and Michael!

Michael is lots of fun! Today he turns five! He is ready to be five even if I am not ready for him to be. Michael is good at leading the show and being the oldest in the family. (We are trying to help him learn to ask nicely instead of telling Mom and Dad what to do --but we may have to change our method of parenting....)
I was proud of the good job Michael did with his part in the primary program last week. He really enjoys learning the songs and taking part in the lessons each Sunday. I am trying to prepare myself for next year when he will be in kindergarten.


Michael loves trying new things. He absorbs new information like a sponge right now. Preschool has become more fun for the teacher with the variety of information I get to cover.
Michael has a great memory and will ask me about a museum we visited once on a vacation or the hideout/play spot Gordon showed him in Logan several years ago.
Michael especially loves people and talks about all the friends he has made in every place we have lived. He misses all of you!


Michael has a really good sense of right and wrong. --and he usually can follow it. The other day -out of the blue- and amidst the commotion of getting ready for bed, I heard him say, "I want to do what God wants me to do." Michael reminds me to pray when I say that something is hard, "Heavenly Father will help you." I love to hear the occasional, really heartfelt prayers from Michael. He has a good heart.

(Michael's and Jordan's photos courtesy of Susie Hildebrandt)

p.s. Michael's comment in response to my difficulties of managing a household of three kids came a few days ago. I cut an outing short and when I lectured him in the car he said, "Moms are boring." I hope you get the picture that in our sunny Florida things aren't always that sunny. But we love it anyway and we'll keep trying to make lemonade out of the lemons....

Timeout for Jordan

The last month of adjustments to the new baby has been a challenge of course.... We didn't take advantage of the usual outlets for the boys energy. We missed all the playgroups, storyhours, and preschool sessions.... So when their energy regularly overflowed, instead we utilized quiet time and timeouts....
I am so glad we are starting to function at a higher level. Michael and Jordan have been patient and happy accommodate the needs of a new baby. They are both very good boys! Now it is my turn to take a timeout and spotlight what I love about them.


Jordan turned three on Wednesday. He is very busy and talks non-stop. His expanding vocabulary is revealing lots of fun things that go on in his head. This afternoon, he reviewed what everyone was busy doing, "Dad is studying, Tessa is sleeping..., and in a minute, I'll save the solar system." He is deep into the stage of pretending and transforming into anything he can think of. The other day Michael was writing words and then he and Jordan would make up a story about the word. Michael wrote "mad" and Jordan said, "when I was mad, I grew up to be a mom." I laughed and thought of our challenging last few weeks with another resolve. That's how kids help parents become better people.


Jordan is a "firecracker." (Maybe he will grow out of it, but he is going to do what he wants to do, not what is acceptable to anyone else.) He is small but not weak. He knows how to defend himself against the bigger kid (--brother) and sometimes he is known to tell the little kids who is who. <:|


Although he is a big brother now and three-years-old, Jordan is still my little boy. He was such a sweet baby and he has always been good at giving hugs and kisses. I hope he'll always keep his delightful spirit.

Fun Moments with the Clarks

Staying in the shady spot :)


Playing in the vast sand pile with Beckah




Sea monsters


The snorkelers found sand dollars to inspect.


Chillin' with the cool uncle at the spray park

Happy Early Birthday Party

Grandma and Grandma brought presents for the boys' birthdays a little early. They made a picnic party out of the occasion too. The cake was delicious :) We were lucky to be able to celebrate the birthdays with family --and the boys didn't mind getting their presents early either....
(p.s. Thanks Grandma Deanie for helping to plan and host the party even though you weren't here.)

Tessa meets Grandma and Grandpa C.

Last week we got spoiled by another visit from family. This time from Grandma and Grandpa Clark, Susie (Jared's sister), and Susie's husband (Chris) and daughter (Beckah)! They were excited to meet baby Tessa.

Here are some Thank Yous again for them:
Thanks for getting us out on some fun adventures to the beaches.
Thanks for all the love (patience) and attention you showered on the boys.
Thanks Chris (Mr. Home Depot) for the remodel on our shower!
Thanks Susie for putting your photography talents to work while you were here.
Thanks for the opportunity to spend time with Beckah before she grows up more!
and Thanks to all of you for taking time off of work and school!!

I'll post some neat pictures of their visit soon!!

Here is Grandma with her favorite little girls, and Grandpa rocking Tessa to sleep.

Proud Brothers

I couldn't resist taking some pictures on Sunday of the three kids together. (Maybe I should title this post "Proud Mom.")

Thank You Mom

The only major storm that may hit Florida this year came to our house last week.
My mom is a storm in the way that she creates a whirlwind of activity wherever she goes.
We wondered if Tessa was waiting for Grandma when labor started the day of Grandma's arrival. --and delivery was 10 minutes before the plane landed.

Then my mom proceeded to cook dinners, do loads of laundry, vacuum my house, take the boys swimming (every day) and read to them, stock up on more diapers, return my library books, AND get up in the night with Tessa.
Now she is on to her next flurry of activity somewhere else.















(on a sidenote--I love the expression of the boys in the photo on the sidewalk. This walkway to the beach is like a jungle. Michael and Jordan get really nervous every time and say that the alligators are going to get them.

We couldn't let Grandma leave Florida without visiting the beach.

We sure looked forward to and enjoyed your visit!
Thank goodness for moms!