We Will, We Will, Rock You!

Blue Hair.

Check.
Mohawk.
Check.
Ready to rock Crazy Hair Day?
Check.

My Heroes are ready for Halloween.
But is Halloween ready for my Super Heroes?
Villains be afraid. Be very afraid!
Do you find it alarming that I
encourage
flying off of the couch?
Me too.

Take my Hand

I told the children it was time to go to sleep. The usual wild rumpus started and so I tried to crack down on the shenanigans. I told the little boys to go to sleep because they are going to play at Terry's tomorrow. "Are you working tomorrow?," Brian asked. I told him that I was going to be at Ethan's funeral.

I finished tucking in each boy for the 5th time and walked out of the room. Little Brian's voice could be heard as he called to me through their closed door. A very concerned voice asked, "Mom, can you tell me what Ethan will look like tomorrow?" This was a question I had not properly anticipated.

It was immediately clear, despite the darkness in their room, that Brian had tears clinging to his eyes. I came to his bed and rubbed his back as I talked to him about our beliefs in life continuing after this one. I explained that Ethan's body will be there, but his sparkly spirit will not. He has left his body and his spirit, which is the very essence of everything he is, can now do so many things that he loves, because he is no longer restricted by his body. We compared what Ethan was able to do in the hospital to what he is now able to do. I told him that Heavenly Father had important plans for Ethan to do. We talked about how hard this separation is for his family and all who know them.

Most importantly we talked about how Ethan gets to run and be healthy where he is. Brian was pleased to think of Ethan having animals to play with and many friends and family to be with while he waits to be reunited with his family. We talked about how we each have important work to do. He suggested that Lincoln, now 2, still has plenty of work to do learning not to melt down when we try to leave the water park, the way he had done this evening. We talked about how families will be together forever and we considered the difference between how long this life is and how long eternity will be. We discussed how incredible Ethan the brave is and how essential he must be to Heavenly Father and his plan for his children.

I gave my big 7 year old a hug in his bed after I was assured that he knew Heavenly Father was carefully watching over all of us. As I comforted my son with all of the great missions he has to fulfill all of the important tasks Heavenly Father needs him for, I couldn't help but say a silent prayer pleading that all of my desires for my sweet boys will continue to fit within the Master's plans, and that they will always remain here in my watchful care.

Ethan's funeral was sacred and celebrated his beautiful, resilient spirit. What an honor to revisit his precious life through the words and stories of his mother, father and grandmother. How special to listen as his sweet sister sang his favorite lullaby and his siblings and cousins sang of families being together forever. There was an outpouring of spirit confirming that Ethan is a cherished spirit of the Lord. What beautiful memory tables were created. I loved the picture displayed of Jesus holding hands with a small boy walking through a beautiful garden, it was signed by the artist, Greg Olsen, and inscribed with the words, "Take my hand Ethan." It would be hard for anyone to resist such an offer from the Savior. Just as the Savior loved to gather the children round his knee, I know that Ethan is in our Father's keeping. I hope that the many special keepsakes they have will enhance their fond memories of their little hero and help ease their heartaches. Our prayers will continue to be for them, and our hearts send our love.

Even Super Heroes Have Bad Days

Brian went to a Football Camp at Mountain View High School. It was quite awkward to see my child wearing a Toro shirt. I ran into a kindred spirit, a pure Westwood Warrior, and she recommended a shirt burning party.

Brian determined football is not in his blood. He tried to fly like superman into the tackle dummy. He managed to ram into the thing while doing a dive roll. He does not recommend this maneuver, nor is he interested in attending further football camps.

On a positive note, the children loved the Mt. View bleachers and wasted no time exploring. They climbed the metal "Web-like beams under the bleachers and happily journeyed to the top.

I think it is safe to say we could have climbed the bleachers for free and held on to our $25!

Much to my relief, my oldest son is not quite ready to join the ranks of the Toro, Dive Tackling, Football players. He complained of back pain for almost a day. As his mother I hope he may possibly have learned that even super heroes must exercise caution while leaping!

He may not be embracing his inner linebacker after this activity, but he certainly looked adorable trying. I hold this truth to be self evident!

War Eagle, Tear 'Em up Westwood!!!

What a Wonderful World

Everyone loves babies! I just went to the movies with my sister-in-law and held her precious little baby. He let out these hysterical laughs that even had neighboring movie goers chuckling. I was again impressed by the love that pours out of babies that envelopes you. When a tiny baby stares up into your eyes with such wonder, you realize the incredible magnitude of the human experience.

With our first child, I was the one with the look of wonder.

I wonder how I will survive.

I wonder what this baby wants.

I wonder if he will ever sleep through the night.

I wonder how I can be trusted with such a tiny and needy person.

Once I had fully recovered, 3.5 years later, I was thrilled to welcome Griffin to our family.

