STRIKE!

Kayleigh bug's personal bowling style is to throw the ball on the bowling lane.
Mr. Baseball appears to have bowled a gutter ball.

We always look forward to Everett's baseball party and trophy ceremony. This year we celebrated by going bowling. It was a wonderful time for everyone involved. Everett bowled two strikes and Kayleigh bowled two spares. It was a pleasant surprise when I bowled a spare. Brad is excellent at bowling, but was busy watching Cozette at the time.

This is so sad, but I must tell what happened next.

Brad had not planned to bowl. He had a very busy Saturday working. He had enough time to stay about an hour. Kayleigh tired of bowling, so Brad and I finished the game for her. Brad did not have bowling shoes on. He asked the attendant if he could bowl wearing his tennis shoes. She hesitated, then said he could.

Brad got the bowling ball, assumed his bowling position, and Kayleigh, Everett, and I watched with anticipation.

We were not prepared for what happened next.

Brad released the bowling ball. Then it looked like he lost his footing. I watched with fright as Brad's legs literally went out from under him flying up in the air as he crashed onto his bottom.

I screamed, Everett's face went white, and Kayleigh gasped.

What is amazing is that Brad got up like nothing had happened and had a big smile on his face.

"Are you okay?" I asked with concern.

"I'm fine, I guess I lost my footing." Brad assured me. He then took Cozette.

After a few minutes had passed, Everett still seemed upset. "Mommy, that hurt my heart when Daddy fell."

That little boy loves his Daddy!

We were able to laugh about it later that night because Brad didn't get hurt.



The trophy ceremony is so much fun. The coach talks about each boy and their accomplishments for the season. Every boy has an opportunity to shine.

"This boy has ONE HOT BAT. He is willing to play any position I assign him, and he does so with a wonderful attitude. I can always count on him to do his best," Everett's coach started to say. Immediately all of the boys started pointing at Everett. His coach continued, " He is an excellent ball player and a great example to his teammates."

I was beaming and trying my hardest not to feel prideful!

Now that baseball season is over, I am looking forward to basketball season.

I can't wait to interview Mr. Basketball!

Goodness gracious.
Cozette has learned how to climb up onto the chair.
Oh, mercy!

Declaration of Independence

A very independent little girl.

The days and weeks following Cozette's birth are somewhat of a blur. Newborns, as precious as they are, are overwhelming. It is easy to wish these days away in hopes of getting more sleep. I remember entertaining these thoughts once and then feeling a sharp impression.

These days are fleeting. Do not wish them away.

I changed my attitude very quickly.

The irony is this has made time even more fleeting. It is now 14 months later and I wonder where the time has gone to? Cozette is no longer a little baby.

She is one independent little toddler!

She will only eat her food if I allow her to touch it and get her hands sticky. She likes to drop her food on the floor. I really do try not to laugh. When Brad is home, she wants nothing to do with me. She tries to run away when it's time to dress her. She makes a million messes a day. Her favorite activity is destroying Kayleigh's and Everett's rooms. Everett even had tears the other day when he forgot to close his bedroom door and found his Risk game opened and all 500 pieces of it scattered on his floor. She refuses to sit through Sacrament meeting. She LOVES the cell phone and puts it to her ear like she is talking on it.

She did say, "cracker" yesterday at play group. "Ahh-er." Two of my friends also heard her and it was a delightful moment for me. She is saying, "ma-ma" more and more too. She loves to stomp her feet and clap her hands to the beat of the music.

I know you are getting big, but I have to draw the line.
"No lipstick until you are at least 14!"

I pray that she won't grow up any time soon!

The Glad Game

There can be a little bit of Pollyanna in all of us.

If ever there was a day to play "the glad game" it would be today. I have been playing this game since I was 11 years old. The rules for playing are simple.

You can find something to be glad about in every experience; no matter how sad you are.

Today, I am sad over the results of this election and the direction this country will be going:

Less freedom.

Bigger government.

Decline of morality.

Higher taxes.

Socialized medicine.

Greater threat of terrorism.

However, I can still be glad!

I am grateful to know that Heavenly Father is in charge. I am grateful that I can study and know that certain things will happen in the last days and that I can recognize these signs.

"... we may expect the insatiable desire to get something for nothing and result in further class legislation and more socialistic experiments by governments. "(Mormon Doctrine p. 729 Signs of the Times)

I am grateful to know that if I prepare, I will not fear.

I already feel better.

Right To Vote

"Oh, if I could but live another century and see the fruition of all the work for women!
There is so much yet to be done."

Susan B. Anthony

Today I voted.

I am thankful for the right to vote.

Brad and I had planned to spend at least three hours in line. I carefully planned my morning so I could leave Cozette sleeping. Kayleigh and Everett watched her while I was away. Brad went about 30 minutes before I did and held my place in line. I am amazed that I was only gone for about 55 minutes. I returned home with Cozette still sleeping.

