Teething--but check out the plants behind him!

 Floating bamboo sculptures on a lily/lotus pond.

One of the many potty breaks. Note the matching outfits in almost all our pictures, as chosen by Levi.

Congratulations to my parents who sold their Boise house on Friday! What miraculous timing! No storage needed and everyone moved in to new houses by the end of August! Hurrah! If you’re in Idaho, say hello to the new neighbors from Oklahoma who now have custody of those gorgeous trees.

I’ve been studying the references from the conference talks—which is amazing, but you can call me about it when you have lots of time (ha!)—and I found this beautiful promise from Marion G. Romney, as quoted by President Benson as quoted by Elder Cook:

                        I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon                                          prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of                        that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The                        spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other                         will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children                         in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to                          the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and                            

                        charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in                         their wake peace, joy, and happiness. (Ensign, May 1980, p. 67)

We booked every evening this week. We thoroughly enjoy our slow-paced summer, but we also appreciated remembering productive busy-ness. For FHE Monday, Levi chose to go swimming for the activity. They love the pool. They’re both mastering how to kick; every time Lincoln sees so much as a puddle he says, “POOL! Kick!” and then he starts scooping his arms, too.

In addition to Pioneer Day, Tuesday was our stake temple day. The stake presidency challenged everyone to do two ordinances that day if possible—if not, they invited all to do at least two during the month. We took the whole family on Tuesday, ate dinner at a park (Wes and I alternating with boys and temple), and soaked in the Spirit there. We don’t know many people still, but it was fun to recognize faces and hear about how packed the sessions had been all day. Obedience is a blessing in itself. The boys love the temple. Even Lincoln shouts out, “MORONI!” now. They wanted to touch the temple and dashed up close to the entry doors. Levi wanted to go all the way in (but stayed back because he was wearing his play clothes rather than his church clothes—a very distressing issue). The temple workers came to the door and waved. Bless them.

NREL celebrates 35 years of research this year. In commemoration, they sponsored a family afternoon/evening at the main campus complete with catered barbeque, free water bottles, speakers, and even (yes!) a professional balloonist (or whatever we should call people who tie balloons). He made a Thomas the Train with smoke for Levi and a dog for Lincoln. Lincoln untied his before we stacked back in the car, yet he loved every second of its existence. Levi cherished his until it shrank the next afternoon: then both of them jumped on it until it exploded. We finally saw where Wes works with tons of windows for natural lighting, recycled wood and pipes, and all sorts of energy saving construction stuff. Their main purpose focuses on energy usage (lots and lots of natural lighting in these buildings), yet they’re quite aesthetically pleasing as well. At least, in a functional, engineering, natural way.

We saw Joule in ultrasound again on Thursday. Last time he was about two and a half weeks behind his due date in measurements. Now he’s only a week and five days. The doctors wonder if the original due date might be a bit off since his development appears to progress normally (PHEW!). His head is about four days larger than his belly, but that’s within genetic reason—and these boys must have room for their dad’s intelligence! He’s moving all the time, quite aggressively, and weighs a little over two pounds. Chances are we won’t see him until the end of October or beginning of November. We’ll find out! It’s weird to think that we only have one more doctor’s appointment here before going back to Austin.

The boys and I went to the Denver Botanic Gardens with some friends Thursday afternoon since it was one of their annual “free days.” Usually, admission is around $15 a person. Levi walked four blocks uphill there, all around the gardens, and four blocks back to the van. What a trooper! He clutched his new NREL water bottle. There is only one building with public restrooms. We visited it three times in two hours, plus he used the potty just before we left and just after we returned. We didn’t see much, yet what we saw inspired us. Huge lemons. A tropical conservatory with plants that looked like fuzzy magenta feather boas. A little garden with plants from scripture: fig, apricot, Cyprus, etc. They’re currently showcasing bamboo sculptures which totally blew my mind. We loved it! My friend is a horticulturalist—so it made it even better. While I was driving (exceptionally well) in downtown Denver through one-way streets, Levi piped up from the back seat: “How are we ever going to get out of here?!?”

We adventured out to eastern Colorado for our friends’ baby shower on Friday. We know these friends from Texas, but their families live in/around a tiny, prairie-like, farming community called Idalia. The entire shower was John Deere themed and held in a gathering area in a church over 100 years old. The three hours there and then three hours back was worth it. Plus! Levi took a nap! We’ll do whatever we can do to encourage that. The baby is darling; we were so glad to see our friends. On the way home, we read some of Wesley’s mission journals and marveled at the miracles and the things that he forgot, the things he remembered in addition, and how his experiences continue to teach us. Such a priceless record.

We fed the missionaries last night. Lincoln loves them, high-fiving, throwing, and squealing. Levi doesn’t want to shake their hands, but he wants to sit next to them and talk to them.

