The Latest

I think it is time for a more a more detailed update of my family.

SpencerWake up, study, teach class, go to class, study, play with family, watch college football highlights, study, sleep.

He has an office (which I call his apartment) in the basement where he can shut the door and have some quiet to focus his easily-distracted mind on school. I keep his mini-fridge well stocked with snacks and juice and an occasional RC Cola for late nights.

His class mates are amazed that he can keep up in such a strenuous program with a family and a home to take care of. They are jealous that someone packs him a lunch and makes him dinner. He is the boy scout master/deacon leader too.

His classmates are a colorful group (in a personality way). They have daily political debates and Spencer comes home exhausted from hearing them argue. Unlike Idaho, here he finds himself in many minorities: Married, Father, Mormon, Republican, etc.

But who cares. Yesterday he came home with a 98% on his first big paper. The best in his class! It is hanging on the fridge if you don't believe me.

GrantEarly in the morning, we hear Grant grunting and panting up the stairs to our room, dragging his blankie and that ugly teletubbie doll. He comes to Spencer's side of the bed and perfectly pronounces (in a whiny voice), "Dad-dy, I want watch Backyardigans downstairs some cereal."

If it is too early, he falls asleep between us. Henry ends up there too. I forgot what deep-sleep feels like. It became a fond memory after I had Grant. Along with long showers and sleeping in.

Go ahead and send out a rescue team the day Grant stops taking a nap.

The rest of the day he goes about his full-time job: bouncing around the house making messes. After a mess is made, he stands over it and says, "I make-a mess!" and I say, "Please don't make a mess." and he says, "Why?" and I say, "Because it makes mommy tired." So now when he makes a mess he says, "Mommy tired?" and I say, "Yes."

When he is grumpy or bossy, I leave the room and allow his mood to change. He is ALWAYS so quick to say he is sorry and give me a big, soft hug and slowly says, "Sorry, Mommy. Me gruchy." Who does that?

Whenever there is a choice between toys, he always chooses the ball. He begs me to play ping pong, soccer, or football. His favorite game: I throw the football to him, he doesn't catch it, he runs swiftly to the hallway and dives on the floor saying, "touch-down!"

Tools are always a winner for entertaining Grant. He has plastic tools but he knows better. Daddy's are cooler, heavier, and actually do stuff. I catch him using a screw driver on all the hardware all over the house.

It is so cool to see my kids fall in love with each other. Sometimes when we are driving down the road, I'll hear them cracking up at one another like they have a secret or they are making fun of me. As soon and Henry wakes up, I pick him up and he turns and squirms to find Grant in the room. Grant makes him laugh harder than anyone just with a smile.

Grant just made a mess. More tomorrow...