MATT AND NOEL WEDDING

EASTER 2008

Meet Charlie

So, Friday morning Jeff and I woke up and we had both had a dream that we got a dog. We've been researching dogs for a while, trying to find something that my allergies could put up with. I've always been very firm on the "no dog" issue. However, last year Jeff said that the only sacrifice he made in marrying my was knowing that he'd never had a dog. Well, we just can't have that can we? And the fact that a dog will just do absolute wonders for helping fill up Max's love supplies. So, we decided a cockapoo would be the best kind of dog for our family. They are a cockerspaniel poodle breed. 3 out of 4 are suppossed to be dander free and hypo-allergenic. They are smart, friendly, and great with kids. Friday morning, after all the dreams, we started researching on line where some cockapoo breaders were. Lucky ofr us there are some in Kuna who had 3 puppies left and had seriously reduced the price because they are moving soon. So, Jeff and I went and checked them out. This little boy just loved us. So, we brought him home and seriously surprised out kids. Max came up with "Charlie" for a name and we all really liked it. He did very well last night for his first night at our house. He cried for about 10 minutes in his kennel and then slept the whole night. This is quite a new experience for me since I've never had a pet before - but the kids are having a blast! So, if you're in the neighborhood, stop by and MEET CHARLIE.

Short end of the Stick

Okay, so having a baby really opens your eyes to how we as people have to learn EVERYTHING. There are some things that I would chalk up to instinct or common sense or DUH! But really, we have to learn everything. This point was brought home the other night as we watched Josi enjoy her first popsicle. Now we gave her the frozen sugar pop as a way to keep her occupied while we played some board games with the kids. But, she proved to be more entertainment than the games. Okay, so you have a popsicle. It is cold and sticky and slippery and sweet on one end, and hard and rough and dry on the other end. So, it would seem natural to hold the dry end and suck on the sweet end - right? WRONG! I've concluded that there is nothing natural about it. We have to learn everything - even how to eat a popsicle. Now, you'd think that after a while - you know, after your hand
was absolutley freezing that you might try another method. Appearently not. While Josi did enjoy quite a bit of the cold and sweet end, she continually went for the hard dry end. So that just goes to show - it's absolutly imparitive that we learn all we can - because not much is going to just come to us.

Something About Jeff

One thing you should know about Jeff is that he is a bit obsessed with his lawn. Is it possible to be "a bit obsessed"? that seems contradictory doesn't it? Okay, he's obsessed with his lawn. Here is a picture of Jeff as he applies the THIRD application of who -knows -what out in the rain tonight. At first I thought it was just a genetic thing he picked up from his dad (who likes to point out the flaws of other people's lawn and what they should do to make it better). But then we moved into this house with the garden space and the fruit trees. Oh man, if you want to see someone experience true joy - just come over and watch Jeff eat his first ripe tomato of the season. It's hillarious. In the summer he doesn't really rush home to the wife and kids, he rushes home to the garden. Now, you must understand that this a genuine Jeff trait and I absolutely love it. I'll hear the door shut, he'll run upstairs to change his clothes, and he's out checking on the garden FIRST THING! His "inner farmer" just calls to him. Jeff even has this very sweet dream of the future. He would like to retire at 55, go buy a fruit orchard somewhere, and grow old sitting at his little road side fruit stand. I love that picture in my mind. Won't he be the cutest old man? Just sitting there as proud as can be of his produce? So, that's our dream. A fruit orchard with a roadside stand.

Puke

Okay, so- how many times can you change a sick childs sheets in one night? I jinxed myself on Sunday when I heard a mom say that her baby was up all night sick. I said, "come to think of it, Josi's never been sick." And that's all it took. The throwing up began in the middle of Family Home Evening. Lucky for us we had invited over another family from the ward. So there we were, looking very "New Era"ish, when Josi began puking over and over right into her dad's hands which filled up rather quickly and ran down to his lap. His lap was literally a pool of puke. So, we cleaned up and finished up and began putting everyone to bed. Once, twice, three times and more, Jeff and I played "clean up and comfort". We had 2 Sami pop-ups that I thought were from us being up and down so much. Then, this morning Sami stood at the top of the stairs yelling about needing a drink when it started for her. So, it continues. I often think about the scriptures when I too have a "day and a night and a day with no darkness". So I decided to put on my comfy pants for the day, do all the puky laundry and just watch TV with my girls.

"Funny" of the Week

Sami is our Rainbow girl

So, a while ago Samantha was having a particularly bad day. One thing you should know about Sami is that she is very gifted at putting her feelings into words. At times this proves amazing - at others, well a bit overwhelming. All in all, it's one of her special gifts. So on this hard day she approached me with a very sad face and explained "Usually I have a rainbow." I didn't understand and encouraged her to keep going. She said, "I'm all hard inside. My heart is hard. Usually I have a rainbow inside, but today I have rocks." Wow! talk about being expressive! Then yesterday Samantha was up in her room putting some toys away and she got all excited and yelled to the family "everyone come see! come see! there's a rainbow in my room!" The light was shining through her window and through her glass of water on her dresser creating a small rainbow. We were all very excited for her. Then she whispered "Wow, this is my lucky day. Someone sent me a rainbow. I can't believe it. Someone really sent me a rainbow." So, whenever I see a rainbow - I will think of my little Samantha, her special gift, and the day someone sent her rainbow.

Lunch Time with Josi Grace

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Gosh, I really wish I could have lunch with Josi today."? Well, now you can! Just grab yourself a snack, make yourself comfy, and enjoy! You can enjoy this lovely little dinner date any time day or night. She's a perfect little lady.