Instead

Instead of staying a baby, P is growing and (gasp) practically CRAWLING. 

Instead of swapping out clothes that are too small, I keep squeezing her healthy self into them. I mean, those leggings. How can I not?

Instead of letting C's work induced absence make me nuts I am concentrating on looking so forward to heading west soon, and spending weeks and weeks with this lady.

Instead of cleaning the kitchen I watched these two play, while thinking about how yummy the bigger one is.

Instead of wearing pants I put on the most comfortable leggings of my life, picked up C from the airport, and went to this neat park for lunch.

Instead of being nervous about outings on my own with the minions, I take a superhero with me.

Instead of getting sad about a terrible haircut, I swept those blunt bangs to the side, and simply embraced the frizz.

The only reason I would want to live through the 80's as an adult

I was thinking the other day about how so many of the women I know within a few years of my age are pregnant.

And hey, in case my attempt at clever announcements were missed, I'm pregnant too!

I thought about how insane it is that so many of us are experiencing it at once, and how young we all are, and how we half-way feel like the phase of life we are going through should still somehow be beyond us.

Then I thought about how social media has tremendously changed this experience for women.

I mean, I went to school with a graduating class of over 400, so I am pretty sure there were some other women pregnant around the same time as my mom. But my mom didn't post pregnancy announcements on facebook for all of her old middle school acquaintances to be able to see. She just showed up at her 10 year reunion with four kids, and said, "As you can see, I've been busy!"

I am kind of jealous of that privacy. I am jealous that the moms of the generations before us got to feel a little more one in a million about being pregnant instead of feeling like, "How do I announce this in a new and creative way as to not get totally lost in the crowd of (wonderful and hopefully ecstatic) other people making the exact same announcement?"

Part of me wishes I was living this life 20 years ago when I only called my mom and my closest friends, and family found out through the grape-vine. But I don't.

I am not sad or upset that anyone else is pregnant; please don't misunderstand. I am simply trying to learn to still make this a precious and personal experience. I know, posting announcement to social media was absolutely my decision. I didn't have to, and I may choose not to in the future.

There are great things about it too. Being able to reach out to other moms online when I've felt clueless has been a big comfort.

I don't think there is any way for this post to not sound a little selfish, but I am a little selfish.

The end

Apologies for the price of postage

We were unable to send a card and letter to everyone we would have wished, so here it is. Merry Christmas. Isn't our Savior the greatest!?

You guys. 2013. It happened. It happened in a marvelous way. We arrived in Le Sueur, Minnesota on December 31, 2012, and started out the brand new year in a brand new place. It has had its challenges, but they have been mustard seeds in comparison to our yoga-ball sized blessings.

Chesley continues to work like a mad man to keep our lives up and running. He worked many 18+ hour days this summer, and always still had a positive attitude when he got home. He even still had a positive attitude when he would wake up before 4:00 the next morning to start another long day. Can we just bottle this positive energy already? We’d be rich. He got more flight time than last year, and is so excited to be a full time pilot next year. Finally! Three year old Chesley’s dream comes true!

I am still momming it up around here. Bein’ a mom.  I have a hard time finding grown up things to do sometimes, but building blocks and Bob the Builder will have to do as pass times for now. The baby and I spent a full three months in Utah and Idaho this summer while Ches was working those crazy hours. I did have some elderly women in my parents’ ward concerned about my marriage after such a long trip, but we managed to stay in love, and the trip was a treat. With Chesley being gone so much we were right where we needed to be.

Maverik grows and grows and grows! In both stature and personality. He is busting at the seams with it. He doesn’t say many actual words, (mama, daddy, and Bob), but he jabbers nonstop in his own little baby words.  He loves to throw, and we are constantly blocking our faces and flinching away from projectiles. We are working on clearing up the rules on what can be thrown safely and what draws blood.

So, we raise our glasses of non-alcoholic sparkling white grape juice (it’s the best kind) to the passing of another wonderful year. We hope the Spirit of Christ fills your Holiday season. Loves from the Lewis family.

Homliness. The Good Kind. The feelingy kind.

Holy. Slackage.

I know it is cliche, and lame, but I have no idea what happened to the last five weeks.

I only feel a little sorry that blogging hasn't been high enough on my priority list to get done.  I have been too busy basking in the glorious feeling that is the home of my childhood.

