October started off for us as usual, with Jackson’s birthday
Fortunately, this occurred at the beginning of the week and we weren’t celebrating Jackson’s birthday until Thursday. We kept it very small this year (mainly bc Taylor has never had a big party—due to the broken arm last year), just having his 3 best buddies ride the bus home with him (later joined by a neighbor). We played at home, went to hibachi, and then dropped everyone at home. Controlling five excited 7 year old boys in a restaurant (with a 4 year old and 1 year old), actually might be harder than having serving cake to 15 kids running around your house. :-)
Jackson also completed his first season of flag football. And of course, like every other sport he tries, he loved it. I was worried he might not get to touch the ball very much, because of the ‘daddy ball’ (unspoken) rule—if your dad is a coach you get to play the best positions etc—but he got to be quarterback! So, nothing but praise for the Murphy Chandler football program :-).
Soccer seasons wrapped up for the kids also, so we are enjoying a few weeks of no activities before basketball and ballet begin.
Taylor’s highlight was her performance in the annual Primary (Sunday school) program. She had a solo and nailed it. Not an ounce of fear or apprehension in this one—I hope she keeps this trait! (thanks to Uncle Jeff for capturing this!) I kind of wished somebody would have videoed, even though it’s not allowed…
And you can see me conducting--I was so happy with how well the kids did. The Spirit was strong, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it.
Grant is doing well. OBSESSED with trucks. I have considered buying earplugs for when I drive, because he says “cuck cuck cuck cuck cuck” until we see a truck, then “CUCK CUCK CUCK CUCK CUCK (kicking his legs with joy)” when we see a truck, then “cccuucckk, cccuuccckk, cccuuuccck (sobbing)” when the truck drives away.
Notice the buzzed head because of the lice. Scott only barely escaped the same fate.
And apparently it is not too cold here in October to enjoy popsicles!
Columbus Day we headed to the Children’s Museum with neighbors.
Oh and Halloween! October wouldn’t be October, with out Halloween! The kids did Trunk or Treat at church followed by Trick or Treating with neighbors after the neighborhood potluck.
Scotty is doing great. Listen to his November: Work through tomorrow, go to Hawaii (with just me!) for 9 days, work last week of the project in Dallas, ending with a week vacation for Thanksgiving! We are 2 excited people right now!! We hired a couple from church to watch the kids, so hopefully they’ll be fine…
A couple of big happenings in extended family news: 1) the lake house is complete! It is truly spectacular, perfect in every way. My parents have given their all to this house for the last year—hopefully to be enjoyed by many generations to come!
2) Jay and Angie moved back to Atlanta! It has been fun having them here, and Jackson is especially thrilled to get to see Trey so often…Here they are starting to build a tree house in our back yard.
3. Michael (Scott’s youngest brother) got a job and BCG Atlanta! Yes we are talking about Michael Douglas, who got the highly coveted associate (pre-MBA) position :-). We actually heard he got the offer before he did—it was SOO hard not to text him. He has worked so hard, and we are extremely proud of him. Hard to believe that he is going to be in the same office as Scott! There is a good chance they’ll even be on the same case at some point.
I’m doing well too. For Jackson’s birthday, it wasn’t his fault, but all kinds of money and expensive gifts came through the door from friends and family. I just started feeling like we are not giving back as much as we should, not serving our community enough. Sooo :-) the next Saturday we drove to the Mexican projects with chalk and a soccer ball and just played with the kids all afternoon. Even though we were 2 miles away, it felt like we were in a different country. It was a great experience-should have snapped a picture!
Still motivated to give back, I began the process to become a foster parent. So much need here in GA. At the initial meeting they talked about all the appointments the kids have each week: therapy, visits with parents, social worker, case manager. It would be a lot of driving. Classes start in January, so we’ll see. I definitely want to do it, but might have to wait until our kids are a little older.
Lastly, October (and April) bring General Conference—a worldwide broadcast from our church leaders. Here are 4 of my favorite quotes:
1. "Please, first doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith. We must never allow doubt to hold us prisoner and keep us from the divine love, peace, and gifts that come through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
2. "Parents today wonder if there is a safe place to raise children. There is a safe place. It is in a gospel-centered home." - Elder Boyd K. Packer
3. 'The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity.'" - Elder D. Todd Christofferson
4. “In preventing illness whenever possible, watch for the stress indicators in yourself and in others you may be able to help. As with your automobile, be alert to rising temperatures, excessive speed, or a tank low on fuel. When you face “depletion depression,” make the requisite adjustments. Fatigue is the common enemy of us all—so slow down, rest up, replenish, and refill. Physicians promise us that if we do not take time to be well, we most assuredly will take time later on to be ill."
- Elder Jeffry R. Holland
Lots of love,
TFK
