Time Flies

Seven years ago Jeremiah and I were dating. We took our first trip together to Salt Lake City to attend the mission report of one of Jeremiah's companions. We visited Josh and a very pregnant Katie and went to Temple Square.

Jeremiah and Gwen 2007

This year we made it back to see the lights at Temple Square.

Only this time we packed our three kids into our minivan for the trip. :)

Bah Humbug

The countdown to Christmas is on - and I'm ready for it to be over.

Poultry in Motion

I just had to post this recipe that I found in my latest issue of Everyday Food. It was so easy and yielded such a yummy result that it is going to be one of my new standby recipes. I hope you like it too!

Honey-Soy Glazed Chicken
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
8 skinless chicken drumsticks (about 3 pounds total)
coarse salt and ground pepper

Preheat oven to 475 degrees. Line a shallow roasting pan or 9x13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, mix together honey, soy sauce and 1/3 cup water. Add chicken and toss to coat; season with salt and pepper.

Bake chicken, basting with juices from edges of pan every 10 minutes, until well browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of drumstick (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees, 30 to 40 minutes. Serve chicken drizzled with pan juices.

More of the Kiddos

And To All a Good Night

I did it. I hit the stores on Black Friday. I got up. I shopped. I dropped. Seriously.

This is the first year I have gone shopping without a list. Or without a clue what I should get anyone for Christmas. This year I let the sales make my list. I bought toys I didn't even know existed but I couldn't pass them up because surely they would never be priced so low again.

The one thing I did set out to find was the Flippin' Frogs game. Isaac has seen the commercial numerous times and has consistently voiced his longing for ownership of the game. In fact, as I type, he just said to Jeremiah, "Dad, I love Flippin' Frogs." Out of nowhere! So I know one boy who will super happy come Christmas morning.

And I am happy that I am done with Santa's Christmas shopping. That's right, D.O.N.E. I did it ALL in one fell swoop. I even got my Christmas out of the way saving Jeremiah from that annual outing on Christmas Eve to sort through picked-over shelves and racks looking for the perfect doesn't-look-like-I-waited-til-the-last-minute gift. I'm nice that way.

When I finally got to bed on Friday night I asked Jeremiah for a foot rub. I was so tired that I'm certain I fell asleep within seconds of him applying the lotion to the first foot. But when I woke up the next morning I could tell that he rubbed both my feet, even though I slept through the whole thing. Some gifts you get before Christmas.

Nobody Knows the Trouble She's Seen

Blog Neglect

I have no excuse for not blogging in over a month other than I have added it to my rapidly growing list of things I'm too lazy to do.

I did start an entry on Kenley's birthday early in the morning with every intention of finishing it later in the day after all our celebratory festivities, but Kenley ended up sick and when I went to finish the entry it hadn't been saved. And since I was feeling guilty about not even having made her a birthday cake (we popped some brownies in the oven instead) I didn't start a new entry to tell about her on-again, off-again birthday party.

Another reason I haven't blogged is because I just haven't found much humor in my household lately. The laundry is continually piled up - think 'stuck in a revolving door.' And I've gone through 3 - count them 3 - bottles of carpet spot remover since moving into a house with all cream carpet. What were we thinking?

However, I should be back in the blogosphere more often now that we've moved the computer out of Jack's room. It used to happen that every time I had an idea for a post Jack would be asleep in his room and I would rather let him rest than risk him waking to the sound of my typing.

Anyway, what have I missed?

Tender Moments

...are fleeting in this household

The other night I was snuggling with Isaac at bedtime. He loves to cozy up to Jeremiah or me as we lay in his bed "for one minute" upon his request. I was ready to leave his room and so I told him that I loved him. He rolled over to look me in the face as he stated, "I love everyone."

He looked so sweet in the dim light of the Spiderman night-light. "That's because you're a good kid."

"No, it's because I'm full of love!" he beamed.

The beginnings of tears started to well in my eyes. I looked at him cherishingly, realizing what a blessing he's been to me. "You are so special!" I told him.

It was quiet for a second and then Isaac thoughtfully proclaimed, "Your face looks like a car."

That's Not Quite How It Works

While setting up the boardgame Life:

Me: Here's the church.

Isaac: Oh, where I can buy a woman!

Gratitude

Jeremiah's parents purchased us a swing set and set it up for us over the weekend. Isaac and Kenley have really enjoyed it and tonight I told Isaac that he should write them a thank you note. He agreed and here's as much of his dictation as I could keep up with.

Dear Nana and Papa,
Thank you for the swing set and you will like me. And if you don't want to like me, that's okay. You could very, very like me if you want to. If you really like me you could write a "you're welcome note" to me.

Thank you for everything and I love you. And if you love me you should write me a "you're welcome note." And if you don't want to then I'll be sad. So you should do it.

And I love you very much. And if you don't want to that's okay. You can be anything. You could even wear a costume.

If you want to be rude to me then punch me. But that would be rude, so don't punch me. (Note from scribe: I have no idea where that came from.)

You're a good grandpa and grandma to me.

Isaac

If you want to be nice to me then that's okay.








What a silly kid!

So Really, I'm Mature For My Age

My mom sent me this link to find out my "real age." My results were surprising. Turns out I'm 12 years old - almost. Go answer the questions and let me know how old (or young) you really are.

Here were my results:
Biological Age 26
Real Age 11.9
Average Life Expectancy 74
My Life Expectancy 88.1

Fiver

because I was tagged.....twice

5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago

deciding to never get married

starting my Junior year of high school

spending a lot of time with "friends"

sneaking around more than I'd like to admit - but give me credit for honesty, k?

checking myself out in new school clothes

(having no clue I would look back on that and wish I was that skinny again...ten years later)

5 Things on my to-do list today

paint the "Aggie's Room"

laundry

date my hubby

wash dishes - then ignore them (my specialty)

alternately admire and hide from my kids

5 Snacks I enjoyed today

(because it's too tough to narrow down "in general")

cheese and crackers

Doritos

ice cream

milk duds

apricot jell-o (yummy, btw)

5 Songs I know the lyrics to

(also hard to narrow down, I've been asked if I know "every song")

My Heavenly Father Loves Me - Children's Songbook

With or Without You - U2

The Remedy (I Won't Worry) - Jason Mraz

Arms of An Angel - Sarah McLauchlan

Brown-Eyed Girl - Everclear version

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire

write a HUGE tithing check :)

wonder where I got the million dollars

spend more money on myself than one person can reasonably justify

feel guilty for spending so much money on myself

share money with family, friends and charity to assuage my guilt

5 Bad Habits

not washing off my make-up before going to bed

letting the TV babysit my kids

eating sugar after every breath

not putting away laundry (or dishes) after they've been washed - I'm with ya, Kik

going to bed at a different time every night

5 Things I'd never wear again

dance costumes - this actually makes me sad, I miss dancing

probably a bathing suit - unless I can do something
about the bread dough attached to my stomach - TMI? ...sorry

bikini underwear

formal dresses - I'll never have the occasion

tapered jeans

5 Favorite toys

the oven

the computer and associated activities

board games and card games

the phone

my guitar (pretty soon I might even learn to play it!)