In other important boy news, Levi aimed and sprayed all over Wes during bath time. This inspired Lincoln who did his best (quite substantial despite urinating before bath time). To balance out my disgust, Levi told me to wake him up with “lots of kisses and no tickles” and then demonstrated. We asked him where Uncle Royal is going on his mission and without hesitation he stated, “Ukraine.”

            “Where are you going Levi? Are you going to Ukraine?”

            “Noooo. I going to Japan!”

We’re not sure where that idea came from! Perhaps setting up “Axis and Allies” with Wes? Perhaps inspiration? He also went with Daddy to Ace Hardware where they have “little boy carts” and Levi would go anywhere and do anything happily pushing it along.

            Lincoln sings and sings and sings. He can say almost all the words articulately to “I Am a Child of God.” We often hear, “LMNOOOOO! PEEEEEEE!” Last night after his personal prayer he said, “MORE MORE!” and so he repeated word for word Levi’s prayer. Two new teeth popped out this week, too, which means we’re all sporting some bite marks.

Trains and dogs!

 We went for an afternoon walk today and ended up in the mountains!

 Levi's picture

 Little red caboose!

 The Cole family by a large coal pile.

 The oldest train in Colorado.  Pretty Cool.

Today Lincoln turns 18 months! Joule is due in three months! So many wonderful little boys in our lives.

We prayed and prayed and prayed all week to share the gospel with someone around us and invite them to join us with the missionaries. We knocked on our neighbors’ doors. No answer. I walked through stores, halls, parks, everywhere with an increased awareness that I am surrounded by God’s children and most of the time I ignore them. We stopped and talked to people in the parking lot. We took cookies to people. To no avail. Thursday I saw a woman who recently recommitted to coming to the gym. I haven’t seen her for a few days and asked if she’d come Friday. Friday morning at six we both huffed and puffed and talked about life. Hers is significantly different than mine and yet as she spoke I glimpsed a little of what Heavenly Father feels for her. It was kind of like He looked right at me and said, “Hey! This is my little girl. You be good to her.” I invited her to join us for dessert. She gave me her phone number, but eventually declined. Still. We prayed to invite someone, and we were given the opportunity. Our heightened focus on sharing the gospel has allowed me to realize and re-evaluate what we do in our home. Are we really sharing the gospel daily with our little boys? How? Do they feel the Spirit? Do we share our testimonies in word and action? Do people know we’re followers of Christ? Is that evident in our countenance? Do we love others enough to extend invitations? And that has been a big shifting point for us: more than “an experience,” we’ve prayed for love and the desire to love. What a difference this has made.

So the missionaries came to dinner without a guest, but we’re still on track. Missionaries are so cute (not the word I would have used a few years ago when I taught a class of RMs; we’ve all grown up a little). They are a testimony that the Lord works through the weak and simple regardless of our experience or perspective.

Aurora is about 20 miles away from us. It seems that the whole area continues in prayer. If not about fires or tornadoes or rain, we plead for peace and safety and comfort. The whole circumstance—the shooting mirroring so much of the violence in the Batman movies—creeps me out. It makes me wonder what I passively accept and how we need to improve. On a small scale, the boys and I took some friends to a kids’ magic-comedy show at the library the day of the shooting. The performer hit her head with a balloon and some of her plastic juggling pins for some laughs. Now, I know I have a limited sense of humor etc. etc., but I couldn’t help thinking, “But it’s not okay to hurt our bodies. It’s not okay or funny to hurt others. We laugh, but this is not how we want to act or who we want to be.” I realize I’m overanalyzing; or am I? I really want our kids to have a sense of compassion, responsibility, and the ability to step back and consider what the implications are. I’ll stop now. Stepping off the soap box.

Yesterday we ventured off to the train museum. Whoohoo! We climbed in old engines and cabooses and dining cars. We looked into passenger cars. We rang clangy bells. We walked around a round house that they actually use to repair trains. We rode an open air train around the acreage and heard a brief history. Some of the trains were built in the 1800s. Some still run. The boys (including Wes) most enjoyed the model trains. Outside they had a garden with robotic trains, towns, and bridges. Thomas the Tank Engine circled to Levi’s delight. Inside the museum building, most of the basement was dedicated to intricately painted trains and people and terrain. Levi’s evening comment: “How ‘bout we go back Monday?”

We’re keeping another sleep log for Levi. Although these are good and helpful, sometimes I prefer to not see what is really going on. This week was okay aside from each day he woke up earlier (today was 5 a.m. plus church and no nap. Plus he didn’t get to sleep until after ten and he night terrored and flung around in his sleep all night—but that was a less good night). I called and talked to our pediatrician’s office in Texas. Turns out our pediatrician has a connection to an Austin research center specializing in pediatric sleep studies. It sounds as if Levi will qualify but we have to wait until his well visit when we return. The possibility of improving his sleep comforts all of us, though. If there’s a solution, we’ll look for it and do our best to figure it out!

