Nursery

I pretty much only find myself blogging when something big happens and then feel the need to catch up.  I don't have time to do it more often, but I would love to.  Here is the big event that triggered today's post:
Jude started nursery!!!  I have been having anxiety about this for a little while and for some pretty good reasons, the number one being that Jude has never had a babysitter while he was awake, until last night.  We've never had to and I hadn't really thought about it much.  He goes to bed between 6:30 and 7:30, depending on naps, etc, so we have plenty of time after he's in bed to go do whatever we want(and Hyrum is more than happy to have a new friend come and play, hahah).  So I was worried, especially because the first time we have a babysitter when he's awake it's the night before we leave him in nursery.  I was sure he was going to have abandonment issues.  I couldn't have been more wrong.  Last night he was totally fine.  He didn't cry when we left and he went right to sleep when they put him down.  In nursery there were SO many kids and not enough teachers(one was sick) and at least 5 were crying HARD, so as soon as we walk in, my heart sinks.  This isn't going to work.  I might as well pack him up and leave now.  At first he was a little stunned by the huge noise level, but then he saw the puzzles and was gone.  I actually stayed and helped for a few minutes because there weren't enough arms for all of the poor crying babes(I secretly miss being in nursery, good thing I have a daycare now).  After I calmed one little girl down enough to get her interested in the puzzles I snuck out and Jude wasn't phased at all.  I came back to take him to the bathroom, sure he'd been hit(by another babe) or missed me or something, but nope.  He saw me, smiled and kept on eating his cheese stick.  huh.  I took him to the bathroom, brought him back and he was right back into it.  I came back later to pick him up and he was more interested in getting on this zebra to ride it.  I was sooo happy.  Hyrum was the same way, most of the time he would get upset when we came to get him because he didn't want to leave.  I need to relax.  Hahaha.  I cried in primary(we teach the 11-12 year olds) because we were playing this game where one child would hide a little stuffed bear while another child waited in the hall.  When the child in the hall came back in we would sing a primary song, quietly or loudly depending on how close they were, like hot or cold.  I cried every time we played.  Hahah.  I can't stop laughing at how ridiculous that is.  I was just so proud of them and just kept thinking about them learning how to follow the spirit...I was laughing/crying because I couldn't stop myself from crying.  Hahaha.  Yikes.
Anyway, Hyrum is a super star reader, getting the hang of it more and more every day.  He loves to read.  He is the sweetest boy, too.  Both of the boys are.  Hyrum kisses my hand when either of us are feeling sad or upset and he loves Jude so much.  He's always laughing at silly things Jude does(like hiding under the bed or under a pillow).  I just love them so much.  We are such blessed and lucky parents to have two amazing boys.  Which kills me because I HAVE to better.  I have to be more patient, more soft spoken, more loving, more everything a good mom should be.  I love Art and I'm grateful that we can help each other be better(and not so weird).

I am a child of God/I wonder when he comes again, etc. posters.

You want to win this.  My good friend Aarean designed these posters of childrens songs and I am so proud of her and so excited that she is doing the giveaway.

Testimony

Today Hyrum bore his testimony at church.  He has been doing that for over a year now, but today he said it ALL on his own.  I got a little nervous because at first he started breathing really heavily into the microphone and then paused for a while.  I was standing right beside him, ready to help, if needed, but then he just plunged in.  I WISH I could remember everything he said, but it made me cry and cry.  He said he knew that Jesus gave us our bodies and that Jesus suffered for our sins and that we could go to heaven.  He said he knew that he could help other people be happy, especially when he gets bigger.  I know that he said more than that and I have been racking my brain, but nursery for a couple of hours in high heels took all my brain power.  After that he started talking about our car accident and going to the pet store, so I had to help him wrap it up(although he said he had lots more testimonies).  He is such a special boy and so are ALL children.  I am so grateful to have him and Jude and to have so many examples of what to do and what not to do around us.  This last year has been hard and I worry about him ALL the time(what parent doesn't), but it's good to know that he gets it.  I sure do love that kid.  Also, this week, while being attacked by Dad he said "NO!  For Freedom!!"  I have no idea where he got that from.  Funny boy. 

Jude is climbing up on stuff all over the place, standing up, only holding on to something with one hand, like it's no big deal, while I have a heart attack.  When did he get so old???  He says "Dad" all the time, he sure love his Daddy.  Also the difference between sick happy and normal happy is astounding.  He has been sick for so long I almost forgot that he was normally MORE happy!  How is that possible??  He is always happy even when sick, but when he is well he squeals and laughs and screams with delight all the time.  Church is noisy.  He is especially scream happy when he is tired.  It's hilarious and not a scream that grates my nerves, so we're good.  Can not WAIT to see everyone in Maine/Canada/California in a few weeks.  These boys are going to get to hang out with the coolest people ever. 

Art is taking spring classes, working and hanging out with us too.  He is amazing.  He's our handy man and he is an amazing artist.  I love the stuff he is doing right now(and always).  He is taking a glass blowing class and I am so jealous.  I love hearing about all the cool stuff they are learning.  He has so many skillz!  Summer is awesome and terrible at the same time.  We love to feel like we can hang out till after 12 every night because the sun stays up forever, but then at 6 in the morning, when Hyrum comes running in, we get a big fat slap to the face with reality(and also a few cannonballs and dives from Hyrum onto our still sleepy bodies).  It's hard to balance all we have going on.  Anyone else have that problem???

