Our ward had a combined third hour on FamilySearch. We were invited to bring our “devices” and the teachers bore testimony of family history work as they walked us through some of the new (and super easy!) aspects of FamilySearch. As usual, we didn’t hear the majority of what anyone said—but we left full of energy and excitement. There’s so much to learn about our family! If you go to FamilySearch now, log in, and click on “People” or “Photos” or “Stories” you can access the things family members (near, distant, and otherwise) have loaded. When I clicked on “Photos” I found 95 that I’ve never seen before. Some of the people I knew. Some I had no idea; but they have another tab that’s basically “How am I related?” that shows you where you connect to that person. We’re buzzed. Alas, no documents are uploaded on my side. I guess I now know why I have the writing itch. Work to do!

Wesley and I have talked extensively about making our home more visually Christ-centered. For Christmas, he gave me a beautiful picture of the Savior. We debated between a few (“O Jerusalem” is a favorite) but settled on a Greg Olsen profile. On Monday we asked our favorite babysitter to watch the boys while Wes and I went on a date to choose a frame and finish stashing up the boys’ stockings. The final product looks quite regal. We’re going to hang it up right above the piano so it will be the first thing anyone sees walking into the house or the living room. Perfect gift. We enjoyed the shopping quite a bit, too. We even held hands! We have all thoroughly enjoyed relaxing together without anything scheduled this week. Having Wesley around makes any day feel like a vacation and huge holiday. So many reasons to rejoice! All encompassed in one man! Wow. My life really rocks. I didn’t realize how much I’ve entered “survival mode,” how much I’ve missed him as he’s worked extra and travelled, until we had this week to slow down a little. And I’m grateful for every minute we have together. And for the minutes that won’t be measured in the eternities.

One of the best parts of our week (and of Christmas) was giving Christmas presents to another family. We found stocking stuffers, candy, necessary items (like socks, etc.) and fun stuff (like toy ships and sleeping bags). We’ve worked with this family a lot in various ways; we’re all filled with love for them. The boys picked out the majority of their gifts. When we found out that the ward couldn’t supplement their Christmas (as originally planned) the boys went through their books, toys, and candy choosing more to give to them. What a perfect way to celebrate Christmas and our Savior who taught us to give our all.

We asked the boys how else we could celebrate Christ and share His love. Levi suggested we bring dinner “to the man in the orange sweatshirt.” He is homeless and stands on a road we often drive by. He probably wishes we’d stop giving him granola bars. Lincoln agreed with Levi’s idea. So on Christmas Eve we loaded up with chili and cinnamon rolls, the boys full of enthusiasm. Unfortunately (for us), it was late in the afternoon and he couldn’t take it because he had too much to carry. We’ll just have to bring him dinner in a few weeks.

 At the Alamo and Riverwalk

We planned on—and invited—people for Christmas Eve and Christmas, but none of it worked out. Forgive me for being okay with just our little crew this year. We concluded Christmas Eve with an enactment of the Nativity, hymn singing, and some “Claymation Christmas” songs. Keller woke first on Christmas. We began opening gifts at 7:15 a.m. and enjoyed the whole process, playing and talking and eating and hiking—that we didn’t open our last presents until 6:30 p.m. No rush. They love the castles and castle-guys even more than anticipated. They love their foam swords. Lincoln held his up proudly, “I will fight in the name of the Lord!” (I don’t know where he got that one…) We loved skyping with our family, singing songs, being out in nature. Basically, a perfect day.

Aunt Jeannine shared a beautiful copy of St. Joseph Musser family history. Come over and we’ll share. It’s totally amazing. Such a gift! I love her.

Thursday we continued the celebration by going to the temple. While one of us was in the temple the other took the boys to a church parking lot so they could ride their new scooters. After our rotation there (which was the best part of the day), we drove a bit south to see the Alamo. Totally crowded. We didn’t go inside because the line wrapped around the building. Leaving, the boys looked back to say, “But I want to know more about how they died!” and “I need to see the guns and swords!” We walked a few blocks to the Riverwalk which is a cobblestone path on either side of the river with shops, restaurants, etc. A big San Antonio thing. Levi drank a full water bottle between the temple and the Alamo, so he and Wes went in search for a restroom; thankfully a restaurant took pity on them. The sun never came out, humidity high, yet the boys loved it. They loved seeing the tour boats up and down the river. They loved going over and under the bridges. They loved the people. Count it as a success! We even made it back to the van just seconds before it rained. Another success! I’m afraid my mood matched the gloomy sky a bit (next time I’ll loosen up and do more research to prepare us for the trip!) Lincoln left saying, “I wanted to go to McDonald’s, too!” As we drove, Levi didn’t tell us he needed to go potty because he wanted to use it at home. At home, he took a bath and I scrubbed his booster and the entire back seat of the van. Good grief. Might as well laugh.  The van doesn’t smell like urine. So. Success!

