The Man in Charge

I like putting pictures on my blog, and this doesn't have to do with the following story, but it's cute, nonetheless. My boys--brothers forever!

This week has been really rough for us...I was the sickest I think I've ever been in my life, going to the ER twice--once with a real swine flu scare (it was detected at my workplace)--but I didn't have it, and another time with my first major adult ear infection...and it was awful!!

One particular morning it was really bad and I couldn't move; the boys were playing so well (they were so good the entire time, I have just great boys, I really do), but I was so worried because I couldn't keep chasing Trace around the house to watch him at all times like I normally do. The boys were in the playroom so I called Kalen over. He knew I was sick, and I asked him if he could be the biggest brother ever, and keep a close eye on Trace and help me watch him, since I couldn't see him always. Kalen agreed, then I heard him a minute later announcing to Brady and Trace that mommy as sick, so he's in charge now. Since Brady didn't complain, I let it go.

About half an hour later I was talking to my dad on the phone and I saw Brady stomping by me with a pout on his face, followed by Kalen. I said, "Why's Brady so mad?" as I watched him go to his bedroom. Kalen said, "I sent Brady to his room because he hit Trace." I was dumbfounded... Brady actually went. What's even better is that when Brady wondered out of the room, as he so often does after a minute or two, Kalen said, "Okay Brady, you need to stay in your room until I come in there to talk to you." A minute later, he was 'talking' to Brady saying, "Brady, Why did you have to go to your room? What could you have done better?"

It sounded so familiar... :-)

Guess who's standing?

Trace is!! All by himself, without holding on to anything!! Even long enough for me to snap a few pictures of it! And he's so proud of himself, but who wouldn't be with two older brothers and a momma yelling "yay!!" and clapping for him. He's so cute!

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He turns 9 months old tomorrow~so big!

Growing boys-fun fun fun!

I was talking to my friend Megan the other day--just our usual bi-weekly/tri-weekly update about family, kids, etc., and had a realization sort of, maybe a re-realization of just how amazing my boys are individually. Each one is so different in so many ways, and each one is growing so fast. Even at their young ages, it's amazing how I can tell what kind of men they are going to be. Kalen is so smart--book smart. He hears things and immediately it's put to memory. He's a thinker and loves having deep conversations. Brady is mechanically inclined. He has always been able to scale the tallest thing in the house (like since he was 7 months old), but more and more each day I'm realizing how he knows processes and understands how things work...and picks up on functions so well. Then there's Trace, the peacemaker in the family. He's quiet, always smiling and watching his brothers--and now that he's a crawling machine, he's started exploring and following his older brothers everywhere. He doesn't mind being toted around by his arms with Kalen, and he's starting to even deal with Brady's smothering pretty well. He rolls off the couch, cuddle bag, and anything else with ease, hardly ever a fuss. He's just content being with others and brings joy to those around him.

I just wanted to post some updated pictures I took tonight in the tub (Brian thinks I'm silly for taking so many pics of them in the tub, but it's just so cute!):

Also, I've been reading my friend's blogs, about how much fun they had on the fourth and I wanted to share some "borrowed" pictures from Destiny's blog. Also, if you have a moment, she and her hubby put together a video of our water sliding that day (put to music), and it's awesome...some of you may recognize others in the video, so feel free to click on Destiny and Tyler's link from my page and watch it--it's really fun (hope you don't mind Des). One of the first clips is of the kids all going down together, and yes, that is Brady in front, getting twisted around and going down on his back, head first. The boys just loved it!!

Three, Four, or Five??

So, we spent Tuesday and Wednesday visiting my dear college-friend Nicole, who was visiting her mom in Bonita Springs, FL. We went to the beach both days and the boys loved it. What Kalen loved the most was Nicole's little 6 month old baby girl, Taylor. The whole time we were there, he kept saying how much he wished he had a "cute little baby sister." Then, on the way home he professed that he thought Heavenly Father wants us to have FOUR kids in our family. I laughed, because as most of you know, Brian and I have agreed that three sounds just about perfect and we think we're done reproducing :-)

When we got home, I told Brian what Kalen had claimed. In an attempt to sway his thoughts, we asked Kalen, "What if mommy has a fourth baby, and Heavenly Father decides He wants it to be another boy AGAIN--we can't just choose to have a sister." Kalen looked so sweet as he thought for about 3 seconds, then he said, "Well, if that happened, I'd be happy, but then I think Heavenly Father would want us to have FIVE kids!"

