Notes from May 2018-September 2018

KID NOTES

May 2018-September 2018

Me frustrated at dinner table (Ben gone, Abram and Aila lots of potty talk and Emerson threw food on floor) and Emerson says to me, “Mommy, just be happy!”

“Mom, is jack sad?” Gives him a hug

Me, “Emerson, are you tired?” “No, I’m not. I’m just happy.” Or “I don’t want to take a nap! I’m just happy!”

Me picking up Emerson with a sort of grunt, Emerson, “mom, are you heavy??”

Adam had earphones in. Emerson, “mom, does Adam have ear wax??”

Emerson pulling a string around the house and asking me to pet his puppy 

Emerson meowing and pretending he’s a kitty cat 

Emerson, after watching Jake and Daniels hockey game, “Mama, when I get bigger can I play hockey with Jake and Daniel? It will be fun. And I will fall down.!”

Home from Utah and the kids went crazy once we got inside! Everyone running around, Aila, “Mom! I forgot we had stairs and I have a whole new room!!” Then she started dancing and singing, “a whole new house...!” (We had just listened to Disney’s a whole new world in the car) Bub was so excited to see all his buddies in his crib. His two puppies, one doggie, lion, and “snoopy-dog”. They all had a blast in Utah but they were so happy and content to get in their own beds. 

Upon seeing a bulging diaper: “Emerson, are you poopy?” “No!! I’m not!” “Are you wet?” “No, I just has gas!”

Emerson, almost daily, “Mommy, do you has a baby in your belly?”

Today, Emerson, in referring to my belly, “Mommy, is your baby happy?”

It’s past midnight and tonight has me up in a whirlwind of thoughts. The fact of Ben finishing his third wee-morning-hours-Skype interview with Abu Dhabi this morning has my pregnant brain going crazy. I can’t help but feel like we are going to move there. But what about timing? I’m due with this baby in just over 3 months...the same time our lease is up on this rental home, the same time the kids will be starting school, just after Erik’s wedding and possibly soon before Mika’s wedding..? I like to plan ahead and it’s driving me crazy not knowing our plan. Today a friend gave me boxes of baby girl clothes and I’m not sure if I should keep any cold weather clothing. Abu Dhabi is...hot. But would we be bringing anything with us anyway? Or just selling all we own before moving there? But deep down I have faith that Heavenly Father will guide us and it will all work out. I have the thought that maybe a blessing in disguise from all our possessions being burned and forcing us to move 20 min across town was a little start to get us to “let go” of things and familiarity. 

Emerson: frisbee=“schmis-mee" He absolutely loved playing frisbee while camping.

So proud of the kids for trying new things today at the Wade reunion. Abram and Aila both hiked up to timp cave all by themselves and with no complaining, plus had a blast actually touring the cave. Then at the Lindon pool all three kids went down the water slide several times (first time for all of them). Emerson would immediately say, “uh do again!!” And Aila would scream, “I did it! That was so fun!!” Abram also tried the Lily pad obstacle in the deep water. They’ve had a great time at the Wade reunion. 

Aila lost her first tooth this morning! We first discovered it was loose while camping at Grover’s, and we predicted it would come out before we got home to Cali. It came out this morning while I vigorously brushed her teeth, just before we left Idaho to drive home. 

Aila is on her third nose scrape of the summer. Just when one heals, the next one occurs. 

Saw baby calves (less than a day old) at Ben's uncle's dairy in Idaho. Emerson enjoyed petting them but seemed concerned as he said about four times, “they want their mommies! Where are their mommies?” So cute that he picked up on that. 

Aila’s first ballet class. “Mom, that was so fun! It was the BEST class ever!!”

Abram and Aila had a great first day of school. Abram was a little tentative about his new teacher but after school said, “I didn’t think I’d like her but I actually do!” He was excited about the French word search puzzle they did and that he was the first to finish. He also told me on the way to school how he and his buddies always plan out their sports for the year on the first day of school. Aila was tired after but happy to show me her beautiful drawings. She told me, “I had the BEST DAY EVER!” Her cuteness in her uniform with her twisty side hair braid and rosy cheeks just melted me today. It was so cute to hear them discussing their day in the back of the van on the way home from school. Abram had all sorts of advice for Aila about friends, cubbies, French words and songs, etc. I have really loved summer vacation and not having to rush them out of the house for school. They’ve spent a lot of time together imagining and playing (along with Emerson) and I love what great friends they are. They both said they looked for each other at lunch recess but weren’t able to find each other. Abram was very specific about where he’d be so Aila can find him tomorrow. Feeling grateful! Emerson didn't want to miss out and seemed to have the need to tell lots of people in public today how big or tall he is—at the doctor, Trader Joe’s, etc...doesn’t want to be the "baby" anymore.

