Saturday's Warrior

Another steller FHE we have had lately: watching Saturday's Warrior! I was referring to a scene in this movie that Burke was totally clueless about-- then I figured out that he had never seen it! So I straight away added it to our Netflicks Queue. A few months later it finally came up and we got to experience: The Music . . . The Magic . . . The Message . . . really it had been many many years since I had seen it, but I still remembered all of the songs and most of the words (should I admit that?!)

In my defense I must ask how many times did I watch this as a little girl with my Aunt Julie (who had Downs Syndrome)? Clearly more times than I should have!!

I enjoyed some of Burke's reactions: (During the opening scenes of the movie when the missionaries are singing, "Humble Way" he says, "This reminds me of Tj (Michelle's oldest brother)-- BAD" He kept saying, "Oh wow . . . are you serious?" every time they burst into song. Truly it was memorable and we laughed sooooooooooooo hard!

Even though we only watched it once Preston kept asking for the "Jimmie" movie for the rest of the week! SCARY!

Just some random pictures . . .

It is hard to see in this picture, but Preston is feeding Rebekah a piece of cheese! Yikes!

I know she has cereal on her face, and she is still wearing pajamas, no thought to helping her look like a girl (aka fight her to keep a bow in her hair!), but I just cannot resist this girl's cuteness-- is that even a word? She is asleep in her bed right now, but I find myself looking forward to tomorrow when I can cuddle, kiss, and give this sweet little lady another squeeze. I am the luckiest Mommy in the world-- what a bright spot in my life my beautiful babies are!!

Preston is such a great helper. I know I tell you all mostly what a stinker he is too, but he really is great help--and so cute and precious to me. In the above picture, Burke had a back ache and was laying on the floor waiting to be rescued, Preston did everything he knew to make Daddy feel better: including loaning Daddy his pillow, favorite blankets, and beloved Bear! How could you not feel better with such a generous little doctor looking out for you?!

What a pair these two are! They have really become such adorable friends! They constantly copy each other (good and not so good!) Rebekah long ago figured out that she only wants to use sippy cups like Preston's-- no baby sippy or bottle for this girl! I love hanging out with these two everyday!

Moon Sand FHE!!

Preston got spoiled by the Theobald cousins for Christmas-- the Moon Sand "Digging for Dinos" set might be his favorite present of all time! The only thing that would make it better would be if Mom would let him play with it alone . . . but it is too messy and it would end up on every surface in my house-- let's face it he IS a little boy!! He kept telling Burke how fun it was, and so we pulled it out for an FHE activity --Burke and I had a great time also-- there is just something so fun about creative playing and getting your hands a little messy!

January is already half over!

Sorry to be so slow to update. I have been completely engrossed in my current adventure-- Potty training! Preston is doing SO great! I am so proud of him and find so much fulfillment and enjoyment watching him gain confidence and make progress. I have never heard anyone call this a "fun" experience, but I am telling you we have been having one big party at our house, and it really has been fun and exciting! He is so excited to be having some real success, and even though we have a l-o-n-g way to go before I will feel like he is really 'there', I know he will get it. I have come to peace with the fact that it will be a process, not an event. There have certainly been moments of frustration for us all, but overall, I am feeling like it is so fun to learn and grow together. Burke was duly impressed when Preston proudly showed him his full page sticker chart-- 40 stickers in 2 days! (Did you know you could sit on a toilet and produce a specimen that many times in 2 days?! --now you know why I can't get anything else done--and why we are having an endless celebration!) Anyway, it has proved to be the perfect time, because it is cold out and so I am staying home making soup and rolls a few times a week, and running to the bathroom literally every 10-15 minutes!!

In other news, we are still looking for a new job, but have continued to be sustained and supported in miraculous ways. We are grateful and blessed beyond our capacity to understand or express. Thank you for your continued faith and prayers for our family at this time.

New Years Resolutions!

Preston set up this tea party for he and his bear a few months ago :) Even though he destroyed a whole loaf of bread, I had to smile and take a picture of it. This boy loves to eat :)
So for FHE last night Burke talked about goal setting and asked Preston what goals he thought we should set this year. He thought a few moments and said . . . "we should eat treats . . BIG ones!" Most people set goals to eat better, our son sets a goal to eat worse . . .

I'll be Home for Christmas . . . If only in my Dreams . . .

I am sad today. Changes in Burke's job have made our plan to go home to Idaho for Christmas impossible. Up to today I have been still holding out hope that we could find a way to do it, but the reality of the situation is finally sinking in and I am realizing that as the Mother in the home, my attitude will make a marked difference in how my family remembers this particular holiday. So even though I have a heavy heart, I want to create an atmosphere of joy and peace and love and family fun--but I'm not sure how to do it--so please share with me your ideas of what fun traditions you have that make your holiday memorable and fun! Here's hoping you all have a wonderful holiday!!

Michelle

Did Leonardo Da Vinci's Mother have days like this?

Look at this boy . . . take a good hard look. I know I am his mother, so I cannot look at him objectively, but I think he is SO stinking cute--a trait that has saved him more than once!! The following instance was one of those times . . . It is probably the story that will get told to all of his dates and his children someday, I will probably remind him of it when he calls me at some future day wailing about something his own precious child has ruined, and I will hear the echo of my deceased Grandma Andrus saying, "People before things . . ." in her sweet patient way every time I think of this instance. Burke's mother tells a story about a big jar of honey dumped lovingly into the carpet at her home by Burke, Brit, and Mel. Maybe the following story will make her feel like Burke is getting some payback!

It started innocently enough I believe-- Sunday morning dawned and I had to put the finishing touches on my primary lesson (Yes I might have procrastinated a little). Out came a Big Black Magic Marker I made the sign I needed, and hastily put the Big Black Magic Marker in the top drawer of the file cabinet. I don't remember specifically where Preston was, but he was around. He (wisely) didn't make it obvious that he was watching every move I made, and I (unwisely) didn't notice that he was watching every move I made. We went to church and Sunday played out as usual.

Monday morning came early. Rebekah had been up several times in the night getting teeth, and I was tired. Preston was a little sick, and had also been up a few times in the night with fever so I was really tired. By 8:30 I was ready for an afternoon nap, but knowing the impossibility of such a luxury, I decided to settle for 20 minutes of Turbo Jam and a quick shower to get me awake. Rebekah went down for a morning nap so I set about getting my workout and then announced to sleepy Preston that I was going to get a shower. He asked for a movie and a pillow and settled himself on the couch. He looked comfy and completely innocent and adorable and I hurried to get cleaned up. Now as a side note I should say that like all of you other stay at home moms with small children, a shower longer than 2 minutes is reserved for mornings I get up before 6 or on a weekend when my husband is home to keep an eye on the kiddos--this day was no exception-- I hurried very quickly. When I came to check on Preston seriously 5 or 6 minutes later, he had already created this amazing work of art. Behold the results of The Big Black Magic Marker (hereafter referred to as a Weapon of Mass Destruction) and a few precious minutes without Mom . . .