I have a Crush!

So I have crush, A HUGE crush on my son, Joseph! I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the circumstances of his unique birth, but whatever the reason, we have a pretty special bond. The beginning of the month was a little rough on our relationship because he REFUSED to play "Joseph" in the Joyschool Nativity program. Now, this wouldn't be a big deal except that he is the only boy in the class and with five other Mary's, we REALLY needed a "Joseph". He even helped me make the bribe batch of cookeis, but nothing worked. I took him around the house and showed him every nativity and we played the "who's this" game with every character about twenty times... Still nothin! He was not interested... Oh well, maybe next year.

But since that rough start to the month, he has repented (ha ha ha) and has been my dreamboat ever since. Last week HE came up to me and said, "Mom, I wanna snuggle!!!" I pinched myself! Really, you want to snuggle!! YOU BET. And this isn't just a little hug and then go to bed... oh no! He tickled my face and put his arm under my head and his other arm around my neck and we fell asleep touching foreheads!! It was wonderful... and I love nap time!

The downside of taking naps on my bed is that he thinks he can join us during the middle of the night. We've been trying to break this 3:00 AM waking but it all went down hill on Sunday night after an unfortunate scorpian sting. He was twitching and screaming and so uncomfortable that even McKay was a go with him joining us in bed. So there we were, on a gigantic queen size bed, Papa bear and Mama bear and Baby bear! Only it was more like toddler bear! None of us slept much that night. Last night, there was NO sign of him!! Possilby because McKay let him sleep with the blanket that has flowers on it, per his request!

Every morning since we brought back to life our Christmas movies, I wake up to Joseph saying, "Mom, I wanna watch Polar Express!" We have probably seen it 45 times so far this season... I'm not exaggerating. Of course he has to have his Geo Trax in front of him as he watches so he can push a train along while he quotes and re-enacts the entire movie! Including the cariboo yelp!!!

My crush is here to stay. When he's fifteen, he will no longer want to snuggle or play with trains or be so easily entertained so I am enjoying it while it lasts! I want to bottle him up forever!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Halloween!

Better late than never! We had a really fun Halloween! Almost no meltdowns... but it wouldn't be Halloween without the spooky emotions of children on a sugar high! We missed our ward party (apparantly we missed the memo!) but we made it over to my parent's house for dinner and enjoyed a visit with Grandma and Grandpa Ray. Then we headed down the street to the good 'ole Sixtieth Ward carnival! After all the fun we could handle there, we headed back to the neighborhood and went on our first ever official trick or treat run! When we turned the corner the entire culdesac was filled with lawn chairs and children! We didn't even have to knock on the door because they were all sitting in a semi-circle holding out their buckets of candy!! It was the most efficient trick-or-treating experience ever! The best part was the next morning we told them to pick their ten favorite pieces and then gladly handed over the rest!!! Innocence is BLISS!!

Fun in the Autumn Sun!!

McKay and I surprised the girls and got them out of school early to have a "Family Field Trip!" We all went to Schnepf's Farm and had a great time! Family outings are the BEST!!

Our Sleeping Boy!

Now that you know where he was born, these images will make a little more sense! There's just something he loves about the stairs...

Happy Birthday Buddy!!!

My little "buddy" has his b-day on the sixth of Oct. Every birth has been such a special and magical experience but Joseph's was particularly unique!!! I had a VERY quick labor and before I knew it, was lying on the floor at the top of our stairs giving birth in the hallway. The first response after the 911 call at 3:30 in the morning was a very nervous police officer and all in all, we WENT to the hospital with a very healthy little boy!! Thank goodness he's THREE and cute as can be!
We did a very appropriately themed Curious George, one of his faves, and after sidewalk chalk, coloring and popping balloons, WE ATE CAKE!!


He's concenctrating SO hard on making that "three" with his little fingers!



I LOVE this wall of memories of him!

We had such a blast at our Ward Campout a few weeks ago. It got a little chilly at night so next time, more sleeping bags!! It's so fun to make memories as a family...

Deep thougths by Bekah Marriott

I was fixing dinner last night and my five-year-old, Bekah, was coloring at the kitchen table. Our conversation went something like this...
Me: "Bekah, I know that Heavenly Father can help you stop sucking your finger. Do you have enough faith that HE can help you?"
B: "Yes, Mom, I have faith."
Me: "Faith means we can pray to Heavenly Father and we know that He will help us. I know that if you ask for His help he can put thoughts into your head to help you remember to take your finger out!"
SILENCE
MORE SILENCE
B: "Mom, Santa Claus just put a thought into my head that I'm going to get an American Doll named Ruthi for Christmas!!"
So much for a spiritual teaching experience. Maybe our next family home evening lesson will be on WHO we pray to and from what source we receive these thoughts!!