Thanksgiving 2011

 isn't as much about the food as the company.  We headed back to our favorite Thanksgiving spot with our dear friends the Ringels.  We like 'em a lot.

           

Boys on the BEACH

 A note about the kite pics.  Noelle and I thought there was a big kite festival called "kites with lights". So we packed up the family and the kites and went...but we were a day early.  Doh.  Eric and Ryan made me feel better by saying our first annual "kites without lights" was way better than some dumb ole "light" festival.  Afterwards we went to the kite shop and Isaac climbed up the rock wall like a champ.  He actually climbed the adult wall first, then the kids wall and rang the bell both times.

Painting my heart

It's conference time! Bless those dear brotheren. I actually love being called to repentence at conference time because my heart is filled with hope and a renewed spirit to be better.

Seth is a lot like conference time. Mothering him fills my heart with hope and a renewed spirit to be better. He fills my heart to bursting with love and laughter daily. He often times leans in to give me a hug and says, "Mom, I'm your best friend." How right he is!

One of our "play" activities is painting. We have used paint brushes and the little gentlemen paint my walls, or my fireplace, or my entertainment center. I love how they change their voices to grown up voices; gruff and lower. Yesterday, with brush in hand, Seth said to me, "Mom, I'm gonna paint for you."

"Hey, thanks." It's sorta like free dusting. Off he ran, only to return moments later. "Uh...mom, you wanna re-paint?"

"Do I want to re-paint?"

"You wanna repent?"

"Do I want to repent?"  Huh?  Did I get that right?

"Yea. You wanna repent?" Wow. He is really picking up the conference spirit. Ha. I just giggled right out loud. That is what I heard.

"Sure." I do want to repent after all. Seth knew I wasn't quite picking up what he was putting down and changed tactics.

"Ok. You want me to paint it red for you?"

So October is my dead dad's birthday month. My papa would have gotten a kick out of Seth. My dad was notorious for bad jokes...that I usually found funny. This one is a Clair classic, only my dad told it better.

One Sunday, the janitor of our church (I always imagined Reed Peterson) noticed that the church needed painting. The next day, he went into town and bought a gallon of white paint and began the job.

He got done with the first side. It was looking great. But he noticed he had already used a half gallon. He didn't want to run back in town nor spend more money, so he added some thinner thinner to his paint.

It worked out great. He finished the remaining three sides with that last half gallon of paint.

That night, it rained and rained. The next morning when he came to admire his work, he saw that the first side was looking great, but that the paint on the other three sides had washed away.

The janitor, in anguish, and cried out, "Oh man.  What should I do?"

A voice came back from the heavens saying, "Repaint, repaint, and thin no more!"


Seth, thanks for the reminder.  I love you forever

Why dont you ask Him? Part II

They are creating a walking/biking path down by the river. There are bulldozers, and steam rollers and other cool construction vehicles. So I invited the little gentlemen to join me on a walk to go check it all out. Fun.

I hollered "Get your shoes on. Seth put on your crocs." I holler that often as the gents can put them on themselves and if they get dirty they are easy to clean.

Seth came out with socks AND crocs. Pass. Isaac yelled to me from the bedroom, "I want to wear my Michael Jordan shoes." Ugh. Benjamin was already in his sling on me. It would be hard to bend over, and keep my balance, and tie Isaac's shoe and, keep Benjamin from getting restless.

We tried anyway. I recognized that it wasn't going to be easy. (Get ready for a crazy run on sentence...say it all in one breath..it's written this way on purpose...to elicit sympathy). I had to help pull the shoe on, you know pull the tongue and the back of the shoe simultaneously because Isaac couldnt do it, and then Isaac wanted to tie it himself, but he didnt know how, but he thought he did because he can tie a knot, and he told me over and over "I know how to tie. I dont need your help mom." It was a loosing battle, so I surrendered and kindly said, "Isaac just put on your other shoes [the ones that have velcro]."

"But I want to wear these." I pointed out that he could easily put on his other shoes and we could be off, but he protested. I saw an opportunity to teach my sweet son that he should listen to his mom and be obedient. I wasnt going to help with the difficult shoes, so the choices were he could change shoes OR he could come down in his Jordan shoes with one foot sticking half way out.

"Isaac, Seth and I are going. I hope you come with us." He cried, but didn't relent about the shoes. I was wishing he would just trade the dumb shoes cause I really wanted him with us. But I said what I said and I had to follow through. Seth and I walked, very slowly so Isaac could catch up, but he didnt. ugh. I kept listening to the crying from down the hill. The talk was already being congered about how when I tell him something, there is a reason, not just cause I am mean, yada, yada, yada.