Tag! You're It!

Kelly

Caroline

Tammy

Gammie

Any Lurkers (leave a link!)

Observed

One night at bedtime...

Isaac and Kenley stood before the sink brushing their teeth. He lifted his toothbrush up to let the water run over it. Kenley lifted hers too, but was unable to reach the running water.

She looked at her big brother. Holding out her toothbrush she asked "P'ease?" Without a word Isaac took her toothbrush, held it under the water, then returned it to her hand.

"You," came her abbreviated gratitude.

"You're welcome," he replied and they continued to brush their teeth together.

I sat there on the edge of the bathtub brushing my teeth, taking in the sweet exchange, so grateful for these beautiful kids.

Sometimes all is right with the world; I witnessed it from the edge of my bathtub.

All the Kids

My little cuties.

We're In!

Well, we're in if you count the garage, where most of our belongings are currently housed. I've been thinking about unpacking - which I think should count for something - and have even emptied a few boxes. All the important stuff that we use regularly is unpacked, which makes me want to throw away the rest of the stuff just sitting there instead of moving it into the house to sit.

Also I want to start painting. The former resident must have had sensitive eyes because the whole house is color wash of pale. The whole home is cream-colored. All but one room, that is. One bedroom is midnight blue with a large letter A painted on one wall. Can we say USU Alumni? Oddly enough that is the first room I want to paint.

Anyway, I'm going to cut this post short. I'm posting from my mom's (since my computer isn't set up at home yet) and she's after me to play Acquire with her.

A Whole Lot of Nothing

Aah, closing day is near. We had a change of plans and we are closing on both homes tomorrow. I'm very excited! We've been moving boxes by the truck-load into the garage of our new home for the last two days. (And by truck I mean my brother's Silverado and Jeremiah's pick-up, which is so small it's been mistaken for an ice cream scoop on wheels.) I got a key to the house from the neighbor last night and I'm very tempted to just go start moving in to the house today. But I should be packing up the last of things here so that we can just move furniture on Friday.

Things would go a lot faster here if I weren't so lazy and if Jack would cooperate and if Jeremiah hadn't busted up his knee playing the hero at a baseball game last week. He may have damaged his ACL - he has an MRI scheduled for this afternoon - and has a 15 lb. lifting restriction. So we're going to be that family in the ward asking everyone to move them. Don't you love that family?

Also, I couldn't sleep last night. Maybe I was just anticipating a sleepless night with Jack based on the two previous nights. Or maybe it was the Dr. Pepper I had with dinner around 8. But I got up with Jack at 2 this morning. He went right back to sleep, but I was awake until at least 5. Most of the time I spent laying in bed with arbitrary bits of random miscellanea running through my head. I did however get up and read a few pages in the latest (and last?) Harry Potter installment. (Not a wise selection, I've now decided, since they tend to be addictive and I certainly have no time for reading at the present.) When I can't sleep I have a sure-fire defense, I only have to ask Jeremiah to hold me and it's not long before I'm catching up on those z's. Since I know he hasn't been sleeping well because of said injury, I just waited for him to wake before asking him to hold me. Finally I got some sleep. Even Jack cooperated and slept until 8.

Now, on to packing, cleaning, laundry and wishing I had time to read that book!

On a Lighter Note

After this morning's excitement I thought I'd better lighten the mood of this blog. I've been meaning to post this awesome pie-crust recipe. It came in my Cuisine at home magazine and it's super easy. I think pies are pretty difficult but I was able to make a lattice-top pie crust for my blueberry pie using this pastry recipe. Super tasty + super easy = lots of pie for me this summer!

Flaky Pie Dough
2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp table salt
1 stick unsalted butter, cold, cubed (8 Tbs)
1/2 cup shortening, cubed
1/3 - 1/2 cup ice water

Combine flour, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter and shortening with a pastry blender (or criss-crossing knives) until butter is pea-size. Add 1/3 cup ice water and blend with a fork. If needed, stir in more water 1 Tbs at a time until dough is moist and clumps, but isn't sticky. Divide in half, shape into disks, and wrap in plastic. Chill at least 30 minutes before rolling.

Makes 1 double-crust pie.

And here's my recipe for blueberry pie filling:
3/4 cup sugar
3 Tbs corn starch
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
4 cups fresh blueberries
1 Tbs butter

Preheat oven to 425. Combine sugar, corn starch, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl. Take a handful of berries and mash them in the sugar combination until mixture is thick and well combined. Fold in the remaining blueberries. Pour into prepared crust and dot with butter. Cover with top-crust and cut holes for steam. Use a foil collar t prevent crust from over-browning. Place on lower shelf and bake 50 minutes or until filling is thick and bubbly. Cool on wire rack.

I also like to brush my top-crust with milk and then sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar.

When you die, if you get the choice between regular heaven and pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not, mmm pie!

My Heartrate is Almost Back to Normal

The kids and I have been sleeping in lately. Yesterday both Isaac and Kenley slept in until 10:00, so I wasn't worried when this morning Kenley still wasn't up by 10:30, but I did crack open her door hoping that the noises the rest of us were making might get her up.

I hopped in the shower and then gave Jack a bath. He likes his bath until I take him out of the water and then he cries a lot. I thought it was weird that Kenley wasn't out of bed with Jack making all that noise so I opened her door all the way to check on her. Her bed was empty, but I wasn't too concerned because I figured I hadn't heard her get out of her room over Jack's crying. But then I went in the living room and still didn't see her. Isaac was in there and I asked him if Kenley had come out. He said she hadn't.

