Family Updates

Liam is getting so big! He is 13 months and taking more and more steps each day. He will walk forever if you put a donut in front of him. Haha. He also says plenty of "os, ah, ts, etc,"Liam is such a sweet boy. He just got over a sickness that made him want to just cuddle all the time. This is very unusual for either of my boys to cuddle. I enjoyed every minute of it. He just started to go down the stairs backwards and get off of couches. He still loves popcorn, but refuses to eat eggs. He signs more, and understand the signs all done and drink, but doesn't do them. I've learned that I don't teach him communication for a milestone anymore, I teach him so that he ceases to cry when he wants something and will tell me instead. Liam is definitely a mamas boy, but gets SO excited to see daddy. He is good for other people and is just a joy all around. I love my alone time with him everyday, during Troy's nap/quiet time. Liam has a killer smile that I think will be his best feature all of his life.

Troy is turning me into a more experienced mommy. Haha. Sometimes I feel like he is the best kid in the world, and other times I feel like he is trying to see when my breaking point is. Troy is doing amazing with his letters and sounds, but is still lagging on speech. It's frustrating, but I know that he will speak normally eventually. I'm not super frustrated because he IS improving. He has been doing SO much better and he doesn't cry nearly as much as he used to. I can tell that he already is and will continue to be the best big brother. Troy is always looking out for Liam. I think that Troy is really sweet and wants to do the right thing for me, but he just wants to be able to make his own choices. I'm getting better at learning how to give him more of his own choices. As I said, I'm learning how to be better mommy through Troy. Sidenote = every time Troy gets sick, he throws up. I feel so bad for him! He is actually a wonderful sick kid. You can't really tell that he is sick, other than he has to throw up a few times before he gets better. He got croup this last week, and is now just getting over it. Brittany came and watched the kids on Sunday so that we could do our callings.

Ben has gone on two winter camp outs with the scouts. Our scout leader is very zealous, and they meet very often, two or three times a week for different things. I've learned that I just have to come up with different things that I look forward to while he is gone. Otherwise, I get less supportive. Ben is playing lots of basketball, doing better at his civil engineering job, and making our two boys happy. We've also been following more politics. Ben is good at being open minded and analyzing.

I am busy with my sweet boys, my callings, and piano. I am having my first recital coming up the first week in April. There are not many students to play, but it will still be fun! I've ordered another teaching book and I'm excited to read it. Something else fun, I had a girls night with Rachel the other night, and it was so needed. She is so fun to be with! I get to accompany her at her recital in a couple of weeks. I'm excited to hear her play (cello.)

I am learning a lot more patience, although sometimes it feels like I just keep failing at the task. I went to the Andersen Women Legacy Conference, and I felt less alone as a mother. Like, all of these other women were dealing with similar things, worries, insecurities, failures, and determination to do better. I felt a greater need to teach my children about the gospel, obedience, music, work, and love. And yet, it wasn't burdening. I just felt a little bit more energized to do better and that I had some tools to help me do it.