Sweet potato face

 Looking at a bug on temple grounds

 Wes made the dog pancake.

I’m home with the little boys. The Teachers Quorum is teaching missionary lessons on Joseph Smith and the Restoration to pretend investigators. I was going to be one of those, so I’m a little bummed. Next time!

Lincoln has hay fever type allergies and catches everything; I don’t think his nose has stopped running since September. Sickness doesn’t faze him at all, though. Thursday his eyes looked sunken. The next thing we knew they were draining nasty green everywhere. Double ear infection. I had no idea. (I’ve said this before…) He didn’t complain about it. He continued jumping off of chairs, the Cozy Coupe, running, playing football and soccer with pretend shin guards, and just his normal self. Rather than having us move into the pediatrician’s office, Dr. Holmes did Keller’s follow-up when we brought in Lincoln. He’s clear, but on antibiotics for a few more days. I have a sinus infection I went in for on Tuesday and finally buckled to antibiotics yesterday as it seems to have morphed into something else, including eye gunk (which is totally nasty). We’re hoping Wes and Levi don’t catch it. Antibiotics rock, though. This morning we were clear enough that we could go to sacrament meeting. We all feel like we’re aborning. We’ll come out of it eventually! Miraculously, we haven’t really been debilitated. All that we’ve needed to do we have done—and more.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Cole for the doctor toys. Levi and Lincoln love them. I have a lot of instructions about being okay in the morning, getting sick at night and taking “One cup of medicine” (I guess we buy it by the gallon?). They’ve given shots, covered it with Band-Aids, taken blood pressure. Keller usually acts as the cheerful patient. Levi walks around with the stethoscope draped around his shoulders. I tried to convince him to rest the ear buds around his neck, but “Dr. Holmes wears them like this and I am Dr. Holmes.” Sure enough, we went into his office, and the stethoscope was draped over his shoulders. Way to pay attention! I let the boys bring their doctor toys to our visit, which distracted them from the real tools. Phew! He walked by the nurses proudly, who oooohhed and aaaaahed over his doctor get-up. Then I told them that he was Dr. Holmes—which made them gush. Of course.

The word “favorite” has suddenly become important. Levi told us that his favorite part about Friday was seeing Dr. Holmes. Lincoln ate ¾ of a blackberry container, “These are Lincoln’s favorite berries. These are Lincoln’s FAVORITE berries!!!” Wesley’s Rommel book is his “favorite.” Keller has told me in a variety of ways that sweet potatoes are his favorite along with nice close-up conversations—which is good because he’s always got brothers in his face. Food in general is a favorite for everyone. The boys discovered a love for mangos, homemade chicken noodle soup, and all things dessert. Lincoln is often so full he informs us that he only has room for breakfast and dessert.

Levi really astounds me. He’s been a missionary all week, serving in Ukraine. This morning he told us he’s going to sit by Uncle Royal in church since he is a missionary in Ukraine. “Two Elder Coles!” He was also “Lettuce Man” who is a “mean guy” that eats everyone’s food. Sounds mortifying, doesn’t it? Don’t worry, “Taco Man” saved the day and taught Lettuce one of his true purposes. (For the record, “Spinach Man” is a nice guy according to Levi.) When we made bread, I told him I needed five cups of flour. After I put in two, he said, “And now we need three more.” So we did a little impromptu addition/subtraction which he loved. (And I marveled. Maybe he’ll replace me on helping with our finances!) He led our FHE lesson/discussion on family rules and what we should do about it. We’ve got a while, yet family counseling with the boys just thrills me. I’m trying to teach him to say, “I feel overwhelmed” simply because it is easier and more accurate than “I am tired and hungry and thirsty and frustrated!” With extra people over every day, a couple of extra play dates, sickness, a few rainy/no outside days, he’s tried even harder to stay in control. Monday he cleaned the entire toy room (including every Lego) on his own, by his own initiative. He felt better after that. He’s been taking deep breaths; I think we’ll probably try guided meditation this week. It’s better than screaming, biting, hitting, and general cries for help. I want to empower him and help him articulate the situation so he can use his agency better. It’s amazing when you realize the things you can control—and when you know Heavenly Father will help you succeed!

While Levi serves in Ukraine, Lincoln serves in “U-pan!” and his “high school.” He serves in shorts, though. We decided to take the gradual approach to potty training with him a few weeks ago and it seems to be a good thing. He wears a diaper, but uses the potty. This week I heard some beautiful words, “I need potty!” so we ran. Completely dry days are so awesome for everyone. After he finishes he likes to jump off the stool, saying, “HUG!” Potty training can be such a happy time. He wants me to kiss him on the top of his head before I leave the room; he needs to kiss the top of Keller’s. (No wonder we’re all sick? At least we’re well loved!)

Keller grabs everything. He learned that he can pull my hair out of my ponytail or braid and eat it. He reaches for my plate and any food. He blows bubbles when he’s done nursing and splatters us both. He loves to roll across the toy room rug while his brothers play. And he rollsrollsrolls. Yesterday he charmed everyone we ran into at the temple. One lady practically followed us around the Distribution Center (we were even reverent!). Finally she said, “Can I just hold him for a minute? He’s just so beautiful!” He loves girls and smiles and teases them. We had friends over on Friday night for Pinochle. Keller decided not to sleep and we brought him down for a while. He cooed and talked and practiced his new sounds with Vanessa. Then he looked at Todd, tilted his lips upside down and bawled. Eventually he decided to make friends and charmed us all—before falling peacefully asleep. Between new solids and antibiotics, the poor boy has been a little constipated. Or he just likes to go at church. He must feel comfortable there.

Wesley works away. He’s almost done with his paper. Then he comes home and stabilizes us all. How would we ever make it without him? I feel a little giddy every time I look at him, even on T-shirt days when dinner may or may not happen and we have frosting all over from teaching a 6-year-old to make sugar cookies. He brings a feeling of peace, reassurance, and love wherever he goes. I’m grateful he chooses me! After a day at the temple yesterday, Wesley chaperoned “Mormon Prom” (4 stakes of Laurels and Priests who don’t have a chance to mingle that often) and then helped clean the building. He got home around midnight. The Energy Institute is going to collaborate somehow with a similar institute in the Netherlands. Dr. Edgar included him on an e-mail for input. Student exchange, potentially post-doc, is a possibility. Wouldn’t that be an exciting adventure! Anything could happen before we head out wherever we’re supposed to go in a year. Our life is the best kind of party!