A little while later I saw my boy and I walked to meet him. I noticed his shoes, they were the Jordan shoes, but they didnt have trailing laces. Hmmmm.  Some neighbor must have taken pitty and tied them for him.

"Isaac, who helped you with your shoes?"

"Nobody. I just did it myself." No way.  I looked closer at his shoe laces.

"I said a prayer to Hea'nly Father to help me."

You know who to turn to, little man.  Always remember. 

  

Why don't you ask Him?

I was just in the hall closet and I heard Isaac say, "Seff, what's the best fing you ever ever had?" The little gents where in bed.

Earlier Seth had chosen a little stuffed Mickey Mouse doll that technically belongs to Isaac, though he rarely ever plays with it. So when I heard Isaac's question I thought he was trying to manipulate Seth into giving him the Mickey. I interjected,"Isaac that's not your favorite thing."

I went to talk with him and teach him...again, that brothers matter most. Or that is what I thought I was doing.

I sat on the side of his bed and before I got a word out, Isaac pipped up, "My favorite fing I ever had was Seffy." I looked down and the stuffed animals where already at the end of the bed.

Wise Isaac.

Brothers.

I should have stayed in the hall and just listened.

Earlier in the day, we had planned on meeting a couple of our friends at the marine museam. I couldn't find my license. Anywhere. I have been warned a dozen times that "the next time" I came through the front gate without it, I would get a ticket. Ugh. So I did the responsible thing and called my friend to say I probably wasn't going to make it, but we would keep looking.

I got off the phone and without missing a beat Isaac said, "Mom, why dont you say a prayer to find it." It wasn't exactly a question, hense the purposeful period. It was more like a reminder. Who is the teacher, eh?

"Good idea, Isaac. Good idea." I got on my knees right there and prayed for help. But the lesson wasn't over. I got up and started looking.

"What did He say?"

"Huh?" I heard what he said but, I wasn't sure if he knew what he was asking. He did.

"What did He say?"

"Well, I feel like I should just keep looking for it." I was pleading a silent prayer in my head that Heavenly Father would, in deed, help me find it and verify to my young son that He does hear our prayers. But Isaac already knew that. He knew it and he raised the faith bar. I was slower and that this was a perfect learning and spiritual experience for my young boy, not his mom.

"Did He tell you where it is?"

"No...I didn't ask Him. I just asked Him to help me find it."

"Why don't you ask Him?"

"Uh...well." In my head I was thinking, "Cause I am afraid He wont tell me directly and that will be bad for your faith prompting experience." Hmm. Who's faith was I questioning anyway?

So I answered, "Cause I dont have enough faith. (shy giggle) I want you to prayer for it."

He didn't hesitate. And that bolstered me. I prayed too. When he finished he said, "I feel in my heart it's in your room." "I feel that way too, Isaac!"

We both went into my room and looked all over. We found it. It ended up being under a stack of papers right outside of my room. My favorite part was that Isaac KNEW what the spirit feels like...I feel in my heart...he knows. And after we found the wallet, we said another prayer of thanks. When I asked him how it made him feel, his smile was contagious. "I know dat was the spirit."

Next time I wont be so hesitant, I will just ask Him.

1st day of kindergarten...work-n-stuff

Isaac has been working on reading, writing, and numbers.  When was the first official day of school for us?  Well the first sticker on the calendar was August 24.

Umm...this little Luigi came from China via ebay.  The arms came off and I mentioned to the li'l gentlemen that we needed to throw his arms away because they come off and Benjamin could choke on them.   All concured.  So Isaac taught himself about prosthetics.  So is that anatomy? critical thinking? um...something cool sounding?

See the bus in the far distance...my eyes were dry and my heart did a little trill,

 because Isaac wasn't on it.

A couple other things about Isaac, at age 5 1/2 when he started kindergarten. Isaac:

•  loves PB&J especially grape J.  
• will eat most anything when he learns it is healthy, except mashed potatoes.
• loves star wars but doesnt really know anything about it.  Actually, not true, he does know quite a bit.  But everything he knows comes from his buddy Andrew Ringel.
• loves to play PBSkids on the computer.
• loves to play baseball most, but also soccer. 
• was awarded the most imporved swimmer on his swim team.  He is a little fish.  
• volunteers a lot in primary, and is always willing to pray when everyone else says no.  
• has an amazing memory.  Which reminds me, he asked me to play Duck Duck Goose, and explained all the rules.  "Isaac, how do you know how to play Duck Duck Goose?"  "Because we played it at the family [re]union, not the last one, but the one before that."  "When we where in Bryce Canyon?" "Yeah."
• is funny.  
• sings right on key.  And when I eves drop on him while he is playing he often makes up songs to church hymns.  
• loooooves babies.