I have two homes now. In Minnesota when I talk about "home" I mean Utah. In Utah when I talk about "home", I mean Minnesota. 

I'm pretty lucky. In this case, two is better than one. 

Home is a funny thing isn't it? I have seen all sorts of cutesy and over the top word arts on pinterest talking about what home is. Most of them make me throw up in my mouth a little.

Yes, the heart is there. C and M are definitely required. But, what swirly word art stenciled on to wood can't explain... is that familiar feeling that settles in all over and in you. It is an inside-out ordeal. That place in the very center of you relaxes.  You see things without having to look at them. Things can seem familiar and new simultaneously. I read those last few sentences, and they don't quite explain, but I don't think they could.

Its a matter of feelingyness, not words put in yellow vinyl on a block of wood.

* I do not judge you if you love those blocks of wood. They just aren't my style!

I am a little bit late

and a little cliché, but if you read me often, you are used to that by now.

This is my daddy:

and this is mi corozón: 

Happy Father's Day. 

Who I Was Remembering

My Father's mother is an amazing woman. She is the lovely Judy Garland-esque lady on the left.

When I was young I thought she was kind of surly. She always made us really neat gifts, and would smile when we came, but she didn't have the warm fuzzy kind of personality that I was used to from my other grandma. But she loved us a lot.

As I grew up, and learned her story, I understood how it would have been difficult for her to come across any other way. She was stoic, not surly. Okay, maybe a tiny bit surly, but mostly stoic. She had to learn to be that way for her children.

Grandfather was in the military serving in Vietnam. Dad was 3 years old, his younger brother was 3 months old,and there were also three older children in the family.  One day grandpa went out on a reconnaissance mission, and never made it back to base. The plane just vanished. He and the other men with him were just gone.

My grandma Jeanie never heard from or about her husband again. She had just had a baby, had four other children, and was in her early thirties. She never remarried. She hoped for a really long time. It was possible that he could reappear. She was alone for over 40 years.

When I was old enough to understand this story, my heart broke for her. 

When we were cleaning up her house after she died I found one of the first editions of the military size Books of Mormon tucked away in a closet or drawer.  Weeks later the pages on the inside cover started to peel apart. I saw writing there, and finished separating them. Inside was a love letter she had written to my Grandfather before she had sent the book overseas. It had come back to her, and she had glued those pages shut, so she wouldn't have to see it, but so the book could still be used. 

I can't imagine that kind or degree of pain. She was an amazing woman. She raised five children on her own, and did a pretty darn good job. Even if she did throw rocks at them when they climbed trees to avoid well earned punishments. I think it is a parenting tactic I might adopt.

So, yesterday, I was remembering them. A grandfather who gave it all in the service of his country, and a grandmother who gave even more.

Proof of what? That Uncle Bob was a cute baby once...?

 Isn't she lovely?

Who were you remembering?

Weekend Wisdom (whenever walking wear weathered....sneakers?)

Ah, the satisfying feeling of using alliteration. Never gets old. Anyway.

wisdom begotten:

It is possible to whip up 2 quarts of rice pudding from the milk that is going to expire today, and eat all of it yourself in about 48 hours. Rice pudding and I have been having quite the affair for years now. 

Prayer works. It just does. It works with the biggest and smallest (like your child really really needing to fall asleep) things.

Having your home up on Skype in the background for four hours is definitely not excessive, and can make you feel like you are actually hanging out with your family.

My affection for Star Trek has not let me down. May it live long and prosper. (too much?) Also, this is the cause of my next item.

Benedict Cumberbatch. He needs no explanation.

This beautiful weather and these green landscapes are stealing my heart. 

The wisdom of a Skype conversation

My little brother Kade and I were talking over Skype the other day. We talked about various things, and at some point the topic of Maverik came up as he bobbed in and out of the screen. 

Kade said something like this, "You know, I used to just roll my eyes when people wanted me to see pictures or videos of their nieces or and/or nephews. Now I have one that I want to show to people, and no one cares. I get it now." 

My immediate reaction to this is: How on EARTH could people NOT want to see my child. He is ridonkulously and perfectly adorable! I feel immediately protective of the fact that someone may not like him. Off with their heads! 

