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."