Our little Four Eyes!

Earlier this month Gavin was diagnosed with Accommodative Esotropia. Which in lame terms, " lazy eye". So, our Dr. told us that he would need glasses. This was not a shock to me I had done research before we went in for our visit. I just knew that something was wrong and we needed to get it looked at.
So, for a couple of weeks before our visit I went glasses shopping. Can I just tell everyone that looking for durable glasses for a two year old is nearly impossible. We looked at Costco and Walmart (they are the cheapest) with no luck. But, we found some that I hope will work, at least for a while.
He looks so cute with his little glasses on. His eyes aren't perfect with them on, but I hope they will get there. If not, then he will be patched, which is no big deal. I am just so happy that now he can finally see. He is very Farsighted. In fact he is actually willing to do some art projects with us now, before he wouldn't I just thought it wasn't his thing. But, now with his glasses he wants color and paint with Matthew. It helps that he can actually see what he is doing. After we left Dr. Boch's his first little sentence was, "Mom I can see". Which is major, becuase Gavin does not talk a whole lot. He is just do dang cute.

A proud Mom Moment

Today as I watched my 8 year old wait for the bus, I had a "Proud Mom" moment. We live at the corner of our street and the bus picks up the kids across the street from our house. My son and I have talked about running down the end of the street and back with his little friend. Well today as I was looking out our window just checking on him and wondering where the stink-en bus was (it was almost 15 minutes late). I saw my little guy explain to his friend that he could not go down the street. His little friend kept trying to get him to go and for the first time I saw my boy stay firm to what we have taught him. It made me proud that he did this on his own (meaning not looking back to our house and checking if I was in looking on him).
And I had a thought, this is one of the reasons why we send our kiddos to school. The time that they are away from us at school is the time when they can truly put in use what we have taught them. And isn't this is why they/we came to earth to be tested and to prove to ourselves. It is not easy, but it is worth it! This also gives them a chance to be little missionaries. Hunter (the little boy) is taking the missionary discussions and is planning on getting baptized as soon as him mom will let him. (side note: he has the best Grandma she reminds me so much of my Grandma. I look up to her so much. She is so AWESOME) Even though I don't agree with everything that is taught in schools these days. When I don't agree I have no problem telling my son and teaching him a better way. I do love the fact that my child is getting a chance to be tested and learn. And when he needs help I will always be there for him.
I don't believe that learning starts when kids get on the bus and stops at the bus stop. I am so thankful for these little moments that I get to cherish.

Wow it has been a while

I have decided that I need to update my blog since it has been forever. I/We have been so busy. If I am not doing something for the kids, cleaning the house, or working on my calling I am helping Brian look at Residency programs. Yes that is right the time has come for us to start looking at where we would like to spend the next 3-4 years after he is done in June of 2012. I am not going to promise that I will blog all the time, but I would like to keep up with it more.
Well this is just going to be a quick entry since I am making cookies, and working on the Relief Society Monthly meeting for tomorrow. Back in September I was called to be the Meeting Coordinator for our ward. That means I am responsible along with my committee members to help plan activities for all the RS in our ward. At first I thought it would not be too bad, but after our first activity I have realized it is a lot hard and more time consuming then one would think.
Brian has entered the last half part of his 3rd year of medical school. And boy is it starting off with a bang. Surgery is so crazy I can't believe it. I am so glad he just has two weeks left.
Jason, is working hard at getting his Wolf badge for scouts. I am so glad he is enjoying scouts. We just finished reading our first official 4th grade book called "Gooseberry Park". It was a great book and we both enjoyed a lot. We are not working on reading Tom Sawyer he seems to like it as well. I love the fact that he loves to read.
Matthew is finally liking Preschool. He took a while to get used to things and being away from good old "Mom". He is working hard on writing his name, it is just those darn "e"s that are giving him problems. But, his teacher told me today that he is far above the other students in his class, that made feel good that all this hard work is paying off. Matthew is also learning how to swallow whole pills. The makers of Pepcid AC chewable have some issues they have to work out so we were forced to teach him. He is doing well due to the fact that I just put them in some yogurt and down it goes.
Our dear sweet Gavin turned 2 in October. He has increased his vocabulary a lot. I can't believe how much he is grown. He loves playing Legos with the older boys. It is fun to watch him and his brothers play. We are working on sharing, it is not his strength but we are a work in progress. He is going to nursery and loves it. At first it was hard for him to be without Matthew, but after a couple of times he was happy. He has also
I truly love being a SAHM and watching these beautiful children of God grow up. At times is stressful, crazy, and sometimes down right tiring, but it is so worth it. Yes we have had to give up some luxuries in life so I can be with them, but I would not trade it for anything.