Then I realize that although I can genuinely appreciate the cuteness of other people's children,even more so now that I have one of my own, it just isn't the same. Let me know if I am alone in this, but sometimes I look at Maverik and feel so intense about how perfect he is, and how he is the best baby in the entire world. Shouldn't every mother feel that way about her own children? At least when they are babies.(Don't get me started on the parents who think their children retain that perfection into their teenage years, and couldn't POSSIBLY do anything wrong. Ugh. I have horrid flashbacks of the worst kind of moments in a teacher's job.) So, every mom really does have the cutest baby in the world because it is her world. 

So, continue to humor me as I post relentlessly here and any other medium on which you may follow, about my baby and how much I can't get enough of him. Also forgive me for thinking that he is the most adorable, and I will forgive you for thinking your baby or niece or nephew is more so.

I mean, someone PLEASE correct me if I am mistaken about this face being so.....gobbleable.  

Things Learned...

...after having our first visitors in Minnesota

1. Visitors RULE. Family seemed especially special because it felt like they brought home with them. 

2. When grandparents spoil your children it feels as though you are getting spoiled because you reap the benefits by default. I also learned that this does not mean that you are welcome to eat all of the animal crackers...

3. Sharing a Port-a-potty size bathroom with four grown people takes some juggling. It also takes a level of restraint in order to not ask who left that smell in there. Courtesy is also required when you already know who left that smell in there.

4. Duck Dynasty is truly a marvelous way to pass empty hours. That joy is expounded upon when your father-in-law laughs loudly and gleefully every minute or so. 

5. Plan a menu, (I thought I planned one, but when they got here I realized I hadn't...don't ask me how that happened.) otherwise you will have to take multiple unplanned trips to the insanely priced grocery store down the street. But, it may also mean that you accidentally make your mother-in-law's favorite dish.

6. When you dish ice cream for yourself, make sure you ask if anyone else wants some even if it is at naughty eating hours, or you may appear to be the most gluttonous and ungracious host.

7. Having amazing in-laws may not make or break who you choose to marry, but having them feel like your own family is rather nice. I sure hit the jack pot. Mine didn't even care that I walked around in leggings after church instead of being decent and putting on pants. Seriously. The greatest.

8. Old Navy has put out some stellar V-neck T-shirts this year. (Thanks Lisa!) I am probably going to have to go back and get one of each color and pattern. Then I don't have to ever wear anything else.

9. When you move across the country from your family and they come to visit, you get pretty homesick when they leave.

10. Cuddling with your husband while you both play with a cute child is a pretty okay way to curb the home sickness. You'll feel better after you go finish the guacamole from the fridge.

Really, already?

I almost fell to pieces for a little while yesterday.

Maverik was upset about something. Sometimes he just gets upset, and I am not sure what about. I do the usual things like check the diaper, feed him, play with him, and sometimes nothing I try works. Its normal. He usually gets over it in just a few minutes.

He was having one of these little episodes yesderday, but it was lasting longer than usual. I reached out to hold him. 

He pushed my hands away and turned his face the other direction. 

I died a little. I sat there dejected like a 13 year old who just found out her crush likes someone else.

Maverik D. (as I call him when he is being unreasonable) You are not even 10 months old. You are NOT allowed to push me away! I won't smother you I promise!...maybe. 

Fellow MOMS! How did you cope with when your little ones started not needing you for everything? 

*update. It is a new day, and so far all of my attentions have been happily received.

45 minute drive

To see a brief history, click HERE

And that....is all

Dining with the Donovans at Christmas time...

The broccoli cheese chicken soup sits sputtering happily on the stove. Taquitos, chicken nuggets, and other various foods of frozen goodness start to sizzle on the pan in the oven. The cheese ball of amazingness has been purchased from Kent’s Supermarket because everyone knows that their green onion cheese ball blows all other cheese-balls away. This is the tornado of cheese-balls. Assorted crackers have been beautifully arranged on the very old and underused cracker platter. They look so much more appetizing in a pretty circle than they do coming out of the box.

Mom moves the soup to a hot pad on the table. I have already laid out bowls and spoons, and my stomach gnomes are starting to vehemently protest the fact that they have been neglected for hours now. Family comes. Family sits. We bless the food.