1st day of kindergarten...recess

Seth was playing with a couple of balls.  Isaac had asked to snuggle his mom, "the laying down way" on the couch and we were sharing a couple of clementines.

Mom: Hey Seth!  Try and get the balls into Benjamin's seat.

Seth: Okay.  [a few shots]

Isaac:  Oh!  So close.  [Seth takes another shot].  

You gotta aim for it, Dude!  [Seth take another shot and makes it]. 

Mom:  Good job Seth!

Seth:  I'm Mario. [another couple shots]  Mom, I'm a Mario that talks.  

Mom: okay [Isaac gets up to play].

Seth: Isaac, you're Luigi

Isaac: I dont want to be Ma-uigi. [after a small convincing, he concedes]

Seth: Mom, your the dragon coach.

Mom: Okay.

Isaac:  You gotta talk like (dragon gruff your-eyes-need-to-be-furrowed talk)

Mom: Okay (normal voice)  get the ball in there (dragon gruff your-eyes-need-to-be-furrowed talk) [the fellas take a few shots]

Seth:  Actually I'll be the dragon coach.  [He takes a few shots and says to himself] Oh! So close. (dragon gruff voice).

Seth: [walks over to mom who is still lying on the couch] Pretends I have spikes, okay?

Mom: Okay.

Isaac: Can I play wiff that ball?

Seth: When I say "Ding ding" it's time to trade.

Seth is the ultimate Dragon coach.  And Isaac is the ultimate cute kindergarten boy.  And I still love recess...31 years after I was in kindergarten. Ha.

1st day of kindergarten...sort of

Tuesday 6 SEPTEMBER 2011

I woke up a little giddy today!  I love the first day of school, but technically this was NOT Isaac's first day of school.  It WOULD HAVE BEEN his first day of school ever IF he was going to public school.   

But he's not.

He is staying home with his mom, and best friends, Seth and Benjamin.

Hence my giddiness.  It felt like a small school girl, with a big crush on the boy sitting next to me, kind of giddy.  When I was in kindergarten I had a crush on Sam Noyce, BUT, if Isaac had been in my class, I would have had a crush on him.  I think he is super duper CUTE!

So here is the obligatory front door picture.  Isaac has the fake smile syndrome.  So I coached him.  I told him to just be normal and I would say things he loves and if something made him happy he could just smile naturally.  I threw out all sorts of things: Mom, Dad, candy, tickles, Seth, soccer, etc.

Then Isaac let me see a glimpse of who he really is, his wisdom, and true knowledge.

  "Mom, say Jesus."  

He made me smile clear to heart.  

I love being his mommy and kindergarten teacher. 

Brussels

Just a quick note that we move to Europe next summer for 3-5 years!

Long Overdue

Since it has been awhile since New Year's the following is Eric's quick attempt to do some catching up on the blog...

(The below are a sampling and not all inclusive, more to follow)

Benjamin's Blessing (January)

Outer Banks with the Syndergaards (March)

Family Reunion (July)

MAN A LIVE, ISAAC'S FIVE!!!!!

No way! Really! 5!!!

I told Isaac he cant eat his vegtables anymore.

He just shrugs his little shoulder, smiles that killer smile at me and then pops the broc-a-bee in his mouth. Ugh. He is such a heart throb. He is growing up much to fast.

At 5 Isaac loves; CTR 4 class, dancing, singing, riding his bike or scooter, playing with friends, pizza, french toast, monster trucks, watching cartoons, his family, being outside, imagination play with Seth, all sorts of sports; basketball, swimming, tennis, soccer, T-ball, playing the wii, making Benjamin and Seth laugh, bearing his testimony, company, toys, and Jesus.

He is a smart little whipper snapper, and funny, and handsomes. He reminds me often what Jesus does and does not want me to do. He is our best reminder to pray.

Dear Isaac, we love you so much. When you joined us and made us a family, you eternally changed us and made life infinitely better. You're quick wit and amazing imagination flavors our everyday. We adore you Isaac Lloyd.

HapPy HapPy BiRThdAy!!!

I'm going to Carolina in my mind...

We LOVE it when our children chant, "Screech! Screech! We're going to the BEACH!" and indeed we are.

