The latest

I just don't know how it's possible that January is almost over.  Gavin is already more than halfway through Kindergarten and before we know it Brian will be getting ready for Summit graduation again and we will be off on our summer adventures.  Crazy.

As per usual, everyone is sick around these parts.  I don't know what it is with us and January - but really!  We are on week four of someone being sick.  And the rounds are just starting over again.  We're just doing our best and hanging in there.  It hasn't snowed much this winter.  When the snow is fresh the boys have loved putting on their snow gear they got for Christmas.  I just need to bundle them up more often and send them out back.  Things get squishy in here - especially in the winter - so anyway we can get outside and moving is good.  The Summit High gym and hallways and grandma and grandpa's front room have been our other play places.

Some days it's hard to enjoy what I've got right here, right now.  Just today I was holding Jonah and telling Brian that these times will soon be just a memory.  I kissed his chubby cheeks and made him smile in the mirror - one of his favorite things.  What consumes my life right now and is the norm will really be over before I know it.  And then we'll be in new stages.  And on and on.  I'm making a conscious effort to enjoy where I am now.  I've decided a well-rested mom (or just a mom who gets an hour to herself everyday) is the key to that success.  I'm starting to come to terms with the fact that I will just be tired forever.  So I take my mom time, rested or not, and gear up and keep it going.

Right now is also tricky with Brian working three late nights a week.  Buying into the Alpine Center was a good decision and I think will turn out to be profitable for us.  We've been doing this crazy schedule for a year and a half! Two more years to go.  Someday I will also look back and remember these days - I know it won't last forever.  Thank heavens for good friends and family that I can bother in those last evening hours before bedtime.  A quick trip Melinda's or having friends over for dinner is just what we need sometime to make the night end on a happy note.

Brian and I just booked our 10th Anniversary trip to Kauai.  We are so excited!  We are looking forward to six days in April.  Then I'll be off to London in May with Mother and the other girls.  Lots of fun trips to look forward to.

Gavin is learning to read and I cannot believe how much he has grown in the past six months.  He is officially a big boy.  He is super responsible at getting things to and from school and keeping track of hats and coats and gloves at school.  Recently a sweet older man from our ward passed away.  Brother Conley loved Gavin (and all the boys!) and he was sick the day of the funeral.  I would have taken him with me.  When he found out he couldn't go he said, "Mom, when you get back, will you tell me all about it?"  And when I got back he saw the program and asked me what I had learned while I was gone.  It was so so sweet.  When we saw his wife at the grocery store he hollered, "I'm sorry your husband died!" as we walked away.  Sincere as could be.  And again, just tonight we went to visit a lady in the ward who lost her husband.  On his own he grabbed one of his toys from his bin and said, "I want to give this to her little boy.  It is one of my most favorite toys.  I am sad that his dad died."  He teaches me so much.  These days he teaches himself songs on the piano and has the cutest laugh when he sees a funny part on a movie.

McKay has learned to write his name and is so close to riding a bike.  Soon!  He is so proud of himself and I am glad to see him interested in learning his letters and doing mommy school with me.  I've been thinking about him so much.  I feel like it is really important that I spend this one-on-one time with him while Gavin is at school and Jonah is napping.  I felt that last year and I feel it even more now.  He needs me.  He loves to be with his friends and always wants to be going somewhere or be with other people.  It's easy to ship him off and let him play at friends when they offer.  He has fun and I get things done.  But at the same time I keep feeling like I want him here with me.  Like we need to keep our days simple and less filled with 'stuff.'  He certainly still has his moments but I feel like we are nearing the stage where he grows out of his fits and anger when things don't go his way.  It is much easier to talk and get through to him than it has been in the past.  He is my bundle of energy and I love his hugs and constant kisses.  These days his slumpy shoulders when he gets a 'no' followed with his eye rolls and "Are you kidding me???" are killing me.  After I told him he would be in a timeout he sighed and said, "Ugh!  Why did I make that decision?"  So funny.

Jonah is loud and squawky!  He is all smiles and crawling and getting all over the place.  He is already pulling himself up onto the couch and chairs - something I know McKay didn't do until he was one.  Jonah is almost 10 months.  This month he weighed in at 24 1/2 pounds!  I didn't think we could make a baby bigger than Gavin, but we have done it!  He is busting out of all of his clothes so I had to buy him some new 12-18 month winter clothes and borrow some others.  Tonight he is wearing 18 month jammies that FIT his 9 month body.  Crazy!  These days he finds me where I am and pulls himself onto his knees and grabs my pants.  I love to see him sitting up in his crib and crawl towards me when I come to get him.