Our friends came over that night to play “Castles of Burgundy”—an awesome game I bought Wesley for Christmas. Since no one had played before, we took a while figuring it out. They left after midnight, but we’re ready for another round. It’s just not the holidays without some good games.

Friday, because I’m an eager little Grinch, we put all of Christmas away. Except the music. The house returns to normal. I wish I could be sad; I just really needed to put it all away and clean the house. I struggled this season for a few reasons. The destruction of [everything: place specifics here (like the 16 ornaments now trashed…)] discouraged me. But really we were Christ-centered and felt the magical growth of faith and joy. My issue centered mostly on how much I love Austin and the good people here and how this is the last time to celebrate with them. A sane, balanced person would take this opportunity to fully embrace the time and the people. As I am not sane or balanced, I wanted to hole up and cry. I really just love this place, with its crazy temperature changes, great libraries, awesome parks, and most of all our glorious friends. I will always think of Austin tenderly with the extensive growth we’ve experienced as individuals and a family. I like change. I like adventure. Yet I sure love it here. It’s easier to face our new life in a rush of excitement and action rather than slowing down. How can you ever take “treats” to all of the people who have impacted you in so many miraculous ways? I am full of gratitude and awe. Anyway. The great relief of my week was re-centering by making family goals for 2014. What an emotional dork.

On the angels of Texas, our sweet neighbors noticed that Levi has a big-wheel bike but not Lincoln. They gave him a matching, smaller version of Levi’s bike. All three boys were so excited about this. With good reason. What generous, thoughtful people surround us.

Saturday we helped at an Eagle Project. The boys stood in wonder at the skill saws and other power tools, then biked off to the nearby park. Glory days. That afternoon they played (yes, in shorts) in the enormous leaf pile in the backyard for over two hours. More glory days; Wes and I finished the budget plan while they jumped.

Keller is sick, again (still?). We’re taking him to the doctor tomorrow. He’s been waking up every 90 minutes (when we’re lucky) and not napping, eating, or living too well. His balance is off so he’s more banged up and frustrated. Poor little guy. He hates being slowed down, a toddler, and inhibited in any way. He’s more affectionate than ever these days, running up to us to cling to our legs and kiss us. Or wrestling with Lincoln. Or jumping on Levi’s bed. We got him a little pen-shaped flashlight for Christmas thinking he’d love it. Alas. It doesn’t write; it’s not a pen. He drew during sacrament meeting for the first ten minutes. I admit this melts my little writer’s heart.

Pilot Lincoln handed me a ticket he’d made out of a post-it, “Here’s your ticket to Colorado where I live. Come visit.” Levi taught everyone to turn off the lights then use their flashlights to find their way around. One morning they stayed in their room an extra half-hour telling stories by flashlight. Oh, blessed brotherhood.

Wesley received his itinerary for his NREL interview Monday afternoon; he left Monday evening. What we anticipated would be an all-day event turned out only to be two-and-a-half hours: his presentation for an hour plus three half-hour meetings. He used the extra time to go on a run through our familiar Golden, eat lunch with one of Dr. Henze’s grad students (Dr. Henza works at CU-Boulder and is on Wesley’s committee), and catch up on necessary other stuff. Wesley says that the interview itself couldn’t have been much better. He talked too fast for the first 10 minutes of his presentation—but otherwise he did his best and is satisfied. Two Director’s Fellowship awards will be given. Hopefully we we’ll know the results by the end of January. Even if he doesn’t get the Director’s Fellowship, there is a possibility of post-docing with the energy group at NREL. Oh the possibilities!

We learned today that Wesley is not returning to the Teacher’s Quorum. Instead he’ll be the Sunday School teacher for the 16-year-olds. It took him three hours to realize that there will be girls in there. “How do I teach girls?”

Yesterday was the first day in months that we didn’t have anything planned. Wesley didn’t even work! Weird. I took a nap which transformed me from the Grinch ready to put all of the Christmas stuff away and be done into a slightly-crazy-human again. (Wesley: “I can tell you’re related to our children…” hehe! It’s been about a month that almost everyone wakes up during the night, at least once, so my nap rested me more than most nights.) The boys drew names earlier in the week so we took them to the store, split up, and helped them buy presents for each other. So fun! (Lincoln chose a dinosaur whose skin peels off to reveal the skeleton for Levi, Levi chose a set of three bulky cars for Keller, and Keller chose a flashlight that looks like a pen for Lincoln). Since it was sunny and in the sixties, we picked a new park/greenbelt to explore. The area had flooded, so we saw the water-stained trees and rocks, the uprooted trees and plants, and slid all over in the mud. Mostly Lincoln slid because he ran down the hills in his flip-flops in slick mud. A runner passed us with her tiny dog. Levi and Lincoln panicked then took off screaming. This didn’t work because the lady couldn’t get beyond them and their noise excited the dog. If they weren’t so scared, it would have been really funny. We had to take their muddy clothes off to reload into the car. I’m sure we provided a lot of entertainment for passersby. Hurrah for days off! We all needed a mini-vacation.

