Random thoughts

Tonight Ryleigh mastered tying her shoes!  She was so excited, she just thanked me and thanked me for teaching her.  The sad thing is she walked around the house about 45 minutes until I could sit down to teach her.  I keep telling myself to pay attention and not miss these moments for laundry or dinner or dishes or all the other things that keep me from enjoying the moments with my kids.  And just to show I was trying to learn from my lesson, I sat down and let her read a book to me.

I hope I never forget Brennan's "vigenar".  He still to this day can not say, vinegar.  He had to do a science experiment and demonstrate it to the class a few weeks ago.  We were limited to to which experiment he could do simply because he can't say vinegar and didn't want to embarrass himself.

Kelsey is a little mother.  She always tells Ryleigh to "put belt on" when we get in the car. That is seat-belt in case you were wondering.  At Brennan's basketball game Kelsey kept calling for Connor, "Connor mere". "Connor come here". But my favorite is Kelsey's "excuse me".  She says, "me-see".  She is very polite.  The other day she had the hiccups.  She would hiccup and said,"me-see".  It was so cute.  She must have said it 20 times! My least favorite Kelsey phrase is... Brennan"mean".  If you are not doing exactly as Kelsey wishes, she deems you "mean".  I have been deemed "mean" on several occasions.The other day I left Kelsey with a babysitter.  It was just her and she was not happy about it.  After much coaxing, she was still unhappy, and catching on that I was still leaving.  She finally looked at me and said, "fine" with her arms folded across her chest. I took that as my exit.  But as I was leaving, I heard her tell the babysitter, "go".  She wanted to be left alone.  Not even 2 yrs old yet.  Yep, I'm in trouble.

Connor has always been my story teller.  This year, his school teacher really loves him, and lets him share his stories with the class.  He comes home telling me crazy stories that her has shared.  The other day we took Todd Turtle in to his class.  He had told everyone about it and they wanted to see him.  It was so cute to see him in charge of the class and instructing how to touch and feed the turtle. I love seeing him in his element like that.

I would love to know the future right now.  Specifically, where we will be living in the summer.  I have always looked forward to moves. This one seems more daunting.  I guess because we need to sell the house.  Also, I don't like the stong possibility that Kyle might deploy soon.  I just feel unsettled!  I am really trying to do my best to simply have faith, but I am a worrier and that seems to make going on faith that much harder. But no matter where we go, or how much I worry about it, the Lord will go with me and for that I am eternally grateful.

Connor's Baptism

The Baptism of Hope Ryan and Connor Duncan

Connor was baptized on December 23, 2012.  We tried to talk him into waiting until after Christmas, but he said "I have been waiting so long already! I don't think I can wait any longer."

I was Connor's CTR 7 teacher and so we had been to all the baptisims that year.  Hope and Connor were the last two.  What a privledge it was to watch their testimonies grow and see them enter the waters of baptism.

Brennan gave the talk on baptism.  He did a very good job.  He is such a good example to his brother. Becuse we had so many people attend the baptism, we moved it into the chapel.  It was so special to see Brennan stand and give a talk at the podium.  What a young man he is becoming,

My favorite moment of the day was watching Connor be baptized.  He stepped into the water so proud.  The water was qute high and he said he had to stand on his tippy toes.  After he emerged from the water Connor said, "Yeah!"  It was said in a reverent but satisfied sound.  It was so Connor!  It showed his excitement for the promises he was making and the gratitude he had for the blessings he would then receive.

Connor has always had such a sweet, tender spirit.  He is always the first to remind us to pray at dinner, to have family home evening, or to read our scriptures. I'm afraid our family might be in trouble without his constant reminders to keep us on the straight and narrow path.

It was such a blessing to have Kyle baptize and bless Connor.  I think sometimes I take for grated the blessings of the Priesthood that he blesses our home with.  I am grateful for his righteous service to our Father in Heaven and our Family.

 

Congratulations Connor! We love you!