Kayleigh and Everett had mock elections at their schools yesterday. Sadly, Obama won both elections.

I guess we will all be on pins and needles for the rest of the day.


Thank you Susan B. Anthony.

Counting My Blessings

Count your many blessings. Name them one by one:

My Savior.

My testimony of the gospel.

My one true love: Brad

The sweetest child in the world: Kayleigh.

My beloved son: Everett.

The darling of my life: Cozette.

Elijah.

The beautiful view of autumn outside.

Clean sheets.

My country.

Mom and Dad.

My beautiful home.

Singing with Kayleigh.

Hot water.

A sleeping Cozette.

Dancing with Brad after dinner.

Mom's beautiful art.

Sisters making me laugh.

Bill and Shirley.

Everett is singing in the school chorus.

A daughter who always scratches my back.

Laughing with my children.

Extended family.

Blogging. (It is a blessing.)

A Dad who is always there for me.

Dear friends.

Cooking for my family.

Sunday afternoon naps.

Cozette's smiling face.

Watching Everett and Brad playing outside.

Cozette is discovering the world.

Knowing that Brad loves me.

Being able to stay home with my children.

Practicing the piano.

Smooching Cozette.

Good health.

Brad's growing business.

Going to sleep at night knowing how blessed I am.


And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

We Wish You a Merry Halloween

A wacky witch, vampire, and a little witch attacking the Halloween candy.

What is your favorite thing about Halloween? It was not difficult for Kayleigh and Everett to answer my question. Their list of favorites included the following:

Candy.

Going from door to door and saying,"Trick or Treat."

Dressing up.

Candy.

Scaring people.

Haunted houses.

Candy.

And their most favorite part of Halloween is...

Trading and sorting the candy.

I love to see Kayleigh and Everett pour their loot on the floor and start bargaining to get their favorites from each other. This year was especially entertaining because Cozette went wild. She was falling into the candy, throwing it, and trying to eat it through the packaging. We laughed until our sides ached. Cozette really likes M&M's. By the end of the night, all of the candy is put into plastic baggies and sorted according to the type of candy it is.

Cozette is walking up to Mommom's door.

My favorite thing about Halloween is going to Mommom and Papa's house. I know that they are waiting for Kayleigh and Everett with Halloween treats. We love to see their excitement over their costumes. This year Everett dressed up as a vampire for the ward Halloween party. He went as Mr. Baseball on Halloween night. Cozette was so cute holding her Halloween pumpkin. She loved wearing her Halloween Tu Tu and was very prissy in it.

I must share that I made Kayleigh and Cozette's Tu Tu's.

A Wonderful Halloween Night.

Kayleigh and Everett had two friends come with them trick-or-treating this year. Savannah and Alyssa made the evening even more fun for them. They decided to sing a little song at some of the doors:

We wish you a merry Halloween,
We wish you a merry Halloween,
We wish you a merry Halloween,
So trick- or- treat!

Even Mr. Baseball was singing.

The neighbors really liked it.

And I really do hope everyone had a Merry Halloween.

Little Black Birds

Inside this door, live three very special children. My Grandma Lou used to say, "Every old crow thinks hers is the blackest." I believe all mothers are given that divine spark to think her own children are the the most wonderful and beautiful. It seems two of my children are sprouting wings. They stay busy with school and their various activities. It makes me feel that I really am an "old crow."

My Beehive.

Today was our Primary Program at church. I was somewhat sad that Kayleigh was not participating this year. I asked her if she was sad not to be up there with her friends. She was very quick to assure me, "No! I like being in Young Women."

Of course she does, what was I thinking?

All of a sudden she has a very busy social life. I really miss her while she is away from me. I know that I have to start getting used to it.

This is only the beginning...

Mr. Baseball and some of his fans.

Everett aka "Mr. Baseball" just finished his baseball season. He and his Daddy are already talking about spring ball. Maybe, we should get through basketball season first! We are pleased that Everett's team finished the season as co-championship winners. He received the game ball the last game because he hit a double, a triple, and two RBI's. He was flying high on Saturday.

And my throat hurts today from all the cheering!

A little tag along.

For the past nine years, Brad and Everett have been a little couple. They are joined at the hip. They would spend all day playing sports if time allowed it. It makes me laugh that all of a sudden they have an ardent tag along. Cozette loves to be outside and she insists on being with her Daddy and brother.

"Welcome to your new life!" I announced recently as Everett and Brad tried to get me to bring her in, so they could throw just a few pitches. Cozette had absolutely no part of that.

Finally, Cozette is saying, "Ma Ma Ma." She also loves to have her hair brushed, (the little bit she has) and she is really good at fake coughing for attention.

I am so thankful for my little black birds.