Milestones

Caitlin now says "Ugh Ooh". I heard it the other day and I wasn't sure if it was on purpose, but she did it several times last night when she dropped things so I know she's associating it with an action. It's very cute. Steve installed tot locks on the cupboard she likes to open and empty and yesterday after her nap she went directly to the cupboard. When she couldn't open it she looked at me and screamed....and screamed. She didn't like that AT ALL. I've started putting her hair in 2 pony tails on top and it's very cute. She still pulls it out about 10 times a day, though....

Daniel is now walking around saying "Down, around; D. Up, Down, Across; A. Up, Down, Up; N. D A N I E L Daniel Layton". It's very cute. Angela's preschool is great for him. He's learning so much, and he loves it.

Kenneth is maturing. Yesterday he sat and read an entire chapter book - I'm talking like an hour. He's loving being so close to Johnathan and just wants to be near him all the time! He's looking forward to this weekend with the Webbs. He was writing in his book log that he had read Charlotte's Web, but he spelled it Charlotte's Webb. It was pretty cute.

Steve, Caitlin, Daniel and I are heading to Utah today for a mission reunion of Steve's. Kenneth is staying with the Webbs so he won't miss his first soccer game. Good luck, Kenneth! Thanks, Webbs.

We'll be back Sunday evening.

Reflections

I just read the Joneses' post and this was my comment to her:

Yes, it's amazing...truly amazing. Remember that ICU stay - and that day without your pump? Was that 5 years ago - no! It couldn't have been. How is that possible? Is it possible that it's been 3 1/2 years since that ice storm? Nooooooooooooo. Couldn't be. How can it be? Has it really been 2 1/2 years since that dreadful phone call while I was "covering" for you as basketball coach (that was a joke!) No way. Gosh, where did all the time go? We miss you guys so much. I miss being part of your lives....more than once a month or so. I'm so sorry we are separated. I love each of you so much. You each mean so much to me. I'm so glad Spencer is growing older. So glad. I'm sad that as Sophie grows older her bond with me grows weaker. I love her so much, and soon her memories of our daily triumphs and battles will fade. Such is life. I guess it's what we signed up for. I miss you, nonetheless.

I guess I'm just reflecting on how we've spent our last 9 1/2 years of marriage. It's been good...Texas was good. Las Vegas is OK - but in such a different way. It's hard to move on - to leave those you love so dearly behind. It's bitter-sweet to look back on the memories - I constanty have to say "Did we do the right thing? How could we have left (voluntarily) such a perfect life? I know Steve's job wasn't perfect, and that was the motivation for the move. There are things that are good about living here. We've been able to spend a lot more time with family - since we're so much closer. Steve is able to go help his mom a lot more, and that's a blessing....for her, for us, and for our children. We aren't too keen on the weather, though, and even as I get "settled in" here, I think - someday I'm going to leave all these good friends here. In some ways I'm jelous of the pioneers who just stay put. It would be nice to put down roots and know you're going to be some place forever. It's nice to see different places and get to know different people, too, but it's hard to leave, and hard to move on. We were very blessed with good friends in Texas....maybe that's why I'm hesitant to make "really good" friends here....because I know that will just make it harder to leave. It's so nice to have my sister here now. I hope we can always live by each other. Her kids are good for my kids, and she's good for me. I'm glad Steve has a friend, too.

Well, those are the thoughts I'm having tonight. The weather here is lovely and we went to the park again today. Kenneth had a very emotional afternoon. I strive to stay calm and not lose my temper with him, but he pushes me sometimes. He is tired. He's asleep - and it's 7:30. Actually, all 3 kids are asleep. No wonder they were so crabby. Daniel overheard me telling a telemarketer (who called at 6pm) that I was trying to get dinner together and I had crabby kids and he said "I not crabby, mom". He actually wasn't crabby right then - but Kenneth and Caitlin were...

Anyway, Steve made it home in time for a nice family dinner and that was wonderful. Now he's heading back to work....and I should work a while....so I'll sign off.

A beautiful day

Today was a lovely day in Las Vegas....the kind of day that is "payoff" for living here. I took Caitlin, Daniel & Zachary to the park this morning and we stayed for over an hour. Then, we took all the kids except Alex back later this evening. It's just a nice time in Vegas. I didn't do any cleaning today, just hung out with kids. I did sneak time to call my dear friend in Texas, Nancy, and we had a good chat. I am so pleased that she sounds so good following some serious health challenges. It seems she's on the mend, for which I am truly grateful. I miss our friends there so much, but no one more than Nancy & Debbie. It is a huge hole in our lives, not having them around.

