Eat, Scream and Be Merry

Jack has started eating solid foods. He opens his mouth as we bring the spoon to his mouth and yells/squeels as it gets closer. It's like he can't open his mouth and just eat, he's got to make noise as he opens his mouth. I've discovered that if I don't let him get his sounds out first, the sounds will come out with food flying all over the place. He definitely is excited to be part of the eating experience at the dinner table now. I predict that he will not be a picky eater like his brother is. We will see.

Frosty the Snowman....bop bop bop bop

Will has been watching Frosty the Snowman, the movie, during the holiday season. He really seems to like it. He tells us that things make him all "wishy washy." He also sings the song to us. We were driving somewhere and as he sang it Randy and I got a good laugh out of it. This is Will's version of the song:

Frosty the Snowman was a happy (high pitched) jolly soul
With a pine cone something bop bop bop bop bop bop bop bop bop bawwwp

He has inherited his Dad's (and sometimes Mom's) ability to make up songs with whatever words and whatever tune that he wants to.

Will In the Window

So, we're staying at my parents house during Christmas break. Will sleeps in a bedroom at the front of the house. You can see his window as you walk up the sidewalk to the front door. So, Saturday (which was our 5th wedding anniversary, by the way) we put him down for a nap. He only had on a t-shirt and a diaper. Well, my mom came out to ask us if she knew that Will kept opening and closing his door. Randy went to check on him and put him back in his bed. When he went in there, he saw Will looking out the window, opening the curtains with two hands, and NO DIAPER ON. He was exposing himself to the entire neighborhood. It was hilarious. When Randy asked him why he didn't have his diaper on, Will said, "Yeah, I don't have my diaper on." Funny kid.

Jack Attack

He weighed 16 pounds 9 ounces and was 26 inches at his 4 month appointment. He's getting so big. He loves smiling! He can get up on his toes and hands and do "push ups." He can also scoot backwards. I think he'll be crawling really soon.

I put him on my lap the other day while we were having dinner. He just grabbed my dinner roll and put it right to his mouth. It was hilarious. I don't think he'll be a picky eater like his brother.

Will Will Will We Love Our Will

Will is so awesome! I sure love him! We go to story time in League City on Tuesdays. We've been going for over a year now. He just loves it and knows all the songs and games we do there. After it's over we color and get a stamp from the "teachers." They told me that they just love his enthusiasm.

Will likes to get "balls" from the gumball machines. He doesn't know that it's candy, though. So, I am kind of a sneaky mom. I just save a gumball in my purse and we turn the thing and out pops the same green gumball everytime. It's amazing!

We have the missionaries over for dinner sometimes. The other day he was miss pronouncing it by saying Nissionary. So, I said, "M m m m m...missionary." And he goes, "m m m m....Nissionary."

We had a snow storm, believe it or not, in Houston on Wednesday night. I happened while Will and I were at "Lizzy's Grandma's House" helping the Young Women. When we got home we went outside and threw a couple of snowballs.

Yesterday, at Target, it was really windy from that cold front. The carts were blowing all over the place. I put Will in the cart. I told him to not let the wind blow him away. I went to go and get Jack out of the car and was having some difficulties. Sure enough Will starts calling my name and saying that he's blowing away. I run over and get him. He says, "Thanks for saving me." I thought that was hilarious. He knew that I "saved" him.

My Brother Andrew

My brother, Andrew, died in a car accident on Tuesday, December 2. What a tragedy for our family! It has been very difficult. I feel that it was a tender mercy of the Lord that I was able to see him just days earlier at Gran's house on Thanksgiving. I've thought a lot about him and life and death since this has happened. I've come to the conclusion that it was simply his time to go. I don't understand why and I don't think I need to, but I have faith that the Lord knows his sheep and watches over us.

The viewing and the family prayer were difficult. When Thomas starting speaking at his funeral and told stories of his life, the atmosphere changed and everything seemed ok. I am so sad for Taylor, his daughter. I can't imagine what impact this will have on her life. I know that she has a strong and good mother, though, that will take good care of her.

I have such an incredible support system. My very best friends Emily, Angela, and Vanessa were all there and gave me such big hugs and love. What a blessed person I am! There were at least 250 that attended the funeral. What an impact Andrew's life has had on so many people!

I loved my brother! He loved me! I will be able to see him again and give him a big hug!

Grandma Merrell

My wonderful grandmother passed away on Thursday, November 16. She was 90 years old. I loved her so much. She was always so enthusiastic and optimistic. I remember that she would jokingly hold our hands and tell us to go and play. She would make such delicious meals. After every meal she would always describe every dish and declare how wonderful it all tasted.

I was able to attend the funeral in Arizona. Jack and I flew out there. Melody was also able to go. It was bitter-sweet. It was nice to see all of our cousins, aunts, and uncles. Everyone got a kick out of Jack. He was always so happy and smile-y, except in the car.

I will miss my Grandma, but I will see her again.