Life's Curve Balls

I'll admit it- I'm a planner. I LOVE having a plan. I love knowing what is ahead of me. I enjoy preventing too much unexpected and feeling prepared. I know- it seems a little less than adventurous, but I am working on it! Apparently there seems to be higher powers that also had some tweeking and work in mind for me as well.

By defenition: a "curve ball" is a pitch delivered, intending to take someone by surprise, with a spin that cause the ball to veer from a normal, straight path. Life has once again presented us with a big deviation- a "curve ball" if you will.

A few months ago Ben was approached by the Church History Department (of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to join their Historic Sites Team. A huge shift in his career, a big move and change for our family, and NOT in the current plan! Consequently-lots of anxiety on my part.

The last few months have been a time of deep searching for us. Searching for direction, searching for the right thing to do, searching for advice, searching for clear answers, and searching for peace. Gratefully those answers have come, much peace has come and we are about to head out on another...adventure! We feel very blessed and find much comfort in knowing that even though it wasn't in our plan, it is part of some plan. And following that plan is what we have to do.

So, the new plan?

We're moving to Salt Lake City at the end of June! Ben has accepted the job and is getting very excited about it all. We're all getting excited. It will be a big change but we're trusting a good one.

Look at me being adventurous!

Clayton's baptism

Clayton got baptized this last weekend. It was a wonderful day and we were so glad that BOTH sets of grandparents made the long journey to be with us. Many, many thanks!!

Congrats Clayton- you look amazing! We love you!

Jamison's super power

After church today Jamison's Primary teacher came up to me in the hallway, barely able to control herself between fits of laughter.
"I have a story to tell you about Jamison", she says.

Oh boy- here we go.

(teacher) "Today we were talking about the Priesthood power being restored to the earth. I asked the class if anyone knew what power had been given to Joseph Smith that helped him be able to restore the gospel to the earth. Jamison immediately raised his hand- 'I know, I know!' After I called on him, he proceeded to jump up on his chair, put his hands out in front of him like he was telling you to stop, and yelled 'The power to shoot fire from your hands!!'"

Wow.
Honestly, I have no idea where this stuff comes from. Fire from your hands?!

At least he's not shy....or reverent, or quiet...

Clayton's birthday

Can't believe it, but Clayton's 8! He has been totally and utterly excited for this birthday to come. Counting the days since Christmas...particularly because it meant a friend birthday party and he will be getting baptized.

(I suppose a slight tangent to explain another qualifier for the "meanest parents" award would be appropriate here. A few years ago we decided that rather than feel like we were constantly throwing our money at huge birthday parties we would set the years the kids got to have one. Year 5, 8, 12, and 16 are the years for friends. The rest of the years, sadly come and go with just a family to shower gifts and attention upon them. These poor kids... Actually, it's given them something great to look forward too and our budgets a little bit of a break! It's a system we love.)

Anywhoooo...friends! 8 friends to be exact. Eight 8 year old boys. And sledding was the activity of choice. So 8, 8 year old boys on the sledding hill. If that doesn't incite fear in you, then you are braver than I.

SO, SO, SO much energy. But the boys had a great time- they all lived to tell about it- no bones or any body parts were broken- and the cake and hot cocoa was the perfect ending. Even the weather cooperated- sun came out and it warmed up to 30 or so. We all had a wonderful day and Clayton loved every minute.



The new "birthday":) suit that Clayton has been asking for forever! Doesn't he look great! Perfect fit Grandma.

And he is super excited to be a Cub Scout. Totally decked out. (Go Grammy!)

And yes, that is a finger splint that you are seeing in the pictures. Clayton had a run-in with a basketball at the church the night before his birthday. Didn't end up being too bad-just a few days splinted and he is good as new.
We loved celebrating Clayton. He is one cool kid and we love the energy he brings to our family. It feels like he is growing up so quickly. But he's such a nice, kind- GREAT boy (ok, I'm a little biased). Love you buddy!

BRRRRRRR!!

Yesterday the kids were home on a snow day- ok, cold day. It was 35 degrees BELOW zero! A little bit of a hazard for kids to stand at the bus stop.
So, in light of feeling like we live in the coldest place on earth, we've decided to start keeping track of how many days in the winter we are actually colder than Antarctica.
So far... Antarctica=0, Potsdam=1.

On a lighter note, Lincoln has taken up singing lately. He can often be found walking around the house singing a "Lincoln" song. Lyrics by Lincoln. Tune by Lincoln. They are awesome.
This morning the song sounded something like this:

"I love Clayton, I love Jamison, I love Emmy, I love Abby (his horse), I love George (his other horse), I love Daddy, I love Mommy, I love Buzz, and I LOOOOVE (top of the lungs for full dramatic effect)..... Myself!!"

We love you too buddy!

January update

Despite what it looks like- we did not skip Christmas at the Pykles' house. In fact, my favorite present-our new camera!- currently holds all the evidence of the wonderful Christmas that we had. I just have to figure out how to get it all off...Hmmm.

It got WARM here for a couple days around New Years so we headed outside- at least the boys did with Ben. Emmy was the last to take her turn with the stomach flu, which made a clean sweep through the house for the holidays. Fun!

Plus some first teeth lost for Jamison. He's always looking for a way to get one step ahead and 2 teeth at once doubles your return from the tooth fairy.

And- Lincoln's first "shiner". (Oh trust me-there will be more.)

As for "Dumb Head"? I hardly know how to make excuses any more- I just blame everything I possible can on 2 older brothers!!

Lincoln's 3rd Birthday

Lincoln came to our family in the middle of a snow storm so I suppose it's only appropriate that his 3rd birthday started at 20 degrees below zero! BRRRRR!! You can see the cold...

We had a really fun day celebrating Lincoln. This little is boy is so full of LIFE! Everything is exciting, everything is an adventure, everything deserves full energy, and everything great gets a "THWEET!" (sweet) from Lincoln.

Yep- the horse cake got a great big "THWEET!"

His horse obsession continues, but he is also branching out to a new fixation with Buzz Lightyear- and actually if you just put Buzz on a horse then you have the happiest 3 year old on the planet.

Most days I'm pretty sure that Lincoln could raise himself. He is the most independent, determined little boy. He potty trained himself-let me know when he was ready. He's been dressing himself for months and can have a full conversation with anyone who will stop to listen. He keeps up with us all and always has a smile or giggle to stop us in our tracks for a hug.

The older he gets the more sure I am that he came because we need him- he is so loved by us all. Happy Birthday buddy!