Outer Banks, North Carolina is our favorite family tradition.

We LOVE it!

And I am pretty sure it loves us also. It was sunny and beautiful and perfect 5 out of the 8 days we were there. My Benjamin got his first sun burn. Boy howdy did I feel like a looser. Isaac got burned also, but his skin has seen the sun before. Plus I think it made him look even cuter. I LOVE rosey, sun-kissed cheeks. Eric came up with a plan to retire in the Outer Banks, and I sully support his plan. The beach was perfect. It's ALWAYS perfect, even when it is over cast, it's perfect. Maybe it's my favorite creation. Actually (by the way Seth says that word in proper context all the time now. It makes me giggle)...and now I cant remember what I was going to write, but I am leaving it in so I remember that about Seth.

So we played on the beach,

Sophie Kate and I swung in "our" hamock swing,

we went to the aquarium,

Luke, Isaac, and Seth took 4 one-hour baths,

we played on the beach,

we saw dolphins,

we ate dinner out-side on the porch,

we played on the beach,

we went to Grave Digger's dungeon (drats that they werent giving rides yet),

we watched a movie,

B "cleaned" our teeth (LaUgHEd while he gave me a shot, and I watched the shot bob up and down in rythynm with his chuckles),

we went swimming in the pool,

oh yea...we played on the beach.

The company was perfect. We like Benj, Carly, Olivia, Luke, Sophie Kate, and sweet Gracie Mae A LOT. And the food was perfect. I want every recipe that little Chef Carly whipped up. Yum-my. (And next time I wont bring a Costco box of candy bars, nor cookies, and cake., and nutter butters, and soda, and rice krispie treats...well maybe rice krispie treats. Promise.)

Family Pictures on the Beach....

are about a million times better than at Sears. :)

Grinches, dogs, and "brodders"

This sorta reminds me of...

THIS!

Christmas pictures?

Wanna know how many pictures Eric & I took Christmas morning?0, Zero, nadda, nich. Ugh! I could kick myself. But I took lotsa cute ones of the secular part of the season...

Christmas 2010

Christmas is full of all the things I love best: family, Jesus, music, kindness, chocolate, purpose.

The two contemporary shepherd boys belong to us. Dear shepherd boys get Luke 2:15-17 in your hearts. Always go with haste to find the Savior and then make the goodness He shares with you known to others just like the shepherds of old.

• Isaac, you were our Shepherd boy. You are acquainted with The Good Shepherd. He will use you to help feed His other sheep. Stay so close to Him and help Him keep his flock safe.
• Seth, you were Joseph. You, naturally, did a fantastic job of loving the baby Jesus. You are full of love, dear Seth. Always always love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind.
• Benjamin, you silently played the central roll of the Christ child. Follow His example and be a beacon for others to follow, that they may come to Him whose part you played.

So our creche scene wasn't super duper spiritual. In fact Jospeh got tired of his headdress and left after Mary made him stop petting Jesus' hair, or maybe he just got bored. He came back for a quick picture but couldn't be convinced to put the gear back on.

There has been a truer sense of the meaning of Christmas in our home. It's because of our sweet Baby Benjamin. There is just something about a baby boy this time of year that helps elicite thoughts of the first Christmas and the one who gives it all meaning. I have thought of Mary and wonder how she mothered her sweet baby and perfect Saviour. How she must have loved her baby. Did she kiss his cheek and then kiss it again and then again? I love Joseph. At marvel at the magnitude he must have felt for his responsibility.
For Christmas this year my mom gave us the Little People Nativity. When we opened the box we couldnt find the Baby Jesus ANY WHERE. No Baby Jeus at the Christmas scene? Hmmm. We searched and found the central figure. A day or two later I noticed how Isaac set the scene. Everyone was facing Jesus, even the animals. In that simple act, Isaac , you showed your understanding of the way it should be, not only at Christmas but daily, looking toward the Saviour, making him the focal point of our lives.

Merry Christmas!

HaPpy NeW YeAR ***2011***

New Year traditions included: Fun-do , home made hats, and dancin' "like a rock star." I also love those popper things. I think they are big in Great Brittan. E, could do with out them, but Isaac and Seth are with me.

This little man IS the party. Isaac did a meticulus job on the hat. Seriously careful to make sure all the stickers where evenly spread apart. And his dance moves, well there just aren't words. He rocks the house.

It's about the size of a baseball...and I love it.

E punted the decorating of his hat to Seth. Pre-tty brilliant deco.