Who Is It?

I'm a big bad robber and I'm gonna get YOU!

Brad told me to blog this.

Around noon today, Brad called to check in with me. I had just put Cozette down for her nap and came downstairs to finish a craft project when the phone rang. This is how our conversation went:

Brad: Hey love, how's it going?

Me: Good. I just put Cozette down for her nap. How are you?

We continue to talk for a few minutes when all of a sudden the door knob started to turn!

Me: Um, Brad I think the door knob is turning. Are you home? ( I asked because sometimes he will come home for a quick break if he is on this side of town. I thought he may be surprising me.)

Brad: What? No, I'm in my car.

Me: Brad, someone is turning the door knob!

Brad: Are you sure?

I then walk towards the front window to look out. I see no one.

The door knob is still turning back and forth like someone is trying to get in. I am distressed now.

Me: Brad, someone is trying to get in!

I then walk towards the front door to look out the peep hole, I couldn't see anybody but the door knob is still being turned and then there was a loud knock.

Brad: Jeannie, is everything OK?

Me: No! Oh my Lands... Who is it? WHO IS IT? I was very alarmed.

It's me, Everett.

I then open the door.

Me: Oh my lands, Brad. I TOTALLY forgot. Today is early release.

Brad: Jeannie!! He said this with relief and like I was a crazy woman.

Everett: Mom, are you OK?

Me: No, I thought you were a robber trying to get in.

Everett starts to laugh really hard and looks at me like I'm nuts. All of the commotion wakes Cozette up.

Brad: Bye-bye Jeannie.

Me: Brad, I really was scared. I have to go get Cozette. Sorry, I scared you.

Brad: I could tell you were scared.

Then we both start to laugh really hard.

Me and Brad at the same time: Bye-bye.

The End.

I must be losing it.

Amen

For the record, please notice how sticky Cozette is.
She also decided to put her pacifier in the yogurt.

Eating lunch together is a special time of day for little Cozette and me. I make every effort to sit at the table and eat with her. We always begin our lunch with a prayer. I love teaching my children how to pray. Cozette and I go through the steps daily.

"Cozette, let's fold our arms," I begin.

She has not done this yet.

We then offer our prayer.

Then we close it, "In the name of Jesus Christ."

Yesterday, after I said Amen, she repeated me.

"A-yih."

I was very surprised.

"Oh! Cozette, you said Amen, you are such a big girl." I praised her. "Will you say Amen again?"

"A-yih."

Today Cozette said Amen again. This time she said it louder and then laughed at herself. I know she was pleased that she repeated me. Yesterday was a little milestone for Cozette and a special reminder to me of how important it is to teach the gospel to my children.

Amen!

All of this picture taking is making me tired!

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.