A Simple, but very Sweet Thing.

This last sunday was Fast Sunday, and obviously I am not fasting these days.  But back in the day when I was, Ben and I often discussed if there was something special we felt we needed to fast for or if it was just a personal thing.  So sometimes when Ben fasts these days I ask him what he is fasting for and since I AM pregnant he is usually fasting for the baby. So this last Sunday I asked him if he was once again fasting for the baby and he said "yep......and you" And it kind of surprised me. I mean, I know my health is 100% connected to the baby and so that makes sense but for some reason it just surprised me a little. And I was touched by it.  And so then I pried a little bit and said "like for my health, or do you have other worries as well?" he said "well yes, I want you to be safe too" and then he added somewhat jokingly but I also knew that there was truth behind it "And so you won't go crazy with the kids" We laughed, but it suddenly hit me.  And I was really really touched by it. That I am not doing this on my own. Even when I am home alone with the kids. That my husband realizes that being a stay at home mom is a challenge, that it is hard work and very stressful. And that he prays for me and fasts for me to be able to do what I need to.  And I know that I have been given extra strength and patience and I now know that it is not only because of my prayers, but because Ben is also praying for me. I am just so grateful for a husband who has a testimony and supports me and loves me and takes care of his family so well in every way. 

Transformer Bed Set

THe other day while I was shopping with my boys I saw a Transformers bed set. I really wanted to get it for James, but I have already spent too much on Christmas and decided not to get it. Well this weekend I rearranged the boys rooms and realized how trashed James' blankets and bedding are. For example. One of James' favorite blankets is pink with pink roses. yes, it was mine when I was a little kid and he loves the thing. However, it is shreds. 100% shreds.  I have been trying to sneak it out or get it away from him...with no luck. His other blankets are also hand-me-downs from me. I realized that I had never really gotten him his own special blanket. So, I decided to get that bed set for him. 

While he was at School today I went to the store, got the set, came home and made his bed with it. I then picked him up from school and told him to go make his bed first thing. It took some convincing but he finally went upstairs to make the bed. It was so funny. He just went in his room and just stopped. He didn't move or say anything, he was just standing there with his mouth open. And he would try to say something but would stop halfway. He was seriously in shock. Finally he squeaked out a "mom, did you buy this for me?" I told him I did. He just sat there staring for the longest time. I then showed him how the sheets were transformers too and that the pillow could be Optimus Prime or bumblebee. He thought that was just great. He then ran to go get Harrison and show him. Harrison came in and said "tran-mormers" It was cute. 

Tonight we went to Morrise's for FHE and James gathered up his new TRansformers blanket to show to Grandma. He showed everyone that came over. And then when we got home he made his bed, sat on it and just stared at the pillow and blanket.  I think he likes it.

The Elves

So, in Ben's family the Elves come every night in December up until Christmas.  We liked that tradition and so have continued it with our family. I forgot how much James loves the Elves coming every night.  The first morning I told him to go check his stocking, he ran downstairs and was super excited about the Hershey's candy bar in his stocking. He said, "wow!! THe elves brought my favorite chocolate! How did they know?" And yes, a plain hershey's candy bar is James' favorite treat. Since then every morning he wakes up...unusually early, and asks me if he can go check his stocking. This morning he actually got up while it was still dark and I told him it was still dark and that the sun hadn't come up yet, to which he replied "The sun IS up, it is just behind a tree!" That made me laugh.  He gets so excited every morning no matter what is in his stocking. It isn't usually candy actually, it is often crackers or fruit snacks, granola bars, little box of cereal, etc. But he is so excited about it and I love it. He comes running up to me and shows me what he got and then gets Harrison and helps him get his treat out of his stocking.  Then they go into the playroom, sit themselves down at the table and enjoy their snack. Oh yeah, and in every prayer James says lately he remembers the elves ... "thank you for the elves to bring me a treat, bless they will come tonight" And then every night he says "I hope the elves come tonight". It is cute.

Halloween and Thanksgiving Pictures

Here are some pictures from the races on Thanksgiving and a couple from Halloween. I love these ones of James running, he is going pretty fast actually. You can tell by how long my stride is just to keep up with him. He did great! I also really love the ones of Harrison plodding along in the race. He would go as long as I held his hand but that was it. He was so cute.

