks a million questions all at once.  He is so cute to talk to!  He wants to talk to anyone who is with me.)

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I miss the boys so very much!  I can't wait to see them.  We pick them up one week from today.  Niel commented this morning, "Sunday morning are just so quiet around here.  I just doesn't seem like Sunday without them here."

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I asked each of the boys what they want to be when they grow up. I found the responses to be extremely interesting....

Conner: "When I grow up I think I want to be an Astronaut. But I guess there isn't a lot of people looking for an Astronaut, so maybe I will be a Pilot. Or maybe I could be a High School Teacher and teach Math because I am good at math and I like it."

Stockton: "Well, I really like McDonald's, so maybe I will work at McDonald's doing something. I want to be rich though, so I want to be whatever Jackson's dad does. They have all the money they want, so that is what I want to do. I want my wife to do something too. Then we can have lots of money."

Garrett: "When I grow up I want to be in the Military. My friend at school has a dad who is in the Military. He came to our school and it was really cool. He is protecting us and making us safe. I also want to be a runner. I want to run in the Olympics and win a medal."

Zander: "I want to watch a movie. Can we watch Spirit?" I asked Zander again what he wanted to be and suggested a few things. "Mom, I just want to watch a movie.... PLEASE!"

Happy Birthday Miss Grandstaff

Conner called me at work with much delight.  "Mom, it is Miss Grandstaff's birthday.  Me and my friend Joseph would like to do something very special for her tomorrow.  Could you take me to the store tonight?"

Later that night Conner and I went shopping.  Now shopping for Conner is a BIG deal.  He is his least favorite way to spend his time.  I knew this must be a pretty important event for him if he wanted to go shopping.  We purchased some sour patch kids and a beautiful pink plant/flower thing.  He was a good sport too and did a little grocery shopping with me.  It was a very pleasant evening.

Conner very kindly asked Niel to take him and his friend to school at 7:30 in the morning.  This was just the time Miss Grandstaff would be coming into the school to start her day.  Conner and Joseph were so excited to surprised her.... and that they did.  She was overjoyed to see them early in the morning.  She was beaming with happiness as they gave her their gifts and wished her a Happy Birthday.  Both Conner and Joseph were beaming too.  They were both giddy with delight as Niel took them back home.  Conner commented on the fact that we was so happy he went shopping and got up so early to make someone's day so special.

I was so proud of him for taking the extra time to do something he wouldn't normally do for his teacher.  It reminded me to do those little extra things.  What a great example!

Family Basketball

It is a Monday night.... family night! The weather is finally good outside. This winter has seemed to last FOREVER! We haven't gotten to play too much outside, but tonight we decide to have a family basketball game. This will our first family basketball game ever.... a moment to remember for years to come.
We split up in teams. Niel, Stockton, and Zander make up one team. Amy, Conner, and Garrett make up the second team. The game is off to a good start. We are all very competitive so the game is getting interesting. Zander makes a few lay-ups (Niel picking him up and raising him to the basket). Of course, we all cheer. Zander is loving th game. We are all enjoying ourselves. But Zander soon becomes anxious and wants the ball ALL the time. Each of us are trying to give him his turn, but he grows very impatient. Amy gets the ball and begins to dribble. Zander, with very pleading eyes and with such desire says, "Mom, I love you!!! NOW GIVE ME THE BALL!"

It was a great game. One we will all remember for years to come!

The Jazz Game

I had looked forward to the day when the boys would be old enough to actually appreciate and enjoy a Jazz game. Well, the day arrived and it was more fun then I could have imagined! The Jazz played an awesome game! They killed the Wizards with the final score 129 Jazz - 87 Wizards. We were sitting pretty high up but it was a perfect spot for us. The crowd cheered loud! The stands were full of high energy. Niel and I didn't watch the game like we usually do. We spent a lot of time going up and down the stairs. We took trips for hot dogs, bathroom breaks, drinks, popcorn, and more trips to the bathrooms. I think we both got our exercise for the night. But to see the smiles on the boys faces was priceless. They cheered loudly with the crowd. They stood up and danced to the ACDC songs. They clapped with the cheerleaders. They had such a great time!! As we were walking back to the car the boys were jumping around and expressing what fun they had. Stockton told me it was the best day of his life.... he says that often, but I love it when he says it. I think Stockton was just excited to give some of his money to the homeless guy playing church hymns on his accordion outside of the Arena. Or maybe he is just so easily entertained. It was just so fun for me to enjoy their good time. It was a perfect night. I think a trip to the Jazz game could become a just valued family tradition.

