Exactly

This July will mark 4 years since I lost Sylus. There isn't a day I don't think about him and how he affects this family. Even though he was never alive or I never heard his voice, I miss him. I have this beautiful figurine that a friend gave to me after I lost him. I didn't open it when she gave it to me. After I had opened it, I was glad that I didn't. I was thankful for that time that I had to cry alone. The figurine is of an angel holding a boy. This figurine summed up EVERYTHING I felt... needing, wanting to hold my son. This figurine reminds me that one day I will be able to hold Sylus again... and I can not wait!

Grace turns 1

I decorate the house for each birthday... But this time, I was a little sentimental taking Grace's decorations down.

Grace received a package on Friday from Papa & Grandma Cox and aunts & uncles in Utah. She was so excited, she had to open it right away.

Summer dress from Aunt Christine & Aunt Amy.

Aunt Phoebe made her an apron.

She doesn't like the flash. But check out her cute clothes.

 

Birthday morning.

She loved the frosting more than the cake.

a couple more stories...

It's important to me to log stories about my kids. I have the worst memory (NO! really) remembering. So don't mind if I do, but I have to continually post stories.

It was 'Take Your Kid to Work' day. Nathaniel hadn't heard anything about it, so I googled. With visions of xbox'ing and having fun, Isaac asked if they could stay home with me because home is my work. I told them that would be fine. BUT!!  They were to help me with the things that I needed to do. Ethan decided going to school would be much more fun (I taught him well, thank you!). Isaac was up for the challenge. He was great! We did laundry, dishes, cleaning up, blah, blah. It was time for lunch and Isaac was in the middle of empting the dishwasher. I had made his lunch, but told him that he had to put away a few more dishes before he could eat (That's what I would do.) As I sat down to eat and Isaac had taken a couple of bites, I told him time was up and that he had to continue eatting lunch while he finished empting the dishwasher. He got up and did it. My goal was for Isaac to appreciate a homemaker. Appreciate mom and later his wife. I know I will have to teach him again when he's older and forgets, but I'm hoping that he learned a little.

Isaac's first name is Jonathan, for those that don't know. His grandpa's (my dad) first name is Jonathan and I have a brother Jonathan. My dad and brother are Isaac's namesakes. Since Isaac shares the name with them, he see's them as an example. One night we went to Cold Stone's. Isaac asked what my dad was getting and decided he wanted the same thing. Later in the van, Isaac asked if my brother liked ice cream. He is very much wanting to know what my dad's and brothers likes/dislikes, opinions... how ever they can influence him.

I had polished one foot of Grace's and decided to let it dry before I went on to the foot. Some time had passed and I was in the little lady's room. When I came out, Ethan was holding Grace while Isaac polished Grace's other foot.

Ethan had his board review for his Tenderfoot. On Sunday, the Primary President pulled Nathaniel and told him that she was impressed how Ethan carried himself during the review. He looked her in the eyes and did what was asked.

One Sunday, a mother (of a daughter in Ethan's Primary class) told me that all the girls have crushes on Ethan. Her daughter said that he's smart, he always knows the answers and read the scriptures well. She said that Ethan is cute and spiritual... he's the whole package. Ethan isn't into girls right now. He's a pretty confident kid, but I don't think cocky. He does enjoy the attention and so far keeps them all as friends.

To show off, Grace will touch the floor with her hands and be on her tippy toes. She will do it several times. It's a crack up.

Mini stories

Leo is obsessed with Toy Story. His favorite is Buzz Lightyear. He likes to pretend to be Buzz and then names the rest of us. I am Woody, Nathaniel is Mr. Potato Head, Ethan is Rex, Isaac is Hamm and Grace gets to be Jessie.

Occasionally I will ask Leo to put his dishes away. He is always happy to do as I ask. But something hit a switch on him and now he has excuses as to why he can't. He couldn't put his dishes away because his hands are small. He couldn't get his blanket because it's heavy.

I was on the computer one night while the kids were in bed. Leo found me in the office. I told him to get into bed three times. Finally he hit the charm switch and rubbed his cute little cheek against my arm and said "Miss you mom".

Leo misses everyone. Nathaniel will leave for work and Leo will say he misses daddy. Misses cousins. Misses papa and mema. Misses brothers when I drop them off at school.

Leo is my OCD child. He likes his hands clean. He will NOT step in puddles of water. He doesn't want to get his pants wet. He uses a napkin.

Isaac is very laid back. He can clean and enjoys cleaning. However... HOWEVER, he will get something out of a drawer and leave it open. Clothes on the floor. He will put his shoes on the wrong feet. I told him one morning they were on the wrong feet and to switch them before school. He didn't and went the entire day with his shoes on the wrong feet. He use to wear his underwear backwards for the longest time.

Grace took 16 steps today. When she gets mad, she puts her head to the floor and cries. Today I was feeding her oatmeal and she took 2 bites from me. The following she would turn her head and cry. She wanted to feed herself. I gave her the bowl and spoon and my almost 1 year old put the spoon in the bowl and fed herself. She did well and then got side tracked. Finally, she went at it with her hands. She has fine motor skills. She picks up cereal with her pointer and thumb. She was never into baby food. She wanted grown up food. She is independent and loves being the center of attention. She will raise her chin, squint and SMILE showing all her teeth.

Ethan is growing fast and is becoming smarter than me everyday he goes to school. He also thinks he's stronger. He tried to take me down. When he came at me, I swung my leg behind to sweep his legs underneath. I hurt him. I haven't tried again, but we fight over who's stronger. I'm scared!! For family night, we played Scrabble. Ethan put down 'gale'. Nathaniel asked him if he knew what he was putting down. Ethan told Nathaniel what it is. I didn't know. I had to look the word up. I'm scared!

One night I over heard Ethan talking to Isaac about college. He explained to Isaac that he is going to try hard in school so that he can get a scholarship to college. College is expensive and he doesn't want to make his parents pay for it.