A Purple Cow!

Last Wednesday, I got home from work at about 5:30. I had left at about 2:45, so I just missed Jonathan coming home from preschool. Garrett meets me at the door with a very serious look on his face and says, "Have you seen Jonathan?" I become frantic with worry - Was he hurt? Did something happen? Did he get in trouble? No, Garrett explains, "They painted his fingernails at preschool." Oh! Dread of dreads....so it was purple day and the teachers let the kids decide if they did or did not want their fingernails painted. Jonathan chose the purple polish and came home and showed dad. He must have sensed right away that this was not exciting to Daddy, so he says, "Ok! Let's wash it off now." Garrett explains that you can't wash it off, and Jonathan becomes upset. He ran to see me first thing to ask me what cool stuff I had that would take the polish off. Funny! Funny! Of course, I took a picture first...

The picture he painted is a purple cow with the following poem:

I never saw a purle cow.

I never hope to see one.

But I can tell you anyhow

I'd rather see one than be one.

He memorized the last line and told me that - It was cute.

The Giants In My Life

I was thinking this morning how there are so many great people in my life that strengthen me and make me a better person. A few of them have really impacted my life this week and I'd like to share them with those of you that may not know them...

Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave two talks at the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that has really hit the spot for me. One was actually at the Relief Society meeting the Saturday before conference. If you have some time to listen, here are the links: http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-7,00.html and http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-37,00.html

Next, my brother Joseph's wife, Jenn, posted a blog entitled Not bad, as far as a Thursday goes
posted on October 9th, 2008 at http://zollyzoo.com/jennblog/ This blog reminded me once again how lucky I am in my brother's choice of the only sister-in-law to join an almost all girl family. Her words have really helped me this week.

Then, on Wednesday, one of my roommates from college had a healthy baby girl. Doesn't sound so inspirational. Natalie's first boy was born with serious heart problems requiring three open heart surgeries in the first couple years of his life, the first one coming the first few days of his life. When their second son was born, he too had heart problems. A few months before my Gabe was born, Natalie and Doug got a little girl, free from heart problems. A few days after Gabe was born, she died of SIDS. They got pregnant when I got pregnant with Jacob and miscarried soon after. As I spoke with her, my heart was touched with the amount of courage she continues to exhibit. Through it all, her testimony (and that of her husband's) remains strong and true. This past year, they've even opened the doors of their baby girls room and had a teenage girl who needed a place to live stay with them. On Wednesday, they had a beautiful, healthy baby girl, appropriately named Faith - See her pictures at http://natalie-fieldfamily.blogspot.com/2008/10/got-faith-we-do.html.

And just last night, my little sister Melanie - no longer the little girl that asks to snuggle with me when I come from college, but a fantastic, darling woman with two adorable children - posted a message that really impressed me as it involves the situation in California - something that remains in the back of my mind - although it could have lasting impressions on our entire nation. Her blog is found at http://daveandmelstory.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-are-you-going-to-do-about-it.html.

These are just some of the people that have really affected me this week. There are so many more in my life. How lucky I am!!!

Thanks to Aunt Carissa and Uncle Shawn!

Thanks for the fantastic gift - They boys have already enjoyed the fruits of your labors. We love your packages!

Brothers

Jonathan, Gabe, and Jacob - What a trio! As you can see, Jacob is never quite sure what to expect from his brothers - A question also in my mind - I keep trying to strike a balance between encouraging them to play together and keeping everybody safe....

I did it!

"I did it!" is currently Gabe's favorite thing to tell me. And it's so fun to hear. He says it whenever he gets on a chair or off a chair, pulls his pants on by himself or his socks, when he eats all his food or just one bite of his vegetables, when he gets to the top of the stairs or to the bottom, when he gets to the top of a chair or a couch.

And as a sentimental, proud mother, I think he's fantastic!

Squeaky Clean

I just love bath time. The boys - especially Jacob - are thrilled to be in water and they're just so cute. Here's Jacob with his big two teeth grin - Stay tune for pictures of the third one that just poked its head thru the gums.
And here are Jonathan and Gabe - a little to rough in the tub for the baby. Gabe's hair was just washed and thus, has the Spike look.

Garrett's New Wheels!

On the 1st of October, Garrett drove home with this in the back of his truck. He bought it off KSL Classifieds from a guy in Providence, Utah. He's enjoyed it and we're hoping it will save us money in the long run, so he doesn't have to drive the truck as much.

And besides.....doesn't a motorcycle look fabulous with a good looking guy in jeans and a white T-shirt sitting on it? Well, I think so!