This Week:

The weather has been gorgeous so we have spent a lot of time outside! Went and got some family pics with a friend-- the fall colors have been too beautiful not to.

Boys loved Halloween, trick-or-treating, and getting candy at every house we stopped at! They probably thought it was all a dream, however, when they woke up the next morning with no trace of happened the night before. A friend of mine puts lots of Halloween candy away for gingerbread houses in December. I thought that was a brilliant idea and am trying that this year. Yes, yes, I know that pulling the disappearing maneuver won't fly in a year from now. But it's my philosophy that while my children 1) are young, 2) are unaffected by outside influences, 3) don't know any different, 4) and nursed for over a year each, that I want to feed them as healthily as possible. They will inundated with junk soon enough and I'd like to get them off to a healthy start. My Mom fed us well and I think that is such a gift she has given each of her children.

Daniel is starting to assert his opinion and it the funniest thing. Really, everything about him is funny to me. He throws these little fits that are just funny-- and sad. Sometimes he will just throw himself on the ground end then bury his head into the floor like an ostrich. At bed and nap time he just fights going to sleep. My favorite is that he is learning to shake his head "no." He really gets into it and gets his whole body moving side to side.

James on the other hand tries to be funny when we're laughing at Daniel and it just doesn't work for him. He is such a delightful kid and such a tender friend and brother. He's starting to say the cutest little phrases. My favorites have been: "No, Mommy stop right now." a variation by adding 'right now' I don't recall us phrasing it that way, but we must... where else would he have picked it up? Oh, right, nursery. That's where I blame all of his bad habits and sayings from. I mean, really, where else did the kid learn to pick his nose? Which, btw, Daniel discovered that hole this week and thinks it's the coolest thing. I do wonder what made him put his fingers in his mouth afterward...

James also asked me to watch him do something this week, which I loved. I'm sure in a few months from now I'll find it annoying, but firsts are always fun. Another fun phrase he's says is, "No Way" because just no isn't good enough.

So, that's an update on the fam. Mike's been pretty busy with work which has reminded me just how incredibly spoiled I am to have his so close and with such flexible hours.

As for myself, I've been giving a lot of thought to parenting, teaching my kids what they need to know, and helping them to reach their potential. Parents have soooo- much to do with who they become.
Sister Bateman told BYU students that, "Often if a mother is a talented cook, her daughter will be also. If a mother is a wonderful violinist, it is pretty sure that her children will play a musical instrument. If a father is a sports fanatic, his children, particularly his sons, will likely be so as well. It cannot be overstated how important parents are in the lives of their children. President Brigham Young said, "It is the mother's influence that is most effective in moulding the mind of the child for good or for evil. If she treat[s] lightly the things of God; it is more than likely her children will be inclined to do the same" (JD 18:263)."
There are no perfect parents out there, but I have come across some who are pretty dang close! I've also rubbed shoulders with some amazing human beings and I've been studying them recently. What is it that they do? What choices do they make that I don't? What makes them successful spouses and parents? What can I do and how can I help my children be like them?