Aila talks about the new baby every day. She loves the name butterfly and loves to talk about where she will sleep, etc. Loves looking through the baby clothes and pointing out every detail—little bows or lace. I can’t wait to see her little face light up the first time she sees her baby sister.

Getting ready for Erik/Shannon's wedding: Aila wearing her flower girl dress, “it looks like I’m the one getting married because I’m wearing a white dress!” Then Bub comes over and holds her hand. “Aila, let’s get murr-ied!!” (clearly they have practiced getting married during imaginative play at home)

During the reception, Bub jumped up and down almost the entire time (when he wasn't on an uncle's shoulders). Had the time of his life. 

Abram, referring to the boogie board, “I wonder why they named it after a booger!”

Just finished lunch and Bub is looking very tired. But keeps saying “mom I’m just happy. I’m just always happy."  (meaning he doesn't want to take a nap)

Abram is up early every morning and usually spends time reading before we eat breakfast. This morning Emerson was up with him and so Abram read books to him, including a French one where Abram read it in French and then, without skipping a beat, translated it into English and told Emerson what it meant. So so cute. And I’m impressed how quickly he can translate. 

Abram’s French teacher is going to be gone the next two days and she designated Abram to be the translator for the class because the sub doesn’t speak very good English, and there are a couple students who are new to the school.

Aila spends nearly every waking minute crafting, coloring, or drawing. She frequently makes something (drawing or necklace, etc) for a friend at school and brings it with her the next day. This girl always has new and exciting ideas! Love to see her big brown eyes light up when she tells me about them. 

Me to all the kids: “Are you excited for the new baby?”

Abram: “no, because I wish it was a BOY! Actually yes because then I’ll have Emerson all to myself because Aila will have the baby.”

Aila: “I’m more excited than anyone else!”

Emerson: kisses and pats my belly every day, “I’m going to share my green bouncy ball with the baby!”

Aila just adores all the baby clothes and points out every little bow and heart and ruffle... 

Emerson lately has insisted on being called "Emerson" instead of Bub or Emer or "My sweet" as I sometimes call him.  So I've made a concerted effort in doing just so.  Only now, as of the last week, he insists on being called, "Emerson Finn."  He'll say, "No, I'm not Bubba!  I'm Emerson Finn!"

Today Emerson pooped and peed in his potty for the first time!!  Bribing him with gum may have helped.  He was so proud of himself.  We were too!!

Kid Notes January-April 2018, Plus Fire Links

KID NOTES January 2018-April 2018

I hung a little hook on the wall next to the play kitchen for Aila to hang her apron on. She loved it and said, “Mom, it’s feeling more like Home in here!”

Aila got a CTR ring at church today and she is ecstatic about it. She was so, so excited to be helping make dinner/set the table/etc and then Ben asked her to get diapers upstairs...she bolted up there, grabbed the diapers, ran downstairs and exclaimed, “I know what!!! I’m not superwoman, I’m C T R WOMAN!” 

Emerson and I were downstairs when I told him I was going upstairs to switch the laundry. After doing so, I came down to find him on the counter playing in the sink. He knew he wasn’t supposed to and immediately said, “no mama, go laundry!” 

After the Sister missionaries came for dinner today, Aila kept saying, “I know what I’m gonna be when I grow up! A missionary!!”

Abram reads hymns during sac mtg and softly sings. Usually Christmas hymns.

Aila—we read the words “nimble leap” in a book and now, anywhere we go, she'll say, "Mom, I'm doing a nimble leap!!" and leap her heart out.

While in Utah, Gpa Alan suggested that Abram and Aila play for Fred Tuttle across the street, who is dying from cancer.  We explained the situation to the kids and they agreed...Abram played silent night the sweetest I've ever heard, Aila sang about baby Jesus, and they recited what they know so far of The Living Christ.  I hope they remember the sweet feeling that was with us during that, with Fred weakly sitting on the couch and his angel wife, Mary, sitting next to him. 

