By the end of November in Austin, a few leaves change colors. Usually they cascade a little then disappear in December. Our A/C generally runs strong until Thanksgiving. Roses bloom December through February then start over. It’s usually around 75 degrees right now. This week we hit 83. The next day our cold front gusted in and we might get snow tomorrow. I’m ready to hibernate! Levi inherited my genes. We’ve both been limping around, stretching out our joints, and aching a little in the quick shift of temperature and lots of rain! Ha!

Wesley taught the boys how to play checkers today. So Lincoln leans over the table wearing some 12-month shorts he dug out of the closet (despite the fact that it’s cold in our house), Levi stands on his chair with exuberance, and Keller plays with the table legs. They can barely handle the anticipation; it’s so cute. Levi won three of five games: he’s a very happy champion.

We enjoyed another week of destruction: they dismantled and then shattered our darling wooden toy bus, they peeled apart a bike helmet bit by bit (I didn’t know that could happen!), they pulled out their dresser drawers and took the pieces apart—so those are in the garage so the glue can dry while their clothes exploded all over the house, Lincoln pinned a cape to a shirt then ripped it out, and a myriad of smaller items met their demise. I just haven’t accounted for them. I threw them into the normal bruises and bangs category, but all things shall be restored in the resurrection!

Tuesday through Friday we watched Hannah and her little brother Hyrum while their parents went to NYC. Hannah is 4.5. Hyrum and Keller are two weeks apart. If they hadn’t all had coughs and mild diarrhea, I might have been tempted to watch more 2-year-olds so Lincoln could have a counterpart as well! Fun adventure despite everyone getting a little sick.

Part of Keller’s diarrhea might be that soy milk doesn’t seem to work with his system either (even with a probiotic!) and that he cut two teeth today. He and Hyrum shared balancing contests. Hyrum is very good at standing and sitting (he doesn’t move much) and being stable. Keller obviously observed this. He’s been practicing standing up freestyle—then he runs. He tried running through the chairs in the RS room today. He’s been flopping face first from his runs, then he stands up laughing, and starts over. He’ll be walking with confidence soon. One of his favorite things is playing soccer with the boys while one of us holds his arms so he can go, go, go! Singing is also one of Keller’s favorite things to do. Noise in general seems to be a gift. He can out-scream any of us. Good thing we love his little voice (and his big grin)! Oh! He has also peed in the potty at least once a day this week. He climbs on the little trainer, points down, and says, “Pppssssst!” Go Keller!

Lincoln invented a new superhero: Jack the Hammer. He goes around fixing everything, from fires to tears to fences. And he can fly. He’s an especially fast runner. “I AM JACK THE HAMMER! I AM JACK THE HAMMER! HAM HAM HAM HAM!” We played superheroes saving each other all day Friday. Today I walked into nursery with him telling the other (less responsive) kids, “There is a lizard under my napkin. Do you see my lizard? Look! There is a lizard on the wall!” Then he transformed into a lizard-eating spider. So funny.

Levi has been reading the BOB books (I highly recommend them. We’ll be investing). While sounding out a sentence, feeling frustrated that he’s not perfect, he turned to me and stated, “I’m just still learning, Mom.” Then he sighed heavily. We wandered onto a baseball field at a park (chasing crows…) and we went over all of the bases, closely observed the pitcher’s mound while Levi asked a ton of questions. His questions always floor me. Hannah’s family moved yesterday (Wes helped for 4 hours). Levi wanted to know when we could move to live closer to Dad’s work, like her family. He spent a lot of time folding blankets and shirts and pretending to wrap Christmas presents. We have “surprises” hidden all over the house.

On Monday we tried to smash in as much as we could in preparation for our friends to come over. We took two meals to people and finally sent off Royal’s Christmas present. By that time in the day, the boys had climbed to the top shelf of their closet, pulled out their Halloween costumes, and become a crocodile and Superman. I let them wear their costumes. Lincoln brought his hammer. We entered the crowded post-office, their little eyes sparkled. Let the entertainment begin! They pretended to fly, to save each other, to take mail to people in Ukraine, to make boxes, to sort stamps—all with a rapt audience. They sat on a bench when I finally got to the front desk only to realize I’d missed the customs form! (Poor postal workers!) The boys performed some more and we left with a lot of appreciation. I think we actually helped people feel the Christmas Spirit. When we opened the doors to the van Lincoln paused dramatically, “MY HAMMER! It’s on the bench!” Without looking he dashed back across the street (bless those angels and slow drivers who saved us) and we retrieved the hammer. Success!

Wesley and I caught the cough. We’re hoping it remains mild. This week he watches his 62 students each give a 10 minute presentation. He works so hard for his class, his research, the young men, and us. I’m so grateful. He drove to the church quite a lot between mutual, meetings, and taking a boy to seminary. He took his class on a power plant tour and went to ERCOT with his IGERT group (ask him that means). I had the honor of reading David’s BYU application essays and offering a few measly comments. I’m proud of his work. He has communicated himself well. Go David! This week we went through our budget (yay!) and revamped our holiday festivities plan. We did our Thanksgiving shopping on Saturday. Wesley allowed me to splurge on a Brussels sprouts stalk. I’m SOOOO excited. This, I recognize, is probably lame. Still. SOOOOO excited. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It’s like a marathon to kick off the joy of Heavenly Father’s plan and His many gifts to us.

Today I was released from being compassionate service leader and called as the visiting teaching coordinator. This is another calling I’ve had before. I must need to refine my skills! Also, in church today the Bishop announced that a new stake was created in Austin.  We now have 4 stakes in the area.

We’ve been studying prayer at the suggestion of our stake presidency. In Enos 1:8-9 the Lord tells him that “thy faith hath made thee whole.” Then Enos had an increased desire for his brethren so he “poured out my whole soul.” We are made whole by our faith in the Savior. As we turn to Him for healing, protection, love, completion, we become even more like Him because our desires turn to others in love. When converted, we give our “whole soul” back to God. We pour it out doing His work, building His kingdom. Faith and prayer are powerful.

Love you.

Cole Crazies