It is as if the next three seconds are three minutes. My little brother sees the bowl in front of his place at the table. He looks at the spoon. He raises his head to the pot of soup sitting innocently next to my mother.

Kade: “NO!”
Mom: “Uh….is there are problem son?”
Kade: “You’ve ruined EVERYTHING! It is CHRISTMAS EVE! We can’t eat soup! It isn’t finger food! How could you ruin our tradition like that!
Mom: “So don’t eat it.”

Kade stares at his plate, and eats only with his fingers. He keeps a frown on his face, and doesn't raise his head. He is showing his extreme disgust at all of our willingness to forsake our traditions without a second thought

I try to make the situation seem less tragic to him by explaining that it could indeed be counted as finger-food because you do, in fact, hold the spoon with your fingers, but alas, it gave him zilcho, zip, nada, yes , zero comfort.

Traditions have been rudely disregarded, and the day has been ruined for him....Until we get out treats, and his smile slowly returns. Then somebody farts and his brothers and father burst into laughter, while Kim and I try not to laugh, but fail as the laugh bubbles find their way out of our throats, and mom is says something about having grown up in a high class family.

Everything Smells....no really, it does.

Have you ever noticed that your cousins family has their own smell? And that cousin smells different from the other cousin on the same side, but also different from the cousin on the other side. Grandparents have their own smell too.

Schools have a learning smell.

Stores have a new smell.

My church has that old churchy smell, like the gym floor has been varnished over and over and over and over.

I always wondered what my families smell was when I was growing up, but of course it is my own smell, so I couldn't ever smell it. It drove me nuts. So I stuck my nose deep into one of the clean sheets that had been sitting in the sheet cubby for a while now, and after consulting with a cousin, decided that must be my families smell. Not too bad.

Fall has a crispy smell.

Spring smells wet.

I have never smelled winter because every time I try, it just freezes my snot up into my brain. I stopped trying that one after a while.

The beginning of my marriage smells like varnished wood.

Cows smell like home.

Mosquito spray smells like relief.

A swimming pool smells like hot.

Reason for this post.....big news.....
Kimee says Ches and I already have our smell! She says it is good :) I don't think our sheets have been in the closet long enough for me to know what it is yet...

Awesome

I may or may not have blinded my brother-in-law's left eye with one of these last night. The dart that hit the aforementioned eyeball may or may not have been tipped with Velcro. The battle may or may not have gone on between four grown people for more than an hour. There may or may not be darts lost in every open crevice of my and husbands apartment. I may or may not wish I was 7 years old so I could carry one of these around in a holster at all times.

The Weekend

that was really five days, so it was more of a week...but that's beside the point. My kick butt weekend started on Thursday night, and when clear to Tuesday night. I did many marvelous things, but two of them are epic, and possibly life changing.

#1 I got a new brother! He is the second handsome one on the left of the most handsome one, and on the right of the one that is in the awkward stage of life, but will one day grow to handsomeness like his brothers. (Love you Tanner) Good thing Abbie and I finish of the ends to make the family look REALLY good.

He came home from a mission in Africa, which is why I am disappointed in his lack of tan. Isn't it sunny there? And also, I was not impressed when he shoved a ketchup laden corn dog, that I happened to be enjoying, forcefully into the right side of my face, therefore making me a ketchup face.

But I am so nice that I really liked him anyway. Plus I beat him soundly in all attempted video games, so he's pretty cool.


#2 I also drew a mustache on a stick with antlers out of sidewalk chalk, and was not smart enough to know how to flip the picture the right direction without my beautiful macbook. This is by far the most epic moment of my weekend...maybe my fortnight.


ciao.
karlie jean

Remembering

The word remember is one that has great significance to me in my life for different reasons, but today I want to write about remembering people.


Yesterday was memorial day. Death is not something that I have had a lot of experience dealing with on a directly personal level. Only once. Only when my young grandpa of 65 died suddenly while at work doing a remodel of an old house. I remember the disbelief, and the denial, until I remembered that families are eternal, and we are all bound together, and the separation is temporary. It gave me such peace. I don't think any other knowledge would make watching my sweet grandmother on her lonely days bearable.