Took brownies to Sandy next door after her dad died. She got teary and asked for a hug—Abram and Aila were too timid but luckily little Bub stepped forward, arms outreached, and willingly gave her a hug. It was so sweet. 

When Bub woke up from his nap today I walked in and said, “hello to my fuzz ball!” (Referring to his sticking straight up hair) He immediately popped up his head as if looking for something...For the next five minutes he kept asking for the fuzz ball and was really sad I couldn’t give it to him. He was finally satisfied when I let him bring a little soccer ball in the car to pick up Abram. 

Bub asks for toast with “Jammie” (jam)

Bub asked for a “headband” (bandaid)

Bub was really sad and whining in the car: “Mom ah go to Santa Rosas!!” 

Abram’s love language is a warm breakfast. Luckily for him (and all of us) we rarely have a cold breakfast, because he is the happiest clam when he wakes up to a warm breakfast, and a grouchy one when we have cold cereal.

Abram “sleeps with his bed made” so he doesn’t have to make it in the morning. 

Aila’s best friend at preschool was out of town for a week (missed 3 preschool days) so the morning before preschool when she got back, Aila said, “I wonder if her hair is longer!!”

Emerson was attached to a stuffed doggie for a few days—in the car, “mommy! He’s looking at my shirt! He’s looking at my pants!” Holding his ball and smashing it up to the dogs face, “mommy, he sees the ball!!”

Aila asked to watch Home videos today (one of the kids’ fave things on Sundays) and it broke my heart to tell her that we don’t have them anymore. Our hard drive with videos from our kids as babies and even our travels from before we had kids burned in the fire. 

Aila, after playing with the Thatcher kids during Abram's violin lesson, with the most lit-up eyes and rosy cheeks, “MOM. I had the BEST day EVER!! We had HOT salty popcorn, and then we went outside and played on the twisty swing, and then we jumped on the tramp and I jumped SO HIGH!!” I just love her enthusiasm for life. 

After mine and Abram’s bike ride date got rained out, he excitedly requested to go to the library! We both enjoyed looking at books and reading together, just us two. Of course 95% of his books were about b-ball. Then afterwards we got frozen yogurt. :)

Aila, end of piano lessons—her teacher plays a couple songs from her book and Aila dances with Pom poms or scarves. Today, Aila requested a “slow song” and she literally closed her eyes and slowly, carefully danced around the room while softly waving the scarves. At one point she leaned over to me a whispered, “Mom, a swooping ballerina...”

Had a sad reminder today of the loss of our home videos. At Abram’s violin lesson, his teacher remarked about when he first started lessons and was “yea high”....I video taped most of his lessons for that first year so I’d know how to practice with him, and unfortunately our video camera/hard drive with all of those videos burned. 

Aila, “Mom, doesn’t this sound like the most beautiful professional singer, except it’s me?” (Starts singing about flowers blooming in the grass in a high-pitched voice, while twirling.) me, “oh, Aila, it’s so beautiful!” Ben walks in the door...”daddy!! I’m the brilliant Aila-singer!” ...continues singing about butterflies and twirling around the house...

FHE tonight. Abram had the lesson and explained, with lots of detail, the plan of salvation. It was too cute how he aimed some of his teaching at Aila (knowing she didn’t understand it), and how Aila was really into it but also remarked, “this is hard!” (Especially when learning the words, celestial, terrestrial, telestial). Aila was in charge of activity and she chose to play king, queen, princess, prince, and knight. :)

Lately Emerson has been correcting everyone to call him the right name, “no, not Bub! Ehson!” (Emerson)

When Emerson gets hurt and comes to me crying or sad, “Chiss me, mama!!” (Kiss)

When Emerson is doing something he knows he’s not supposed to...I look at him and he says, “no, don’t see me, Mom!”

Every holiday or new season is a reminder of items burned.  Seasonal picture books with the kids, decor, a specific journal entry of a memory, etc...

Aila, upon finishing her craft, “oh, I just finished and it’s bea-U-ti-ful!!” I love her optimism and confidence. 

Also, “Mom, you wouldn’t ever be mean to your best friend, huh? Because it’s your BEST friend and you just LOVE each other! And do nice things for each other! Good thing me and Aria have the same best friend. Well not the same EXACT but we just love each other...she’s my best friend in the whole world.”

Knock knock jokes—Abram likes this one: “knock knock.” Who’s there? "Interrupting cow." “Interrupting cow wh—" “MOOOO!” 

