My baby boy is growing!
(And he even has the nerve to be excited about it! :)
Three-year-old Brigham is one of a kind.
He has just enough delightful moments that make me smile...
...that he makes up for all the mischief, nonsense, and stress he creates. I can't help but love him. I think his love language is service. He just likes my help-- even when he can do it himself. I love that he will still hold my hand wherever we go. I don't want that to ever end! I love that wants my company. (Clearly I have created this. :) I just love this boy!
(He wanted a "Storybot" cake like his big brother, and he specifically requested Lemon. (?))
He's a smart little guy- he picks up on things really fast. He has always been good at verbal mimicking. He is pretty easily content.
He's a deep little thinker. He can handle being alone in his thoughts...
...but loves the company of his brother and sisters.
(He REALLY liked is birthday presents from Grandparents.)
I kind of think he likes us all. He just likes the world.
One thing he wasn't crazy about for a little while was potty training.
But he even picked that up pretty quick. (As long as I was there to hold his hand and wipe him. :) And when he got it, and I used up my last diaper.... I heaved a deep sigh that could be felt all over the world. Diapers are no longer a category in our budget!!! I feel like it's time to party! :)
Speaking of PARTY... The girls finished {a very long year of} school! YAY! The boys and I joined them for their end of the year BBQ.
And the second Autumn got home, this is what she wasted no time changing into...
(There are no words.)
(She is actually amazing at roller skating- she picked it up really fast!)
Probably one of the things that made it a crazy school year was that I was working-- I taught art classes after school and switched off with Doug so someone would be there for the boys and girls getting home. Then, I was blessed to work in the Boise Temple laundry for a couple months. It was stressful trying to fit those hours in and leaving the family-- usually right around dinner time, but it was so peaceful to be in the Lord's House. It is a special place-- even in the laundry room. My boss was awesome and I couldn't believe all the amazing people who volunteer there. I was so impressed. I was also grateful for my sweet supportive husband who was quite helpful with the kids. I usually worked nights, so he was tucking in the babies. It was a difficult, blessed time. :) Don't know how else to put that.
I hate it when people post nasty pictures of wounds, so I am sorry, but I just need someone to sympathize with my pain. (This was at least a week after.)
I potato-peeled off the tip of my finger and it wouldn't stop bleeding for days-- try folding white temple clothes while dealing with that! Someone finally shared some cauterizing stuff that helped so much, but it was rough for a little while. Made me appreciate how much I use my little pinkie-- typing for example. I was amazed at how quickly it healed though, and it caused me to draw the analogy of trials. We struggle through, until we turn to the Savior and apply the atonement (the cauterizer) that helps the pain and suffering stop, and the healing to begin, and when we look back we feel so grateful for our blessings and for being stretched.
And speaking of GRATITUDE... (Trying to draw all of this chaos together. :)
...I am forever grateful I have the best dad in the entire world!
He was custom made for me. I have no doubt I begged for him in the preexistence. He is a special man and so good to me. He has always made me feel certain he is proud of me and delighted in what I am doing. Having a father's confidence is something I truly cherish eternally.
We got to meet up with Dad and his students on their way through to the Rose Parade. It was a specially treat for us. We love Grandpa Ben!
And on that note of gratitude, I was draw this lengthy, disjointed post to an end. All's well that ends well. :)