My heart started pounding. All I could picture was her empty bed. I ran back into her room, yelling her name, hoping that she really was laying in her bed and my eyes had played a trick on me. Still empty. I checked her window...locked. Where is my daughter?

The doorbell rang, I was praying that if Kenley had somehow gotten out of the house that it was a neighbor bringing her back home. It was my mom. "I can't find Kenley!" I practically scream at her. We both start looking through the house frantic and terrified.

I knew the house had been locked. We always lock our doors at night and we never leave the kids' windows open. Jeremiah locks the door behind him on his way out to work if I'm still asleep. I had to unlock the back door to see if she was outside. I couldn't see her anywhere.

I tried to call Jeremiah to find out if he had checked on her before he left for work. Then I realized he's not in his office today. I went back into Kenley's room. I looked under the bed. All I could see was a blanket...but it was the blanket we put her to bed with last night. I tugged at the blanket and see her little pajama'd feed beneath. I'm relieved, but only for a moment...

Then I had a new fear. She was home, but she was under the bed and I couldn't tell if she was breathing. I pulled at her feet and she started to whimper. I lifted up the bed and she crawled out, starting to cry. Music to my ears. I thought she had been taken from me. I was seconds away from calling the police.

I can't tell you the terrifying thoughts that passed through my mind while we couldn't find her. There are so many crazy, evil and desperate people who wouldn't think anything of taking another's child for their own needs. I cannot imagine what we would have gone through had someone really abducted her.

How could I be without her? How could I be without any of my kids? I embraced her and grabbed Isaac for a hug and thanked the Lord that I still had them. I hope I never have to feel the pain of losing a child. I don't know how anyone can handle that kind of heartache and my heart reaches out to those who have.

All That Glitters...

...is gone!

Jack has not been a happy baby the last few days. I think he's having a hard time in the heat. Plus he has had trouble passing gas. So today I sat nursing him for about 40 minutes trying to get him to go to sleep. Isaac sat in the same room with me watching TV and it dawned on me that I couldn't hear Kenley anywhere.

I asked Isaac to go and see what Kenley was doing. He walked down the hall, stopped and looked down at Kenley (I couldn't see her still) and then came back and assured me, "Nuffing." Good, I thought, I can finish getting Jack settled down.

Isaac and I have different definitions of "nuffing."

When Jack was finally asleep I too ventured down the hall, only to find this-

Yes, Kenley had found my make-up bag and decided she needed some beautifying. She got into the eyeshadow and blush and had wild time. A good share of it was smeared on her feet but it appears the majority of it she dug out with her fingernails and deposited on the floor.

It's so hot here and getting mad takes a lot of effort (even if she did use it all and I just bought it a month ago) so I just grabbed the camera and took a few snapshots. I called for Isaac to come and see what she had done. I asked him why he didn't tell me Kenley was making a big mess. It amazes me how children are more than eager to report the most minor of incidences - i.e. "She's looking at me!" "She's touching my chair!" - and neglect those of greater importance. Isaac, of course, had no answer for me. But they were both willing to help clean up and at least I got a fresh post idea from it.

S-O-L-D

We finally put out the "FOR SALE BY OWNER" sign. We had an offer in the first week, even though they did withdraw. We found a home to buy the next week, even though we didn't have a buyer for our home yet. We put in an offer and here is the house we'll be moving into at the end of the month.
Four days after that we got an offer on our home and so everything is working out great. We're set to close on the home we're selling on the 24 and the home we're buying on the 27. I am so excited! This new home has a lot more space and I feel like the luckiest girl in the world because I think it is just beautiful!

In Which I Thank Caroline for the Post Idea

...even though we are mortal enemies.

You Are a Ham Sandwich

You are quiet, understated, and a great comfort to all of your friends. Over time, you have proven yourself as loyal and steadfast. And you are by no means boring. You do well in any situation - from fancy to laid back. Your best friend: The Turkey Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

Inconceivable!

The other night Jack was crying and Isaac said to him, "Don't cry like that, Zucchini."

I was a little confused until I remembered saying that when Jack was first born I thought he looked a bit like this character from "The Princess Bride." One night Jack cried and Jeremiah told Isaac to say, "Don't cry like that, Vizzini."

Aha! Zucchini = Vizzini.

50 First Words

At Kenley's 18 month check-up I was asked how her vocabulary was coming along. I told the Dr that she said about 20-25 words. He said that was great. For that age 8-9 words is average and he said she was ahead. She's really not a big talker and so I thought that perhaps I had exaggerated. When I got home I made a list of words that I knew she had said - even if I'm the only one who knows what she's saying. There were 27 words on the list. Since then I've been keeping a running list, writing new words (and phrases) as she learns them. So here are Kenley's 50 first words, in no particular order.

* dad * that * more * baby * dog * bird * poop * please* Isaac* garbage * wow * no * stop *
* teeth * brush teeth * don't do it * ball * Hi * bye-bye * shoes * uh-oh * off *
* ow * up * boo * bite * ew * go * book * mom * hold * fish * eat * Jack * ta-da! * eye *
* down * come on * wash * mine * me * help * work * gross * ride * Elmo * water * hug *

Somebody PLEASE Remind Me It's Worth It!

So last night I discovered first-hand why my mom refers to her child-bearing years as "The Zombie Years."

Jeremiah had been down at his parents house helping them put a cover over their back deck. I came down later after team teaching with the missionaries. It was getting kind of late and I knew I had to get up at 8:00 super early to help clean the church house so I decided that I would drive the kids home. I was certain that because it was late that all the kids would be asleep by the time I got home and I could also turn in for the night.

I was almost right.

All three kids did fall asleep on the way home. I pulled them out of the car one-by-one and laid each one in their bed. Isaac stayed asleep. Kenley stayed asleep. Jack woke up. I had fed him just before leaving but I hadn't checked his diaper. I went ahead and laid him on the floor for the diaper change. The instant I placed the last tab of the new diaper across his belly I heard him *phbbt*squirt*tinkle*. Which wouldn't have been too bad except for the simultaneous *blaugh*cough*hic* from across the hall in Kenley's room. Since I wasn't sure if Jack was done doing his business I ran in to Kenley's room to find that she had vomited all over herself, her bed, her pillow and the carpet.