LOVE.

Sometimes I have to go to the bathroom...and this is what happened the last time.  Never again.

I said make a face like January.  bahahah.

I am going crazy.  I am packing and unpacking, sewing and knitting, gardening and waiting to garden, being a mom and getting ready for our big trips this summer, etc, etc.  We are so excited to get a big dose of family.  Mama, Walt, Mum, Daddy, Nicky, Dad, Beth, and all of our awesome siblings.  ALL of them.  So stoked.  I miss Maine and Canada and California and I am going to get my fix.  I can't wait for Jude to meet everyone and for Hyrum to see everyone again.  Hooray for people getting married.  It's the best.  Sorry for the random pictures in the middle I can't figure that out...which makes me feel old.

Art-
Working so hard.  Art's taking a crap load of credits(which is equal to 14.5 this semester), working 20 hours a week and not getting any sleep.  I don't know how he does it.  He teaches seminary occasionally for his class, does a lot of art and tries to stay close to his family.  I can't wait for school to be done.
Naomi-
packing!  It feels like we have no time to pack and the day is coming up so quickly.  We are moving to my sister Hannah's house as they have moved to Maine.  We'll be moving in by the end of the month and we have a lot of stuff to move.  Luckily I can take some stuff over periodically until the big day, so it won't be so much at once.  I am so stoked.  I am going to have a sewing/crafting room and Art will be able to have painting space.  THANK YOU Hannah and Tom. 
Trying to keep up with 2 boys is no small task, but it is SO fun.  These boys are so funny and silly and wonderful.  It's so great to hang out with them every day.   AND they love each other so much.  Hyrum gives Jude kisses all the time.  He still doesn't quite get why he poops and pees randomly(on me, or in his diaper), but he loves him just the same.  Jude squeals every time Hyrum comes close and there is lots of snuggling and smiles when you get them next to each other....Maybe I should start a new paragraph talking about them...
Hyrum-
Learning more and more everyday.  He is reading small words and picking things up so quickly.  He loves to learn and read and play.  Every time we go out or come in he walks through the little bit of snow we have left on our lawn.  If I'm slow enough he even grabs his shovel, scoops some up and throws it over his head.  There are lots of little foot prints in that little area. 
He is my big helper.  He loves to help with the dishes and the laundry and cleaning up and anything else I'll let him do.  He is just so sweet.  He says I love you and gives us all kisses and hugs ALL the time.  We love it.
Jude-
Hyrum calls him Juder or Pooter.  He is just like Hyrum, all smiles and full of snuggle.  He is getting around so fast now.  He isn't crawling, but he rolls/wriggles/rocks/etc to where he wants to get.  It's really kind of funny to watch him try to get somewhere that is just out of arms reach.  He is so cute.  He spits and grunts like he's going to poop all the time(with no poop necessary).  I love it and think it's adorable.  Sometimes his face even gets red...it's hilarious.  He just laughs and grunts/spits/etc some more.  He is eating baby food now, but so far is a very picky eater.  I've tried carrots, peas, green beans, rice cereal, oatmeal, whole wheat cereal, squash, baby food beef(he gagged until he threw up with this one), applesauce, bananas, sweet potatoes, pears and mixed cereal.  What did he like?  Sweat potatoes, pears and once(out of 8 or 9 tries) he acted like he liked mixed cereal.  Oh, well, I'll just keep feeding him random colored purees until he likes something new(or old).  Eating time is hilarious, too.  Sometimes he spits just as I get the spoon to his mouth, so whatever it is goes all over both of us and the high chair and anything else nearby.  Or as he is learning to eat solids he will almost gleek the food out.  He also, of course, makes hilarious faces when he doesn't like something or if something is a new texture, or something.  We laugh a lot.  Also bath time for both of the boys is so much fun, they never want to get out.

Well, that's pretty much it for now.  We are so sad to be leaving friends, but excited to be moving to a new place with lots of room.  Maybe I'll post pictures?  That might be a little too ambitious...

Moving

I hate moving...but it's always exciting to move somewhere new...and somewhere bigger and better.  So we are. 

Merry Christmas!!!  Happy New Year!!!  Everyone here is healthy and doing well.  Amazing.  We have some colds and I am recovering from surgeries, but all in all things are going great!  I am feeling better than I ever thought I would and my awesome relief society has 2 separate people coming over every day for two weeks to help.  We were able to spend Christmas with family and I even was awake at midnight to celebrate New Years.  Hoorah!  Art got into the next semester for the ces program(there are cuts each semester) and he got into the BFA program.  We are so proud of him.  Hyrum starts primary as a sunbeam and Jude is rolling over both ways and he is getting more and more personality every day.  Hyrum and Jude continue to love each other so much.  It's awesome.  I love my family and am so grateful for them and for my savior.  Merry Christmas(a few days late)!!!

Love,
The Morrills