Conner's Basketball

We have had a lot of fun watching Conner play basketball this year. He has improved so much over last year and has really had a good time. I, personally, can't get enough of watching him play and watching how much fun he is having.

His coach was very unusual for a group of 10 year olds. He was extremely intense, and he taught them several plays. He was very focused on trying to get them to play basketball "the right way". At first we were concerned it would be to intense for Conner who tends to put a lot of pressure on himself anyway. But as it turns out, the coach was great. He did expect a lot, but he was heavy on the praise and Conner really liked the structure.

Conner has turned into a great rebounder. He's not the tallest or biggest kid on the court, but he plays with intensity and goes after every basketball. The team had an award for most rebounds and I think he won it all but one game. It was great to see him play so hard and just enjoy the game. He never got frustrated with himself, he was just happy when he succeeded, and determined to do better when he didn't.

We were both very proud of him for how hard he worked and dedicated he was. And it was a lot of fun to watch him and the team progress.

Now he is harassing me daily to get the cement pored so we can have a basketball court right here at home.

Joesph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

We haven't been seeing too much of Megan the past few months. We sure do miss her but there is good reason why her absence is missed. She has been performing in the Play, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." The Play has been at the Center Street Musical Theatre in downtown Provo. Megan is sometimes a little shy, but you would never believe it if you saw her perform. She is in the children's choir and man can she belt out a tune.... and dance for that matter as well!
We went to the performance and enjoyed ourselves immensely. She was very animated and I could tell she was having a great time. She has been working so hard with practices and is very dedicated to the performance. Watching her up on the stage was one of those parent moments when I get all giddy and overly proud of one of our children. It was one of those moment when I smile so big my lips feel like they just can't stretch big enough. She looked so beautiful up on stage and a real natural. It was a great event to attend and I look forward to many more of them.

http://www.csmtc.com/

Soap Poisoning

I believe Niel posted a while back regarding Zander and his colorful language. I have good news, those horrible words are a rarity these days. As a matter of fact, the cussing has stopped!! However, Zander's little lips tend to get the best of him at times. "You are stupid" or "Shut-up" are angry words he tends to use when he is frustrated. Even though he has come a long way in his use of good language, stupid and shut up are just not words I like to hear in our house. I told him the next time he said either one he would visit the kitchen sink and get a taste of the clean soap on his tongue. Well, the trip to the sink was memorable.

I was sleeping when I heard Zander beginning to become frustrated at Conner. Conner was being very helpful to Zander, pouring him a bowl of cereal for breakfast. Conner had used the wrong bowl, which just doesn't sit will with Zander. So, Zander blurted out the words, "You are stupid Conner!"

I quickly jumped out of bed and into the kitchen. I picked up Zander and told him it was time to try out the soap. Dirty words would have to be washed out of his mouth. I have to tell you I was being very calm, but I could tell Zander was pretty worried. He had never tasted soap before so I believe he was unsure if this was a good thing or not. He didn't want to open his mouth though, knowing it must not taste that great otherwise I wouldn't be trying it as punishment. I pressed down on the soap dispenser and drop a tiny little dab of flowerly scented hand soap on his tongue. Immediately he began to scream. It was obvious he didn't like the taste. He cried and cried! It was the full mouth cry too with lots of sound. He was loud and dramatic enough to wake up the entire house. He just sat on the floor and offered a theatrical scene to anyone who would be willing to watch. All the kids did come see him, but thought it funny more then anything. This went of for quit a while. I asked him if he wanted a drink but Zander is very stubborn and just cried in a higher, more loud pitch when anyone would talk with him.
Finally, after 15 minutes or so, after the attention of his brothers had ceased, he agreed to take a drink. Again, being the dramatic child he is, he told me his arms were just too tired and he needed me to hold the cup up to his mouth. With a slight laugh, and a little roll of my eyes, I put the cup to his lips so he could partake of the water. He lips seemed to be too tired to drink as well because the water just trickled from his lips and onto the neck line of his t-shirt. It took a lot not to find this humorous but it was hard not to laugh at this poor little boy.