I pulled her out of bed and started to walk her to the bathroom when she started puking again. Nothing says "parenthood" like letting your toddler vomit into your bare hands. She finished barfing into the toilet and I got her into the tub to clean her off and cool her down. Then I put all the bedding and surrounding items into the washing machine and put some carpet cleaner on the floor in Kenley's room. Surprisingly I still remembered that Jack needed another diaper change.

Anyway, after getting Jack's diaper changed for the second time, and Kenley washed off and in bed it was about midnight and Jeremiah (who is also sick) got home. Kenley heard him and got out of bed. As tired as she was she was so restless and kept screaming no matter what either Jeremiah or I did. She was up until 5:00 this morning. She finally relented to sleep in our bed. On top of the covers. At the foot of the bed. Like the family dog.

And that's when Jack woke up...

The Nerve!

I wonder if my mom ever got comments like these from strangers who made it their business to point out that she had 7 children. I just had my third and even I got looks in the hospital when I said that I had a 4-year old and a 18-month old at home. They looked at me like I was a stupid little girl with poor judgment.

Others thought that it was wonderful that I was willing to be a mom. My feeling is that it is up to my husband and me how many children we have and how close we decide to have them. I know that it's a privilege to be a mother and an opportunity that not all women are presented with. I love each of my kids and I take good care of them. If anyone wants to question that- Bring. It. On.

It's Like Real-Time Revelation

For family time on Tuesday we watched The Living Scripture video of David and Goliath. When the animated David on the video said he would fight Goliath he did it with the drama you would expect from the young hero. We were surprised at how much of the story that Isaac already knew. We'd like to think that he learned about it at home, but I don't remember talking about it with him and neither does Jeremiah, so someone in the Primary is doing our their job.

Anyway, yesterday morning I told Isaac that he needed to take a bath. His response was, "I never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever want to take a bath! I want a cookie. So go make me a cookie."

Mature as I am, I responded likewise, "I never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever want to make you a cookie!"

"How about a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?" he asked.

"I never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever want to make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!"

We went on in this fashion through a variety of foods but when I told Isaac that I never, ever wanted to make him a Pop Tart, that was the final straw. He started breathing deeply, puffed out his chest and stood as straight and tall as he could as he declared with authority, "God told me to have a Pop Tart...and to be good."

Who am I to argue with that?

Any Takers?

Enjoy quiet living on a cozy tree-lined street in this 3 bedroom 1 bath cutie!

Great location. Beautiful hardwood floors.
Updated kitchen with newer appliances and tile floors.
Remodeled bath with pedestal sink and tile floors.
Built in storage in bedroom. Covered patio.
Private fenced backyard with concrete curbing.
Young and mature landscape. Garage has attic storage.
Maintenance-free exterior. Gas forced air furnace.

Walking distance to elementary, junior and senior high schools.

The Whole Family

My dad graduated from pharmacy school last week and the whole family got together to celebrate that and Mother's Day (and birthdays, and new careers, and new babies, and myriad other things...) We all decided that it would be insanity a great idea to take pictures of the whole family. We tried to keep each little branch of the family coordinated and grouped together.

So here we are together, together, together. Oh here we are together, in my family!

And here is my own little branch on the family tree.

Happy to Report

In all the excitement of having a baby I forgot to post that JEREMIAH HAS A CAREER! He was offered a job by the Church Education System as a full time Seminary teacher. We are so super excited! In fact, we almost feel like grown-ups! (You know, after 6 years of marriage and 3 kids, we had to grow up sometime.)

He will be employed full time by the 18th of May, finishing out the school year at his current schools, and will start in his new location the beginning of June.

What new location? We have no idea. That's right, we're flying blind, and we don't know when we'll know either. But we're excited and a-rearin' to go nonetheless.

That means that things have been crazy at our house. We've welcomed Jack into our home that's 1/2 packed up and ready to move. We still have a few things to fix up and we're planning on putting up the For Sale sign this weekend. Cross your fingers that we sell it quickly and that we can find a new place easily. I know that's hoping for a lot but I'd like to remain optimistic!

And Then There Were Three

Everyone has been asking how big brother and sister are dealing with having a new baby in the house. This picture pretty much sums it up.

New on the Menu

At Gwen's House of Pancakes, or GHOP as we like to call it,

we've added a little Flap-Jack!

Jack Davis

April 22, 2007

6:31 AM

5 Pounds

18 Inches

(This is the picture they took at the hospital. Not my first choice of pictures to post, but Jeremiah took the camera to class with him today to show off the better pictures to his students.)

Between Father and Son

Isaac (while taking a ride on Jeremiah's shoulders): *phhbbt* Excuse me. Sorry, Dad, I farted a lot.

Jeremiah: Yeah, thanks, I noticed.

Isaac: Is your neck burning?

3 of Me

3 Things that Scare Me:
1 - Sexual predators and pedophiles
2 - Kidnappers
3 - Dean Koontz books

3 People Who Make Me Laugh:
1 - My family, all of them. (Sometimes with them, sometimes at them.)
2 - Katie
3 - Me (Vain I know, but dang it, I'm a riot!)

3 Things I Love:
1 - Good food
2 - A cold room and a warm bed at night
3 - Being a mom and wife

3 Things I Hate:
1 - Indoor pets - I can't handle the hair!
2 - Societal attitudes about families and marriage
3 - Illegal aliens

3 Things I Don't Understand:
1 - How God can really trust me with some of His most valiant spirits
2 - How Kate can wonder if she's a good mom
3 - How homosexuals think they're born that way

3 Things on my Desk:
1 - The phone
2 - 6 AA batteries
3 - Pictures of me and the kids

3 Things I'm Doing Right Now:
1 - Trying to breathe through my nose
2 - Wondering if I should try to throw myself into labor to get this baby here earlier
3 - Trying not to think about the news we'll receive tomorrow
(Does Jeremiah have a job offer from CES?)

3 Things I Can Do:
1 - Clog Dance
2 - Play the piano
3 - Make delicious cheesecakes

3 Things I Can't Do:
1 - Make it through a Lord of the Rings movie without falling asleep
2 - Bring myself to eat fish or seafood
3 - Make people leave comments on my blog (But I sure can hint at it!)

3 Things I Think You Should Listen To:
1 - The Spirit
2 - Gut feelings
3 - Your mother - even if you don't agree, at least listen!

