Summary in Doctrine and Covenants Style
Paragraphs 1-3: Wesley’s trip to Idaho and class reunion, 4: Swimming
lessons and associated adventures 5: Special conversations with the boys 6:
Levi 7: Lincoln 8: Keller 9: Reflections on allowing growth 10: Venice is
coming, each day closer Conclusion and farewell
1 Wesley attended
his ten-year class reunion this weekend. Flying from Denver to Boise is really
slick! He left early Friday and was home in time for dinner on Saturday. Even
though he was basically gone just a bit more than a workday, his absences
always make me (and the boys!) more appreciative for all that he does. Dinner,
bath, bed, and life are just not as fun without Dad. I just don’t play
hide-and-seek as well. And he’s so attentive and enthusiastic about our daily
report—whether it be building a tower out of the couch cushions on the bed so
they could touch the ceiling, seeing a garden snake for the first time, or just
finding shoes. Wes is a fully-involved father. I don’t even dare imagining
parenting without such a happy partnership. Plus! He endures so well! The poor
man takes such good care of me even when I’m hormonal, moody, whale-like, and
whiny!
2 He enjoyed the
reunion. One of the things that impressed him as well as increased his general
feeling of hope is how many of the people there are married and having kids.
Most of the people our age that we associate with think we’re crazy to have a
family; these guys were very supportive and even excited about our fourth. Many
of them are quite successful and happy in what they do. In contrast to teen
years, the group was just happy to see each other because of the shared
commonality of high school class. They met for dinner on Friday night then at
the park with families on Saturday afternoon. They are talking about doing a
15-year reunion. Wes felt the whole experience was so great that we’ll probably
attend mine next year (not in the original plan).
3Other benefits of the Idaho trip included
being able to go to the temple with Christine and saw off some tree branches
with Chad. We all wish he could have had more time with them. They are
refreshing—and so busy doing the most important things! Wes returned loaded
with toys and jam. We’re spoiled! Wes also met with a professor he knows at BSU;
it turns out that some of Wesley’s UT research could benefit him. Fun
intersection.
4 Swimming lessons
continue! The boys are tuckered out. After swim one day, we continued
celebrating Levi’s birthday by meeting Wesley for lunch at Tanglewood Park
(near NREL). Then they all buried each other in the sand rather than running
around. By Friday (our day off from lessons) they were content to sleep in and
build towers out of couch cushions. Lincoln even napped! Levi loves swimming. I think it liberates
him. He jumps in, bombs in, plugs his nose and goes. He kicks and scoops. I don’t
know how much Lincoln likes it. He likes the water; he likes the wall. He doesn’t
really connect with the teacher (who doesn’t pay much attention in general…this
week I’ve felt nervous watching them in deeper water and wondering how long she’ll
ignore him while he dead-man floats…) Keller surprised me on the day we got in
the water. He blows bubbles, kicks, and knows what it means to use his arms
like “ice cream scoops.” His favorite thing is to kick while trying to float on
his back. All of them are entranced by the “deep pool” and the lap swimmers.
5 One of the other
fun things about swimming lessons is the conversations we have while driving.
Lincoln asked when he’d be resurrected; he doesn’t want to be whipped or be
crucified. Somehow in our teaching about Jesus, Lincoln has internalized that
when we die we’re all tortured and crucified and that it might continue after
resurrection! No wonder he’s been worried about the mean guys resurrecting him!
We clarified. Levi helped a lot. We testified of Jesus’ purpose on earth, or
Lincoln’s purpose on earth, and we all felt the Spirit. Very special. Another
time, Levi wanted to go over “how girls are made and how boys are made.” By
this, he means XX and XY chromosomes. They’re all attentive on these
explanations. Forgive me if my budding gynecologists ever share things with
your children…they’re curious, they ask questions, I answer. We’re all
comfortable and straightforward (until they start talking easily about the
process of childbirth after primary and nursery—that’s when I wonder if I
should hesitate!)
6 In our constant
hero-play, Levi told Lincoln, “I’m your side-kick, so I’m Robin!” They ran
around saving the world. (For the record, I am either Splinter or Wonder Woman.
