Week in Review

As usual, we've had a busy week around here! This is what we've been up to:

Scotty- Work, school, exams in every class (in the third week?), financial aid drama, very little sleep, tennis, and date night in with hot wife. :)

Alison- Relief Society General Broadcast, total insomnia from adjusting to new meds (that's over with for now, thankfully), kids, date night in with hot hubby, housework, and visits with friends.

Jamin- Skirmish after inviting the class bully to play--on the condition that said bully would be nice (Jamin handled the situation like a champ), a sleepover at Brock's house, ESPN College Gameday at Bronco Stadium (thanks again, Charly & Clarke! you're brave!), preschool, and first gametime soccer goal!

Travis- Playing with his big brother and baby sister (often shutting the door to keep grownups away), running nonstop, talking nonstop, building blocks, darting into the soccer field to try to "play on Team Jay-Jay,"charming the socks off of everyone (except when I took him Visiting Teaching), working on his 2-year molars, and learning his colors.

Libby- Avoiding afternoon naps, going to bed by 6:00 (the upside of skipping that second nap), playing with her brothers, tackling her brothers, laughing with her brothers (seriously heart warming), removing her headbands (waaah!), and standing unassisted for the first time!

No Comment

After receiving numerous emails, I guess I should explain.

I disabled blog comments in June and have no intention of changing this.

It's not that I don't enjoy reading comments. On the contrary, I do. I just enjoy blogging more with the comments turned off. Weird, I know. But that's just me. 

I keep this blog primarily as a family record... hence the reason it's so focused on our children and other family news. (Side note: Scott and I each have blogs for our personal musings, but they're 100% private). Sharing updates with family and friends is the secondary (yet still important) function of this blog. Perhaps this is why I prefer blogging without comments: it keeps me focused on that main purpose.

Blue Seals

Jamin had his first soccer game on Wednesday. 

He plays for the Blue Seals. Like the name? That's what happens when 4-through-6-year-olds pick. (For the record, Jamin voted for "Bulldogs.")

Jamin was excited but a bit confused at the beginning. He didn't quite understand the concept of team playing against team-- probably because we usually play one-on-one at home. 

By the end, he was running with his team and kicking the ball the right direction. Definite progress!

"Go, Blue Seals! Have fun!"

Blue Seals in action:

A few minutes in, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Scotty came! He skipped class (shhh!) so he could attend Jamin's first game. What a nice surprise.

We also had other visitors: Charlotte...

...and Brock!

We had a great time watching.

Jamin also had a blast, even when he was cheering from the sidelines.

Guess who won? 

Go, Blue Seals!

Nine Months

At nine months, Libby...

Crawls very, very fast.

Is Mama's shadow.

 Has begun to cruise.

Trills, grunts, and makes many unladylike noises.

Loves to dance.

Still wears 3-6 month clothes.

Is a binky thief.
Has the biggest, darkest blue eyes we've ever seen.

Chews on her toes.

Mimics Daddy's silly talk.

 Jumps and laughs upon standing.

Thinks mangoes are the best food ever.

Is highly ticklish.

Can't stand her carseat.

Looks fabulous in pink.

 Sleeps like a dream.

 Is absolutely beloved.

Just for kicks, here's Jamin at 9 months:

And Travis at the same age:

Real Date!

Scott and I are lucky enough to be best friends. He is truly the only person I could talk to all day, every day. Even when we do absolutely nothing, we have a blast together.

This works to our advantage in our current stage of life. With three very young kids and an odd/demanding schedule, we face quite a challenge planning date nights. Thankfully, we love  hanging out around the house together. So our "date nights" usually consist of just that.

Yesterday, Scott welcomed his first day off-- no school and no work-- in over a month. We celebrated with our first real date-- leaving the house sans kids-- in over a month. It was heavenly.

Yes, we're grateful to always enjoy each other's company. And we're even more grateful when we can do so away from home on occasion.

11:30. 4:30.

At 11:30 each morning, Libby can chew on cars in peace...

...because the boys anxiously await Jamin's bus.

At 4:30 each evening, Miss Libby has Mama all to herself...

...because Travis anxiously awaits his brother's return.

Between 11:30 and 4:30, Mama enjoys a slightly quieter house.

Hurting

Our hearts are heavy for the Smith family. Yesterday, BJay-- beloved husband and father-- gave his life while saving his four-year-old Gabe from drowning. 

 

What an incredible man. 

 

Sweet Jessica and her children are in our thoughts and prayers. If you are inclined to pray, please do so for this beautiful family. 

