Dirt is FUN!!

Our boys have been having a great time playing in (and eating) a lot of dirt this week. I find it kind of interesting that Josey got so upset with the boys for playing in the lotion (see previous post), but when Jarrett was apparently eating dirt and I asked Josey if he had been watching them he said, "don't accuse me of not watching them." Umm, okay. (Because you know I wasn't accusing him; I should rephrase what I said for clarification: I sweetly asked him if he had been watching them.) So anyways, dirt (probably tainted with lead and thousands of other toxic chemicals) is okay, but lotion is not.

Josey had to be the priesthood leader for a night at girl's camp this week, so we decided to take the boys and make it a family affair (a little test run before our family reunion camping trip this week). The boys had a great time, although I'm still trying to catch up on the lost sleep. When we got home, they played in the dirt a little more before bathtime. They were disgusting, especially Jarrett. His little towhead was caked in dirt (I think Jordan must have been having a fun time dumping it on his head.) I tried to get some pictures to show how gross it was. When I went to wash it, his head was turned into a big glob of mud. But at least they had fun, right?

I Did It!

Last week I ran in the Kemmerer Fossil Fest 5K (3.1 miles) run. Now, this is not a big race, and there was not that much competition. Consequently, I won!! I run a lot, but I'm not really fast (and I'm not really training to be fast) so I was surprised but happy that I was able to beat all of the other women in Kemmerer. (I got 3rd place overall, but was the 1st female.) My time was 21:30, which I know wouldn't have even come close to winning in a 5K with more competition, but it was only my first race where I was actually trying so I was happy. I also got a $20 gas gift card so it was worth it (even if that only fills up less than half a tank now), and I could hardly breathe for a few hours afterwards because that's the fastest I've ever run. Here's a cheesy picture of me with my medal, and a pic of me with my two silly boys who were waiting at the finish line for me & gave me big hugs. (No, that's not a real gun that Jordan has.)


And in other happenings...Jordan and Jarrett got ahold of the lotion bottle and had a little fun giving Jarrett a lotion bath & shampoo. At least he smelled nice afterward. They both got a spanking from daddy (who I thought was watching them until I heard a loud scream from upstairs.) The spanking didn't faze them for one second - we're having some discipline issues - and I probably shouldn't even mention spanking on my blog (I wouldn't have given them a spanking if I was the one who caught them). Anyways, I couldn't help but take a few pictures. (I tried to get Jordan to make a sad face for being a naughty boy, but this is the best he could do.)

What I Love About My Boys

Josey has been home for about a week and a half now and it seems like he's been busy every minute working on our yard or home improvement projects. I'm glad he's finding plenty to do to stay busy, but we've also had some fun too. We got to go to Utah for his cousin Luke's wedding on the 4th of July. It was beautiful and fun to see so many of Josey's relatives. We also took the boys to Bear Lake and they had a wonderful time. I love summer!

I just wanted to share a few things that I love about each of my boys:

Jarrett

Jarrett has always been such a good baby. He has his bad days (almost exclusively when he's teething), but overall he's just a sweetheart. He loves to make people laugh, and it is pretty easy to make him laugh. He loves to copy everything his brother does, even when his brother has continually pushed him down and bashed him into the wall a dozen times (he's very forgiving). I love how when he's sitting on my lap he doesn't want Jordan invading his space. He wants me all to himself. I love walking into his room after a nap and hearing him say "hi." I LOVE it when he cuddles with me. This usually lasts about 2 seconds, but occasionally for up to 5. (I thought when he was born that he was going to be my cuddly baby, but I was wrong.) I love how he finds so much joy in everything, just because he's a kid. I also love that he's so stinkin' CUTE!! I can't help but kiss his little face about a million times a day (probably one of the reasons he doesn't like cuddling with me, because I smother him.)

Jordan

Jordan is my little buddy. Each day is a new experience with a 3 1/2 year old. He's so smart (at least I think so because I'm his mom.) He has an amazing memory. He is a very active little boy. I like going on walks with him because he wants to run up the steepest hills in Kemmerer and then run down them in his flip-flops, biff it (he doesn't like to biff it, but he does), and he doesn't even cry as long as you pretend you didn't see it. Even when he tells me I'm a "mean old mommy" I can't help but smile. I think it's kind of cute (but I don't love) how he's very adamant about what he wants to wear. Almost every day he wants to wear his running shorts or a dinosaur shirt (notice the pictures). But usually his pteradactyl shirt just isn't good enough (of course, because it's actually kind of cute); it has to be his T-rex shirt. He'll get a shirt and put it on and then bring shorts out to me and ask "is this fine?" Usually I say no, but if we're not going anywhere I let him wear it anyway. I can't believe a 3 1/2 year old boy cares this much about clothes. I can get him to sit with me for as long as I want as long as I'm reading him books, but this is the only time I can get him to sit still. He loves to tease his little brother, but he also loves Jarrett and tries to make him happy when he's sad. Almost every day, one of the first questions he asks me is "where are we going today?" On most days the answer is "nowhere" but even a trip to the bank is very exciting for him. It makes me a little sad that he's growing up so fast, but I'm glad that he's a happy little boy and he still loves to give me hugs and kisses.

Josey

I love being married to my best friend. He understands me and knows me better than anyone else. He's very forgiving and understanding. He lets me do so much, whatever will make me happy. He supports me in the things that I do. He works hard to support our family so I can stay home with our sweet sons. He's really smart, and loves to learn. He loves our boys and he loves playing with them, teasing (tormenting) them, and making them laugh. He doesn't make me feel guilty (usually) about doing things and leaving him with the boys. He's willing to talk when I want to talk, and he's a good listener. He tries hard to be a good husband, father, and priesthood holder. I just love being with him, no matter what we are doing. I love it when he laughs because it always makes me laugh. He's my sweetheart, and he's handsome, and I could go on and on...