Happy Birthday Elle

Apparently I've used up all my wittiness for the evening. So for wishing our precious Elle a very Happy Birthday, I'll commandeer a song that has played throughout her life. While I was pregnant with her and cooking pancakes on Sunday mornings, while we attended Sacrament at PCMC, while I was alone in Denver, while we drove home after her death, while we closed her funeral and now while I sing Christian to sleep each night.

Lead kindly light amid the encircling gloom

Lead thou me on

The night is dark and I am far from home

Lead thou me on

Keep thou my feet I do not ask to see

The distant scene one step enough for me.

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou

Shouldst lead me on

I loved to choose and see my path but now

Lead thou me on

I loved the garish day and spite of fears

Pride ruled my will

Remember not past years.

So long thy power has kept me sure it still

Will lead me on

'Or moor and fen 'or craig and torrent till

The night is gone

And with the morn those angel faces smile

Which I have loved long since and lost awhile.

The great state of Tennessee

This past weekend we trekked up to TN to welcome my sister to the South. I think it may be the most efficient and anticipated move we've ever participated in, which is saying alot. When Reed was in Elder's Quorum they averaged 2 moves per week. So, we know moves.

Anyways, in 24hours Catherine was completing the finishing touches and hanging the girls' curtains. We are beyond excited to have them living within 3 hours of us. Let the parties begin!

Oh my Grayson,Gray...

Exactly why we're so excited to have some girls around...

they're so much more photogenic...

but still like to have fun.

That's right, the British couldn't survive. But, I could easily handle all Fort Loudoun had to throw at me (and the 4 kiddos I was solo with).

Christian found his own entertainment.

Sunday Mornings

With Reed gone to meetings this is what Sunday mornings look like at our house:

What can I say; I've got to have a few minutes to throw on some make-up and pin my hair up before we head out at 8:30AM.

Also, for all those new members in our ward: no, I am not a single mom, no, I do not have an inactive husband and yes, I'm still relatively sane.

The good and the bad

The good: endless entertainment.

The bad: sometimes you are the entertainment.

Such is the life of Christian; it's tough, but someone's gotta live it.

Grayson Gray

In defense against the middle child syndrome, here's a shout out to G.
We love you, your cartoon voice and your joie de vivre.

Of special concern

The other night I was flipping through one of my favorite parenting books (the fantastically folksy, yet ever correct, "Mother's Almanac") brushing up on 3mth milestones. Imagine my surprise when, under the "Of special concern" section, right next to twins and disability, was three sons. It read:

"There must be a special place in heaven for mothers of three sons. You certainly can tell them on earth. They're those ladies with amused, bemused faces and an amazing tolerance for disaster-for they have learned that shouting doesn't help.

No other combination of children, not even twins, can create so much chaos or camaraderie. Even the most introspective child will join the team-them against you-and like all good players, they encourage each other to bigger feats of daring.

We recommend the advice of so many successful mothers of three boys. Give them as much outdoor playtime as possible and indoors set up two rooms: one for sleeping with nothing but beds and bureaus, and the other for playing, with much climbing equipment.

You will be frazzled in the early years but when your boys grow up, we think you'll find yourself perhaps more treasured than most other mothers."

Here's to my special place in heaven with an angel waiting :)

And, of "special concern"...

"bigger feats of daring"

Soon enough he'll be actively on "the team" instead of just cheering

What I came home to today...

First day of School, First day of School!

Both Matts and Gray started school on August 5th. It's crazy early, but Cobb county is trying out a balanced schedule, so we'll be getting a few extra weeks off during the year. In the interest of the "Making Memories" enrichment I'm putting on tonight this will be much longer than usual. For those who want the short version; Matts did great, we're pleasantly surprised with the public school and he's already arranged the all important crew. Gray did great as well but just can't understand why all the other kids don't follow all the directions all the time. Christian is in baby heaven. I swear he already knows when it's his time. I have a love/hate relationship with only having one kid T/W/TH. Half the time I plan all the projects I can accomplish, the other half I run around like a chicken trying to get everything done before the kiddos get home so I can give them "quality" time.

I think Matts' first day was great. He's apparently past the stage of telling me every detail, but based on his cheerful attitude in the evening, I'm assuming things are going well. The first day about broke my heart when I asked him what he did at recess and he said he walked around by himself kicking rocks at trees. But, the next day he played with Larry, the next day played with Larry and a girl named Underdog :) and as of today, has a crew up and running. Also, even on that first day he told me "Mom, I like my teacher, she always has time to listen to what I say". So; so far, so good.

Gray marched right into his classroom and hasn't looked back. In fact, this week the school has us walking them in and Gray everyday tries to assure me that I can just drop him off, he's really ok. In addition to his extreme independence I've also discovered that, when given the chance, Gray will not stop talking. Seriously, this kid gives me running commentary from the time he wakes up until we pick up Matts in carpool. After that, he and Matts are too busy running around making up for lost time to stop and talk.

All in all, a crazy and good week. It's hard to believe that we have a school age child. Reed had to talk me off the cliff as I swore I was never sending Matts to school. He very wisely pointed out that 6 year olds all across the world are capable of finding their classrooms, eating lunch, making friends and making it out to carpool. I also can't believe that Gray is ready to head off to school and he is SO ready. He just seems to be our little cartoon who goes through life enjoying everyone and everything. Finally, I can't believe I have 3 boys. Throughout the week, and especially in sacrament meeting, I look down the row and shake my head with a bemused expression. It's all just so unexpectedly wonderful. It's a strange feeling to know that the things you've taught your child are being put to use as they spend the majority of their day away from you and will now be acting so much more independently. I can only hope that we've taught them well. Taught them to be resilient, confident and above all, kind.