Everybody was Kung Fu Fighting

My brother Thomas is going on a mission...meaning he'll be gone for two years. So, before he leaves, he came to visit us in FL for three weeks and has been helping to watch the boys when Brian and I are both at work. Today when I got home, the boys were so excited because they were making a music video with Uncle Thomas. I thought it was awesome---so I wanted to put it on my blog. Enjoy!!

One big umbrella

Normally my blogging is dedicated to my boys...but at our family reunion last week my cousin snapped this picture because it was funny--however, I think it's really symbolic. Below you'll see my little brother, who actually isn't that little anymore. He's home from his first year of college and awaiting a mission call any week now. Behind him is my dad. On this particular day, it had been quite rainy, so there were many umbrellas around--Thomas thought it would be funny to use Kalen's little miniature umbrella since he stands at 6'9" tall. And it was funny, then dad covered him with my mom's gigantic umbrella (no normal sized umbrella's in my family, no).

Anyways, that's when I thought about this:

Isn't it funny that when we are little we think we know it all, we think we can fend for ourselves, and we think we can do just fine without any help from mom or dad. As we grow older, we become more independent, and I'm not sure when it happens, but there comes a time when we know we can do it ourself. Depending on the person, maybe it's when they move out, go away to college, get married, begin a career, or whatever...but how often do we stop to realize how much of an impact our parents still have on us--how we're not really ever alone--how dad is always there "holding the umbrella over us", just in case ours doesn't work.

I know this is just all a bunch of mumbo-jumbo coming out, but basically, I wanted to write to say that I am so grateful to know my dad's always watching out for me (and my family). He was when I was little, he was when I was a teen-ager, and he still is--he's got that umbrella, that I may not notice because it's not physically touching me at all, but he's got it right over my little family, just in case we need some help--so that if I dare put mine down, he'll still be there. How often do we realize how much our parents love us? I know sometimes I take it for granted...and I have an amazing father--one who is each of his children's best friend. --How did he do that? I don't even know...but I want to be my little boys' best friend as they grow. I do know he was always there to listen, to give advice, to give discipline when needed, and to be an example of charity for anyone less fortunate. My siblings and I all recognize and agree on that.

I know you read this on occasion dad, so I just wanted to say thanks, for having your gigantic umbrella, right from the start.

Isn't it funny how a simple picture can strike up so many thoughts and feelings?

And, here's a picture of my dad's family taken at the Reunion (none of us were super duper groomed for pictures--we were camping in the middle of woods).

Left to right: Brandon and Ashley (my sister and her new husband), 19 yr old Brother Thomas, Mom, 18 yr old brother Chris (in an awfully filthy shirt), Dad, and then us: Kalen-Me-Trace (top to bottom), Brady, and Brian.

Wedding day and funny story

First, a quick funny story: My friend Kacy watched the boys the other day and told me that during lunch Kalen was sitting at the table and announced that his dad speaks "Pork-a-cheese." She knew he meant "Portuguese," but it was so cute she smiled and asked him to repeat it. He was a little embarrassed and said, "I don't really know how to say it, but it ends in cheese." Isn't that cute?

Then the wedding things: I have some pictures from Ashley's wedding last month. My little guys were the ring bearer's and they were the cutest little ring bearer's I've ever seen. It was hilarious because they really had no idea why they were walking down the isle, but they made it to the end, and we even got a few laughs after Brady ran into the banister at the front.

This is a family photo taken after the reception

Here's the happy couple leaving after the wedding--they didn't let the rain ruin their day at all!

Me (the matron of honor) and my lil' sis. (not the best pic of me...)

Bride and ring boys--didn't Ash look beautiful?

Walking down the isle...

Brady, right before he ran into the banister at the end of the isle

This is a cute candid of Brady at the reception

I love this shot of Brian and Brady--getting the bubbles ready for the big exit

An amazing shot of Kalen, blowing bubbles for the bride and groom's exit

Just another picture I liked of Brady outside the church

Sorry, this one is out of order, but it's Kalen showing off the Bride's ring

Despite the rain, it was truly an amazing and beautiful day--and thank you Sarah for these pics!