Our Week

Random noteworthy things from our week.

Shane: He is trying to get prepared for the High Adventure week with the young men in our ward. They will be doing some major hiking. And he is the type that likes to be overly prepared for things. So, we went to the library so that he could check out some books on the art of hiking...and camping. And he's done both of these quite a bit but you can never be too prepared, right?! After he's done reading about it, he'll map out a plan (probably in Excel!) to get him in shape in time.

Speaking of getting in shape, he just joined an indoor soccer league. This is something that he's ALWAYS wanted to do but is now in the position to actually do it. His company has a team that anyone can be a part of. He jumped at the chance. We went out and got him some new shin guards in time for his first game. He came home so happy! They are actually a decent team! I think it is a great way to relieve stress for him and it also is helping him to stay active. I'm happy that he is happy.

Shane got to do some male-manly-bonding this week, too. He helped his brother Brady change the oil in his Jetta. This does a lot for my man's state of mind and he saves lots of $ by doing stuff like this. It's a win-win.

Me: I'm so glad that it is February. January is just so long, or so it seems. Maybe it's because it comes after the excitement from the holidays that makes it seem so long and depressing. I am happy to have that month over with. And the love month started off perfect for me. Shane shocked me when he started "The Twelve Days of Cupid." A little special something that I look forward to everyday. I even get a Sponge-Bob Valentine card everyday!

My callings in church are keeping me busy. And I like being busy. It helps me manage my time a little better. I am leading the music in Primary. I love it. I leave church happy and energetic. The kids are so fun and keep me on my toes. And I get to learn and study beautiful music and that is why it is so great. I am still directing our choir as well. With these two callings, along with my piano students each week, I feel like I've sorta found myself again. Does that make sense? Music is a part of who I am. And I'm no pro or expert, but I get so much fulfillment from it. It makes me happy. It edifies me. I'm beyond happy about being immersed in it again.

I am on a cheese and cracker kick. Weird, huh?! But it is all I eat during the day. Have you had the flavored Triscuts crackers? They're awesome. Full of flavor with a fun texture. Couple those with some Colby-Jack...very satisfying snack...or lunch...or brunch...or dinner...whatever.

Cade: Oh man, where do I being with this kid? He is just blossoming. He says the cutest things lately and I wanted to make note of some of them.

Whenever he starts talking about his Daddy or any other family member, I end up prompting him to say, "I loooovvee Daddy!" And he happily echos me. The other day in the car, we started doing this and went through all our family members. Then it went silent for a few seconds until he started saying things that he looovves on his own. This is how it went:

"I looovve Mazda" (his Daddy's car)
"I looovve Jeep" (what I drive)
"I looovve Addy" (my parent's dog)
"I looovvee Toby" (train from Thomas & Friends)
" I loovvee Thomas" (Thomas the train)

I've always wondered what is going on in their little brains...what they are thinking about. Now I know! So cute.

So you know this emblem that comes on before the movie starts?
Every time we see this at the start of a movie, Cade says, "Wook, is a Temple!" And everything is "cute", "beautiful", or "awesome" in Cade's eyes.

Now meet Cade's bear. This is the one he's had and slept with since infancy.
He's cute, huh? Anyway, lately the bear has to do everything that Cade is doing. We have to feed the bear, wash the bears hands, wipe his bear-nose, clap the bear's hands, help the bear snore and go to sleepy, and change the bear's diaper (we also have to do most of these things for Thomas). And he's tickled when we do. So this morning, Cade wanted to go to fake-sleep with his bear on the kitchen floor. So he did.
Then he grabbed the kitchen rug for his blanket. Nighty-night Cade!

Carson: This kid has had a big week! Last weekend he decided to consistently (and gracefully) climb out of his crib. Darn it! I have been dreading this transition but it was time. So we converted his crib to a "big boy bed", completely re-vamped his room so that he couldn't hurt himself, and crossed our fingers.

(When I took this picture, I told him to say "cheese!" He had his own idea and it was way cuter!)

He's doing awesome but it has been hard on him (and me). He had 2 rough nights and naps haven't been the same since. But he is doing better and adjusting well. He shares his room with the piano. What an extra room would do for us! I really wish that money DID grow on trees. Anyway, so we removed the piano bench and let it be. The first night at 1am, I woke up to Carson pounding on the piano. I was tired, impatient and desperate...and pulled out the duct tape. Yep, I duct tape the piano shut. And I didn't care...at all. It solved the problem for the time being and he eventually crawled back into his bed and went to sleep. Fortunately, the duct tape didn't cause any cosmetic damage to the piano. I found a nifty child-lock that is now doing the job beautifully. He still hates being trapped in his room (child-lock on the inside door-knob) but he's getting over it. I'm just not ready for him to have that much freedom. Baby steps please! So now when he is up and ready to come out of his room, he knocks on his door. It is hilarious and makes me smile every time. I'm so proud of him. I really couldn't ask any more from him. Way to go Carson!

Now on to the weekend. Celebrating with my sis-in-laws the future-arrival of baby girl Tucker! Couldn't be more excited.