Here’s Emerson’s version:

 “lock lock!” Who’s there? “Erupting-cow-sheep!” Erupting-cow-sheep who? “....moo!!”

At dinner we were talking about the new things Abram and Aila were learning in their music lessons. Emerson promptly left the table, and brought out the ukulele from the playroom. He walked over to the table and said, “mommy and daddy, watch!” And proceeded to play us a “song” on the ukulele. So so cute. Didn't want to be left out.

Aila, while coloring: “wow, this is just looking fanTAStic already!!”

New baby:

We briefly talked about names and Abram said without hesitation, “Sebastian!” (One of his soccer buddies at school) and Aila very seriously said, “Ariana”

Abram and Aila are both making plans about sitting in the back of the van together (right now it’s just Abram ;)

The night we told the kids, I lied down with Aila and she just kept smiling and beaming. It was so cute. And in between sucking her thumb, asking questions and making comments like “will the baby sleep in my room?” And “I just love babies. They’re fun to play with.” I love to watch her “mother” Emerson and can’t wait to see her with another baby in our family. 

Emerson, multiple times a day, “Mommy, Mommy, guefss what??!”

Abram and Aila both lately, “wow, that’s incredible!”

Abram, about the pregnancy, “Mom, I actually want it to be a double or a triple and all boys. And if it’s a singler, a boy.”  When he found out it was a girl, he put a blanket over his head and pouted for a good hour.  I think he's over it now though...he will be a sweet big brother (again).

For FHE we had an Easter lesson where I placed symbols of Easter in plastic eggs and the kids took turns opening them and we’d talk about what it meant. Each kid opened three eggs. Emerson was so pleased when he opened a stone (in front of the tomb), a LEGO palm branch (Palm Sunday), and a picture of the savior praying in Gethsemane. Unbeknownst to me, he put those items in the basket on a shelf in his room. Several days after that FHE, he was saying something about his legos and then he climbed up on the shelf to retrieve all the items. He was so proud! This morning again (a few days later) as we were getting ready to start watching conference, he excitedly brought his picture of Jesus down to show Ben. What a sweet, sweet boy he is!

Sometimes life before the fire seems like a different life. We are constantly saying, “before the fires” or “after the fires”

Emerson, “mama, that’s co!” (Cool)

Emerson, “I want to go to recess.”

Emerson to Ben, at a friend's party when Ben had cake on his plate, so sweetly, “can you share with Bubba?”

Emerson when I tucked him in, "I'm mama's boy!!" (We tell him a lot that he's a mama's boy...because he is.  And I don't mind a bit.  Although it might be difficult when the new baby arrives!

Just for record's sake, here a couple links about the fires:

Short Fox News interview a few days after the fires (a small FaceTime interview near the end):

http://fox13now.com/2017/10/13/utah-firefighters-headed-to-california-to-battle-wildfires/

General Conference Special on KSL: 
https://www.ksl.com/?sid=46290470

(the segment about NorCal fires with us starts at 30:20)

A sweet lady who made us a mosaic:
 https://santarosafirestormmosaics.blogspot.com/2018/

Notes from August 2017-December 2017

KID NOTES August 2017-DECEMBER 2017

Emerson: "nah" = yeah

"Obby"= Adam 

"Bah-pa"= grandpa/grandma

"Aee-yuh"= Aila 

"Ay-muh"= Abram 

"Bapple"= apple

"Wah-wo"=water 

Anytime he sees a bball hoop: "hi backa-hoo!!" (We hear this constantly in the car!)

Abram told me that "chef" at school said they picked the apples for lunch just the day before--so cool!

Abram: today we went to Stinson beach during a heat wave with some friends and borrowed boogie boards. You watched mommy and daddy boogie board and wanted to try...so you stood in knee deep water, observing and watching all the boogie boarders around you, while shivering and clutching your boogie board....once in a while, straddling the board on a wave to test it out...and then the last hour or so we were there, it just clicked. You figured it out and did it!! We were so proud of you for being brave and trying it and working so hard at it. When we walked back to the car after 7 hours at Stinson, you said, "that was the best day ever!!"

Went out for ice cream today (Labor Day) and Aila "LOOOOVED" her ice cream. "Mom, I just love it so much and I can't stop! *lick* I'm just going to keep licking and licking and licking! *lick* and I'm not going to stop--ONLY for talking!"

Aila, "daddy, you're the goodest boy story-teller in our family!!"