While Wesley works away and I try to cook and rewrite my class, the boys develop into crazy little darlings. Levi directed me very specifically to draw our family as missionaries. Baby Joule has reddish hair and green eyes. We talked about repentance and that we can change to be better, like learning to not spit. He’s trying so hard. And he helps Lincoln learn to not hit (although Lincoln loves to do it and cackles). Levi’s patience when Lincoln hits or when we struggle to wake up amazes us. He’s picked up a bunch of funny phrases that include, “How ‘bout..” and “At that point” (as in we told him the missionaries were coming for dinner and he responded “Dad will be home from work at that point…”). Levi’s questions are more sophisticated now. I love that he asks what certain things are and how they work. This week he asked if I’d ever be a boy. “Gender is an essential characteristic of premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose”—phew! He also wants to know what day of the week it is and what time it is—primarily because he’s sooo excited to see Dad who comes home around dinner and stays home on Saturday and Sunday. Aren’t we spoiled here? Lincoln now asserts his desires with more gusto. He likes to eat from a fully loaded spoon so that the bite is “BIG BIG!” and if he doesn’t want a certain food, or toy, or whatever he absolutely refuses to even acknowledge it—except to throw it. When he finds scratch paper or lint on the floor, he quickly takes it to the garbage can and proudly waits for praise. A family in the ward invited us to dinner; Lincoln learned to jump off their couch. Yet he lives on. He loved the magic show and sat transfixed until the dove and the rabbit appeared—out of fire, no less. Then Lincoln stood straight up and said, “TOUCH! TOUCH!” To his delight, he petted the soft white rabbit at the end of the show, but continued reaching for it as we left. Rabbits, hamsters, mice, and rats will not be members of our future household: remind me of this if I ever start to waver. We’ve read a zillion stories about waiting for the new baby. This morning, when I pointed to the picture of the pregnant mommy with a baby in her tummy, Lincoln (on my right leg) turned to Levi (on my left leg), rubbed Levi’s tummy and said, “Baby, baby” very gently. Levi redirected his hand to Joule (in the middle of my lap). Then we all laughed as Joule rolled over.

Some additions from Wes:  Another of Levi’s new phrases is “it kind of stinks in here.”  He especially likes to say that when he wants to turn on the bathroom fan.  And today when we were on a walk, Lincoln was helping me push the stroller.  He would grab the stroller with both hands, put his head down, and run as fast as his little legs could go yelling “Fast! Fast!”  Both boys loved it.

Burro Races: it's hard to look at a camera at a time like this. 

 

 Kissing the youngest brother. 

Yay, Royal! We don’t really care if you’re called to serve in the Idaho Boise mission or the Ukraine Dnepropetrovsk; we’re totally buzzed for your mission! What a lot of blessings and opportunities you’ll have and provide by being able to speak Russian for the rest of your life. Wow! Aside from the anticipation of the Great Envelope Opening, we’ve been discussing missionary work a lot lately: primarily, how much we need to act on our covenants and step it up. We realized that this summer is kind of like a transfer on a mission. We don’t have a ton of time, but we have much to do and many people surrounding us waiting for us to open our mouths. Wesley taught Elders’ Quorum today (George Albert Smith, lesson 13 on sharing the gospel). He invited the group to talk in small groups about what they can do this week to be missionaries. Good stuff. We’ve concluded that the best way to support missionaries, prepare ourselves, and prepare our boys is to do missionary work now. President Monson says our experiences sharing the gospel need to be current. President Smith states that they should be daily. So! That’s our goal. The missionaries eat with us on Friday. I have full faith that by this time next week some miracle will happen and someone else will join us as well that day. Truth is just too exciting to keep to ourselves. And if we really want to run a mini-MTC, I need to make some adjustments to my perspective and actions.

And, Royal, I promise that I’ll control myself better when I write letters to you on your mission. They really will be more contained and less…lengthy! Alas, that promise does not apply to these letters. I assume you all skim and I can indulge in our immediate “family history.”

Wesley has been sick. He worked on improving his health. We’re all almost there. Levi’s nightmares and night terrors continue, though. He might have a sleep study before me (since I have to wait until after Joule arrives).

Another highlight of the week occurred when the mail carrier delivered Wesley’s new “Axis and Allies” game. The boys helped him arrange the pieces and I even began a turn or two with him. Perhaps we will be one of those families with a game out constantly because it takes 20 minutes to make one move and we only have so much gaming time in a day…The excitement drifts through our house and sticks to everything like the scent of morning bacon.

