Current obsessions

Libby is obsessed with kitties these days. Shortly after Maeby died, we got three new furbies, Roxy, Penny, and Ginger. Libby squeals the second she sees them and smothers them with love. She hefts the kittens under her arms like she carries her baby dolls. Along those lines, Libby is also crazy for babies. She coos over them, kisses them, and pets them. If she doesn't know a word for something, she calls it a "baby." I think she's going to be in heaven when her new cousin arrives (as will the rest of us)! Travis has become fixated by ceiling fans. When he walks into any room, he turns on the fan... and insists that it stays on. If we turn a fan off because it's too cold or we aren't in that room, he makes a big stink and turns it back on. It would be irritating if it weren't so funny. Travis makes us laugh every time he prays, "...Please bless the baby in Coco's tummy. Please bless that we can swim in the pool today. Please bless that the great summer fans will stay on..." Jamin loves all things summer, especially our garden. He inspects it every day and is eager to pick anything remotely ripe. Most of our tomatoes haven't made it past him. And he's very excited that our raspberries are beginning to ripen. Fruits and vegetables are like a drug to this child, particularly watermelon. Jamin would literally eat an entire watermelon in one sitting if we let him. As he puts it, "I just love red fruits and veggies too much!" As for me, I'm usually able to schedule in a couple hours each day to head to the gym. The kids have a blast in their childcare room. And I love knowing they're having fun while I get some time to work on myself. Listening to audiobooks while I exercise makes it even better. Right now, I'm listening to The Scarlet Pimpernel. Librivox + gym = my happy place. Scott's happy place is a little greener. He gets antsy if he hasn't golfed in a while. When 18 holes aren't in order, a driving range works just fine. If all else fails, he putts in the back yard. (It's actually really cute-- he enlists the boys to retrieve his golf balls, and they eagerly help.) I adore how much Scott loves to play. Give him a ball, and he's a kid again.

Our *real* weekend

Scott started his new job last week. It's going great: he enjoys the work, and his schedule is fantastic. We especially looked forward to our first real weekend (Saturday and Sunday off) in two years. Here's what we did:

Saturday

• Scott slept late while the rest of us had a lazy morning.
• The toddlers and I took a long nap. Scotty and Jamin played golf.
• I took a long shower with no interruptions. None.
• Everyone else woke up, changed clothes, and chopped veggies.
• We went to a BBQ where we caught up with old friends, ate, and played.
• All of us went to bed late.
  
  

Sunday

• Scott and I sprung out of bed, showered, ate breakfast, prepared lessons, packed bags, ironed, and got the kids ready.
• Our family enjoyed a peaceful morning at church.
• Libby napped while we splashed on the slip n' slide and played frisbee all afternoon.
• We gobbled up root beer floats and enchiladas. In that order.
• The kids took baths, brushed teeth, and went to bed.
• Scotty and I enjoyed some time alone before we crashed.

We had a fabulous weekend! While we didn't do anything extraordinary, the time off felt amazing. The best part: we now get this every Saturday and Sunday. Yeah!

Splish, splash

Jamin finished swimming lessons last week. He had a great time and learned so much. Travis can't wait to join him next year. Eating snacks with Mom is much less fun than playing in the water. Libby and I will probably hang out in the cabana again. Thanks to Terri and the girls at Swim Success!

Make believe

In our children's eyes...

The back yard is a forest.

Play time in the back yard is an adventure that requires special equipment. Beneath the dining table is a secret hideout.

Couches can become forts, houses, ships, obstacle courses, and dragons.

Bicycles are race cars.

Push-toy zebras are motorcycles. Dishes are drums.

Their bathtub is the ocean.

Bunk beds are pirate ships.

Anything can become what you imagine.

The moment I knew

Before Libby was born, my doctor asked if we hoped to have more children. I was at the "recommended maximum" number of pregnancies (miscarriages included) for my health condition. If we wanted more, my doctor was happy to work with me. If not, we were asked to consider permanent measures.

My initial reaction was gratitude. Gratitude for modern medicine and technology. Most especially, gratitude for the (soon to be) three beautiful children in our family. We had miscarriage scares with each of them; Jamin and Libby actually defied science by thriving. These babies were meant to be with us. I felt deep, humble gratitude.

Even so, I wanted to consider it more. This was a huge decision. Was the lack of negative thoughts my answer?

One ordinary day-- when Libby was a few weeks old-- I sat on couch as the children played on the floor. The boys laughed and cuddled with their sister. As I watched them, an overwhelming peace flooded my heart. This is our family. At that moment, I knew. Our family is complete. And I am so thankful.

Fourth '11

The Fourth was a lot of fun. Scott even had the day off!

The morning began with breakfast and baths. Then we headed to downtown Boise to meet the Leavitts for the parade. When Travis saw a man dressed like Benjamin Franklin, he shouted, "Look! A pirate!" Check out his feet (he refused to wear shoes): Afterward, we headed out to lunch... followed by afternoon naps. The kids splashed around in the evening, then we had a barbecue.

We met up with Clarke, Charlotte, and Brock for the fireworks in Melba. Scotty and Clarke backed the trucks together to make a big lounge area. The kids got antsy but had a lot of fun. (Photos courtesy of Charlotte)

It gorgeous! I was too busy enjoying the fireworks and holding Libby to snap any pictures. But that little town puts on a phenomenal show.

We had a wonderful Fourth!

Uncle Kwaw

Travis' imagination is really showing through.

He invented an imaginary relative named "Uncle Kwaw." Uncle Kwaw is always sad because he has a hole in his hat. Travis talks about him frequently and draws several pictures of him each day.

T-man has his own vocabulary. A photograph is a "special memory." A ceiling fan is a "great summer fan."

He is also visually creative. If we leave him alone with-- well, anything, really-- he makes art. All over the walls. All over the chairs. All over himself. His favorite mediums are marker, yogurt, and chalk.

Travis made his largest modern art piece a few months ago when he wandered into his room with a smoothie. He painted a ball with it, then bounced the ball all over his bedroom. Everything was covered in smoothie splatter art.

Despite the messes, we love getting a glimpse into that cute little mind.