I have seen several good friends deal with death at an even closer proximity. Three of my best friends in the worlds have lost parents. Two to cancer, and one to a horrible accident. These three friends dealt with it in such an incredible way. They clung to the knowledge of the Gospel, and the fact that the rest of the time in this life without them will be less than a pinprick in the line of eternity.

I have often wondered what death would feel like without this knowledge. What if I had to question whether or not I would see my precious family again? My mind doesn't wrap around it. Every feeling in my body rejects the very thought or possibility. The pain is enough with the truth. I can truly understand people who never fully recover emotionally who don't know it. I can not express the gratitude I feel for my faith, and the knowledge it brings of eternal families. I need that eternity. I have a husband that I need to spend an eternity loving and knowing. A lifetime does not yield enough time to know a person completely.

So Grandpa, today I'm thinking about you. I'm thinking about how on that last day I saw you, you woke me from my nap with one of my favorite whisker kisses. I remember your flannel shirts, and your hats that barely sat on your head. I remember how you could never tell a satisfactory joke because you would start laughing so hard before the punch line that you couldn't finish it. I remember everything. I love you. I will see you soon.
karlie jean

I win.

I win the argument that all girls have about their dad being the best. Well, sorry. I won a long time ago. My daddy tops the cake of dads....that would have to be a HUGE cake.



These are the main men in my life. My dad (although the 13 year old is closing in) is the tallest and most strongest of all the men in my life.

He is the source of all weirdness, goofiness, and off the wall-ness that exists in my person. He would deny it when I wear my black glasses that have no lenses, but it all comes fr0m him.

He is the source of my skill for making paper people. This is his construction paper self portrait. See my feeble attempts to match him here and here.

Lets be honest. He is the funniest, kindest, biggest calf muscled, Irish jigging, riverdancing, fartfatnooging, bestedest dad ever.

The People

Sometimes I feel like I get so busy that I forget about 'the people'. I have been busier the last few weeks than I have been maybe my entire life, and when things started to slow down, and I had time to breath again, I started to remember 'the people', how wonderful they are, and what I had been missing or taking for granted about them. Here is a list of some of the people.

Mom: That woman loves me an awful lot. She jokes with me, feeds me, teases me about marrying boys I only talked to once, gives me pouty faces, listens to me whine about everything that I don't really have to whine about, has bigger crushes on anyone I date than I do, and makes the best home made pizza ever known to man, woman, child, baby, or pagan deity.

Dad: Is the most fantastic father ever, and yes my dad could beat up your dad..no...he really could. He always gives me a gigantic hug and a kiss on top of the head when I come home, he likes to take me to the movies, he thinks I look like Hoshi on Star Trek(she's Asian), he growls whenever he sees Michelle Pfeiffer or Angelina Jolie, he loves to laugh more than just about anyone I know, and he does spontaneous Irish jigs in the kitchen. He's the bomb.

Kim: Most patient sister ever. I am pretty sure I was a devil of a little sister. She is on her mission now. I think I'm going to have to get to know a whole new person when she comes home.

Shane Kade Wyatt: Big goobers who love me, and I love them. If you want to know more about why, see previouis posts. Ducks, muscles, hotdogs, and football are frequently involved. Oh, and flatulence.

Grandma: Probably the most angelic person I have ever encountered anywhere. She loves people, loves the Lord, loves me, and pretty much loves everything good. She and I have some very good talks. I learn much from my beautiful grandmother. She even looks like Audrey Hepburn. Go grandma!

Amanda Marie Sutton: Girl. I am almost crying writing about you. This girl is one of the most giving and forgiving people I have ever met. Plus she's HILARIOUS. I am pretty sure I've been close to wetting my pants a few times because of her. Even when time, conflicting schedules, location, and life get going, she is always sure to check up on me. She seems to know just when I need her. I miss her a lot. I especially miss the spandex and the leg wrestling. :)

Jennifer Dawn Beukers: Can you say 'girl who gives the most smile fruit snacks and dollar toys and cheer up kits ever!'? This girl is namazing. I don't think I have ever seen her worried about herself. She has a laugh that is more than contagious. She is going to be an amazing elementary school teacher. I'll send my kids her way for sure!