Our van started shaking and the check-engine light turned on Thursday night. We took it in the shop on Friday, so we’ve been packing into the car (with only three working doors!) for the last couple of days. It’s pretty cozy and entertaining to be so close. Our car alarm has only gone off twice since this; we count that as a major blessing.

Friday night we went to a pot-luck. What a party! Six of the larger families of the ward were there. We enjoyed getting to know people more and having a way to share our Danish Puff (and not eat it all on our own).

Levi appointed himself the principal of Lincoln’s high school. They brought “school supplies” up to their room, lined up their cars, and he instructed Lincoln, who instructed the rest of the students. Later, Levi lined up all of the foam letters. “Lincoln, which letter does your name start with? L, C, or W?” he patiently repeated his question four times while Lincoln ignored him. On the fifth time Lincoln shouted out, “3!” And ran off to teach his students about football. Silly boys. For the last six months or so, Levi has been opposed to poultry of all kind. Thankfully he’s very good at trying at least one bite of anything, so he always tries it. After his bite of apricot chicken this week, he became silent until he asked for second and third helpings. Success! Every afternoon he requests to “sword fight” with the brooms. We built cardboard shields to protect us. His shield has a mouth with teeth that reaches out and eats his enemies. Talk about protection. He led the pretend camping expedition which included loading two huge moving boxes full of pillows, blankets, underpants, clothes, and a myriad of other items to cook and clean with because, “We’re camping for two days. There’s a burn ban so we can’t use fire, but we need to cook. So we brought a stove.” That explains it!

Lincoln has been running away. He’s finally feeling better. I think his spirit has been a little cooped up in the gunkiness. He ran away in the library and out the door with the librarian soon after him. He ran away on our hike yesterday (into the mud). He ran away at church. He ran away before our walk today—and our neighbor took off after him. Good thing there are so many angels—seen and unseen—helping us! Logically he understands the need to stay close. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, I guess. He ran off again, another neighbor ran out to help Wesley, so he came inside: bawling. When we met up with Laurie, Eli, and Olivia at the park Levi and Lincoln buried themselves in the rocks to go to “sleep.” We needed to leave. They wouldn’t budge. I told them they could sleep-walk. Lincoln took me very literally, deciding to run with his eyes closed. Of course he biffed it on the sidewalk. His poor little knees! “Please don’t wash my owies, Mommy!” he asked in the bathtub while dancing away from me. We told the story of our first Christmas in Texas for bedtime last night. “And Lincoln and Keller were in Heaven,” Lincoln told us (probably wrestling). “Does Heaven have frog blankies?” Pause to snuggle his blanket. “I brought this from Heaven.” He brought a lot of things from Heaven.

Keller totters everywhere. Up and down, back and forth. Up the stairs, down the stairs. To the piano, through the toy room…usually carrying a pen or a tool. On one of our extremely warm days we washed the van in the driveway. He poured the bucket all over himself then sat in the mud puddle—extremely happy. The new love of the week is head-wear. He wore a bike helmet all over the house one day. He put on a baseball cap backwards, climbed on Levi’s bed and tried to jump. Ambitious and almost successful. He loves Christmastime because he loves the sweets; good thing he also loves his toothbrush! Most RS teachers pass out treats (don’t ask my opinion on this). Keller knows to wait for the treat before singing too loudly. The blessing of smart children!

          

 On our hike...

 At the parade last week

We’ve had meetings or something every night this week. I stayed at the church until almost 11 on Thursday doing VT stuff. That night our friend had to go to the ER for a while, so we(s) watched their son until 9:30. Traveling, mutual, parties…We keep talking about going to bed early (before 11:30!). Perhaps this week will be the one! We’re so blessed we can share each day! I read part of the 1978 conference this week. Here’s a quote from Elder Backman that seems to summarize our life so well:

         

          I have felt the Lord’s guiding hand leading me and protecting me, sometimes protecting me from  

           myself. I’ve enjoyed such rich experiences as I’ve grown up and matured. As each one has come  

           along, I’ve questioned, “Why me? Why has the Lord given me such rich opportunities to grow and   

           to develop? Why has he provided such opportunities to give service?” I thank him from the bottom 

           of my heart for the richness of my life, the happiness which I’ve enjoyed. All of my life it seems that 

           I’ve been surrounded by people who have built me and caused me to be better than myself…

And so we try to give it all back, to share it somehow, to give thanks. Every moment is such a gift.