3 Things I Think You Should Never Listen To:
1 - Anyone who tells you, "You can't"
2 - Your kids when they are fake crying.
(I like to fake cry back at them, it really throws them for a loop.)
3 - Anyone who says Mormons aren't Christians

3 Things I'd Like to Learn:
1 - Sign language
2 - Patience
3 - To play the guitar

3 Favorite Foods:
1 - Lasagna
2 - Berry Lime Sublime Jamba Juice
3 - Porcupine meatballs

3 Shows I Watched as a Kid:
1 - The Jetsons
2 - The Smurfs
3 - Saved by the Bell

3 Things I Regret:
1 - Getting a tattoo
2 - Allowing my insecurities to prevent me from reaching out to others and/or making new friends
3 - Not singing to Jeremiah on our wedding day

3 People I Tag:
1 - Kelly
2 - Caroline
3 - Gammie

Baby by Numbers

3 - the number of children I will have when this baby is born

14 - the number of grandchildren my parents will have when this baby is born

7 - the number of grandchildren my in-laws will have when this baby is born

18 - the number of days I have left in this pregnancy, also the number of times I have to pee each day

4 - the average number of times I wake up each night to roll over my belly

17 - the number of Dr. visits I've had for this baby

123 - the number of times I've answered the question, "How you feeling?"

267 - the number of times I've wondered if I can really be a good mother to a third child

267 - the number of times I've been reassured by my Father in Heaven that, yes, I can

5 - how often I've picked up my 35,000+ Baby Names book to look for a girl's name only to flip to the name Jack and (re-)read its meaning

7 - the number of times I've almost asked my Dr. the gender of this baby

8 - the amount of freezer dinners I have waiting for my recovery

58 - the number of times I've cried for no reason during this pregnancy

16 - the number of pounds I've gained since learning I was pregnant

15 - the number of times I've woken up to find Jeremiah on the couch because I snore, thanks to this pregnancy

15 - the number of times I've felt guilty that Jeremiah had to sleep on the couch, but soon got over it because, hey, I didn't get myself pregnant!

The amount of love I feel for this baby - Innumerable

Can't He Just Play Along?

The other day I stopped at Arby's on the way to my mom's house and picked up lunch. When we sat down to eat our Turkey and Swiss Market Fresh sandwiches (which are delicious, btw) my mom said to Isaac, "Your mom sure is a good cook!"

Isaac looked at her incredulously, arms out to the side, and exclaimed, "What? She didn't even cook any-fing! She just bought it!"

He's At It Again!

I've been extremely lazy lately. I know I'm 8 months pregnant, but I've really overstreched that excuse as far as housework goes. I was home all day yesterday and the sum total of my efforts was moving one load of laundry from the washer to the dryer - and it took me all day to "get to it."

At about 9:00 last night I was pretty disgusted with myself so I called Jeremiah at work (his 3rd workplace of the day, might I add) to tell him how lazy I had been. I asked him to make a list of things that he expects me to do so that I would feel responsible to somebody beside myself for how I spend my day. He laughed and told me not to worry about it.

So this morning he called at about 9:30 (just minutes after I rolled my lazy self out of bed) and said, "I have an assignment for you." Um...he must have looked around the house and realized that I wasn't kidding when I said I had done absolutely nothing!

"Sure, what is it?"

"There's some money in your pillowcase. I want you to go shopping and find yourself some shoes that you don't have to bend over to tie."

Now there's an assignment I can handle!

Is there no end to his goodness? And what can I do for him so that he feels equally loved and appreciated?

One Rough Day

Man, yesterday was rough on me. It all started with a breakfast made up of Grasshopper cookies, which just happen to be my favorite. Then I had to play on the computer for a while. Jeremiah was home all day and he made me go on errands with him. Can you believe he made us all be together as a family? He took us to the bank, Wal-Mart and then the post office. Then he stayed home with the kids while I attended my obstetric appointment. And when I got home I was forced to sit and talk on the phone while he mowed the lawn and pushed Isaac in his swing.

Don't you feel sorry for me?

He kept the kids all to himself again while I went to the chiropractor. Wait, it gets worse...after I got home I laid down because I was having a few contractions and I ended up taking a two hour nap! And then, when I woke up, I was told that I didn't get to cook dinner, that we were going out. The nerve of him, taking me to my favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner!

Oh the shame!

To top it all off, Jeremiah put the kids to bed and then stayed up with me to watch a movie. It was just too much. I don't know if I can handle much more of Jeremiah being on Spring Break!

All right, all right, yesterday was wonderful and I wish it could be like that more often. The best part of it was having the opportunity to be together as a family, something we don't get to do as often as we'd like. And tomorrow is Jeremiah's birthday so we have another fun day planned (and this time it's not all just for me.)

April Showers

We really don't know what they'll bring!

April is going to be a very busy month for us. Included in that month are a nephew's birthday, Jeremiah's birthday, Easter, Isaac's birthday, my sister-in-law's birthday, and our 6th anniversary.

Also, we will find out on the 20th if Jeremiah has been hired permanently with the Church Education System and if/where we'll be moving - news we have long been pulling out our hair waiting patiently to hear. It has been stressful getting to this point but now that it's close I feel some peace. I don't necessarily think it's because I believe he'll be hired but I feel peace because at least we'll have the opportunity to move forward and maybe feel like we're back in control, whether he is hired or not.

And then, when April is over we get another busy month in May. It will start out with the birth of our newest baby, something I am really looking forward to. This has definitely been a stressful pregnancy but I feel like a fog is lifting. When I realize how close May 5 really is I can't help but smile and think, "Oh crap! I'm going to have another baby!" - but I mean it in the nicest way.

Extending the Vocab

Kenley is starting to really add to her vocabulary. She will say "wow" whenever she deems the occasion merits and she loves to grab a doll - or ninja turtle, spiderman or other action figure, sometimes even a pen - and walk around with it up to her shoulder, patting it on the back, and repeat "beh-bee, beh-bee."

The other morning she put together her first two words, "buhsh eesh" while pointing to her mouth and it was fairly evident that she wanted to brush her teeth. I was quite impressed not only because it was her first two-word sentence, but that she is also so hygiene-conscious.

Then she surprised me further when she was getting down from her booster seat at the dinner table. I reached out my arm to offer her help and she looked at me with such authority and said, "Dohn duiht." (Don't do it) Obviously my services are no longer needed...