Braces

I have finally gotten around to writing about Jason's braces. I know it has been like four months. But, sheesh I have been so busy it is crazy. So, we got braces way back when, and he loves them. He really needed them. So, we decided that we could either wait until Brian was done with school and most likely have to have oral surgery to fix is overbite or get them done while we are living near OHSU and pay less money and not have oral surgery. We obliviously choose option "B".
So today we went back to the orthodontist. I was hoping this appointment would be in and out real quick. I don't know what I was thinking, they are never in and out (it did not help that we were late this time). At OHSU we are not paying for quick service when the Dr. is in training. When the Dr. came and got me he told me that they decided to put his head gear on him today. At first I was like okay great! Then I got a closer look and was taken back a little. He was so happy. His first thing he said was, "Mom look I am a football player." I was like right son you sure are. Dr. Cook (his ortho) could not believe how easy Jason was at wearing this gear. I was a little shocked too. I think it helped that there was no mirror for him to get a good look at himself. Jason was so excited that he decided to wear out to the car and all the way to school, where he had me take it off.
In like ten years I am going to remind him of his enthusiasm when we go through round two of braces. I have a feeling he will not be as excited.

My third grader

Today Jason started third grade. Wow time flies so fast. He was super excited to go to school today. Now that he is in 3rd grade he gets to go upstairs. He has waited a whole year for this right of passage. I took him to school like I always do. I know that this could be one of my last years taking him to his first day of school. I have been told that one day he will want to go by himself. It is just a tradition. However, today as I left he told me, "Mom tomorrow I will take the bus." I think the pictures say it all. I could not even get him to smile. They grow up so fast.
He has two different teachers. Mrs. Rose and Mrs. Henderson. I think this is kinda weird but, I am sure he will get use to it. Hogan Cedars is a great school I feel blessed that we were able to move into an area that has such a wonderful caring staff. I hope we have a great year this year.

Parenting: Touching the Hearts of Our Youth

This is an awesome video. Someone once told me, "if you don't listen to the little things your child tells you, when the big things come around they will not tell you." I am not perfect, we are working on this everyday. I hope all will enjoy this great talk from Elder Hales.

Parenting: Touching the Hearts of Our Youth

Our Next Home

I know this is super early, but I am going to start making my list of what I want in our next home. I am sure I am thinking about it more because is it so HOT. And we have no A/C. This is the first time since we left Utah like 9 years ago that we have not had A/C. This is also the very last time I will ever live in a home without it. The heat makes me so grumpy. I should be a joy to around in like 10-15 years.
So, this is mainly for me but any can read it. With residency less than two years away I have decided that it is never too early to start my list.

• A/C is a must, or we will have to live in a place like Alaska where it doesn't matter.
• I want a bigger kitchen. What is wrong with my I keep picking places with Kitchens fit for a family of two.
• Walk in pantry. I have three/four hungry boys/man and have no where to put all the food they eat.
  
• Lastly, I want my own bathroom. There is nothing nicer than when you are trying to get ready for the day and there is water splatted all over the mirror, or toothbrushes laid all over the counter. I love my boys, I just need a little space now and than.

Okay this list is short but I will be adding to it.