Brennan's Birthday

I can't believe it, but Brennan is 11!  It is so fun watching him grow into such a wonderful boy!  And growing he has done.  In the last year his foot has grown 2 1/2 sizes! He is now in the adult sizes at an 8 1/2!
Besides physical growth Brennan has grown in so many other ways.  He has become a terrific reader!  He can out read me if he is into the book.  His favorite is fantasy.  He has enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, and anything written by Rick Riordan, Leven Thumps, The False Prince and so many more this year.
For Brennan's birthday he got a Nintendo 3ds game in which he guessed what it was despite my trying to wrap it in a clever disguise.  He shook it once and called it!  He declared I needed to use tissue paper so it wouldn't rattle.  Brennan also got a lizard!  I can't believe I am letting all these reptiles into my house! We made the trip to Dothan so he could pick it out. Brennan decided on an ice cream cake!  It made things easy on me! We are so Happy to have Brennan in our family. Happy Birthday!

  Brennan being silly!  When we went to celebrate that morning Brennan had serious bed head.  I didn't think he would appreciate those pictures haunting him down the road, so I suggested he comb his hair.  This is what I got!

  Daddy trying to make it better?

 It was so nice to get a happy Brennan on camera! You can tell he was having a good time.

 

 This is Brennan opening Connor's gift, a dollar.  Watch the sequence.  It shows both their personalities.

   

Here he opened his pet, plastic lizard!

  Here he is reading my note:  This may be exchanged for a real live, breathing lizard.  All supplies may be purchased as long as the lizard doesn't totally creep Mom out!

 And here he is Arsenal.

 

 

Connor turns 8!

Connor is such a fun kid!  His personality is so dramatic!  We gave him a Star Wars shirt to wear to school and started his morning out well..  I visited his class at snack time to help him celebrate.  There were two other kids in his class with the exact same birthday!  So cool!  Connor has decided cake is not his favorite.  He takes his daddy's lead and has berry pie instead!  For his birthday we gave in and let him get a pet.  He has been asking for a turtle for a long time.  Sea turtles are his favorite.  He opened his present which was a turtle aquarium and was speechless when he figured out what that meant.  His party was a trip to the pet shop where he chose his baby turtle. He is very proud of his little Todd Turtle!

Shaking it a little

Thanks Grandma Joyce

Thanks Brennan

This present was heavy!  See the dramatic side?

Picking out his turtle.

Todd Turtle home at last!

The Nutcracker

 It was a wonderful night! I have looked forward to this for a long time.  I always seem to make special moments with Daddy and the kids happen, but it finally dawned on me that they might enjoy some special time with me! Most of all I would enjoy some special time with them. 
It was so nostalgic as just Ryleigh and I spent the evening dressed up and at the Nutcracker.  I remember going to the Nutcracker with Grandmother and the "four girl cousins"!  Grandmother was so beautiful dressed in her Diane Freez dress and we girls were on our best behavior.  Grandmother was definately in my thoughts.
Ryleigh loved the special attention. She held my hand and watched the show in such a grown upo way.  I found myself wishing I could stop time, but I just enjoyed every moment instead.  I think I watched her reaction more than the ballet.  After she did a few ballet movements with the nutcracker and I milked the experience for all it was worth.

Happy Birthday Kelsey!

At one year old Kelsey can....
-wave goodbye
-cruise along the couch
-say mama
-scoot around the house
-sing
-fold her arms for prayer all by herself
-give cute open mouth kisses
Kelsey's favorite things...
-being around her sibling
-Ryleigh's favorite doll
-bath time with Ryleigh
-being outside
-watching Connor be silly
-rubbing Brennan's fuzzy head
-being tickled by Daddy
-snuggling with Mama
- playing peek a boo
-likes to stand on her head
Kelsey has such a fun loving personality. She is a cuddle bug with me, an adventurer with the older kids and a ham with Daddy. Kelsey is the glue in our family. She is the one everyone wants to be with, help, or pray for. She brings happiness to all those around you. Kelsey watches others very carefully and she mimics what she sees. She learned to fold her arms for prayer all by herself! Kelsey has the cutest smile. Well it is more of a grin, complete with squinty eyes and crooked jaw! I can't seem to capture it on film but man is it cute!
We love you Kelsey!

Mad scientist blue and gold banquet

We had so much fun creating lava lamps, goo, and balloon races! We ate eyeballs(gum balls), lava cake and root beer slime. Oh and along with all the fun, Brennan received his bear badge and four arrows! Good work Brennan! We love you!