Now it was his looks of wonder that amazed me.

He was very thoughtful and expressive. In just the first few weeks of life he looked around his new world with such awe and intrigue. He really seemed to soak up each experience.

Griffin was such an easy baby that we were ready to embrace the new life cycle again after just one short year. When Lincoln was born I was again filled with wonder.

I wonder if this baby will ever stop crying!!!!

He cried almost continuously for the first 20 minutes of life. I had to wonder if he still remembered heaven, and was crying because he wanted to go back.

Amazingly, he came to realize he was stuck with us and he has hardly cried since.

There is just something about an infant's smile that makes you wonder how you ever lived without them. Everything stops and all you feel is the warmth of their love. My children have opened my eyes to the bounteous joys found in life's simple pleasures.

Hugs. Books. Laughter. Tickles. Jumping. Singing. Talking. Snuggling.

I am blessed to share in this wonderful world that they create.

In the Eye of the Beholder

Little Brian's eyes are sensitive to light from time to time. He will even complain occasionally about the light over the kitchen table while doing his homework.

"It burns my eyes," He says.

This was the complaint this evening.

I said, "We will have to take you to the eye doctor and get that checked out."

His response, "Will they pull off my eyelids?"

"No," I reply, "Do they do that sometimes?"

He said, "Yeah."

"That is pretty crazy," I say.

He said, "Yeah and that freaks me out!"

Apparently he watched an episode of "How It's Made" where they performed laser eye surgery. During this episode they actually slice of the top layer of the eye. He remembered the eye slicing as eyelid removal.

He does have a point. The idea of having my eyelids taken off freaks me out too!

I came in the office to record this hilarious interaction.

While I'm typing Griffin plops himself on my lap.

He looks up into my eyes and says, "Mom your eyeballs are going all crazy!"

Curiously I question, "What about them is so crazy?"

"Your eyeballs are breaking. The white is breaking out of your eyeballs, and your heart be's sad."

Now I suppose I will make eye appointments for Brian and myself.

Mighty Muscles and Merry Men

Brian walked into the office the other day and said, "Mom do you want to see my big muscles?"

Sure I replied. Who wouldn't?

Without a moment to lose, Griffin pulled of his shirt and it was muscle mania!

Brian felt it was important to show me all the ways that he develops his big muscles.

On with the Jumping Jacks, the windmills, the push ups.

One Saturday night I had to do my run. It exploded into a full family event. It was cold outside so everyone needed their hats and mittens. This was one of those nights where I had just bathed everyone and put them in their jammies. The dad was nestled in his chair for some video game male bonding. Not the ideal time for a family outdoor adventure.

Little Brian rode his bike along "in the darkness" as he likes to call it, while I ran. Daddy, much to his chagrin, had the privilege of taking the younger boys for a wagon ride. Normally I would think, I don't want to post this picture, I am going running, I don't look my best. Today I say, Look at their little faces. Does it really get any better than this?

I really am the luckiest mom alive! These three little boys love and adore me. I may not be perfect, but I have three little bundles of perfection.

I have been reminded again today how precious life is. We have no life expectancy guarantees.

What we do have is right now.

I have my merry little men

My little mess makers

My two little ones that live to fight over "Buzz Night Nare."

I have little boys who are building their little muscles physically and spiritually.

We are all healthy. We have jobs.

We have family and friends.

We are richly blessed!

In the end it doesn't matter if our hair is perfectly styled or our make up dazzles.

When we achieve true happiness it creates a sparkle that exceeds all others, a beauty that does not fade with time.

Rain Drops are Falling on My Head

Brian needed no blog support to receive a haircut. He was his own personal haircut advocate. No one could convince him that there is anything cooler in the world than the least amount of hair possible. The girl cut his hair and then showed him in the mirror, his face light up like Christmas morning. He hopped in the car and said, "When you slide your hand up the back of my head it feels like rain! I knew it, I knew this was an awesome haircut!"

I tried to get a few pictures to reflect the stark change in hairstyle. He was just too pleased with himself. A plain smile was absolutely out of the question! He asked, " Will my hair grow even a little bit before school tomorrow?" I assured him it would look the same, and was he ever thrilled.Last night we were out on the trampoline and I yelled for him to come out to play. He played a few minutes and said, "Mom, now that I am bald, I need to go back in the house because my head will get too cold." Omniscient as I am, I quickly informed him a beanie would do the trick.

As you can imagine...many ideas are circulating in this kids brain. He can't help but express himself. We washed his hair tonight and he was quite pleased with how little shampoo it required, it was so easy to rinse, and it dries in a flash. He informed me, "Dad's have the most hair. I said I think I probably have the most hair. He said, but dad's have the most hair on their whole bodies! If you have seen manly arm and leg hair, then you would know the kid is probably right!