She still just points and says "dat" a lot, but at least some of her words are coming along. It won't be long before I'll wonder why she just can't be quiet.

P.S. She pooped in the potty the other day, too, so we were all excited about that. Does anyone know where to find underwear for a 19 pound shorty?

The Name Game

Well, we're down to six weeks before we have this baby. I'm getting a little nervous, but not too bad. The hardest thing right now is not knowing the gender. It really doesn't matter much, we'll be happy with either a boy or a girl, but Jeremiah and I are the only ones - among those with a solid opinion - who believe we are having a boy.

We have a name picked out if, in fact, this baby is a boy: Jack Davis Lastname. Jack because we both like it and Davis because it is close to my father's name and is the maiden name of Jeremiah's grandmother. And because we like how it flows.

We haven't talked at all much about what to name it if it's a girl, mostly because we both think it's a boy. We don't even have a girl's name in mind. Does anyone have any suggestions? In the event this baby is a girl, I'd hate for her to be referred to as Baby Gwenwaswrong.

Almost For Sale

We are planning to move this summer and so every day I look at this house and think, "I really need to take care of that so that the house is more marketable." Here is my ever-growing list of things to do before we sell the house:

1. Clean tile floor in kitchen so that I can see the actual color of grout.
2. Buy grout and patch around tiles that we replaced over a year ago recently.
3. Seal tile in kitchen.
4. Replace trim around doorway in kitchen.
5. Finish spackling baseboard in bathroom and paint.
6. Replace broken garage door. (This one is actually already done, but I felt I should include it.)
7. Replace entry door and install new deadbolt and handle.
8. Re-caulk around window casing in the shower.
9. Pull everything off the walls and spackle all holes.
10. Move halfway out of my house so that it appears larger than it is.
11. Take down ceiling fan blades and clean them.
12. Dust all the blinds on the windows.
13. Clean the yard really well and maintain it.
14. Rid all the walls of chocolate milk splatters.
15. Shampoo carpets to remove chocolate milk stains, orange juice stains and other mysterious patches of nonconformity.
16. Hope some California investor buys the house sight-unseen.

By the way, does anyone know the rules for selling your own home? Do you write up your own contract and stuff or what?

It's My Blogiversary!

And I really don't have much to say about it, other than I'm glad I have some documentation of the happenings in our household over the last year.

In fact, I'm going to pretend that one year ago I set a goal to keep a journal for one full year.

WHAHOO FOR ME! for accomplishing that goal! I think I'll celebrate with a milkshake.


Also, I need something to write about.

A-Z: The Meme

...Because it's going around and not much else is happening...

ACCENT: I don't think I have an accent, but I suppose that if I were to go someplace besides the Western states it would be obvious I wasn't a local.

BIBLE BOOK THAT I LIKE: Genesis. I love reading about the Creation.

CHORE I DON'T CARE FOR: Housework....that just about covers it all! But to narrow it down, washing dishes.
DOG OR CAT: Dog, but it HAS TO BE OUTSIDE!

ESSENTIAL ELECTRONICS: The 'puter

FAVORITE COLOGNE: I don't know, since I have fragrance allergies neither Jeremiah or I wear cologne/perfume. (What a boring answer.)

GOLD OR SILVER: Silver or White Gold

HANDBAG I CARRY MOST OFTEN: A green denim Wal-Mart cheapie. I don't use my handbag as an accessory, but more as a place to keep my keys...not that it helps...

INSOMNIA: Well, I usually sleep pretty well, but I wake up a lot to use the bathroom lately.

JOB TITLE: Permanent Researcher of Childhood Development and Family Economics

AKA: Housewife

KIDS: Isaac (3), Kenley (16 mos.) and one on the way (May 5)

LIVING ARRANGEMENTS: 3 bedroom, 1 bath house on a cute tree-lined street

(at least until this summer)

MOST ADMIRABLE TRAIT: I like to think I have a fun sense of humor.

NAUGHTIEST CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR: You mean I have to narrow it down? Um, I remember stealing candy from a drugstore when I was about 6 and then telling my dad that a friend gave me the candy for my birthday. He bought the lie, but my mom was much wiser.

OVERNIGHT HOSPITAL STAYS: I had my appendix out when I was about 8 and had to stay in the hospital for 4 days. And then, of course, when I've had my kids.
PHOBIAS: My, my, I have a long list. I'm afraid of the dark, overpasses, trucks on the freeway, trucks on freeway overpasses in the dark...we'll stop for now...

QUOTE: From my very own Jeremiah on the Atonement, "You can look at a bar of soap all day, but it won't cleanse you until you use it."
RELIGION: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon)
SIBLINGS: 6 AWESOME brothers!

TIME I WAKE UP: Um, I wake up lots but I get up around 8:00.

UNUSUAL TALENT OR SKILL: I can make my tongue look really fat.
VEGETABLE I REFUSE TO EAT: Can't think of one, I really like veggies!
WORST HABIT: Um, I guess I spit. I have sinus trouble and allergies and I spit a lot. Though I don't think I do it in front of others, it is pretty gross.
X-RAYS: I've had several X-rays of my spine 'cause I have back trouble.

Don't forget the dentals x-rays!
YUMMY STUFF I COOK: Cheesecake!
ZOO ANIMAL I LIKE MOST: Monkeys, I can totally relate!

Now it's your turn to catch the All-About-Me-Alphabet-Fever!

One Tough Mama

Today during my visit to the chiropractor I was asked if I was a strict mom. I was about to answer "no", until I was reminded of the following occurrence:

Isaac (holding onto something imaginary): I have a flashlight.

Me: Oh, you do, huh?

Isaac: Yep...I got it in your eyes!

Me: Give it here. We don't shine flashlights in people's eyes.

Isaac (sullenly handing me the nothing): I'm sorry. I won't do it again. Can I have it back?

Me: Nope. I'm going to keep it for a while.


...My kids don't stand a chance.

However, Isaac did have a raspberry-filled, powdered sugar-covered doughnut for lunch, so I guess it's a give and take situation.

Dear Baby,

I just wanted to write and tell you that I hope your are enjoying your stay in my womb. And also to go over a few things.

First of all, you know that squishy round thing you like to kick and bounce on? Well, that is not a ball. That is, my child, my bladder. My bladder holds my body's liquid waste and when you kick and bounce on it, well, I waste liquid. So try to keep it to a minimum, mm-kay?