Daniel got his first "speech therapy" of the school year today (after much ado) and I didn't see any progress. It's so hard to switch teachers, isn't it? Gosh, Mrs. Eades was so good with him and I saw marked improvement after each and every session (except the one he fell asleep in :0). This teacher is new - just did her student teaching last year, and I have a feeling she has a way to go in honing her new skill.

I bought the kids their Halloween costumes today - well, Angela bought Caitlin's and I bought the boys'. Caitlin will be a lady bug (darling outfit - thanks, Ang), and Daniel will be a Power Ranger (I need to add velcro to the belt - he's a little slim for the outfit) and Kenneth will be Darth Vadar. Kenneth is the only one who chose what he was going to be before we went to Saver's. I need to add a button to the costume, and fix one part, and buy a mask, but it's a cool costume, and it was $7.99 less 20%. So - who's complaining?

Steve got home in time to spend some time with me this evening, which was a real treat, and very well received. I'm trying to talk him into going on the family cruise this Thanksgiving. I just feel like we need a vacation together.....can you blame me? Oh, well. I guess he's got to decide for himself, eh? Kenneth overheard us discussing it, and he said he didn't like being left with a babysitter.....oh, no. How am I going to recover on this one? I've got to find someone who he'll consider it a treat to spend a weekend with, so he doesn't feel neglected. I don't blame him. I used to hate it when my mom went to Utah for a week for Education Week every year. At least this will only be 4 days.

Anyway, another day in the life of the Laytons in Las Vegas.

Reunion

Well, there's nothing like a few days apart that makes you appreciate what you have, is there?

I left Thursday for Santa Barbara to meet with my favorite client, and Steve took the kids for a couple of days. Of course, Angela kept them DURING the day Thursday and Friday... thanks, Ang.

Steve took the kids to Clovis to help out his mom...so I felt like we were doubly separated...that, combined with me not having any cell service.

I love my husband and I love my kids, and no riches on earth could make me happier than they do. I'm grateful for the role I play as wife and mother. And, I'm especially grateful that we're all safely reunited....even if we are in Las Vegas.

Cute cute cute

So, a cute thing just happened. I just brought the kids home from school, and I had to run to the restroom. Kenneth also headed to the restroom, so that left Daniel and Caitlin downstairs. Tasha was in because the bug people just came. So - I hear the baby cry and I hear Daniel say "Tasha ran into the baby" -- then I hear doors opening and closing and slamming, etc. I yell down and say "Daniel - what's going on" and he says "I'm getting the baby the "boo boo sock"". I just thought it was cute....

Then he put Tasha out.

Weekend

Well, we didn't go boating this weekend, but we did put 28.75 gallons of gas in our 26 gallon gas tank on the boat. We also turned the ignition key to see that it registered "full" - which we've never before had happen! Steve took the whole boat apart and replaced the sending unit for the gas tank! Now we can actually see how much gas we have without dismantling the back seat. What a treat! We had a great Saturday playing and working together and it was such a treat to have Steve home all day.

We got news this week. One of our dear friends, Nancy Stimach, had a pacemaker placed in her heart. This was a shock to us and our prayers are with her as she recovers from her surgery.

Life in Las Vegas

Caitlin is pointing, now. She's trying to immitate words. She's becoming very independent. Daniel can buckle his own seatbelt without help! He's growing up! Kenneth starts soccer today and he's VERY excited. He slept in his shin guards last night. :-)

Preschool

Well, Daniel had his first day of preschool today at Angela's house, and it seems he gave her a run for her money. We knew it would be tough for him to go from "playing" at Angela's to "preschool" (i.e. obeying - working WITH the group - following instructions - sitting DOWN) at Angela's, but we underestimated the initial challenge. He sat in time-out 3 times. He also spit on a little boy. We had a talk when he came home, but he's definitely having trouble making the association of "school". He still says, "But Mrs. Eades is my teacher". (She's his speech therapist from last year). Anyway, hopefully Thursday will be better, and each day a little better after that.... He will be having speech again this year - we're just waiting for the new speech therapist to get her schedule figured out.

Boating

We had another WONDERFUL - FULL day on the boat yesterday. We drove over 86 miles according to Steve's GPS. Maybe that's why we ran out of gas? :-) We literally pushed the boat onto the trailer in the pitch black at the end of the day. It was a VERY fun day, though. Angela came with us. I almost got up on a knee board - got very frustrated in the process...I was SO close! Geesh. Anyway - it was so "helpful" to have Kenneth (the know-it-all) on the boat shouting at me what I should be doing...because...he's the pro now. :) Today should be an uneventful Sabbath. If the weather holds, we may go boating again tomorrow, but a storm is supposed to be coming in, so we might be thwarted. We're looking forward to a fun day with Daddy, though.