Whitney Fay Daley: loves lobsters and Will Ferrill (eew). This girl is so strong. Her life is not easy, but she doesn't let anyone know it. She is knows as the happy funny girl who everyone loves. Her faith and strength in the face of difficulty has been a tremendous example to me. I think she might be a saint.....even if she does like Will Ferrill... :D

Melissa Mae Grish: I didn't know it was possible to love six feet of person and red fro so much. This girl has a real and genuine love for life. I was so glad to find a companion in my radom belting of any song that popped into my head. When I hug her it is perdy much planned in the preexistence. She knows the meaning. Love you! You are wonderful!

Dallin Jolley: Juice, Yoga ball, Wal-mart, rides to the church, laughing so hard I fall over, making me say outrageous things, music videos. Dal. I'm pretty sure I laugh 93% more since I've started hanging out with you. You should see the before and after pictures of my abs, but I wont show you because that's awkward....

Catharina Anderson: works harder at her goals than almost anyone I know. I haven't talked to or seen her in a really long time, but I've thought of her often lately. She has a strength that I don't think I will ever understand. There was a time in my life that I could count on her for absolutlely anything, and I never told her how much she means to me. Catharina, I am so grateful to have had you in my life!

Mistie Park: knows how to genuinely be interested in peoples lives and well being. I know I could call Mistie any time at all and she would listen to me. She is a fantastic woman.

Hannah Mitsuko Hesley: Han. Han. Han. There are so many things I could say for you, oh one of the orient. Who would have thought that the girl who was sick and absent my first week in EAB would turn out to be one of my most favorite people in the world. I see many things in our future. Odes, viewings of Colin, Michael V, Channing, & others, dry-erase murals, silent soul bonding as we each sit at our computers, W.W.H.D. discussions, and adoration. Have Happa Day. ...Did I get that right....?

Kenneth Spencer Reid: This kid was here for me for so many late night discussions when I thought I was going to go crazy living with all girls. We are excellent eating partners, we love to go out to eat. We are very different from each other, but can talk about pretty much anything. He's pretty much a stud.

Ross Barton Nelson: There are almost no words. Ross is my bosom friend. We are pretty much kindred spirits, and I'm pretty sure he even knows where that phrase comes from :) I'm not sure how we've become as close as we are, but this kid knows me down to the stuff that no one else knows. He takes care of me. He calls me sometimes just to check up. We can be apart for months and pick up like we were never apart. His testimony awes me. This kid knows and loves his savior. Ross. Love you.

Mark (Sam) Summers: You smell of beef and cheese! This boy is the older brother that I always wanted. Really. We even torment each other like siblings. He is picky about the boys I date, and when I have questions, whether they are serious, deep, silly, or ridiculous, I know Mark Sam will be there for me. He's listened to me whine, cry, laugh, be tarded, and pretty much everything else. I adore this kid.

Ashley Hilton: Ashley has got to be the most phenomenal boss ever. She keeps me in line at work, doing what I am supposed to do, but has managed to become my friend as well. I love that we can laugh our heads off at work together, and I especially love that she and Hannah got me to jump on the Naked boat :D She also got me addicted to Lost. I don't know how I feel about that one yet....

Jacob Michael Anderson: Jakey Poo, what wouldn't I do for you? Girls, this kid gives the most phenomenal non-professional back rubs perdy much ever. He is an excellent racquetball teacher, will give rides to Jamba on his awesome little motorcycle, randomly screams very loudly in Spanish, and gives some of the best most heart felt advice I've ever received from a guy friend. His hugs could cheer me up absolutely any day.

Kelby Jay Perry: I don't know that I have ever become such good friends with someone so fast. This kid is sharp. Although he occasionally joins Dallin in making me say outrageous things, :D I am very very glad to have Kelb in pretty much my every day. Kelb, you make me wanna be better than I am. (Watch those hands!)

Lisa Arzella Vincent: make me smile as soon as she is in the same room with me. Lisa knows how to make life enjoyable. Her energy exudes to pretty much everyone around her. You can't help but love her to death. She is really good at giving and receiving awkward hugs, has the prettiest teeth on the planet, has the longest torso ever created under heaven, and I pretty much hope we are friends forever. Losa, I love your face!

Janalie Wilkins: Jan, where would I be without you? You are my other half after all. If you didn't exist I would only be half a person! That would be extremely awkward because either way you split us I would have innards spilling out....gross....I love that I need absolutely zero reserve when I am with you. You know me exactly as I am, as weird and scary as it can be. Thanks for always being there to laugh about boys when we are really sad about them, and making me feel lovely when we all know you are the most attractive one :D We're family. We're gonna be together for Eternity!