James is on the left side wearing the big blue coat.

Here is Harrison and I pluggin along. Cute kid.

James running as fast as he can. Which was actually faster than I realized he could run.

James and I heading for the finish line!

James with his Second Place Ribbon and Gift Certificate for a pie!

Me and My little runners! I love my little boys!

These ones are from Halloween. Ben was dressed up as bleaker from the movie Juno, and actually won first place at his work in the costume contest, mostly because ben really does look like the kid, even without the costume.  James loved his Bumblebee Transformers Costume. The thing is definitely getting its wear out of it. Harrison was a cute little skunk, but he liked wearing the Darth Vader mask instead of his little hood. We laughed at that.

Thanksgiving

Once again, we ran the Thanksgiving Day Races, aka the "Earn Your Turkey" Run. I ran the 4 miler, I was slow, 41 min, but it was fun anyway.  James and Harrison both ran the kids races though and that was definitely the highlight of the day. I ran with both of them. Harrison's race was just a short little race for kids 0-2 yrs old. He didn't really feel like running but as long as I was holding his hand he plugged along. At one point I let go of him and had him chase me... he didn't like that. He finally just stopped and put out his hand for me to hold and then he started running again. I was proud of him for finishing though, he was so cute all bundled up with his number on his coat.

Then it was time for James' race. He was so excited for it. I warned him that they were going to shoot a gun to start the race so he wouldn't be scared when it went off. And he thought that was really cool. It was so great, he was so ready and focused to run that race. As soon as it start he just took off. He was running really fast. I was surprised that I actually had to run to keep up with him.  His race was 1/4 mile long, and about halfway through he started to get a little tired and reached out for my hand and so we ran together until just before the finish and then he let go and just took off through the finish line and got second place!!! I was so so so proud of him! Ben and Harrison came running over and we all just hugged him and were so excited for him. He was really excited too and wanted to know if he had won a turkey. First place gets a turkey and second place gets a pie, so we told him he would get a pie. His response was "Pie is better than turkey anyway" That made me laugh.  

We waited around for about 2 hours for the awards,  they finally called out James' name but they said "James Morris" instead of Mo-reese and James said "mom they said my name wrong" I told him he had better get used to that. But he was happy to go get his Red Ribbon and his gift certificate for a pie. Then it was time to go home get ready and go to Gma's which we did and ate and ate and ate and ate. Sheesh. But it was a fun day. Now we have to go pick up that pie....like we don't have enough already! ;)

Reading

So last night when I was putting the kids to bed I was really tired and not feeling great nad was just going to put them to bed without all the books and stories. However, after we said prayer Harrison got the very hungry caterpillar  book and plopped himself down on the floor and started to read it aloud. It was probably one of the cutest things I have ever seen and really wish I had it on video. He opened the first page and said "the caterpiller in the moon and POP!.....ate yummy apple......ate. .1. .2.. 3.. 4.. 5 mmmmm....ate one cake..one pickle...one lallallalla...and one watermeyon....and then ta da...butterfly!" Yeah, it was really cute. So then I pulled him over and read it to him, and then he got book after book and the boys and I read for quite some time. It was very enjoyable.

What Kids Say

Harrison always stand on his chair at the table, dancing around and being crazy. He has fallen off several times, but still has not learned his lesson. So, the other day during lunch he was once again jumping on his chair and I said "Harrison! Sit your butt down!" Harrison continued dancing and starting singing "Butt Down Butt Down Butt Down" Yeah, thanks for picking THAT word up. how come he chooses to repeat that phrase and not "I love you" or anything else that I ever try to get him to say. I try really hard to use nice words and the times that I slip, they of course immediately copy me. But when I am trying to get them to say something, they refuse. Seriously, he will not say a prayer for anything. I always sit and tell him what to say and he just wiggles around until we get to amen and then bursts out an "amen!" and runs off. He always kneels and folds his arms very nicely though, and I think that is so cute. When Ben came home from work I told him what Harrison had said, we laughed pretty hard about it and have been quoting the kid ever since.