Aila, "mom, bub's getting SO along with me!"

Family morning at the high school track--Aila stopped running suddenly, "my cheeks are shaking!"

Emerson turned two! Two years ago today I remember walking the halls at the hospital with Ben (and my IV pole) in early labor. My OB passed us a few times and I remember her saying, "you are just glowing!" And I really felt like I was. I felt so blessed for the relatively easy pregnancy I had with Emerson (a tender mercy during a stressful time in my life) and so excited to welcome another precious child into our family. The induction and delivery went smoothly and we were so happy to have a healthy Emerson with us. And then that night was one of the most sleepless nights I've ever had. I was up with a fresh baby boy who screamed (literally) for what seemed the entire night. I was so worried he'd be a hard, fussy baby! ...but he never had another night like that and ended up being our easiest baby! So grateful for our sweet Emerson. We love him so and were so happy to celebrate him today! ️️️ 

Birthday oatmeal with "bapples" and "see-na" (apples and raisins)

Emerson, "uh pay gee-go ay-muh." Translation: “I'm playing legos with Abram."

Fire:  as we drove out of our neighborhood following Ben in his car, I told the kids we should say a prayer. Abram said, "I already said one in my mind." 

When the kids realized that everything was gone, Abram said, "well good thing we made a fort last night with all those blankets one last time!"

All of Aila's dress ups were lost in the fire. Someone from Cess's ward donated an Anna dress for her: when she saw it she literally jaw dropped and then couldn't stop beaming. This morning Abram really wanted to wear shorts but we only had pants. Today someone gave Cess sports shorts for him--his favorite. Aila had a favorite pair of Jammies lost in the fire. Today someone dropped a bag off at cess's that has the same exact pair in her size. "Coincidences"....

When looking at our possible rental home (vacant without the landlord who left us a key), Ben and I were looking at the kitchen downstairs, and the kids were just running around...when all of a sudden we hear from upstairs, “Daddeeeeeee!!! Come wipe meeee!!!" Ben and I look at each other like oh no...there's no TP.  Here we are, homeless people using random bathrooms without TP. Hahaha. No worries...we did end up finding some! Gave us a good laugh. 

Fire thoughts...Your future is as bright as your faith. Life/beauty rising out of the ashes. 

Sharing our story including God’s influence. He is involved in the details of our lives. Rebirth. No "coincidences". 

Mattress....we had been talking about getting a new one. I remember wondering how we'd get rid of our old one....check(!). 

10/27/17 

We got to sit in the third row at a special mtg with elder rasband and sister Joy Jones tonight. Elder rasbands wife spoke and sister Jones husband spoke as well. The spirit was incredible and they all brought so much of the saviors love with them. Scriptures shared: "beauty from the ashes" (Isaiah) "the lord thy God doth visit his people in their afflictions" Elder rasband shared pres monsons 3 things: tell them I love them, tell them we're praying for them, and thank those that are helping. It was an incredible meeting. Elder rasband said that just yesterday he and the rest of the 12 and first pres were in the upper room of the temple praying for us. This group was scheduled 6 months ago to be out here this weekend for the freedom of religion meeting in Sacramento tomorrow. Elder Rasband says it was not a coincidence but that he was sent to minister to us by The Prince of Peace. We got to meet sister Jones after. We hugged her and she hugged and kissed all the kids. It was really neat. It was an emotional meeting. Elder rasband was emotional as he spoke of the saviors love for us. Strong feelings I felt: the savior’s love for me individually, stronger testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and that Christ is at the head of this church, pres monson is the prophet and the apostles are true witnesses of Jesus Christ. I again felt so incredibly blessed for the wonderful friends and family we have and how they have been Christ’s hands to us throughout this and their acts of service have given us peace and hope. I felt that the peace and hope I experienced at the meeting tonight didn't just address the affliction of the fire, but other difficult trials I currently face in my life. I felt that I have the responsibility to be a light to others and share that love with others; to testify of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and how I have found true inner peace and hope only through them. I pray to remember that and do it. 

Elder rasband blessed us--"as if my hands were placed upon your heads" and said that on the darkest nights to remember that Christ is the bright morning light. 

Sister Jones talked about rebuilding homes and to remember the "true home" that we seek. She shared her recent experience of watching her son die of cancer the last three years and how after much fasting and prayer, they were able to see the blessings of his cancer and be grateful for it and see the eternal perspective. She mentioned how in councils with the brethren, they experience shock and disappointment but never fear. 

