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I knew what Derek was getting me for my birthday – it's something I've been requesting for a couple of months.  It's a FLIP video camera – the size of a phone and easy to use.  I love them!!

But what I didn't know was that he was going to get me a customized, one-of-a-kind, no-one-else-in-the-world-has-one-like-it, FLIP!

Remember the post about the google images – and I listed this image as my favorite color combination?

 

Derek took it – expanded it (apparently it took a lot of work) and had this made for me…

   

Isn't that the coolest gift ever!?!  I'm "over the moon" excited!  For one brief moment today, I might be the hippest mom on the block!  Thanks honey!

Yesterday afternoon, I made the impromptu decision to take the kids to the Pumpkin Patch after school.  It's a yearly tradition, but usually something I do earlier in the month.  With it closing today, I knew I needed to act fast!  So we headed out and enjoyed a wonderful afternoon  – feeding animals, taking a hayride, picking pumpkins.  I love this tradition, and it was good to have all 3 of my boys together with me.

 

   

   

     

If you are LDS and have a Young Woman in the Stake, you might be thrilled to know that the Stake Staff is already hard at work on the details of next June's Girls Camp.  And I'm so thrilled to once again be a part of it.  It's at a new location and today we did a "scouting" expedition to get a feel for the place.  It's beautiful and serene and it has wildlife!  It was fun to spend the day with these great ladies…especially the 4 hours in the car with Dana!

   

   

   

We brought along our little helpers…and this is how they looked on the way home:

 

  young Mer, age 5

Today I celebrate 33 years of a charmed life…

…born to wise and noble parents who were devoted to me (and still are)

…treated to a generous and loving extended family

…given two younger brothers to raise – oh, wait, that was our mom's job, I just treated it like it was mine!  Let's try that one again…

…given two younger brothers who gave me the heart-swelling experience of being a sibling

…more friends than I could ever imagine – some of whom are more like family to me and many of whom are kindred spirits

…married to a caring and hard-working husband who treats me as an equal

…a home to call my very own, where I get to play "house" everyday

…and I get to wake up every morning to three gorgeous children who love me unconditionally and shower me with affection

CHARMED, indeed.

Despite the melodrama of Sunday (we’re all doing better today, thanks), we actually had a great weekend.  On Friday night Audra came over and the Crane kids (Abby, McKenna, Zachary and baby Gavin, who slept most of the night) joined us for our annual carving of the pumpkins.  We had pizza and root beer, decorated sugar cookies and carved 3 pumpkins.  It was great fun!  It is so good for my boys to be around these cute Crane girls – they get to experience what it might be like if we had sisters in the house.  I think I’ll be borrowing them every chance I get!

Blurry – but you get the idea!

    (this is before he finished – he was proud to carve his own pumpkin, with some help from his teammate Zachary)

It's quiet now, but what a scene we've had today.

I am sick – again.  Derek took me on a date last night and we had mexican food.  In the middle of the night I was throwing up, and spent the day in bed trying to recover.  I have rarely missed church to sickness (other than pregnancy) ever, but have now missed two Sundays in a row.

Samuel is sick – has had a cold that is now in his chest.  I'll take him in tomorrow to make sure it's not RSV, which he's had a few times already.

Derek just left on a business trip.  And we all cried.  We don't usually cry, but we did tonight.

Maybe it's because it's the third time this month for him to leave on a trip.  Maybe it's because he'll be gone for my birthday.  Maybe it's because it's a Sunday night, and he never leaves on Sunday nights.  Maybe it's because me and Samuel are sick and the boys took one look at me in the bed and felt a little nervous about their existence over the next few days.  But whatever it was…it made us very sad to see him go.

Me and Jacob and Caleb piled in to my bed and all cried.  Tears hitting the pillow.  It was quite pathetic, really.  They were quiet tears mostly, but it was a good cry.  I tried to tell them that it was only 3 days, and Caleb tearfully responded, "But I wish it was only 3 minutes."

All I know is…it must be really good to be Derek and be that loved.

He sweetly folds his arms when he prays (just as we've taught to encourage reverence):

 

He looks like he's saying "shhhh" here, but he learned this in music class – it means "listen".  Whenever he hears a sound, he does that and I whisper "listen"!

 

Peek-a-boo…an old favorite:

 

He's also able to open and close doors now – oh yes he is!

 

He's signing "train", "help", "airplane", and "thank you".

He's pretty cute! 🙂

Last week was crazy around here and one afternoon Jacob was sensing the craziness and sweetly volunteered to take Samuel outside to play.  I was so grateful and at one point looked out the window to watch for a little while.  It was a big brother sweetly playing with his younger brother – trying to entertain him on the trampoline (thankfully we have a net).  Sometimes Jacob would just do his own thing (like most 9 year old boys would), but other times he was completely engaged and aware of Samuel.  I was so grateful to be privy to this little moment and shot some pictures through the blinds as I watched.

   

   

Last night Caleb had his first belt test.  He is "invited" to test when the teacher feels he is ready – he was going from white belt to yellow belt.  It was an hour long test and he had to do things with his group but also on his own.  Poor little thing would blush and chew on his lip when it was his turn – he gets a little shy and timid, but also was one of the best in his group.  He had good "power" and "focus"! 

Jacob and I learned a valuable lesson together also – when you love someone who is nervous, then you get nervous too!  J. and I were both a little anxious for Caleb knowing that he was feeling the pressure!

But he passed with flying colors and we were so proud!

   

   

 

Caleb with Mrs. Carol Vasquez (his instructor, and for this test, the judge)

About a month ago Jacob decided he wanted to run for Student Council…an opportunity for 3-5 graders at his school.  Each class elects two representatives and they can campaign only with a poster.  Thankfully…with his charm and leadership abilities…he was elected!  And he is taking his responsibiities VERY seriously…even praying that he'll be "able to do his duties well and help his school".  This week they had to do several things to help get ready for Red Ribbon Week – banner making and posters for the school.  It is fun to watch him emerging as a leader and working hard.  I LOVE the poster that he made (with only a teeny-tiny bit of help from me).  I'd vote for him in a heartbeat!