Our Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day is snowed! This is a shock considering we live in a desert region. It was the most beautiful snow I have ever seen. The snowflakes were huge! About the size of my hand. The kids were excited and begged all day to play out in the snow. I told them I would let them later in the day when we went to my aunt's and uncle's to eat dinner. They live out in the country and have four children ranging in age from 9 to 18. I knew there would be plenty of time for the kids to play out there, plus they would have more people to play with. Besides that, I had some cooking to do.

After nap time, we headed out to their house. And the kids were not dissapointed to find my cousins pulling a sled behind a 4-wheeler. They had a couple of friends there, as well as my other aunt's three teenagers. One was driving and the rest would chase the sled and jump on in a huge dog pile until they would fall off. Then they would start chasing the sled again. The 4 wheeler was going in a large circle and did not stop to let on or off the riders.

My boys stood on the porch for a while watching. Soon, Landon was out in the middle of the circle. He would run towards the 4 wheeler, but by the time he got close, it had passed him by. Then he would start running across the circle to catch it on the other side, only to miss it again. I watched him do this for quite a while. Then finally, it was like the lightbulb went off. When he missed it, instead of running across the circle, he stopped there at the edge and waited for the 4-wheeler to make a lap and come around to him. He was standing in the exact right spot to catch the sled on the next lap. As the 4-wheeler makes the lap and is close to the house, it stops and all of the kids load off and come inside. It was time for dinner!

My heart hurt for Landon. I could see the disappointment in his posture and he made the long walk up towards the house. His face was red from the cold air. He said, "I didn't get to ride." "I know, Honey. I bet after dinner the kid's will go out again." My aunt suggested that I feed my kids first and then let them watch a movie in the bedroom while the rest of the family ate. I thought that was a good idea, because she had her nice dishes on the table (not the paperplates my children are accustomed to). Landon ate at lightening speed and then asked to go outside. I suggested he watch the movie and assured him I would get him when all the other kids finished eating and headed outside.

Once dinner was over, Landon and Cason came running, already with their socks, shoes, and coats on. They ran out the door. The big kids were still inside, taking their time to get ready to go back out. I looked out the window and watched as Landon and Cason sat on the sled, patiently waiting for someone to come out to drive the 4-wheeler. After a while, Luke and Sam made it out there and took them for a ride. They were so excited!

Beautiful Cows

Last Sunday Todd took the boys hunting with him. Todd got on a hunting lease this year with a couple of guys from work, including his boss Tim. Tim is from Ireland and has 3 children, the youngest of which is close in age to our boys. So, from time to time Todd and Tim will both take their sons hunting. Tim's inlaws have also been here visiting. On Sunday, Tim had also brought his father-in-law along for the hunting trip. The boys really seemed to like the father-in-law. He comes from an agricultural background and was talking to the boys about some cattle nearby. He said, "Those are some beautiful cows". Without missing a beat, Landon replied, "Their not women you know."

Shark Boy

Landon watched Shark boy and Lava Girl while at my sister-in-laws house. Since then, he wants to have his hair stick up all the time. This past Sunday he told me that he wanted to have his hair like Shark Boy for church. I explained to him that we could do that a different day, and we needed to comb his hair down for church.

When we picked Landon up from Sunday School, he came out with wet hair sticking straight up! The teacher said that he went in the bathroom and did it himself. He said, "I look cool!" Todd and I shook our heads and laughed. That day we had taught in Sunday School about different temperaments (personality types). Todd and I were both very shy and reserved as children. We never would have done such a thing that would have drawn attention to ourselves. Landon is the total opposite of us. Almost everything he does is motivated by wanting to get attention, to be noticed, or approval. He has never met a stranger. I am so grateful that Landon has such great self-esteem. He tends to be a leader and obviously has a desire to be a trend-setter!

Bed time prayers

The other day, I took all three kids with me to Mervyn's. Taking all three kids anywhere, is insane, but especially in a clothing store during a big sale. But, they were having a great sale that I couldn't bear to miss. As I was looking through the racks of clothes, Landon said, "Mommy, Mommy, do you see that lady over there?" He was trying to whisper, but was still very loud. I was mortified. I knew which lady he was talking about. I had seen a lady in a wheelchair that obviously had some type of permanent disability. I try not to stare, but I also try not to ignore someone with a disability. I always feel like I am walking such a fine line.

