The Next General Authority

A few weeks ago Braden was asked to give a talk in Primary. I think I may have been more excited than he was, although when it came down to it, he was super excited. His topic was "We believe in God the Eternal Father and in His son, Jesus Christ." Braden was amazing. We practiced a few times before church as well as on the half-hour drive to church. Braden really had it down. In fact, as we were practicing, he would remember and begin saying the line that came next. When the time came for him to share his talk in front of the primary he got right up, smiled the biggest smile, and gave his talk with some help from me. He spoke so clearly and really captured the attention of everyone in the room. I was so pleased with my little man.

Way to go Brady!

I Just Love Him

I don't know if I could ever express how special this little boy is. He truly brings me so much joy. It's easy to let Braden rule the roost around here as the older brother, but that doesn't put Carter in any lesser light at all. Our little Carter is a bright, happy boy. He is perfectly content just sitting in his own little corner doing his own little thing, but if you pay close attention, you'll see so much more. Carter loves to play with cars, trains, blocks, and of course anything Braden is playing with. He also loves to dance and his new favorite thing to do is read. When he's not busy using his little hands he toddles over to his books, picks out his favorite, and toddles right over to sit in your lap for a read.  He points at all the pictures and is so excited to hear the sounds of animals or even just the sound of my voice reading to him. And when dad is around he plays musical chairs by sitting on dad's lap to read a story and then when dad's done, he climbs down, picks up a new book and climbs up on my lap to read and repeats going back and forth from the two of us. When Carter plays it is so cute. He is very intentional on what buttons he will push or how he'll move his car across the carpet. The best part about watching Carter play is the pure joy that you can see on his face. When this boy is happy he'll show it, from his little smirk to giant eye glittering smile and squeals! I remember Braden at this very age and it is amazing at how different these two little brothers are. Braden, who has always been much more vocal, needed much more prompting to play on his own. His play was based more on what I said or what I've described to him. Carter on the other hand doesn't talk the way Brady did, but his play is more visual. He watches me or brother and then acts out what we do. It's really cute. Carter can say a few words. He repeats with grunts and oohs almost anything I say. I know that he is trying and with time I'm sure the amount of words he knows in his head will come out clear soon. He can say "uh-oh," "ba" (ball), "hi dad," "momma," "dadada" and "hello," as well as some other words that don't sound like words at all, but as his mom I know just what he's saying. Carter is also a "shy, social butterfly." He loves to be around people, but if anyone he doesn't really know comes and talks to him he shies away, but from a distant he is ready and eager to "flirt" with all the girls and flash his bright smile. He does have favorite people that as soon as he sees them he is out of my arms and headed to theirs. His most favorite is his daddy. As soon as dad is home he will fake cry until daddy picks him up and from there doesn't want to be put down. He also loves just about everyone at church, his most favorite being Janey, our friend down the street. He adores her and I hope he'll be okay sharing her when she has her baby in a few months. Carter's favorite time of the day is bath time. He loves to swim. This kid could be cranky, sad, or even throwing a tantrum, but as soon as he is in the water he is just as happy as can be, splashing and playing with the bath toys. Luckily, he is good about getting out of the tub when he's done, just so long as he is still holding one of his toys. And when bed time comes, he goes right to sleep and sleeps well. He really is the best baby. He is almost never sad and always has a smile or a love to share. Oh, how I just love him!

And I'll Huff and I'll puff...

Braden, while snuggling together today, tells me:

"Mom, you don't have a beard. You have a chinney-chin-chin."

Love it!

Happy Val a Versary

Today, Kameron and I celebrate 8 years together! It doesn't even seem like it was really that long ago that we were set up on our very first date. That night was definitely one to remember. Not because I fell in love at first sight or was completely swept off my feet but because at the end of the night I found my best friend. I may not have known, like Kam did, that I had met the man I was going to mary but I knew that I met someone very special and from then until now I have been amazed at where our little lives have taken us. There have been challenges, triumphs, trials and tribulations and many, probably too many to count, blessings; but I think the best part about being married is knowing that my best friend has been and will continue to be by my side every single day experiencing it all with me.

This year we celebrated our Anniversary with Valentine's Day. We went to dinner at Johnny Carino's (without the kids)*. It was such a treat to just be alone with each other. Kam is so busy with school that we don't get much time even as just a family together, so it was extra special to have time just the two of us. After getting home and putting the boy's to sleep I walked into my bedroom and found these:

along with a lengthly love note from my hunna-hunna! I was totally surprised and felt so special. Babe, thanks for sticking by my side and being the most wonderful husband (and friend) in the world. I love you!

*Thanks also to Janey and Darin for watching the boys. You guys are the best!

The Great Snowstorm

This storm hit us a week ago, on Friday the 5th, where we got 18 inches of snow overnight and it kept on coming and is now still falling. We are expected to have snow all week this next week as well. From listening to the news, this is the biggest storm Western Pennsylvania has had in about 65 years. Many people didn't have power and are still without power and the roads have been almost impossible to drive on. Schools were cancelled all week with expected delays and more possible closings for this next week. Church was also cancelled for us last week. We have been very blessed to be safe during this whole thing. Kam has been safe in his drives to clinical sites and classes at the school, and we have been fortunate not to be amongst the thousands without power. We have been nice and warm in our little abode, however we now have a dangerous case of cabin fever. Hopefully the snowfall this next week will be light enough that we can get out of the house, if not, well, you'll have to give us a call to see if we're even alive.

The snow out on our deck after the first hit.

(psst: Braden is a Monster!)

We couldn't even go out our front door.

The clean-up begins!

Making Progress

Carter wasn't too sure about it.

Sharing Time

This last Sunday in Primary our primary president told a story during sharing time (found in the Friend) about a girl who decided to have a chocolate ball for breakfast. Not wanting anyone to see her eating chocolate for breakfast she decides to eat it in the bathroom. Well, she ends up choking on it and through a prompting from the Holy Ghost, her father comes in and helps her. On our way home from church Braden starts retelling his dad all about the chocolate. He shared the story something like this: "The girl went in the bathroom and she was going pee and the chocolate ball goes up in the air and in her mouth and she can't breathe and her daddy comes and saves her. He heard the Holy Ghost talk to him." It was so funny. I wish it was recorded. Kam wasn't sure what Braden was talking about so I had to explain to him that he was just trying to tell him what he learned in Primary that day. Braden has also been telling us that "the Holy Ghost told me I have to go pee!" I'm trying to decide weather the Holy Ghost really is telling him he needs to go pee or if he's confused because of the story. Either way, at least he's paying attention in Primary!