Thankful banner

Every November we try to remember those things we are grateful for.  One Sunday I had the boys draw those things on these little cards.  They really got into it and kept asking for another and another.  When we were all done I hung them up on the mantle so we could be reminded of those things. 

Alex was thankful for: Dad, our family, Bear, our bodies, Nutella, and Mom & Dad.

James was grateful for: our bodies, toys, our family, and The Book of Mormon.

And William was grateful for: my house, beyblades (a toy), Alex, Dad, Mom, and James, The Book of Mormon, Henry, ninja and Legos.

Daily Sunshine

One day Alex and I found a little lady bug crawling around in the house.  Alex loved letting it crawl all over him and he was so gentle with it!

William's 8th birthday!

William had a great 8th birthday.  We had time to open presents in the morning and he loved them all... until he realized that he "only got books."  Oops.

But that was okay because later that day I brought lego candies to share with his class and was able to eat lunch with him.

Luckily a package came during the day and he got some "non book" gifts like a skateboard, legos, and fishing pole.

He also showed off a new skill of putting his foot behind his head.  Oww!

This year our birthday boy requested a lego cake.  Easiest cake ever.  I made a cake and frosted it blue (like an ocean).  Rich built an elaborate island scene to place on top.  William was very happy with it.

Henry was a big fan of the cake as well.

And Alex was just happy that he could finally play with those legos!

Happy happy birthday William boy!  You sure are a great kid.  I think we'll keep ya.

Baptism

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away

And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

(William and I took these pictures one Sunday before church.  We displayed this collage at his baptism)

A few Saturdays ago (on November 17th) William was baptized.  He was excited and just a little bit nervous but I think he had an overall great day.  We were really lucky that Rich's parents and sister, Lisa, were able to come out for this special event.

I'm a little sad that I didn't take more pictures!  But I did make sure to snap a picture of William and Rich before the service started.

William was baptized by Rich and confirmed by his Grandpa Crane.  It was such a nice service and the spirit was strong.  We are proud of William and the choice that he made.

One night while I was scratching his back at bedtime I asked him if he felt any different since his baptism.  After a short pause he replied, "I've been happier." I followed up on that and asked why he thought that was to which he stated, "I think it's because I have the Holy Ghost."

Oh William.  You really are a good boy.  You are so good to your brothers (most of the time).  You are turning into quite the pleasant helper too.  I am glad that you love to choose the right.  And I'm so glad that you are mine!

Eight is great!

Today William turns 8 years old!

I can't believe it!!  I am so proud of him and his desire to want to choose the right.

Here is our annual birthday interview.

What is your favorite...
color? green
food?  pizza
toy?  legos
show? Ninjago
animal?  dragon
comic book? Ninjago
song? Ninjago theme song and Party Rock
primary song? I am a Child of God
What do you like to do? play legos, be outside and ride my bike
Who is your best friend?  Robby
What do you want to be when you grow up? a lego artist
Do you have a girlfriend?  No!


I am - 8 years old

I am afraid of - nothing!

I like -legos and beyblade

I like to eat - pizza and cake

I don't like -tornadoes and earthquakes

I know -dragons kill people in dungeons

I want to be -a lego artist

I like to watch - Ninjago

I like to go -Chili's and Disneyland

My hero is- Dad!

I cry when - I sometimes get hurt

Mom gets mad when -Alex wakes her up for more milk

Mom is happy when - we clean up the playroom by ourselves

Dad gets mad when -Alex keeps asking for milk over and over again and then starts going crazy

Dad is happy when -he goes to sleep

What I want to be when I grow up - a lego artist

I can't wait for - Christmas!!!

Something Mom says to me - "Clean your room"

Something Dad says to me -"Have a good day!"

My favorite animal is - a dragon

My favorite place to go is -Disneyland!

My Mom and Dad make me laugh by - tickling me

I know my mom loves me because -she pays me every week

I know my dad loves me because -he helps me build lego castles

At the beginning of the year an idea came to me.  The more I let it swirl around the stronger I felt about it.  So one night in March, when Rich was already living in North Carolina I told him my idea. He didn't seem confident that it would work out.  Next, I approached William with the proposition.  He was on board... but mostly because it meant he got to stay up late.  William will take any excuse to stay up late.

This was my idea: William and I (and Rich when he was around) would read the entire Book of Mormon before his 8th birthday.

It took a lot of dedication but tonight we finished. 

William was so excited to finish.  He knew he did something hard.  Something that not a lot of teenagers (or even adults) have done.  Last night after reading Moroni's promise (Moroni 10: 3-5) he acted on it and prayed to know for himself.  And I'm confident that he does.  This was not merely a lets-read-it-all-just-to-say-we-did-it kind of reading (which isn't to say that some days weren't like that--especially when we were trying to play catch-up).  After nearly every verse William would ask, "What does that mean?"  And then we'd talk about it (which really helped further my understanding as well.)

Not only did he gain a testimony and great understanding of this keystone of our religion, he grew in other ways as well.  At the beginning of this experience William hated reading aloud.  He would pick the 2 shortest verses in a column and that's all he'd read.  However, in the past several months he decided, on his own, that he would read every other verse.  And he's good at it--one of the best readers in his class.  I've also seen him gain confidence and become more loving.  All of which I attribute to his reading and studying the Book of Mormon.

I am incredibly proud of this goal that William has accomplished!  This is the beginning of a family tradition for the months leading up to our boys' 8th birthday.  James can't wait until it's his turn!

Fall Photos

I still figuring out my camera but I'm having fun doing it.  I took some pictures of the boys this fall.  Here are some of my favorites.

William was actually a good sport and gave me some great smiles!

James was surprisingly a little more difficult.  Usually he loves posing for the camera.  He did warm up after a little bit.  However, it wasn't until afterward that I realized that he had taken some scissors to the front of his hair early that morning.  I found out when we were sweeping the floor that night and found a nice little pile of hair hidden under the table legs.

A few weeks later I took the little boys out to our side yard and snapped a few pictures.  Alex was great but kept wanting to pose with his hand up like a claw... so I only got a few good ones.

And for some reason Henry was super uncooperative and I only got one.  Oh well!  It's better than nothing!