Walk through this world with me...

The title of this post is also the title of the song my dad and I danced to on my wedding day as well as the song my sister and my dad danced to on her recent wedding day. It's a very sentimental song for all of us and makes me think of walking through this world with our children and sharing all of the special moments with them.

Well, we literally went on a walk this week - Drew asked me if we could all go on a walk - Drew with his baby and me with Dilan in our strollers. So, I broke out the stroller that looked like his and we went walking. It's going to get too cold for this soon, so how could I resist? We must have been a sight to see people! a cute sight that is. He has been playing with his cabbage patch doll lately. Giving him his bottle when Dilan gets hers, putting the baby doll down for a nap in his bed when Dilan is put down for her nap in her bed. It's pretty cute. The funniest part is when Dilan picks up the baby doll's bottle and tries to drink from it.

Last night Drew came into our room and asked me, "Mom, what's this?" He proceeded to pull down the pants of the doll and there was a signature on the bum! Have you seen this? It was Xavier Roberts - I guess the doll maker? - and when I told him the name, he said it must be the name of the baby. So, now the baby's name is Xavier (although I believe his original birth certificate said Keith Cullen). Anyway, we have a matching cabbage patch girl doll to break out when Dilan gets a bit older - can't wait to see the two of them playing with those together!

Memoir

One of my goals in life (dating back to college when my institute director asked us to write down our 100 goals in life) was to write a book. In regards to my profession, you would think I would write some therapy book or something to do with mental health but honestly, it's all been done.

In thinking about what really matters to me, I have been focusing on preserving our family history lately with organizing pictures, videos and memorabilia. I feel like it is my responsibility to do this for the kids since they are young and can't do it themselves. It is part of the reason I do the blog and write down stories they will be able to have in the future. I have done family history interviews but I admit I am not a good journal writer, so all in all, I've decided I want to write my own history down in a book - a memoir of sorts.

I figure my childhood, college memories and first (almost) decade of marriage have come and gone and should be written down now, not later. There's always time to write more as the years pass. But I'm doing this for my kids - what I would give if my parents would write a book about their lives (hint, hint, mom and dad). I figure I will bound a copy for each of my kids and give it to them as part of their family history.

So, I started writing today - 3 pages already! Wish me luck!!!

Trunk or treat pictures

Trunk or Treat anyone?

Last night was our ward's trunk or treat. They had everyone bring a soup to share, then had a program where the Bishopric had to sing Miley Cyrus' "Party in the USA" except they changed it to "Praying in the MTC" in honor of the Bishop's son going on his mission soon and it was hilarious! Then, the kids did a parade through the cultural hall in their costumes and then we went outside to do the trunk or treat. Drew loved it - his favorite part was the candy of course. Luckily, he wanted to be Thomas again this year and we already had the costume. I bought Dilan's costume on clearance after Halloween was over last year (knowing we were having a girl) and it is the cutest pink jaguar costume with a tail and even gloves that look like cat paws. It was a great practice for Halloween this weekend!

Drew's first primary program

Drew's very first primary program was this past Sunday and he did a fabulous job. I was a little worried because he didn't attend any of the practices because we were in Houston but we did practice his line right before bed when we were saying family prayer most nights. He would get up on the fire place, pretend he had a microphone in his hand and say his line:

"Hi, my name is Drew, and I'm grateful for my family because they help me build train tracks." He memorized it and had it down.

So, we got there early on Sunday, sat close to the front and he had no problem going up there to sit with his class. He sang what he knew and when it was time for him to go up front to say his line, he just smiled at us. When it was Drew's turn, he grabbed the microphone, held it close to his mouth and delivered his line perfectly with no help at all from his teacher. He even got the first laugh of the program he was so cute.

Towards the end, I had to take Dilan out because she was so tired and was having a hard time sitting still. But apparently the last song they sang was, "Families can be together forever," and I heard Drew through the door outside. He was singing it fervently and he knew every word. David said it was so funny and he wasn't obnoxious about it but sang it with passion!

After it was over, I told Drew how proud of him I was and he said, "mommy, I sang loud so you could hear me." oh how precious this little boy is and how much we love him! He loves his family and he loves singing about how we will be together forever. I know this is only his first of many primary programs but it was very special to us and one we will remember! :)

Look Ma, I got a KAZOO!!!

So at school today, Drew's teachers thought it was a great idea to give him a kazoo... Interesting enough, he can hum a NUMEROUS amount of church songs! So, for our family night, Drew kazoo'ed an opening and closing song for us! Enjoy, and appreciate the fact that this isn't your kid!!!

Drew's last soccer game of the season

Drew's last game was this past Saturday. It was COLD so the kids were all bundled up. Drew was wearing a green jacket and a hat at one point and his heavy snow mittens (he's always complaining how cold his hands are!). So, it was a fun and short season and a great introduction to the game of soccer for Drew. I think David really enjoyed co-coaching the team and holding practices. The most fun was being on the team with friends from church.

David's 32nd birthday!

We celebrated David's 32nd birthday the night before the kids and I left for Houston. We went to a great sushi place for dinner, opened presents, and had a traditional Baskin Robbins ice cream cake for dessert (I had to drive half an hour into Milwaukee to get one of these ice cream cakes!). David got the new Dan Brown book, a tool belt he was wanting, and a nice new robe since it is so cold here. He is loving the robe and let's just say he can be found wearing it anytime or basically when he gets right home from work he puts it on. And yes, he looks so much like his father in it - it freaks me out a bit! :)

Pumpkin Farm

Drew had a pumpkin farm trip planned with his school last week. He was able to ride a real school bus (and it was blue too!) and Dilan and I followed along in our car. I was a little sad I wasn't able to ride the bus with him because some parents did that but Dilan was not safe on a bus and I knew she could take a morning nap in her car seat and last through the day. A small sacrifice on my part so we could all enjoy this day together with Drew.

