A and B did indoor soccer again and enjoyed it as always. A is getting older busier, so I think we'll have to stick with summer soccer only for her from now on. She is doing great in school and her teachers love her. Parent teachers conferences are always short and sweet. Her math homework is getting harder too and sometimes I really have to think about it when she asks me for help! She is still doing piano and not liking practicing at all. Once she learns a song, (which never takes her long) she does really well. She is even playing a version of Malaguena for her school talent show later this month. She is so tall too! She is going to pass me up in the next couple of years easily. Its fun to watch her grow up and she is such a big help with her siblings. Her primary teacher stopped me in the hall at church a couple weeks ago and told me how much she enjoys A in her class and that she participates so well. A gave a family home evening lesson recently with zero help from mom and dad. She told us a story from the friend, asked questions, gave a personal example, and then challenged us to do better. It was awesome! She is amazing. She loves it when I straighten her curly hair so she can see how long it is. If she had her way, she'd look like Rapunzel. Its really grown lately and when its straight falls just passed her shoulders. She also has shown a lot of maturity in dealing with some friend problems at school (2 girls were fighting over her friendship and didn't want her to be friends with the opposing girl). She impresses me with her concern and kindness for others as she and other girls in her class got it worked out. It makes me sad she has to deal with things like that in 3rd grade, but she handled it so well and sought help from us, she really did the right thing.
In Hawaii she spent most of her time body surfing, boogie boarding and helping her cousin look for shells. She has no fear of water and is a very good snorkeler too. She tries just about anything and is usually good at it! Last night I was putting her to bed and she had tears in her eyes. I asked what was wrong and she said, "mostly I'm crying because I miss Hawaii"
B is growing so fast too. He really enjoyed playing soccer, and always wanted to be the goalie. One of his first games he started to cry after about 15 minutes. He came to the side and I asked him what was wrong and he said, "I'M SWEATING!" I tried not to laugh too much and told him it was ok to sweat and that its good for him. He got over his dislike for sweating pretty quickly though. They don't keep scores in the little kids league, but after every game he would know the score perfectly and was very disappointed if his team didn't win. He also got to go to a gymnastics class with some friends from January to March (anything to burn off some energy!). He loved it, but would have preferred total free time to learning specific things. I finally let him wrestle too. I was worried about him being old enough for it, but apparently I waited too long because when we started there were 3 & 4 year olds there. He always chased after the little kids to partner with. I asked him why and he said it was because they were easier to beat.
Bryant helped coach so he was there with him almost every time. At then end there was a tournament with all the little kids. Bryson cried and wouldn't wrestle the first round. We kept trying to talk him into it, but it just made it worse. When we backed off and let the other coach take over Bryson did end up wrestling and did good. He remembered his moves and tried. At the end all the kids got a little trophy and he informed me he got it because he was the best wrestler there. He just started t-ball and is liking it so far. The first game is tomorrow.
He is in pre-school 3 days a week and is graduating from it this month. He and one of his friends are tied for the tallest in the class. He has really improved this past year at being in a class room setting and can read some small words. I can't believe he is going to go to kindergarten in the fall! He loved Hawaii too and tried snorkeling for the first time in the hotel pool the last day we were there. He was very brave in the waves too. He and his cousins body surfed all day every day, unless we were of course at the pool, then he was on the slide. Today at church I asked the primary what the bishop's job in our ward is and he raised his hand and said, "to hold the doors open for everyone" He always keeps us smiling.
C is now 2 and thinks and talks like she is 5 or 6. She turned 2 at the end of March and talks in complete sentences. She amazes everyone with her ability to express herself. She is also a mini me I'm told. My parents watched her for a few days in March while Bryant and I took a quick trip by ourselves (A&B stayed with Bryant's parents). My mom said it was unreal sometime to look at her and what she was doing and it was just like when I was that age.
C is our princess. She loves, loves, loves shoes, anything pink or sparkly, and necklaces. She will wear sunglasses, dress up shoes with heels, a necklace and a tu tu for as long as I will let her. She will also let me curl her hair and asks for pony tails. She loves her nails painted and has had many pedicures while I am trying to potty train her (which isn't easy. I feel like I've forgotten how to do it). She is also stubborn and knows exactly what she wants when she wants it. She does course correct and responds well to time out after I wait out the fit. Its called being 2. Her obsession with hair continues, and I'm not sure it will ever end. Her favorite thing is a sippy of milk, a blanket, and someone to sit by her so she can play with their hair. Even as an infant when she would nurse she would hold onto a lock of my hair. She has her own Rapunzel doll in her bed that she plays with the hair while she falls asleep. I've gone in to check on her at night and found her rubbing the hair of the doll between her fingers while she sleeps. She is also super loving and miss personality. She'll come up to me and say things like: "I like your earrings." "I love you." "I like your shirt." "I like your hair." and on and on. She loves her big brother and big sister. She walks around the house calling them if she can't see them. Oh, the other phrase I hear often is "No Kona!" C is right at tail level and walks by Kona with her hands covering her face so she doesn't get whacked. Every time I try to video tape her amazing speaking she stops talking or talks a whole lot less. Which is pretty impressive because she never stops talking or commenting on everything. Between A, B, and C there is never a quite moment at our house as they all vie for control of the conversation. Oh, unless the TV is on then I can't get anyone to move!
As for me and Bryant we are our busy selves. I've been the Primary president for a year and a couple months and am just starting to feel more comfortable, but by no means adequate. Bryant is the Scout Master and that is a challenge in and of itself. He does a great job though and the boys love him. In March we got to go on a 5 day trip by ourselves and went to Las Vegas. We decided not to see any family even though we love our vegas cousins and spend time together. We went to the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament and Bryant of course was elated. I have to admit for me, it was fun too. Seeing Jimmer score 50+ in one game was amazing. Then end of our trip was really hard for me though because I got a call that my good friend's 8 week old baby passed away while we were gone. It breaks my heart to think of it even now. She died from a combination of RSV and Influenza A. Watching my friend and her family go through this is heartbreaking, but seeing their amazing testimonies and faith is inspiring.
Hawaii was awesome too. Spending time with all of Bryant's family there was great and I absolutely could live in Maui. We snuck in a little snorkeling and wave time ourselves when C was napping in our little tent on the beach.
Today Bryant's grandma is dying of pneumonia. He got a call yesterday that she wasn't doing well and left for Cokeville. He and his parents are with her now at the hospital in Montpilier. Her body isn't fighting the infection at all. She is 80+ and has a DRN so they are just being with her until the end. She is sedated because of the pain. 2 of his brothers and his sister are on their way there too. His oldest brother has to work and I'm sure its so hard for him not to be there. Seeing her at Christmas made me worry for her so much. She is such a strong lady an has lived a full, and at times hard, life. Her husband passed away when Bryant was a child, so she has been alone a long time. I remember the first time I met her when Bryant and I were dating and stopped in Cokeville to see her on our way to GR from Ricks. She gave me a hug right away and said, "just call me grandma." She is so loving and gave so much service to her family. We all have beautiful afghans made by her and have enjoyed so much of her food and homemade candy and hospitality.
I am so grateful for the gospel in my life. I am so grateful for my Savior who suffered and died for all of us so that we might live again one day. I am so grateful to be sealed in the temple as a forever family so our bond together can never be broken. Death separates those we love from us for a little while, but not forever. This knowledge is such a comfort to me and sustains me and I know it to be true.
The last time all Bryant's niece's and nephews and our kids were with their GG. Christmas 2010