Zander went around all morning drooling and whining. It took a while for him to calm down. When we seemed to at least be at the end of this production, Niel picked him up. Niel asked him, "Why did you get your mouth washed out with soap?" Very meekly Zander replied, "Because I said Stupid." "Are you ever going to say it again?" With very big eyes and a sincere voice his reply was "No!"
It was been two weeks since the soap poisoning incident and Zander will still tell you about it. He hasn't even come close to letting those words escape from his lips. And, if he hears anyone say stupid, he is quick to remind them it isn't a word they should be saying.

Thougtful

Niel and I teach the 5 year old primary kids. In our class, we are lucky enough to have one of our own... Garrett! It is fun to have him in our class. One of the little boys, Cayden, has a hard time. He loves to be with his dad. Every once and a while, he will get a little teary-eyed as he comes to sit with our class. Cayden is a very good boy and we love having him in our class. It breaks my heart to see him sad. This past Sunday, Garrett saw him crying. Garrett was sitting next to me, but when he saw Cayden, we got up and went down the row quit aways to sit next to Cayden. Garrett said, "I know it is sad to leave your mom and dad. I get sad too sometimes. But I can share my mom with you if you want. She is really nice." Cayden didn't say anything, but he smiled a little. Garrett sat next to him for a while longer. He told me later, he was making sure Cayden was all right.
How thoughtful! Garrett brought a smile and a tear to my eye. What a great example he is to me.

Stockton's Baptismal Preview

Stockton had is Baptismal Preview meeting tonight. All of the kids who will turn 8 this year and get baptized were invited to come. He was so excited to go, it was a meeting for him and he felt very important.
He is growing up so fast, and it's fun to watch him as he grows and matures. It was definitely fun to see him feel proud tonight. He has watched Conner enjoy Cub Scouts, so when they talked about starting scouts tonight he lit up. He can't wait to begin those fun activities.
But the most memorable moment for me was during the bishop's talk. The bishop was talking about making good choices and the things we can do after we are baptized. Stockton raised his hand and forcefully said "When we make mistakes, we can repent"...he then looked at me and Amy and said "See, I DO listen in church". It was a very cute moment, but it also made me proud. He is such a good kid and has so much love in his heart. Often we think he is not being responsible or paying attention, but in reality he is doing the things he should be and is so kind to everyone. Stockton is an example to me, I always hope I treat other people the way Stockton does. And I am looking forward to the great day when he gets baptized.

Who is Santa

**This post is not for young readers**

"I can hear you!! What are you doing upstairs? Are you putting out our Christmas presents? I can hear some banging!" Conner was shouting this at the top of him lungs from downstairs. He was suppose to watching a movie and being quiet. He is suppose to be all nestled up in his covers with sugar plums dancing through his head. But no, he is too curious and outwardly putting suspicious thoughts in his brother's little heads that Santa, is in fact, Niel and I.

"Conner... go to sleep! Santa is not going to come tonight if you don't go to sleep!" This is my attempt to make him be quiet.

It is Christmas Eve... late. Conner is right, Niel and I are frantically working on getting all the Santa gifts up and displayed so perfectly for Christmas morning. Conner has been throwing out all different comments about Santa this year. "Do you really think Santa can fit down our chimney?" "Reindeer really can't fly!" "It is too cold to live at the North Pole... even for Elves."

As a child, I remember how crushed I was when the poor neighborhood boy told me about Santa. I was only 7 when the thought of magical Christmas was ruined for me. Matthew Griffin was the neighborhood child, yes... I can even remember his name, the place I was standing and everything about that 5 seconds when I realized Santa was my mom and dad. The bad thing about that moment was my little sister Brooke was standing right next to me. Brooke was only 5 at that time and I wonder if she really even understand what the mean, bully neighbor told us. As you might guess, it was a very tragic event for me. I made a vow at that moment that I would never ruin Santa for anyone.... especially my own kids.

Well, I guess there comes a point in time when we all realize that Santa isn't real. Conner is 10, old enough to start his questions. I hadn't thought he would be so public in expressing his thoughts. I just couldn't have him ruin it for his brothers, so I took him in his room to give him the talk.... hoping to not crush his spirit. The talk went well. Conner understood and seemed ok with this new information. I kept saying "Are you all right?" He just smiled and told me he was all right. He even thanked me for being such a great Santa over the years.

This talk I had not wanted to have ended up being a good thing. Conner is now going overboard in making sure his brothers know that Santa is awesome! "WOW! Garrett, you must have been a really good boy this year. Santa brought you just what you wanted!!" I am glad Conner's knowledge of Santa was a pleasant memory for him, or at least I hope it was. Now, I just have to do it 3 more times...smile!