Jenelyn Debrah Perry: There are really not words for what this girls has meant to me in the last year. We have the kind of friendship where we can sit completely comfortable in silence one day, and the next day we can hardly keep ourselves from talking to eachother while we are supposed to be doing homework. We have lived together long enough that I have picked up a few of her quirks, and she has picked up a few of mine ( I swear you will say "buddon" by the time we're through with each other!). She is one of the most beautiful girls I know inside and out. Chenyl, I luuuuv yeeew.

and these are the people that have been on my mind. Thank you, and all of those other people that I love, so much for making my life the incredibly blessed one that it is. You make me pretty much the luckiest girl in the world.

The Boys

This blog is dedicated to my brothers who give me a seemingly endless supply of laughter. I will try to let you know a little bit about each three, and why it is that they can make me laugh as much as they do.

Here they are.....

Shane is the oldest boy. He turned 16 in September. It is really fun to have a brother who is old enough to date and drive and be interested in girls. I am a little protective of him, but he takes it pretty well. Shane is the self proclaimed muscle man of the family. All of the girls think he is just the most handsome boy ever. Pff. He has enough of an ego as it is. Add all of the senior girls at the high school thinking he is handsome, and humility doesn't have a chance! Despite the fact that he knows the girls like him he is such a gentleman. To his credit he's never even held a girls hand. Way to go Shane! Shane is the fountain of random knowledge that no one really needs to know. In the middle of a meal or a movie Shane will say something along the lines of, "Do you know what kind of food an african dung beetle eats when it is in heat?"...and then he spouts off the answer. I hope he gets to be on Jepardy someday.

Kade is the next brother. He is 14 and stands 6 feet 2 inches tall. Pah hah! Even thinking about Kade makes me laugh. He is oober talented in music. The kid picked up a guitar one day and decided he wanted to be able to play, so now he can. No lessons, no nothin. The dang dufus just figured it out. It made me so mad! Out of five kids that are all so different he and I are the most similar when it comes to personality and sense of humor. I'm afraid he got a lot of his weirdnes from me. Oops. Girls love him already because he is easy to be around, he hilarious, he sings like a full grown man with a gorgeous voice, he can sit down at the piano or with a guitar and play whatever he wants, and like I said before he can make just about anyone laugh. As he leaves a room he is often known to shout one of these two phrases, "I love ducks!", or "I like girls!". He is doomed to be a lady's man. Sigh. It isn't my fault they are all related to me and people love them... :) riiiiiiiiiiiight. He is known for the "Elvis Slide" wherever he goes. The Elvis Slide is the smooth move of throwing out a leg as you walk to free yourself of the uncomfortable sensation that a wedgie gives. I'm so proud....

Last but most certainly not least in the game is Wyatt (I always call him, and he always answers to "Goober") Wyatt is another monsterishly huge boy in our family. He just turned 12 in October and he stands about 5 feet and 10 inches. He is solidly taller than me, and outweighs me by a few pounds :) This boy brings so much joy into my life. Hehehe. I am laughing out loud thinking about it. When we go to Wyatts baseball or football games, a couple of things ALWAYS happen. First of all we always overhear perplexed or frustrated parents saying something along the lines of, "What is that huge boy doing out there?! There is no way that he's 12.." My mother has threatened to start carrying around his birth cirtificate everywhere we go so people stop accuse him of being "slow" because he is so big. He is actually always at the top of his class just so you know :) The other thing that always happens is one of my favorite things in life to witness. Especially in baseball, when wyatt is in the outfeild, and nothing is getting hit to him by all of the normal, small 12 year olds, he sits out there in his own little world and does a dance of sorts. It kind of looks like his limbs are taking turns turning into jello. Someday I hope all of you get to partake. That is when strangers look at my partents and say, "Is that your kid?" and I say, "It sure is theirs!"

I adore my brothers. I know I can't do them or their hilarity justice in this short blog, but I had to try and share with you all their awesomness! If you ever want to see videos, just let me know. It makes it so much more real... :D Here are just a few more pictures.The End.