A Teenager Already??

When did 4 become the new 14?  If I close my eyes it would seem I have a teenager in my presence rather than a preschooler.  I reminded Will not to forget his backpack for school and I got the typical reply, “I know, Mom” in a tone that suggests he is thinking “Duh!”  And what about his negotiation tactics?  When did “no” stop becoming an answer to his quest for having candy for breakfast?  His response, “How come you get to have candy for breakfast then?”  Good point.  While listening to the radio in the car a song came on and Will exclaimed, “This is the new David Archuleta song”.  What?  How does he even know who David Archuleta is and when has he heard that song before?  Will has a steel-trap memory and I can’t make a promise to him hoping that he will forget.  I am constantly reminded, “you said…and you promised”.  Ugh….how come they grow up so fast?              

Fall

I love all seasons, even the one that brings lots of snow and traps you inside for months at a time.  I am especially excited for fall.  I like the cool, crispness in the air, changing of the leaves and the feel of the holidays just around the corner.  What I am really looking forward to is September coming to an end.  We have had a busy and stressful month and are in need of a little breather.  A quick recap:

 ~ Brad left the firm he was working for and started his own firm.  The unknown can be a little scary.   

~ I have been planning, writing and organizing the entire Primary Program for this Sunday and praying everything goes well! 

~ We hosted a ward party at our house and rented a cotton candy machine for the occasion – yum!

~ We have been to the doctor 3 times this month for 3 different people. 

~ I am working 20+ hours per week for my dad.  I hope to FINALLY quit once the 4^th comes along.  

~ Will started back to preschool and loves to wear his Utah hat to school every day – Go Utes!

~ Brad flew to Florida to meet his birth mother, attend a Gator game and get his picture taken with some blond chick J.

~ Elizabeth has shown interest in potty training and I hope she succeeds before the baby arrives.  I really don’t want 3 kids in diapers.

~ Now that Matthew is walking, I am already on the countdown for nursery – only 9 more months!

~ At last I am over the morning sickness stage and I am no longer neglecting everything else in my life.  

He Walks

Matthew is officially walking.  It is a blessing and a curse!!  He is much more mobile and much more mischievous.  I have tried numerous times to capture him walking on video but apparently he does not perform well under pressure.  I had to settle for a picture instead. 

 

IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR

As Jess told all of you, last weekend I had my 2nd annual trip to Florida for a Gator game and a weekend with my long time best friend Mike. I arrived in Jacksonville on Friday and had the chance to drive around my old neighborhood. My oh my, how things have changed. At the entrance to my neighborhood there is now an establishment called "Bottoms Up". I am sure you can tell by its name what kind of people it attracts. Also, the old McDonald's is now a XXX video and book store. Much different from the good ol' days.

Friday night I had the opportunity to meet my birthmother, Gayle, and her two sons, Matthew and Joshua. We met at my favorite restaurant, Woody's, and had a great time getting to know each other, sharing pictures, and telling stories. I am grateful I searched for and was able to find and meet Gayle. Her choice to put me up for adoption has blessed me in so many ways and I am very grateful to her. 

Then, on Saturday it was all about the Gators. I started the day by eating at Waffle House-another favorite-and then we went down to Waldo. Where's Waldo you ask? It is about 20 miles outside of Gainesville and it is where Mike's dad lives. We stopped by there for a BBQ and football before we headed on to the Swamp.  The Swamp was awesome at night.  It was a record crowd with well over 90,000 fans and about all but one of them (me) liquored up from a day of tailgating.  

After the game, while we were waiting for the stadium to clear out, I decided to head on down to the field and see if I could get pictures of any important people. I happened to find one that would only be important to all die hard male college football fans. I met Erin Andrews-former Gator and current ESPN sideline reporter-and had my picture taken with her.

On Sunday, I attended my old ward and had a good time catching up with some old friends. It was a great trip and I really look forward to next year. I hope to be able to take the whole family with me next year.

Florida Gators

Once football season starts, life as I know it ceases to exist...at least until January.  Brad left this morning for his annual trip to Florida to attend a Gator game at The Swamp.  While in Florida he is going to meet his birth mother and technically his half-brothers in person.  I am sure he will also make time to eat at his favorite BBQ restaurants and bring home a new wardrobe of Gator clothes for the whole family.  

When Willy Gets a Hold of the Camera

Will is obsessed with taking pictures and I often find pictures on my camera he has taken without my knowledge.  Most of them are blurry close ups of the wall, ceiling or his favorite toys but sometimes there are pictures worth keeping.