Annual Letter (In case we missed you by e-mail. Forgive us and let us know!)

The Cole Family

2013 Annual Letter

Dear Friends,

We’ve lived in Austin, Texas for almost four years now. Wesley will finish his doctorate in chemical engineering at UT-Austin next summer. He has applied to multiple professor positions—so who knows where or what we’ll be doing in the next year! (For those interested, his work emphasizes energy systems, dynamic modeling, and optimization.) He has been able to work with the 14-and-15-year-old Boy Scouts almost the whole time we’ve been here—which means he’s enjoyed a lot of camping, weekly activities, and mentoring young men. Thankfully I’ve been able to stay home with our three darling, vocal boys, thoroughly savoring (and growing from) our daily adventures. Levi turned four this year and began speech therapy preschool. He loves it! His articulation has improved significantly just since September. Lincoln, almost three, sweetly and mischievously takes care of all of us; he’s happy as long as he has a screwdriver or a hammer nearby. Keller, 14 months, changed from a baby to a little boy quickly—eager to participate in explorations his brothers’ lead, walking, climbing, singing. We love our life.

This year exploded with excitement from the beginning. Here are some of the major highlights.

•   After almost ten years, we met up Katai, my friend from Thailand. I wondered when we last parted in high school if we’d ever see each other again; now I have more hope. The boys loved her and tried to speak Thai for a few weeks following.
• We visited the Texas Military Museum. We all loved it, especially Wesley (picture at right).
•  This summer we finally went to Austin’s famous Bat Bridge and saw the bats fly out across the river at dusk. The boys still watch for the bats when the sun sets.
• We bought a year pass to the Children’s Museum/Thinkery where we sort fake food, pretend to milk cows, throw golf balls, watch trains…
• Levi and Lincoln led the initiative to buy a “shovel for the boys.” We saved money, shopped, and purchased the perfect tool. Levi and Lincoln carried it all over The Colorado River Wildlife Reserve when we planted some trees with a group of Wesley’s colleagues (picture at left). I carried Keller who waits eagerly for his own shovel.
•  In July we piled in our trusty van for a two and a half day trip across Texas, to Boise, down to Logan, then St. George, and back home to Austin. What a blast! We loved spending time with our siblings, parents, and grandparents, reacquainting cousins, and seeing those gorgeous mountains. We even stopped briefly at BYU, parking at the little house where we lived south of campus and walking up to the Clyde Building.
• Keller surprised us by doing quite well camping—even if it rained all night and the next morning!
• A few months ago we switched to cloth diapers. We’re not going back!
•   One of my essays was published in the literary nonfiction journal Fourth Genre. It will be a long time before I write or publish for a while—but I’m pleased to have a little dream fulfilled with Fourth Genre.
• Wesley attended seven conferences in six months and worked diligently in general and specific. This semester he co-taught “Energy Technology and Policy” with his professor Dr. Edgar. All of this has confirmed that we made the right decision in coming to UT-Austin.
•  Every month we were able to attend the temple in San Antonio. We are so glad to live close to a temple where we can worship and be more united with our family.

In between the major happenings are many joyous small happenings that teach us to move forward one day at a time. We’re learning to answer the “Oh. Why?” questions—and we’re learning to think carefully before we answer. They often gather around the piano, singing, playing, leading the music. Or they turn the piano bench into a landfill, or a diving board, or a fire engine, or a hero cave. Since we don’t have a TV, Wesley introduced the boys to some media—including “Plants vs. Zombies”!—which means our imaginative play takes on exciting twists. We play soccer, tennis, football, basketball, and a few games they invent like “Ticky-tacky-toe” (no X’s or O’s involved) and “Flippy-Flop.” We terrorize the poor library staff by parading in weekly and checking out a shelf or two of books; yes, we’re the reason they recently enforced a book limit of 50. Also thanks to the library, we’ve discovered puppet shows, magnetic puzzles, story time, new music, and wonderful people.

Somehow each day melts away in meals, outside, stories, rest, school, meetings, and family time. Raising a family is really about all of us lifting each other and forgiving when mistakes inevitably occur. The days and weeks and now year are full of miracles and mayhem—we are grateful for both. The chaos and calm have increased our awareness of how much Heavenly Father cares for us and that we have worthwhile work to do.   

Happy holidays.

Wesley, Cassie, J. Levi, Lincoln, and Keller

2013 Favorite Books

Wes: The 7Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, The Lincoln Biographies by Carl Sandburg

Cassie: Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay, When Women Were Birds by Terry Tempest Williams, Bomb:            

            The Race to Build—and Steal—the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin

Boys: The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney, Trains Go by Steve Light, The Three Billy Goats Gruff (named Levi, Lincoln, and Keller with Mom acting as Troll)