Miracles and Mayhem

What a great week with Grandma and Grandpa Cole! When we prepped the boys on Friday night that they had to leave, Levi whimpered, “But I want them to stay with us forever!” And Lincoln suggested they live with us. Keller looked for Grandpa all morning on Saturday after they left. That’s the problem with visitors: they leave! Even though I’m slow and boring these days, we had a great time having them here. Grandma unloaded all sorts of delights from her suitcases—including kindergarten quiz cards and a ton of Wesley’s small childhood footballs and a Bob the Builder book shaped like a saw (we had already ruined the last one she brought). All of them attached to a ball. Levi went through all the cards with Grandma. Lincoln sawed everyone in half then cut them back up. Grandpa tried to work in the office, but had frequent visitors. He paused to toss the boys on the couch occasionally. He met Wesley for lunch at a park with us one day, and every evening played and played. They ran around playing baseball—and just running. I took a nap almost every day and they basically ensured that the household kept running smoothly and happily while I blobbed around. They stayed with boys so I could run errands alone. They read stories. They ran. They ran. They ran. They endured my emotional and energy roller-coastering. They showered everyone with affection.

Christine washed the windows, cleaned off a high fan, weeded our front flowerbed, did dinner, and even swiped my kitchen floor on her hands and knees so I wouldn’t do it. She amazes me at her ability to see ways to serve others and love them. She doesn’t care about the silly floor, but I do and she cares about me. She expresses her thoughts so forthrightly, genuinely, and lovingly. She always teaches me so much when she’s around. We kept both her and Chad up talking at night. Chad is so encouraging and kind. He told us funny stories of growing up and gave us great insights into how we can be better missionaries—including what they’re doing in Kuna. I am forever grateful I married Wes—then extra blessed in my parents-in-law!

On Wednesday we went to a concert in the park. This week featured traditional Liberian drumming. They taught us songs and dances which we sang for the rest of the week. At the playground Lincoln decided to be a “mean pirate.” He commenced yelling and showing his hand shaped like a hook to the world. One little girl nearby burst into tears then didn’t stop until we left. Thursday evening they took the boys to the Lakeside Amusement park. We earned free entrance and ride passes in the reading program. We also went to a library program where the boys learned to draw rockets then watercolor over the oil pastel. I couldn’t have done that without help! Friday we picked Wesley up from work to head to the Mount Falcoln for a little evening hike. Beautiful evening! Lincoln threw up on the way there and back (“This wasn’t even a windy road!” he moaned), but otherwise we thoroughly enjoyed the rocks, view, and fresh, cool night. Chad gave Wesley a father’s blessing that night as well as assisting in blessing me.

So, while I really hoped that they’d get to meet little Venice Christine (note that whenever I said, “Christine,” Lincoln would run to my tummy to check on his sister)—they told me that she probably won’t come until the 24^th, which is Grandma Ruth Cole’s birthday. I’m resigned that she’ll arrive sometime in September.

Levi could play games, virtual or otherwise, all day long. Grandma taught him to play Mah Jong. He also loves “scary” stories. As a result of some of Grandma and Grandpa’s stories of being scared, he drew pictures of monsters. Our neighbors were outside working on the cul-de-sac flowerbed. We decided to help. Levi loaded buckets of mulch, oohing over the grubs. He attached to Grandma and didn’t want to let go. Watching him hold onto her all week was fun. He teased her on our hike about high places, then reassured her that he wouldn’t let her get too scared.

Lincoln has been full of funny things. He’s wanted to get married. When he couldn’t marry a brother, he wanted to marry Venice. When we explained he couldn’t marry her, he wanted to marry Wes. After that it seemed he gave up. A few days later I heard his sweet, distressed voice, “But Mom I want to marry you! I’ve been saving my money to marry you!” Grandma brought a talking Mickey Mouse. When we took off his clothes to wash them, Lincoln studied between his legs. “But where is his boy part?” Later when he went to the bathroom he covered his penis, grinning, “I’m Mickey Mouse!”

Keller is growing. He has been taking long naps. He reminds me of his constant need for “SNACKS!” which is helpful since I forget. I think he knows a new sister is coming. His nights have been a little restless, but he plows on. Each day brings more words: we always look forward to them and the fewer meltdowns that result from communication. We pulled out the baby swing and car seat. “BABY!” he joyfully exclaims. Then he climbs in. We’re practicing with them before an actual little girl arrives so he doesn’t smash her.

Wesley’s work continues to go well. Wesley finished up some projects that ran through his brain even in dreamland. He’s also been diligently figuring out his ward clerk responsibilities. Yesterday after taking the Coles to the airport, he sent me to the temple since I won’t be able to go for a while. He took the boys to a splash pad and plays, plays, plays with them. Such an amazing daddy.

We decided that on Saturdays our scripture study will focus on our family needs. After reviewing Sister Reeves’s talk from conference and talking with the Coles, we concluded that we should begin these discussions by checking on how we’re doing with core things: prayer, study, family home evening and personal testimony. There will always be other developmental things to focus on as well, but this is what matters most. I’m excited for our future discussions on this.

In baby news: I meet with the doctor tomorrow morning. It looks as if I’ll have to be induced (what a funny twist of expectations!). If she doesn’t arrive before, we’ll probably invite her here on Friday since my mom flies in on Thursday evening. We’ll keep you posted.