We Be Comin' Along!

Remember when Titus couldn't get anywhere or climb anything?

Well, that has changed:

(Matt loves all the drool he finds on, and in his guitar.)

Remember when these two boys would fight over the Tonka Trucks?

Well, that doesn't happen too much anymore:

Remember when these two didn't look anything alike?

Well, I'm starting to see a lot of similarities:

Remember when Isaac wouldn't look at the camera and smile?

Well, he's attitude towards picture taking is changing!

Remember when getting a picture of all three together was more pain than pleasure?

Well, I think it is getting better:

And remember last night when Eli went pee-pee on the potty for the first time?

Oh, wait, you probably don't!

Thats right people, last night Eli when potty for the first time, on his first attempt! He was very excited. And so in awe of his ability to get urine out. He'd get some out, look up in wonderment, then look down and do it all over again. I don't know if we'll start really potty training, but this is a fantastic start to something wonderful! At least he knows he has a ton of support from his family. Isaac, I do believe, is his number one cheerleader.

Poem of the Month

Spring is coming. I know it. I can just feel it. Even though it snowed crazily a few days ago, something is changing in the air. I hear birds on a daily basis, and there is starting to be more and more daylight. I'm getting very excited.... So spring, just come already!!

I'd like to thank Emily Dickinson for putting this feeling so beautifully into words. Thanks a ton, Em! Emily D. is one of my favorite poets. Seriously, who doesn't love her? (I've heard all men have a crush on her. Something about her brilliance, combined with her submissiveness... I don't know.) I love how she gets into the the mind, and exposes all the little thoughts. She can showcase the crazy with the lovely. Which I think we are all a little like that!

A light exists in spring

Emily Dickinson

A light exists in spring

Not present on the year

At any other period.

When March is scarcely here

A color stands abroad

On solitary hills

That science cannot overtake,

But human naturefeels.

It waits upon the lawn;

It shows the furthest tree

Upon the furthest slope we know;

It almost speaks to me.

Then, as horizons step,

Or noons report away,

Without the formula of sound,

It passes, and we stay:

A quality of loss

Affecting our content,

As trade had suddenly encroached

Upon a sacrament.

P.S. If Spring has come to your part of the world, please keep that information to yourself. If you brag about 60 and 70 degree weather, I might just go all "crazy Emily D." on you!

Love,

Shannon

An Isaac Life

An Isaac life is full of obsession, fun, and discovery.

Within this last week he obsessed over

guns, octopuses, volcanoes, and Leonardo the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

What fun these obsessions bring! And so much discovery. Like eating steak for the first time and loving it, learning how to cross the eyes, and building a volcano!

What a busy week! And it looks like he's learning yoga? :)

Sandwiches On Parade!

Do you have a food that you just love? Brings comfort and joy? I do. Sandwiches. (Joey-from-FRIENDS and me are of one heart and mind on this subject.)

I love 'em. I could go to deli shops for the rest of my life, and be at peace. But alas, I don't.

So here are a few of my favorites from the home kitchen deli:

• Peanut Butter and Banana
• Peanut Butter and Dill Pickle
• Plain Tuna and Cold Peas
• Bacon, Turkey, Lettuce, Tomato, Monterey Jack Cheese, Dill Pickle

I'll have these most days for my lunch. YUM-O!

Oh, and my favorite part of Thanksgiving? Turkey sandwiches for days after. Turkey and a bit of Miracle Whip. Very YUM-O! (Also, I have found that a slice of bread and some butter curbs the evening hankering for French Fries.)

I'd love to have more sandwich ideas. Any out there that I should try?

A Ball! A Military Ball!

A few nights ago Matt and I had the opportunity to attend the Boise State University ROTC Military Ball. It was fun. Basically just a nice/fancy dinner, lots of people dressed fancy, taking part in a lot of toasts to the military, and some other military traditions. There was a key note speaker, then the floor opened to some dancing. The theme cracked me up! "A Night on the F.O.B." (forward opereating base, like those in Iraq). How romantic! The center pieces were glass bowls filled with sand and candles, with spent shell casings sprinkled around the bowl.