Also, I know you are terribly crammed in there. I've seen how you have to keep your feet way up next to your head and I really am sorry that it's not a bit more roomy in there for you. However, my hips and my ribs are permanent fixtures on my body and no matter how much you push on them they will always be in your way. So let's practice your Feng Shui on this side of the womb. We'll put your crib anywhere you want, deal?

I would also like to ask you if you're okay. It feels to me as though you have experienced several earthquakes while in the womb. I sometimes feel my belly shake so violently and I'm just certain that you're lying on some internal fault. You seem to keep kicking and moving around though, so maybe you can prepare some earthquake survival tips to share with the family upon your arrival.

And last of all, I just want you to know that I love you already. I can't wait to meet you. (But wait I will until May 5, 'cause we still have lots to do before you get here!)

Love,
Mom

The Good Ol' Double Standard

January brought head colds to our home. Both the kids had the congested yet runny noses and a cough for a little while. One morning Isaac had a cough that was, well... let's just say it was productive. Productive enough for him to show it to me at the front of his lips. Holding back my own gag reflexes I told Isaac to go spit it into the garbage. His response was to swallow. *shudder* I told him that was gross and he said, "No it's not mommy."

Within seconds Kenley sneezed her own productive sneeze. When Isaac saw the results of her function he screamed in disgust, "Ew, Kenley, that's gross!"

Cast Your Vote!

So my due date is May 15 but because I had a C-section with Kenley I will be having another C-section with this baby. The Dr. said at our ultrasound that he would take the baby on the 6th or 7th and that Jeremiah and I have the privilege of choosing our baby's birthdate. I thought at first that maybe I would ask that we do it one day earlier so that the birthdate was 5/5 and then I realized this is the year 2007. How cool would it be to have the birthdate 05/06/07? The problem? May 6th is a Sunday. So here's the question:

Do I ask my doctor to perform my C-section on a Sunday so that my baby has the birthdate 05/06/07? Yes No view results

Who's That Girl?

Thanks to Kate, it's time to play another game.

1. Your real name:
Gwen

2. Your Gangsta Name: (first 4 letters of real name plus izzle)
Gwenizzle (foh shizzle...haha)

3. Your Detective Name: (fav color and fav animal)
Blue Tiger

4. Your Soap Opera Name: (middle name, and childhood street)
Marie Firth

5. Your Star Wars Name: (the last 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, first 3 letters of mom's maiden name)
Tingwmcc
(I think I'm supposed to have some vowels in there somewhere)

6. Your Super Hero Name: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
Red Water

7. Your Iraqi Name: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of your last name, any letter of your middle name, 2nd letter of your mom's maiden name, 3rd letter of your dad's middle name, 1st letter of a sibling's first name, last letter of your mom's middle name)
Wractbn

8. Your Witness Protection Program Name: (great-grandmother/grandfather's first name and Jones)
How bad is this? I don't know my great grandma's name! I'll have to update later...

9. Your Goth name: (black, and the name of one your pets).
Black Muffin

Let me know all your aliases too!

Looky What She Can Do!

Click here to view Kenley's latest interest.

A Side of Nashed Potatoes: Part 1

So I promised I would write about our General Authority interview. I've been procrastinating because I just told everyone how I can't write and I'm so worried that I won't be able to do it justice. Well, that may be so but I need to write it down anyway so here we go.

Our appointment was at 3:00 and we were instructed to arrive 30 minutes early to make sure that we could get parked and through security and stuff like that. We waited at the entrance to the parking garage for a parking pass and then were directed to a glass wall foyer. We told the security guard who we were, who we were there to see and when our appointment was. He called someone to double check and then told us to have a seat.

We sat waiting for a little while talking to try to ease our nerves as we watched the guard open the doors for others who obviously had clearance. It was so quiet and I commented to the guard that he had a nice quiet job. We chit-chatted for a minute with him until he stood, suddenly becoming very on-duty listening on his earpiece, checking a monitor and then lifting the phone and telling whoever was on the other end to bring a car. Within two seconds a car was waiting right outside the foyer and President Packer exited the building and was assisted into the car. I glanced over at Jeremiah and could tell that it took all his restraint to remain seated. "It's so hard to be so close to someone you admire so much and not be able to do anything," he lamented. Not even two minutes later Elder Scott walked into the foyer and waved a friendly "hello" before entering the double wooden doors into the building. Again I noticed the awe on Jeremiah's face and I commented, "And we're not even in the building yet!"

Before long we were finally given the go-ahead and allowed in the building. We were to meet with Elder Nash on the 5th floor - the very top. When we stepped off the elevator we began searching for room 503 and noticed that several of the rooms were not numbered. We thought it a little peculiar but hurried to find Elder Nash's office.

We were welcomed in by his secretary and then Elder Nash escorted us into his office. The first thing I really noticed about Elder Nash was that he was a kind man. He just had gentle manner and the softest face. I could feel that he was not looking at Jeremiah and I as a prospective Seminary teacher and his wife, but as children of God. It was so humbling to be so tenderly reminded of our Divine Nature simply by being in his presence.

We shook hands and then he asked if we could begin with a word of prayer, to which we both said, "sure." Then he asked me to pray and I almost peed my pants. I thought for sure he would have said the prayer but since I had already nodded I folded my arms and bowed my head. I prayed from the heart and, among other things, asked our Heavenly Father to please bless Elder Nash to know the questions he should ask to best get to know Jeremiah and I and to know of Jeremiah's desires and abilities to teach the gospel. My eyelids were fluttering so fast I thought I might take flight. I never thought that I would be asked to pray in the presence of a General Authority, it was a little intimidating, but I suppose each time we pray it's before the Lord and we should be far more intimidated by Him than any other being so... Anyway, our nerves were quickly set at ease as the interview began and I really felt like we were able to be ourselves.

After my prayer Elder Nash looked at me and said, "Thank you for your spirit." Then he asked me to tell him more about Jeremiah's desire and abilities to teach. It brought tears to my eyes to let him know how proud I was of Jeremiah for all his hard work in getting through school while being a father, a husband and a full-time student and employed. I told him how Jeremiah never changed his major in college and that his goal to become a Seminary teacher has not wavered. I also told him how I felt Jeremiah truly has a gift for sharing the gospel and is always well prepared simply because he loves it and is open to the Spirit.

