Life With Boys

The boys are upstairs s-l-o-w-l-y working on their Saturday jobs and I hear this:

Lincoln: My teacher gave our WHOLE CLASS smarties!!!

Cooper:  That's because your class is so dumb.  They need some smarties.

Working on the Derby cars.

This morning I overheard Cooper, as he was cuddling with an under-the-weather Lincoln, say: "Lincoln!  On Friday something is going to be out by the driveway yelling, 'Lincoln! Lincoln!'."

And I laughed.

Brent is leaving town on Thursday, to attend a prep course for his Oral Surgery Part 2 Board Exam.

Brent is the one who always reminds the boys that it's their night to bring in the trash can by saying, "Do you hear that sound?  I hear something calling your name!  Do you hear it?  It's yelling, 'Cooper!  Cooper!  Bring me in!'."

While Brent has worked harder this past year than I've ever seen anyone work in my adult life, he has still had a presence with our kids.  For that, I am grateful.

Soon after our move to Texas, I was in the car with Cooper (on a Mommy and Cooper date).  I remember asking about his feelings about his Daddy, and Cooper commenting that he didn't feel super comfortable with Brent; that he didn't really KNOW his Dad very well.

Going into a surgical residency, I knew the kids would miss out on Daddy-time.  Coming out of it, I wasn't surprised to learn of Cooper's feelings.  Coop wasn't even 2 years old when Brent started his FIRST residency program.  The following year was a deployment to Afghanistan.  Cooper had just 10 months with his Dad between the deployment and SECOND residency program.

Today, their relationship is stronger.  Even with his 'regular' job, his moonlighting job, his church responsibilities, studying for part one of boards and then part two of boards, Brent has worked and sacrificed to spend time with our children.  He has played games with them.  He's taught them to work.  He's helped (or more like, they kinda'-sorta' helped him?) to build Space Derby rockets and Pinewood Derby cars.  He's taught them gospel truths from the scriptures.  He's taught them to pray.

The resiliency of Cooper, Lincoln and Mercedes in the midst of trials and drastic change has impressed and humbled me.

The sheer determination of Brent as he has clawed his way forward, an inch at a time, on the overgrown, steep, and exhausting path he's chosen for himself leaves me in awe.  Every day.

I get to be a part of this family.  How incredible is that?

Word from France

Mom sent me a quick email from the mission office once they'd arrived in Paris on Tuesday.  She must know me... of course I was concerned and relieved to get word ;).  They were told that it would likely be a full week before they were assigned somewhere, and I was worried that they'd be stuck in the office again.  

I've been checking my email religiously since then, hoping for news.  

My wish was granted today!

Dad sent this email:


Lisa,

We got our assignment to be a Branch President in Charleville-Mezieres.  This is a smaller town, 60K population, in the Ardennes of Northern France very near the Belge border.

We are in an old but OK hotel for a week while we transition with the Wilson couple who leave on the 14th.  Guess what, there are Nigerian refugees here and they make up about half of the Branch.  Branch has about 20 active members they say.  The Nigerians speak English and Mom will be teaching Institute and who knows what else in English.  It sounds like we will be busy preparing lessons and whatnot on a constant basis.  Many of the members are older, only one primary child and YM & YW are perhaps 2 or 3 max.  Without the Nigerians, the Branch would have likely been closed down.  We do have one team of young Elders here - one arrived with us.

It is cool here just now, so not having the problem we did upon arriving in Lyon.  This will be interesting and I will need to get my French going.

We love you and pray all is well with you and the family.

Love you

Dad

Mom and Dad most wanted to work with refugees, and I think they were a bit disappointed about their assignment to the Paris, France mission.  

I am so excited for them to love and assist Nigerian refugees!  And mom (who spent 23 months in France and learned nothing more than how to say thank you and ask where the "water closet" is) gets to teach in English!  I'm sure she's feeling super-blessed.  

For those who might not know, a branch president is a leader of a local congregation - a very small congregation.  

I am already dying to visit.  I'd originally planned to take Mercedes with me to France when my parents are getting ready to come home in 23 months, but I don't know if I can wait that long!  I may just need to take all three kids to visit this spring or summer ;).  

growing

3rd, 7th, and 1st.

This one is rockin' the school thing.  

Coop was the only student in the third grade 

to get a 93% on the reading portion 

of the practice STAAR test this year, 

for which he received a 

special commendation.  

After school he's all about the friends.  

He rollerblades, explores the nearby fields,

and practices soccer.

This one makes us laugh every single day.

He's becoming a strong reader and joined his

brother and sister this year in the straight A club.

He works hard but always has fun.

He's learning to be patient with a frustrating

 boy in his class at school (Carl).

Best friends (and only sometimes mortal enemies).

We love how they look out for each other.

This girl seriously has almost 100% in all of her classes.

Where did she come from?

She amazes me every day.

She's a soprano in advanced choir 

and on the swim team of her middle school.

She recently added Beehive President to

her list of extra curriculars.

They Are Always Surprising Me

I was listening to my boys talk tonight as I sat on my bed.

As they played in their room I caught a whiff of conversation:

Lincoln:  I was born in Two Thousand Twelve!

Cooper:  I was born in Two Thousand Pie!  

Lincoln, do you know what Pie is?  

It's a number between 3 and 4!

Me:  Cooper!  Where did you learn that?!!!??!

Cooper:  Uhhh.... I don't know... I just know it!

Obviously, he isn't learning his math skills from his mother.

Lincoln:  I was born in Two Thousand Boom Boom!!!

Maybe Lincoln is learning his math skills from his mother :).