The school had this field trip planned rain or shine and it was rainy and very cold. I'm talking in the 30s. So, I had the clothing for the kids prepared, not so much for myself, but definitely for them. Drew's class started off with storytime, then went through a story tunnel that recreated the story for them, they made a craft, ate lunch all together, went on the hayride and picked out a pumpkin to take home. I helped Drew pick out the big one and then he picked out a small one for Dilan - always thinking of his sister. We had a lot of fun. I was hoping Drew would ride back with us in the car but of course he couldn't resist the opportunity to ride back to the school on the blue bus.

Again, I am so thankful I get to experience this with him - never missing anything which is why I love not working and staying home. It is so worth it. :)

by the way, anyone know why putting my slide show on here cuts off the pictures??? ugh! just click on the slide show and you can see everything as it should be! :)

First Soccer Picture

This is Drew's first soccer picture - age 4. He really enjoyed playing this year (except the first game of course) and I could see him really learning how to play the game. We plan to try out t-ball in the spring and see what he likes best. It's all up to him what he wants to play but we think being in one team sport each fall or spring is good for him. Exercise, learning how to be a good sport and a team player is important. We just want him to be active and have fun at it. I am so curious what he ends up liking of all the sports he will get to try and what he feels like he exceeds at the most. For now, he's my little soccer player. :)

Wedding Weekend

My sister, Keely, is married!!! It was such an amazing wedding and reception that I think I am more sad than she is that it's over! But it was a wonderful trip home to Houston (except for me getting sick for the week of the wedding) and we loved seeing all of our family. We want to especially welcome Lars into the family and we are so happy to have a new brother-in-law and uncle in our family!!!

Check out some of the pictures:

http://michaelcarrphotography.com/Blog/

8 months old

Dilan is 8 months old today... and she is about to embark on yet another plane ride (5th trip to date) tomorrow. This little girl has traveled more in her 8 months than I did all my years until I was an adult! She is just such a darling little girl - Dilan is almost crawling. She gets up on her knees and hands and does about 3 or 4 movements and then resorts to her familiar ways of scooting along. She is also pushing up on her feet trying to move them when her hands are on the ground - somewhat reminding me of the yoga position downward dog. Dilan got her first tooth last week - the bottom left one (she got that one on Oct. 2 for Aunt Amy's birthday!). She simply lights up our world and brightens our day.

Go Drew Go!

Drew did great at his soccer game this past Saturday. Even though David wasn't there (he was in Vegas for Lars' bachelor party livin' it up!), Drew seems to be adjusting to the game of soccer more and more. I got some great shots of him going after the ball and the other pictures are of him smiling as he is playing the game. He is having a lot of fun now!
It was also picture day and I can't wait to get those back - he almost had a meltdown right before the picture was taken but somehow he was able to compose himself and smile for the camera. whew!

So, tell me...

Every day after school when I pick Drew up, our conversation goes like this:
Me: "So, tell me about school today." (He proceeds to tell me sometimes a lot of information or sometimes even very little) Our conversation proceeded like this today:
Drew: "I played with Hayden for a very long time."
Me: "Really? What do you like about Hayden?"
Drew: "Well, he makes good choices. He is a good helper to me. And he makes my heart feel good because I love my happy family."
He proceeded to point out the trees that had leaves falling, sing a new song they taught him at school and tell me that trees look like broccoli (his favorite vegetable).

we talk some more then when we are done, he says, "So, tell me about Dilan."
This is the same thing he says everyday once he's in the car. He wants to know what Dilan and I did, more specifically, Dilan. I never have anything too exciting or different to say but that we maybe ran an errand or she took a nap or she ate lunch but it's so wonderful that he thinks about her and wants to know how her time was spent while he was at school. I thought this was a one day thing that he would ask me but it's become our little routine! :)

by the way, I took this picture of Drew coming out of his soccer game last Saturday and I seriously think I got a shot of a 16 yr old kid!

Pure bliss indeed

Recently, Drew and I were shopping in the store and he saw these. He said, "Mom, look! It's not chocolate, it's Bliss!" We have been keeping around some of the dark chocolate ones (pink bag) ever since... :)

Slippers

We are bracing ourselves for winter here in Wisconsin. I was kind of excited about it and thinking positive until it actually turned cold this week and it's barely October. I know we only have a month left of reasonable weather, but we have started breaking out the Winter clothes. I am buying snow clothes for Drew as I see them being sold because people say in a few months, you won't be able to find them anymore, it'll all be gone. Of course, I broke out my slippers (Santa brought me one year) and Drew just had to have a new pair of slippers himself. Considering these were only $5 at Walmart, I couldn't resist and they have been on his feet ever since. In the almost 9 years David and I have been married, he's never wanted nor worn slippers on his feet so I didn't get him any. But then we had to go to Target last night and get him a pair because he says we live in Wisconsin, he'll have to succumb to slippers around the house. We are all wearing them now... and yes, they are very fashionable. :)

Loan

To add to David's joy about paying off his one student loan from Rice, he neglected to say that we actually paid it off in 11 months. Our goal was 1 year from when it came due (nov. of last year) and we did it a month ahead of time. The loan was an amount equal to an average car and we spent all last year focused on getting it off our backs. In total, we paid $70,000 of our own money for David's MBA at Rice and it was worth it.
Additionally, we would be neglectful if we didn't acknowledge David's mother, Colleen, for providing us a place to live while David was in school. She allowed me the greatest gift of all which was to be home with Drew and only have to work evenings at my practice to support our family. She is the reason we were able to pay for the program in the first place and only take out the one loan we just finished paying off.
I know student debt is supposed to be good debt but not to us - we are completely debt-free now!