Update

My emotions have kind of run the gamut this weekend.  Yesterday I got news that a darling girl I new in Arizona, died.  She’s about a year older than me, and left behind a husband and 4 kids.  Her oldest is 13 and her youngest just 3.  I didn’t know her well, but I remember her so clearly and she was one of those people that you just liked right off the bat.  She had the cutest southern accent and was so warm and real.  I’m not sure how she died, I’ve heard it was maybe a stroke.  It breaks my heart, mostly for her little family.  I have no doubt Stephanie is in good standing before the Lord and will continue to watch over her little ones and husband, but how they’ll miss her.  Today I attended a Sacrament meeting where my cousin spoke before she leaves on a mission.  This cousin is the youngest of 8 kids and when she was 16 years old her Mom died.  Megan bore a beautiful testimony of having that burden lightened by God’s Love.  I was so touched, and it helped me remember that these things aren’t random, there is a plan and there is reason to hope.  Sometimes I can’t for the life of me see meaning in the tragedies we hear about everyday, but if my sweet, brave cousin can stand in gratitude and humility and testify of God’s love after everything she’s been through perhaps I can continue to look forward in faith and trust in the Lord’s will.  I am so grateful to be here with my family and for every day I get to join Brennan in loving and raising and being loved by our kids. 

Anna is currently a little obsessed with Paris.  For her upcoming birthday, she’s asking for lots of Paris décor for her room.  (Of course a dog is always at the top of her list.)  She has such a cute sense of style and loves to express herself through her clothes.  I’m grateful she’s not dialed into brands, she just has a very specific sense of who she is and loves to put together outfits that reflect that.  Her friends sometimes wonder why she’s all dressed up, she just loves to dress up and accessorize.  She reminds me of my sister so much that way, which, of course, I love.  It’s just fun to watch her develop her identity and talents and emerge such an individual not just an extension of her parents.  We love Anna.

Abby was in our city’s summer theatre production of “Secret Garden”.  She loves being part of these productions.  I’m always a little surprised at her willingness to devote so much time and energy to these things, especially for relatively small parts.  I love watching her on stage.  In her everyday life she’s often a little self-conscious.   I think is part of why she loves performing so much is that she feels free to really let go of some of that inhibition.   Her best friend played the lead role of Mary, I know that was a little hard for Abby at first, but she got over that quickly and was so sweet and supportive of Paige.  We love Abby.

Nate is on a mission to save up some money for a new bike.  He spends LOTS of time looking up different kinds of bikes deciding on just the right one and dreaming up ways he can earn half of the cost of the bike.  So far, the money earning has mostly remained in the conceptual stage. He loves to tell anyone who’ll listen all about the bike he’s going to get.   He spends most of his time outside riding his old bike or having some kind of outdoor adventure with his friends or at the neighbors’ wii.   At night all our kids and the neighbor kids usually end up on their tramp playing a game.  He’s living a true, all-American 8 year old boy Summer.   We love Nathan.

Benny came up to me the other day and in such sincerity and enthusiasm told me he had decided when he gets older he wants to take tricks class.  Would there be anything better for a 5 year old boy than the prospect of somewhere you can go to learn awesome tricks?   I’m not sure he needs it though because much to my surprise and nervousness he did a front handspring off the diving board at the pool the other day.  He’s such a funny ball of contradictions.  In some ways he’s so tough and independent, but a mosquito bite can completely undo him.  I’m used to him hanging around with me and Josh, but when the big kids are around he’s always busy with them.  I miss my little boy.  We love Ben.

Joshua is very much a 2 year old.  He’s embraced his age and all the 2 year old trappings with gusto.  One of my favorite things is that he’s really started to do imaginary play with little action figures and cars.  He gets very wrapped up and the phrase I hear over and over is, “Bye, seeya, hab fun!”  I love that that is his go-to phrase.  The other day the girls saw a bra infomercial and Anna said, “Ewww, gross, that is disgusting!”  Josh sat there quietly but about 3 minutes later we heard, “EWWW, gosss – stusting!”  We love Joshy.