 

We love you, Jessica. May you find strength and peace.

Remember

"Where were you?"

This solemn question and its response echo in our minds today.

I was at my parents' youth facility in rural southwestern Oregon. One of the boys' counselors shouted the news over the school radio. He was a bit of a prankster, so we didn't believe him immediately. Then reality hit. We poured over the news, stunned and teary-eyed. When our satellite was hooked up a short time later, the wound reopened. The still images of the internet didn't compare to the live footage-- the sounds, the chaos.

Scott was serving a church mission in Manila, Philippines. Due to limited media access and distance from the States, the news felt surreal for the remainder of his mission. Strangers on the streets offered their condolences. He returned home two months later to a changed nation.

We were all touched by the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Of course, some were especially impacted by this day. Below is the story of Victor Guzman, who survived 9/11. While I do share his faith, I believe the message of his experience is universal.

Soccer

This is a fall of firsts for Jamin. Yesterday: first soccer practice.

Jamin has been pumped up for soccer ever since we registered him a couple of months ago. When he found out yesterday was the day, he was beyond excited. 

Scott took him shopping for gear in the morning. They came home with a size 3 ball, cleats, practice clothes, socks, and shin guards (the Renberg calf genes must have already set in; I had to buy him larger shin guards). The boys kicked the new ball around for a while before the school bus arrived.

Jamin came home at 5, then there was a mad dash to get everyone ready for practice at 5:30. Thankfully, the rain cleared up just in time.

Jamin ran right out to the field to play with his teammates during parent orientation. I occasionally heard him shout, "Great kick!" and "good teamwork!" He was totally in his element. In the meantime, Travis played with the big kids... when he wasn't lying face down on a grated water drain (???) or running into the parking lot. Libby just jabbered contently in the stroller. 

Next, it was time for the kids to meet Coach Francine and have their first lesson. It was so, so funny and even more cute. (They play 3-on-3 at this age, hence the small team.)

Jamin had a blast. He can't wait for next week!

Falling

Labor Day has come and gone. Autumn is unofficially here! We're excited for...

Crisp, cool mornings.

College football. Go, Cougars!

Soup, soup, and more soup.

Trips to Linder Farms.

Cozy sweaters.

 Changing leaves.

Jamin's soccer games.

Scotty's birthday.

Halloween.

The smell of mint harvest.

Hot cranberry cider. 

The bitter cold of late fall and winter are welcome to stay away. For now, we're falling for autumn.

First Day

Jamin's preschool started yesterday. Unfortunately, he was too sick to go. He was very, very disappointed.

At 6:30 this morning, he ran into my bathroom (where I was getting ready) and announced, "I'm all better! Can I go to school today?" I checked his temperature, his nose, and his cough. Sure enough, he was well enough for school!

Jamin was so excited that he wanted to go right away. I explained that his bus would come at 11:30. The time couldn't come fast enough for him. We got Jamin dressed and ready. He ate breakfast. He colored pictures for his bus driver and teacher. We packed his backpack. He played games and watched cartoons. He ate a snack. We made rice krispie treats. Despite all my attempts to pass the time, Jamin wouldn't keep his eye off the clock. 

At 11:20, we headed outside.

(Waiting impatiently)

Jamin climbed on rocks, jumped over puddles, talked to the neighbors' horses, shocked himself on their electric fence, and played I Spy. At 11:30, the bus rolled down our street.

He walked right in and happily shouted, "Goodbye, Mama!" 

(On the bus with his teacher, Miss Heidi, and his bus driver, Ann)

I can't wait to hear all about his day.

Sick Day Humor

We all have the flu.

Though we're under the weather, we're thankfully in good spirits. There have even been some humorous moments today.

Moment #1

Jamin (sitting on the couch with a blanket and a big cup of orange juice): Mom, this is exactly what I needed. Give me a brownie for dinner, and I'll be all better.

Moment #2

Travis (upon discovering his green boogers): Oh, no! Yucky poop in the nose!

Moment #3

(I texted Scott, who was studying before class, despite my attempts to have him play hooky.)

Me: My fever is getting higher. No wonder I feel like crap.

Scott: Maybe it will comfort you to know that BSU has a medieval club too. I saw them walking to my class. 

Me: At least they aren't that far behind BYU.

Scott: At least now our clubs won't compete in any conference-sanctioned events. 

Libby didn't say anything funny, but we have enjoyed snuggling and watching Mad Men.