A pretty chill Ball, compared to others. It was non-alcoholic because most of the Cadets were underage... especially at our table! There were 4 couples per table, and at ours 2 of the Cadets were true freshmen and their dates were seniors in high school! Conversation was a little strained at times! Yeah we hope next year, since Matt will be partly in charge of the ball, to be sitting with people that are... um... maturer? (Okay, Matt is the second oldest Cadet in the program, with one of the most decked out uniforms. Maybe those guys were a little intimidated by Matt's awesomeness?)

It was fun to see Matt in the Army environment. I forgot that he takes things seriously... so while the Colonel, Lt. Colonel, and Major were entering the room I was trying to talk to Matt. I noticed he didn't really look at me, and that he was standing very straight-ish. "Oh, sorry!" I said, remembering he is supposed to be at attention when the officers enter the room.

It was also pretty cool to dress up as a couple, and go out as a couple. We kinda felt like we were out on our honeymoon again. (We need to get out more, no?)

To be sure, I've been freaking out about it for a few months. Special thanks to Helen, Marcie, and Cali for helping me out.

• Helen let me try on her past dresses, gave me advice about hair, and basically just let me complain and worry to her! Thanks, Helen!
• Marcie took my freaking out phone call from the dressing room, and gave me advice about accessories. Thanks Marcie!
• Cali let me look through her mother-in-law's jewelry (so pretty!), got make-up together, and brought her mother to do my hair. Thanks Cali!

We now know what to expect. So hopefully these annual Military Balls won't be so stressful as the years go on. (Yes, this was our first Military Ball. Even though Matt has been in the Army for almost 10 years, we've declined to go each year. It's a lot to get together if you don't have to go.)

Discoveries

A few nights ago, while turning down the sheets to go to sleep, I find a few treasures in our bed:

• 2 Cheerios
• 1 monster truck
• 1 battery
• 3 Matchbox cars

I place the items on my night stand, which already has a large pile of LEGOs. It warms my heart to think of our boys playing in our room, discovering and having adventures.

...........

I hope they always feel safe and comfortable in our home.

And may the Cheerios and Matchbox cars always grace our living quarters!

February 2011 in Rewind

The first half of February was pretty chill. Matt has a drill weekend, Eli bashes his head open, then we have a sick weekend--which turns into a sick week and a half.

A highlight of this first half of February is our purchase of a jigsaw. LOVE POWER TOOLS!

Which made this, for these "love" bean bags (also homemade, for Valentine's Day):

The highlight in the second half of February was Chase and Jenese's Wedding!

(Our best family photo.)

The wedding was beautiful. The bride and the groom were beautiful. Even Rexburg weather, considering it is the middle of February, was nice. (We heart the Rexburg Temple so much!) Don't have any pics of the couple, but when Marcie posts them on her blog, we'll let you know.

And we stayed with Cousin Luke!

(My sister Ashley and her husband Dave's home. Miss them, love them.)

The last half of February included Caitlin's (Matt's youngest sister) Dinner Show. Amazing! A high school choir with lots of talent! This was a great night, for the boys had their first real babysitter. Like 14 years of age, and paid, and stuff. Weird. But they did great.

Also, Aunt Angie (Matt's Aunt) had her musical. WOW! I had never seen Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. And their rendition was so fun. Angie was the Narrator, which basically means she sang in every scene. She was really great, and her kiddos were so fun to watch too!

Other things of note:

• The boys really have started to play together.
• Titus is crawling, which stresses out his brothers. He can get into their things!
• Isaac's speech is becoming clearer.
• Eli walked around the house with a sticker on his manhood for a couple of minutes.
• Shaun the Sheep is an idol in this household.
• And...

... and we put in our 30 days notice!

No more living on the third story! So, so, happy.