We were invited, along with all in our stake who lost homes, to have a special lunch with elder rasband and other church leaders. We got to shake hands with and hug elder rasband. We talked about how blessed we've been and have even felt guilty for so many giving to us...

He said to ben and me, "don't feel guilty. Now is the time to be the receiver (then he got emotional and he stood closer)...you will be together a long time and your time will come to be the givers." Looking into his eyes I could feel the saviors love so strongly. How grateful I am for his service. I know that he is a true disciple of Christ.  

Abram: "when I was little, I used to think everything was a painting. I would just look out the window and gaze up at the sky and just think it was a painting that someone threw up there."

I'm sitting here in the ped dentist office with Emerson while Abram and Aila get their teeth cleaned...I can hardly hear Abram but Aila is back there chatting up a storm with the hygienist! ;)

Tonight at dinner we got a 20-min explanation of what Abram has been learning about Vincent Van Gogh (pronounced the french way) in his class. Of course I showed him Cessiley's Halloween costume and he thought it was pretty cool. 🏻 

Fire: beauty for ashes; the more you give, the more you have (things we lent out to people still remained in the end), nothing we have is really ours in the first place (god gives us everything)...going through our house and seeing closets and drawers full of clothing, books, and toys that were lovingly given to us, and I’m sure sacrificed in giving to us. 

A sweet mom at Abram's school made "wellness baskets" for moms whose homes burned. So so sweet of her and others who donated to the basket....and the "Sonoma County-ness" of it is making me smile ️...lots of stress relieving teas and immune support capsules and sprays...acupuncture coupon...

So many people and businesses supporting the community. Another from this week--a lady in our stake was friends with a non-member growing up, who now lives out of state and sells Lularoe. She sent dresses and leggings to this woman in our stake to be given to LDS women specifically because she "loves the way that LDS women serve and they've inspired her and taught her how to serve" 

Aila goes to preschool at a Presbyterian church. Members of the church have given gift cards to families of the preschool who lost homes, and in addition, another Presbyterian preschool from San Jose sent cards up to our preschool. Also, a couple of french schools down in the east bay sent up toys and french books for families up here. So we now have a little shelf with french books on it. It was all organized by the french consulate. 

Oceanside--watching the peaceful waves....continuous, constant, always there, everlasting...just like the saviors love and presence in our lives. Life keeps going and happening....up to us if we will join in and ride with the waves...Watched them in conjunction with the laughter of children in the background...

Abram, in Oceanside: "I'm just so excited. We're going to have a BBQ, roast marshmallows, and go in the hot tub. I'm so excited, my heart is beating so fast!" (Then he had mika feel his beating heart) 

Yesterday I just felt like driving “home” after picking up Abram from school. Still makes my heart stop when I see it. But it felt good to get out and stand on the driveway for a minute. Felt like I was home. 

Feeling fine today. Sometimes the sad hits me at random times. I told Ben I feel like we've been on a really long vacation and I'm ready to go home and take a nap on our couch with my quilt. But overall good.

I'm so grateful for good/happy/peaceful moments that far outweigh the bad/hard. Today's violin practice: Abram played silent night the most beautifully he's ever played it. So soft and carefully and meaningfully. It brought tears to my eyes. When he finished, I said, "Abram, that was so beautiful." He said, "I loved it too." Then I hugged him for a long time. And he let me. 

Aila, while painting: sigh "someday I'm gonna be an artist. Because I'm so careful."

I’m washing dishes and Emerson comes up with a measuring tape in hand. “Uh measure Mama.” (He proceeds to measure my rear end.) I say, “how big is mama?” He replies, “Big!!” 

Aila has never seen a princess movie, yet she is obsessed with weddings lately. I blame all of her uncles ;). She came out of her room this morning in a church dress, beaming and saying she was going to her wedding reception. She then begged Abram to marry her (he wouldn’t) and so she convinced Emerson to walk down the stairs with her and then gave him a kiss on the cheek. 

When I asked Aila about her multi-yellow watercolor painting—“this was in Utah when mommy and daddy were at dinner and we looked outside and saw a beaUUtiful yellow sky!”

We were walking at the zoo and I reached down to grab bub’s hand but Abram tricked me and grabbed it...and happily held it for a few minutes. Made my day! He’s seeming so old and mature these days so I will take all the hand-holds I can get. :)