I tried to be discreet and told Landon, "Yes, I see a lady over there". "We need to pray for her." Landon said. "Why is that?". "Because she has a hurt hand." I hadn't even noticed the bandage on her hand. Landon then said, "I need to go tell her that we are going to pray for her." Again, I broke out in beads of sweat. It was all I could do not to say, "No, don't bother her." So, I took a deep breath and followed Landon around the rack of clothes to wear the lady was. "Excuse me." Landon said. "We are going to pray for you tonight at bedtime." "What?" the Lady said. "We are going to pray for your hurt hand tonight at bedtime." he repeated. The lady's whole face lit up and a big smile appeared, "Thank you!". My heart totally melted.

I wish I had an ounce of the bravery that Landon had. I wish I could be as bold about my faith with people I don't even know. That night at bedtime, Landon reminded me to pray for the Lady with the hurt hand (you know, he never once mentioned the wheelchair). I am reminded how often I tell someone I will pray for them, and then forget. Sometimes I think my children are the ones teaching me, not the other way around.

Cason's B-day

Cason turned 3-years old. Wow, it is so hard to believe. He was born March 22, 2004. He was actually supposed to be born 2 days earlier. I was scheduled to be induced, and all of our family came to town. The night I was supposed to go in, the hospital called and said there were no beds available and to call back the next day. This went on for 2 days. Our families were sitting in my living room staring at me, waiting for me to give birth. They fed me spicy food, took be for long walks, anything they could think of. At least once an hour, my dad would say, "You call that hospital back and tell them you are coming in to have that baby". I was sure glad when they finally said there was room. I actually went in the night before, so that they could give me medicine to make me dilate. They also gave me sleeping medicine. It was great! I actually got a good nights sleep, and got away from all of the family, for a mini-vacation before the big day.

That next day, they induced labor. After they broke my water, I was ready for the epidural. All was well. At least until I started feeling a lot of pain. I realized I could move one of my legs and had complete feeling on that side of my body. Well, there wasn't really much they could do at that point, because I was ready to push. I started flipping out (not my best moment). With Landon, I had to push for about 3 hours, so the thought of enduring another 3 hours in that much pain freaked me out. The nurse told be to give a practice push. Then started yelling for me to stop. She held her hand on his head to keep him in. The doctor ran in the door, with no time to put anything on other than a mask, and caught Cason as he came flying out. Cason weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and was 21 inches long.

Cason is our middle-child. And probably the most strong willed of the three. But he can also be the sweetest, most helpful, and most loving. He plays with his little sister, helps fold the laundry, helps cook dinner, etc. Cason is also the most shy of the three. He goes to soccer and practices with Landon's team. He is actually probably one of the best players out there (yes, he is even better than his big brother). He is quite the little athlete. He has had a knack for throwing from an early age. When he was less than a year old, he threw a bottle and hit Todd's grandmother right in the head! I thought he was going to knock her out! Luckily, she was OK. Todd thinks he would make a good baseball player.

This past year in Cason's life has been an interesting one. He barely talked a year ago. In November we started potty training. Which was very difficult given how strong willed he is. This past December, Cason and Landon were rough housing and they fell and Cason hit his foot on the coffee table. He ended up breaking it in several places! He crawled for about a week, before he was able to walk using the boot. He is all healed now, but it was a major set back in the potty training department. I am so glad that as we celebrate his 3rd Birthday, he is potty trained and talking well. I am sure this next year will bring much more excitement!

Tattoos

Cason found a package of temporary tattoos that I had bought and stashed away. The boys had gotten tattoos at parties or friends houses, but I had never gotten any for them. So at 8 am this morning, I was allowing the boys to pick tattoos. Cason picked one of a sword and skull, and then picked one of a cobra for McKenna. Landon picked one of a skull and an ax, and then suggested I wear an anchor. So, the four of us went about our day today sporting tattoos. Landon's little soccer team was especially amused by McKenna's colorful snake. The boys were afraid to get the arms wet when showering tonight, for fear that the tattoos would wash off. They are already talking about showing their tattoos to all of their friends at preschool tomorrow. I just hope I remember to take mine off!

First Fish

Todd took the boys fishing today. Last summer, he took Landon (3 at the time) camping, fishing, and to the Carlsbad Caverns. Landon caught a black bass (which he has talked about for the past year). So, this year Todd told Cason he would be able to go, as long as he was potty trained. Todd gets so excited about imparting his "manliness" on the boys. So, last night Todd announced that he would take the boys fishing (they need practice before the big trip). The problem is that we live in the middle of the desert, the nearest lake is over an hour away. Todd got on-line and found out that they stock a couple of the man- made ponds at the parks around town with fish.

This morning, Todd loaded up the boys and headed out to the park to catch fish. Todd said it was a slow day, since they got there after 9 am. But never-the-less, Cason (2 years old) caught his first fish (a rainbow trout). He was so excited, but not half as excited as Todd was. When they got home, the boys helped Daddy clean the fish. We are planning to cook fish for dinner tonight.