It has been a GREAT Fall so far!
The school year has started off well for me, it has been good to be back in the classroom. This is the first fall in many many years (around 20) that I have
not spent a lot of time on or around a v-ball court either playing or
coaching. It was a difficult decision to make to not coach this fall
but one I am thankful I did. I feel like our family has been very well
balanced. Josh is plugging away with all the crop insurance and still enjoying it. Brendan was so excited to return to Stacey's. He loves spending time with "his boys" (the kindergarten boys he is at Stacey's with). He loves going each day and picking them up at the bus garage. Brendan loves riding his big wheel bike around the neighborhood and thinks it is fun to scare me by flying down the hill...of course giggling all the time. He continues to be the most joyfilled kid ever. He doesn't complain about much. He just got another tooth/molar in and we had no idea until after it was fully in because he didn't whine about it at all. He is growing up. He no longer sits in a high-chair, he doesn't like to be in the stroller, he now sleeps in a big boy bed, and he is beginning to work on potty training. If we tell him we will do something later we frequently here the response "I want to do it now please", or if we tell him we will do it tomorrow he says, "I want to do it this day". He is also learning to say "please" in a begging tone..."pleeeaase". He is still obsessed with cars, trucks, and tractors. And he is becoming a really good counter, he can count to 25.
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| Washing his car with Dad |
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| Brother LOVE!! |
Evan is growing up as fast as his little body will let him. We are quickly finding he is our little adventurous explorer. He is on the move and goes everywhere in our house by army crawl. He has been found heading out the screen door, pulling over lamps, getting into plants, heading down the stairs, crawling down the hall. He loves to follow his brother everywhere and also play with all of Brendan's toys (this has led to some new problems in the Smart house). Evan is a great eater, and loves to talk. He continues to be our boy who lives in the extremes. He is either the happiest baby ever or the most miserable. His smile draws peoples attention. He loves to connect with people one on one. It has been fun to begin to see the gifts God has given him.
We have gotten to do some really fun things. As Evan gets older it is becoming easier and easier to go out and do more and more things. We were able to take Brendan and Evan to the Palouse Empire Fair and Brendan to the Latah County Fair. Brendan loved riding on the rides at both fairs and loved getting to see all the animals.
Josh's Mom was able to come and spend a few days with us. Brendan loved having Grammy here. We were able to go up to take in the WSU pre-game football events, shop a little (Grammy spoiled the boys with some really cute new outfits), and we were able to share what our life looks like here in Pullman.
Josh's Mom was really gracious to stay with Brendan and Evan so that Josh and I could go up to Courd'A'lene and be at an awards program where my Dad was awarded a very special lifetime achievement award. Jenni and Justin drove over from Missoula and Josh and I drove up from Pullman to surprise my Dad. I have only seen my Dad surprised maybe one other time, it was priceless and awesome to be there. I am so proud of my Dad!! After the awards program Jenni and Justin and Josh and I joined my parents on a sunset cruise on the lake. It was very special to be there and see my Dad honored.
Needless to say...LIFE IS GOOD!!
