I Sure Love My Family

After being gone for a week in Georgia I am finally back to my little family. It's funny when you're gone from them how extra cute, sweet and funny they are when you return. It didn't matter what the boys did yesterday, I kept gushing, you boys are so stinkin' cute. I sure missed you. I got in at 1 am Thursday morning and as I was coming up the stairs, Sam was standing there crying so I picked him up and he said he was thirsty so I got him a drink. He'd take a drink put it down and give me a big hug. Then he'd take another drink put it down and give me another big hug. He did it 3 times. It was so sweet. I take that as being glad I was home, all in his sleepy state. The next morning he crawled in bed with me and just laid on top of me and snuggled. Conner on the other hand is like me and not over affectionate. When he got up in the morning I gave him a big hug and told him how much I missed him and he proceeded to tell me all the things he did with Aunt Beka. Throughout the day however he would run up to me and grab my arm or leg and give it a big hug and giggle (his little way of showing me he missed me). Beka stayed with the boys the whole week. She was a lifesaver. The boys had such a good time I bet they hardly realized I was gone. She took them to several play places and played all kinds of games (taught them hopscotch), made the meals, kept the house clean (something I can't even do). Beka is definitely the favorite Aunt at the moment. No matter how much I missed the boys, I definitely missed Neil the most!

My trip to Georgia didn't go exactly how I had imagined. First off, Mikey was a nightmare. For everyone who knows him, he it the sweetest, easiest, best baby so I thought it would be a cinch to take him with me but I was wrong. I expected to put him on the floor and he'd just play the whole time like he does at home. That never happened. He just cried and cried and cried and had a hard time sleeping. Of course he was good when ever I was gone but as soon as I'd show up he'd come to me and throw himself on the ground and just sob. I had to constantly hold him. It's funny, since he cried all the time Kelly thought he didn't like her but she soon realized it's not her he doesn't like but rather he hates his mom. Why is it that kids act up so when their parents are around and are great when they are gone. I was so preoccupied with Mikey it was hard to really enjoy myself. I definitely think Mikey missed his brothers. As soon as he saw Sam he got so excited and Sam has not left him alone.

Gavin in his Indiana Jones hat. He wore it all day long.

Mikey screaming because he couldn't pick up the ball like everyone else

He wanted to bowl so bad

The whole reason I went to GA was because my brother got home from a 2 year mission in Oregon. We had not been together as a family in 2 years and I wasn't going to miss it. Too bad, Ryan was still adjusting to normal life and having a girl friend and was pretty quiet and not himself. He did loosen up the last couple days and we did have a couple of laugh fests. He spoke in church and was told he could speak 40 minutes. He had several of his friends that aren't members show up so he just preached the gospel. Too bad a counselor from the stake presidency showed up and during his talk Ryan got a kick so he abruptly ended his talk without even being able to bear his testimony. It's too bad but kind of funny that he got the boot. It's amazing to see the man he has become. I'm so proud to call him my brother. He's got a lot of decisions to make, a big one being finding a job. I don't envy him. He loved his mission and had the hardest time taking his name badge off. He says he still wishes he was a missionary. It's been the best 2 years of his life.

Another reason I went home is because my oldest nephew, Mitch got baptized. It was so neat because he had to wait a year but because of it Ryan was able to baptize and confirm him. Mitch really looks up to Ryan. This was such a neat experience. Mitch has wanted to get baptized for quite awhile so he was so excited when it finally happened. My mom gave a talk on baptism and bore her testimony and it was so touching and so worth being there. I am so glad I didn't miss it. My dad spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost. My sister Kelly was able to bear her testimony. I am so thankful for the example she sets of teaching her family.

Allison brought her boyfriend, Shawn home for us all to meet. He totally fit in and we were all impressed with him. They plan to get married in the next few months so she'll be moving to Provo so I'm so excited to have a sibling here in Utah with me! Can I just say free babysitting!

I was able to go on a little shopping spree. On Tuesday, my mom and I happened to go to the Valdosta Mall and stop in Belk. They had tons of clearance signs hanging from the ceiling. Being as I only shop the clearance racks I got so excited. I was even more excited when I saw there were over 20 racks of clearance with most of it being 90% off. It was all there fall and winter clothes. Beings as you don't wear sweaters for very long in South GA there was tons of stuff. We spent 4 hours in that one store. I must have tried on over 100 items. It was so much fun. My mom just laid on the bench in the handicapped dressing room and hung everything back up for me. It was nice to have her give me her opinion because I have a tendency to think something is cute just because it is way cheap. I got jeans for $2.99 and shirts for $2.98. I had a limit on what I could spend and I had to be very careful what I bought because I could not take it back so there it took awhile for me to decide.

We celebrated Kelly's birthday early while there. We surprised her by Allison buying a cheesecake. When Kelly came in from outside we were all standing in a line with our legs spread apart. She had to crawl between our legs while we each gave her spankings and then had to blow out the candles. The funny thing is Kelly did it all without questioning. What a good sport!

Mikey got his first haircut in GA. He was so good. Deet Deet really just trimmed up the back. He was starting to get a mullet.

While I was gone I don't know if Neil, Beka or the boys dressed themselves but Neil said he dropped Conner off at preschool on Wednesday and the teacher looked at Conner (totally not matching) and said I take it your wife's not back yet. I thought that was too funny. I let Conner pick out either his top or his pants but never both unless I guide him to something that will coordinate.

Two cute things Conner has said today. He is way into doing his chores because he wants a reward so first thing in the morning he asks what he can do. He's telling me,"mom I know I need to do 5 chores but I just don't have time for 5. Is it okay if I just do 2 today?" You've got to be kidding me, you're 4! What in the world do you have to do.

He didn't eat his dinner and so at bedtime he tells me he is so hungry. Well you're hungry because you didn't eat dinner so if you're hungry I'll heat up your chicken and rice. "Well, mommy, I'm not in the mood for chicken and rice right now can I have something else?"