Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Happy Halloween...There's An App For That!

So it’s been a little longer than I planned, but here are some photos of the kids’ pumpkins and their Halloween costumes. Tyler was an iPhone (thanks to a big assist from Jerry Balch), Bailey was a witch, Trevin was a football player; and Caden was a ninja. We, I mean they, got a lot of candy and had a really good time.
Alien, Boo Smile, Skull, and Silly Face

Yes, we have iPhone envy...

He he he he...
No, we do not like John Elway. That's just how it came.
Hai-ya!
One tired out ninjaCaden is doing awesome with potty training now, and he stays dry through the night, already. Trevin still doesn’t even do that every night. He hasn’t had an accident in several days, so he has really picked it up. Our diaper bill just got a lot smaller. Yeah!!!! So here are some funnies and some photos. Enjoy…

Carol met with Tyler’s and Bailey’s teachers for conferences the last week of October, and they both are doing well. So on the way home, Tyler asked her about how the grades work with middle school. Carol explained the timeline for all of middle school, then high school. Tyler then asked what was after that? She told him college, and then he asked again, what was after that? She said the real world, and getting a job. Bailey then chimed in: “I want to work at a pizza place.” Carol asked: “Don’t you want to work somewhere better?” She responded: “No a pizza place; Suprema” (where we used to get pizza). Tyler then said in all seriousness: “Sweet! That means I get free pizza, cuz you’re my sister, right?” Bailey replied: “Yep, you, Mom, Dad…” and named everyone else.

Carol got her haircut (her once every two years tradition) and when she got home, Trevin took a good look at her and said: “You don’t look like Mommy.”

When we recently attended Tyler’s Pack Meeting for Cub Scouts, the Cub Master had several people read silly little jokes, including some “Knock-Knock” jokes. Apparently Caden enjoyed them, but that doesn’t mean he understands them. He was in bed the other night saying little knock-knock jokes to himself, when I asked him: “Who’s there?” he paused, smiled, and then said “poo-poo.” I of course said: “poo-poo who?” He paused again for a few seconds to think about it, and then said: “Halloween poo-poo.” So even though it’s a work in progress, we both got a good laugh from his attempt.

Caden went to Gospel Essentials with me on Sunday and after finishing his snack he was looking around the room and noticed this painting, which depicts Christ visiting the Nephites. He then said, pointing at one of the men in the painting (the guy who is closest to front and center) and said sort of laughing: “That guy naked.”
There is a church hymn called “Welcome, Welcome Sabbath Morning,” which begins with those words followed by: “Now we rest from every care.” Well, Bailey was singing it and she doesn’t always know the words, but says what it most sounds like to her, so with that in mind here is what she sang: “Welcome, welcome, Sabbath morning, now we rest from urgent care.”

Trevin was heading down the hall towards the bathroom and Carol was coming out of our room at the same time. It was dark, and Trevin didn’t see her. When he did realize she was there, it startled him and he said: “Ah, you scared me. I thought you were a monster.”

I was in the kids’ room getting ready to tell them a bedtime story and Bailey started one, but then stopped after being interrupted by Tyler. I told her to keep going, but she wouldn’t. So Trevin told me to tell one. I said: “I don’t know how to tell a story.” He replied: “Yes you do, you’re a dad.”

Bailey was sitting on my legs for prayer and she kept moving around. I said: “Bailey you can’t keep sitting on me. Your boney bum is hurting my legs.” Carol piped right up and said: “Dad has a boney bum, too Bailey. You get it from him.” So I said to Carol: “What kind of bum do you have?” She replied: “One that’s not boney.” So I asked again, then Bailey said: “She has a squishy bum.”

I was unwrapping a Jolly Rancher stick for Tyler, which is much bigger than a normal Jolly Rancher candy. Some of the paper stuck to it, so I said: “Oh no, some of the paper is still stuck to it.” Tyler then asked: “Can paper kill you?”

The other day Trevin said to Carol: “I like Christmas cuz the presents.” Carol then asked: “What’s Christmas really about?” Trevin tried three times each with a big “no” from Carol: “Snow? Santa? Presents?” Then Carol reminded him that it was about the birth of Jesus. He then said: “I like the birth of Jesus; that’s the fun part of Christmas.”
He's a happy boy
Our kids with Wyatt and Wesley Bird
Me and the rugrats
Three pigs in a blanket
Two boys washing grapes

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Another “Bird” Leaves Our Nest

You know life just isn’t always fair. During our more than 10 years in this the Oakhurst Ward we have made many friends; and some of them have become really close friends. But alas, it seems that they all move away and leave us behind. The Chuggs, the Switzers, the Holmes, the Marshalls, and now the Birds (I hope I didn’t leave anyone out). These families have all become very dear to us, and we miss them. We miss their friendship and their kids and the good times we had with them. Of course, goodbyes are a part of life, but we are always sad to see the people we love go, and time and time again it is really tough on our kids; especially Tyler. He always has had a difficult time with goodbyes, and it never seems to get easier for him, even with age.

We have enjoyed our friendship with the Birds, just like with all the rest, and we will miss them, but the lesson to be learned is crucial. Take advantage of the relationships that matter while you have them. I always tell Tyler: “Yes, it hurts when we have to say goodbye to the people we love, and that’s why it’s so important to enjoy the moments with them when we have them.” But unfortunately that doesn’t provide him much comfort in those moments of painful goodbyes. We will see the Birds again, and even in just a couple of months, but still they are gone like all the others I have named, and that hurts. However, the good memories and experiences outweigh the hurt. And that is why we just have to keep putting our hearts out on the line, even though the inevitable pains will occur; because the rewards are worth it when we form these kinds of relationships.

So, so long Bird family. We will meet again, and we will not forgot the good times and the laughs, the blessings exchanged and the spiritual experiences we have shared. They are to be added to that proverbial book of life we are writing every day. You will be missed, but you will remain in our thoughts and prayers and our memories.