If you had a million dollars what would you do?

James' response, without hesitation.

"Buy candy."

After a moment's thought he added..."Then I would send it to Grandma and Grandpa. Lots of M&Ms."

Next question...What animal is most like you?
James said "an elephant."
My response, "I am most like a squirrel."
James: "No. Like a hippo!"

My Job

I have the best job in the world. It's true. Lately I have been catching myself all day long thinking about how wonderful my job is. Spending each day with James and Matthias is SO fun! I won't pretend it is not hard and challenging at times and that I don't get frustrated and overwhelmed. And sometimes I really could use a minute to use the bathroom in peace or maybe ten to just sit in complete silence, but all in all I could not ask for more.

Just yesterday James said to me, "Can I get my Book of Mormon? I want to tell you about the Word of God." What a priceless moment that I would have missed had I been elsewhere. He then proceeded to read me some new passages from the scriptures..."He said don't eat your dinner anymore. Ever. Eat candy." Now how could I have made up for missing such a beautiful and funny moment with my precious child.

As life goes on I have realized more and more that it is not really possible to relate our full day, every word, every smile, every naughty deed, to Taylor in complete detail. Though I try very diligently. And as the years go by it will get harder and harder. Some times Matthias will do something new or James will say something funny. Taylor will ask "Did you see that?" Did you hear James?" And I respond, "Oh he's been doing that for a few days now" or "He said that yesterday, didn't I tell you?" And I try SO hard to remember to tell him everything. How much would we both miss, but especially me if I did not spend each day with our children.

The boys are growing so fast...changing and learning. I am so thankful that I can spend my days with them to get to know them, to love them, to share each moment. Watching Matthias laugh as James pulls him around the house by a string is an irreplaceable moment. Seeing James discover that putting his pinwheel in front of a fan makes it spin really fast is a rewarding moment. Having my boys grab a book and snuggle on my lap is the greatest blessing.

I love being James' and Matthias' mom.

The dancing elfs...

Follow this link for a wonderful dancing elf show from the Harveys

Negative

In order to dispel popular opinion, I have procured the following evidence in my defense.


Sorry guys!

Camping

We set the tent up in the family room and roasted marshmellows over the gas flames of our stove burners. The boys thought it was great and it was very clean. James even got to go to bed in the tent.



Then the next week Taylor had a young men's camp and the boys and I joined on Saturday morning for dutch oven breakfast and fishing. We hope to go camping next week during Thanksgiving break (if it's not too hot out to sleep!)

James Speak

So I was talking James into potty training by using the great tactic of "you get to wear big boy underwear." "No," he responds "I want to wear a diaper." This goes on for about 5 minutes and I say, "if you wear underwear, everytime you go to the bathroom I will give you an M&M."
James' response: "How about two."

(Who do you think has a dutch oven James?) Sierra, Sierra. (No, she doesn't. Who else?) The Griffins. (Sierra is Sierra Griffin) Sierra is the Griffins?

I was upset with James for peeing his pants...again. And he says "You gotta choose the right words Mom. You gotta choose the right words. Jesus said."

(Who's in the picture?) Matt. (No, it's you when you were a baby.) It's me when I was Matt.

A Belated Halloween tribute...

Um...I haven't blogged Halloween yet? Who know. Sorry!

So we did trunk or treat at the church on Friday (Oct 26) and HOA party Saturday (Oct 27). Both were chaotic and full of people, but fun.


Tuesday (Oct 30) James and Matthias threw a party (even hiring their own party planner for two kisses an hour...and she did a smashing job!) It was fun to have lots of little friends over and play. James had a blast and kept asking me for days ahead of time when the party was.


On actual Halloween we did some trick-or-treating and had apple cider with chili cheese dogs at the Larsens!