The deal is I get to wear more clothes as Wonder Woman—both for modesty and
because there’s no room for Venice in that slice of fabric!) Because he is
five, he decided that he’s old enough to have his own library card. He eagerly
waited for Thursday, chose his card, and tied it to one of his new bags
(purchased with birthday money) which is now his library bag. He’s extremely
proud and protective. He also discovered that our library reading program cards
result in prizes. While all of them could have totally blacked out the card in
a day, I’ve tried to slow us down and make it a little more deliberate. He
still led us on a determined walk to read signs followed by a few songs and
more reading. During a rare moment of just me and Levi time, I read Levi his
birthday letter about his spiritual gift we saw during the year (hungering and
thirsting after righteousness). He wanted to look up the scripture references
and talk more about the stories of Enos and Nephi who asked questions in their
prayers. When I fell asleep, he quietly played in the other room. I woke up and
he grinned at me, “I tricked you! You fell asleep and I was quiet so Venice
could grow, grow, grow!”
7 Lincoln has
become a little teacher. He wants to show me, but especially Levi and Keller, how he does things. I often hear the
phrase, “Let me show you how…” with instructions on turning shirts right-side
out, digging holes, climbing up or over or through anything, popping balloons,
etc. He has been writing me notes and giving them to me, which is darling. He
also picks me flowers. Primarily dandelions. But also lilies from the library
flowerbeds, columbines from the neighbors, a few others I’m not sure where they
came from; but he protects them so diligently through all of his adventures
until we arrive home and he can dump them in a cup of water by the sink. Since
the flowers are for me, picking them can’t be wrong in his mind. I asked him
today if he wanted to go to preschool. In our discussion he expressed the
desire to have preschool at home (other kids might come occasionally), and he’s
really excited to be the oldest leader. I’m not sure what the best thing to do
for him is. Interacting with other kids and adults would probably be good for
him. He thinks I’m his personal gym. He spent the last ten minutes of nursery
sitting on my shoulders and head today. After he leaped on me/Venice (and she
retreated even lower if that’s possible), he kissed my tummy, gently
whispering, “It’s okay, Baby, I will kiss you at night and in the morning time.”
8 Last night
Keller kissed me all over, patted my cheek, grabbed my face, kissed my mouth
and laughed laughed laughed. When I mention that it’s almost time for Dad to
come home, he stakes out by the door saying, “Dad! Dad! Door. Door Dad.” To
pass the time he smashes the bugs that sneak through the screen. He surprises
us with his words. He has so many but prefers to use the all-purpose DA! He
quickly learned “quiche!” and “box!” among others. What we hear most is “PEN!”
and “PAPER!” He would wander around with both all day if allowed. He scribbles
on more surfaces than the other two have combined. At church today he put his
click-pen in my purse without my noticing. He screamed until he could find it.
Kind of hilarious. At Costco, our deal is that the boys can run on the empty
aisles (usually they are Ninja Turtles calling back and forth to Michelangelo,
Raphael, and Leonardo). When the big boys took off, Keller—holding about 18 samples—would
pat his strapped self and giggle, “Me too? Me too?” We went to the ward service
project yesterday a bit late. They didn’t have much direction for us, so we
cleaned all the chalk boards, sanitized doorknobs, and vacuumed. Keller found
wrappers and threw them in trash cans. He also wiped down the chalkboards. He’s
not one step behind in understanding.
9 I need to let
these kids grow up. They’re all ready to take over the world. I struggle
releasing them, I guess. Sometimes I wonder if I’m holding on so tight in an
embrace that I hold them back. They understand and are capable of so much. I
don’t have little babies anymore (at least for another few weeks). Where did
they learn to take care of each other and our family so well?
We made Buzz Lightyear helmet/wings out of boxes. And crowns
out of paper. And masks. And they can sign most of the alphabet. They can quote
scriptures. They care about missions (Royal: Lincoln often prays for you to
drive safe—however that translates into your life!). They pray for the apostles
and they love the Savior. Special, wise spirits in such wiry, energetic little
bodies.
10 Venice heads on
downwards. I’m pretty sure the dilation process has started, but I don’t have a
consistent contraction schedule. With her I actually have to sit down
sometimes. Annoying, but probably good. I had two disparate dreams this week
with the same tone and woke up thinking about packing the hospital bag. I’ve
avoided this since I don’t want to be overanxious. But the two dreams connected
to each other convinced me I better get going. If nothing else—we’re prepared!
I think she’ll be early. Maybe a few weeks, maybe a day. Maybe she’ll tease us
and be late! Hopefully early enough to meet Grandma and Grandpa Cole when they
come in July!
That’s enough!