We are making friends. A girl in the ward and her 10 month old visited us on Wednesday afternoon. Levi very carefully shared his toys and Peter’s blanket with the baby. He tried to make sure everyone was comfortable and happy (not a surprise, but always amazing). Lincoln liked the baby, but wanted to “Hit!” and “Throw!” Again I wished I could interest him in all the Waiting for Baby books that Levi loves. We walked our friends home. This included going up and down steep hills, pausing at playgrounds, bathroom breaks, and sweat. We walked it again the next morning. Between those hikes and the immense amount of playground time this week, their little muscles are just worn out. Yet they keep going! We make Energizer batteries look weak.

Friday night, Wes expressed a deep, inner need to take our boys somewhere with “water so we can throw rocks.” Oh, I’m learning so much about boys. Saturday morning we drove through the gorgeous, pine covered, golden Rockies to Idaho Springs. We watched rafters, we played in a park, and most importantly they all threw rocks of all sizes and shapes into the river. Strangely enough, people and their donkeys swarmed the place. We finally asked about it. Burro racing: they load up the donkey with packs of water, food, panning for gold stuff, etc., and run next to their animal. No kidding. Who knew? There seems to be a following for it if you’re interested in joining the fun.

Some hilarious and wonderful moments:

Before church today we asked Levi if he needed to go to the potty. He very seriously responded, “I have no pee inside of Levi.” Well. Okay then.

We(s) set up an obstacle course through the house for Levi to release some energy. Is it bad to fear some types of male bonding and joy?

Breakfast prepares us for the teenage years: Levi eats a bite or two, then states he’s all done and must be going. Lincoln eats at least an entire bowl of oatmeal, finishes Levi’s, two servings of fruit, and then dips into mine and Wesley’s. He’s starving for a snack an hour later, which is when Levi considers eating something while moving. We try to snack outside.

Levi shocks me with his compassion and great ability to feel for others. Sure, Lincoln bugs him occasionally, but he is deeply concerned about his brother’s safety: from not climbing on tables, to locking doors, to teaching him how to use playgrounds—I’m so impressed and proud. I love watching his confidence increase. Figuring out his independence on slides and ladders, etc., carries over into other (less physical) aspects of life. He trusts himself and he trusts us to care for him. He doesn’t trust us to care for Lincoln, yet, though. He often scolds us, “Go get him!” or “Hold his hand!” Or the usual, “Save Mr. Linc!”

Joule took a (significantly) longer-than-usual nap on Wednesday morning. He didn’t move for hours; this has never happened with him. He naps, but even then he shifts and flutters and rolls. They all have moved in the womb so differently. I anticipate that this monkey will join the brother business without difficulty, though. I told Levi I hadn’t felt Joule move, so Levi kissed my bulging belly and said, “Wake up, Baby Joule!” A few minutes later, Levi asked if we needed to go to the doctor. Thankfully all is well.

Lincoln loves Wesley’s deodorant. Usually I can keep him away from it, but on Monday I turned to the garbage can for two seconds. In that time he covered his entire face and arms. We smelled one well deodorized boy all day! “More! More!”

Lincoln may play professional athlete someday. When he runs his right arm sticks out straight and his little left arm crooks up and propels him forward. If he’s not panting, he chants, “Gogogogogogogo!” He throws. And throws. And “THROW!”s. Last week, he grabbed the van keys in the midst of self-checking out our 20 library books. All seemed innocent and well until the last three books, then clangclankthunk/”THROW” and the keys collapsed somewhere under the triangle of tables and computer cords. A kind passerby helped me move the tables and waited while I scrambled under and searched. This week, Lincoln found my glasses case (without the glasses, thankfully!), ran to the door and chucked them off the balcony! After he throws anything, he looks at us so proudly and triumphantly. Particularly when he finds something “bigbig!” The distance covered doesn’t matter so much as the force he exerts.

I went to the doctor this week. Perfect heartbeat. Good growth. I found out that the smallness was within the margin of error for the ultrasound (now I know!) and he only looks about a week smaller than expected. So we all grow and develop. Our little scare earlier in the week increases my gratitude for every little movement.

I walked out of a store with Lincoln balancing on the side of Joule in one hand, Levi carefully clutching the other hand, and a lady asked, “Are those boys both yours?” I nodded. “God bless you!” At this point she noticed my totally cool belly button sticking out of my shirt. “And you’re expecting another one!” I told her that we’re just doing what we feel we’re supposed to do and we’re happy to do what is right for our family. “Oh, honey. God bless you!” Oh, He does.

I can’t believe the miracle of our children. What blessings.

Love you.

The Whole Cole Crew