He asked us how we met and I looked at Jeremiah and asked him to retell the story of how I dated his brother first. Elder Nash chuckled and said that he was glad that situation had worked out for all of us. So he asked us where we were from and about our families and just some general questions.

After a while he asked me if it would be okay if he talked with Jeremiah alone for a minute. Elder Nash escorted me to the door and waited until I was seated in the secretary's office before returning to Jeremiah. I could only hear a little bit through the door and some of it sounded like a temple recommend interview. I was soon invited back in and when I entered both Jeremiah and Elder Nash stood. I was kind of confused for a minute and then finally sat down. After that they both sat as well and Elder Nash said, "We won't sit until you sit, we honor you." Wow. He then explained that the reason he asked me to leave was because he needed to conduct a worthiness interview with Jeremiah and he wanted Jeremiah to be able to answer freely.

I could not believe how much I was made a part of the interview. This is basically Jeremiah's job and yet I felt as though I were just as much a part of it. I am so thankful that he is interested in a career that recognizes that there is an entire family behind him.

This post is getting pretty long, so I'll have to finish up later.

Let the Airstrike Begin

Jeremiah is working to become a Seminary teacher. He's been in the program for a while and has been teaching since August. It's quite a process that he has to go through. His trainer has to watch him teach pretty regularly and offer suggestions as needed. I remember Jeremiah telling me a long time ago that if his trainer thought things were going well someone from Salt Lake would come in and take a look. If that person liked what they saw then they would "call an air strike" and Jeremiah would then be bombarded by evaluators a little higher up and see where things go from there.

He's had numerous evaluations from his local trainer and on Friday he had his second evaluation from one of the guys from Salt Lake City. So anyway, the guy on Friday told Jeremiah that he would recommend that Jeremiah have an HR representative come to our home and that the both of us would go to Salt Lake "some time in the next month or two" and interview with a General Authority.

On Monday he gets a phone call. Could we be in Salt Lake, the next day, by 3:00 to meet with Elder Marcus B. Nash of the Seventy? *Ahhhhh!* Um, sure, we could do that! Then he got home to see that he had already received an e-mail saying that another fellow would be here on Thursday (today) to evaluate him and that our HR interview would be on Monday. When Jeremiah passed on that information I grinned and said, "Hey! Air strike!" and I wondered if that was the first time someone had been so happy while using that term.

So our "month or two" turned into just a few days and we have been in a whirlwind! But we're so excited. This doesn't necessarily mean that he'll be hired but from our experience on Tuesday - which I will be sure to write about as soon as I'm done deciding if it may have been a dream - really has put us at ease about our future.

So bring it on...at least it's not the same kind of air raid my mother has been dealing with...

Important...But Not Really

I am not a writer. Things happen and I can retell the events, but my wit and humor is usually lost in the translation from my mind to the keyboard. I'm much better communicating in person. On paper (or monitor, as it were) I just don't have that gift of expression. It never fails that if I start to write and try to really express how I feel - or felt - about things it never turns out the way I'd like it to.

Yet, I continue to blog. I blog because I want to remember and document things that I might otherwise forget. I cannot claim that I display any literary prowess, but at least we'll have something to look back on, assuming I ever get this printed up and in a binder.

That's all.

15 Reasons I Love You, Daughter

15 months...15 things...

1. You share my love for food. You will climb into your booster seat several times a day and either point to the fridge and say, "Dat" or just make a lot of noise until someone places food in front of you. Also, you give an insulted, indignant look to anyone who dares try to feed you baby food.

2. When you have resigned yourself to the fact that you must take a nap you will reach up and play with the sweet thin strands on your head that we encouragingly refer to as hair.

3. You smile at everything constantly, until we pay someone to capture it on film, and then, you will smile at nothing!

4. You cannot hear music without dancing or bouncing your arms to the rhythm. Just last week you led the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as we watched their broadcast at Gammie's house. I suspect the channel wouldn't have remained on that station so long if it weren't for your exuberance in conducting them.

5. You will sit still while I place numerous foam curlers in your hair, but the instant I am finished you insist on ripping them out.


6. You don't say much but you communicate very well. For a 15-month old you understand and follow directions really well. I can tell you to go get a tissue, close the fridge, and put something in the garbage and you are so quick to oblige. And you have done very well pointing and learning a few signs to let the rest of us know what it is you want.

7. You adore your older brother. I played peekaboo with you the other night and you were not interested at all until Isaac joined in. Then it was hysterical!

8. Sometimes you wake up earlier in the morning than I would like to get up so I bring you into bed with me. But you are not satisfied to lay next to me. No, you must be on me. And it's not just like you can lay your head on me and be happy, huh-uh. You require full-body contact and if I move to a position that does not suit you you have no qualms about pushing me back into place until you are once again comfortable. How dare I move my pregnant body beneath you in my own bed seeking my own comfort when clearly you are all that matters?

9. You think it is not only your privilege, but your personal duty to shred every piece of tissue or paper that comes across your path.

10. You love to chew on your toothbrush brush your teeth. You believe that anyone standing in front of the bathroom sink is brushing their teeth. You come in with the command of a Nazi, arm raised in front of you barking the order of, "Bwaahhh!" which we all have come to realize means, "I would like my toothbrush, please."

11. You believe that any object that is taller than you are is extending a challenge to you to climb it. We find you on the table several times a day and pull you down from other heights as well. Every time you are found atop some great height you smile triumphantly before jumping fearlessly into our arms.

12. You are a daredevil. You love it when Daddy tosses you into the air or spins you around. You especially enjoyed walking upside-down on the ceiling last night, courtesy of Dad.

13. You like to play wild, but there is a bit of a nurturer in you as well. Just the other day you wrapped up one of Isaac's Ninja Turtles in a bib a carried it around, patting it on the back.

14. You give the sweetest "loves" and kisses to everyone...except Uncle Gabriel, whom you insist on teasing relentlessly.

15. You are strong and independent. You don't let anyone push you around and you hold your own. Yet you show compassion and genuine concern for those around you. Last week Isaac had the flu and you had an intense look of worry on your face every time he cried in his misery. You clap for him when he moved his player in a game and you love to climb up next to him on the couch and just chill.

The list goes on, baby doll. I just adore you.