I love Utah for giving us another 3 day weekend this month.  Thank you pioneers!  We also chose this weekend to bless Owen at our church.  We had so many fun things going on, so many friend and family around, and a fantastic weekend we won’t forget!

Friday was a low key Family of Four day.  We geared ourselves up for what was to come.  We used the day to catch up on some sleep, do some shopping, and get some things done around the house.

Saturday was the beginning of the events.  We met the Mutter family at Thanksgiving Point for a visit to the dinosaur museum.  Sam loved it this time just as much as his last visit; probably even more with his personal assistants, Jenna and Ashley.  At one point, Sam took off with Jenna.  We followed after them a few minutes later, anticipating getting Samuel prepared for the erosion table.  But when we got there, he was already smocked up, and being led by the hand to play.  It was so cute.  The erosion table and dig site were by far the biggest hits of the museum.  Samuel thought it was necessary to literally dive into the sand and roll around.  Fun fun.

We left the museum early afternoon and headed home for naps, but not before stopping at El Pollo Loco for lunch.  Once boys were fed and sleeping, I raced off to Costco in prep for BBQ that evening and Sunday lunch.  Around 5, family started showing up for a night of hamburgers and fireworks.  Yep, it was our turn to play the obnoxious neighbors.  But it was so worth it.  And by 10:00 everyone, parents and kids alike, were pretty much spent for the day.

Poppers were a huge hit.  If throwing them doesn’t work, stomp on ‘em!

Sunday was the culmination of the weekend’s activities.  I was so impressed with how calm, cool, and collected I was!  When we left for church, I was totally prepared and ready to go.  Erik gave Owen a really nice blessing.  In the circle were grandpas, uncles, great uncles, cousins, and friends.  Afterwards was lunch at our house for the 27 adults and 18 kids who were all there to celebrate with us.

Some of Owen’s fan club from the weekend.  {Pretty sure Brooke is the president of said fan club.}

I remember being at home alone with Samuel one day when he was brand new.  I was telling him about his family; his cousins, grandparents, aunts, uncles, greats, mom and dad . . . so many people who loved him, many of who hadn’t even met him.  I thought of that again this weekend as so many people came to support us and our newest addition.  How blessed we are to have such an amazing family and so many great friends who we love. 

I’ve been thinking all day about how I wanted to wrap up this post.  I want to remember it all exactly the way it happened and how I felt.  There were a lot of emotions tied to the events and happenings this weekend that I wish I was better at expressing, and the only reason I feel I want to try is because this blog is my journal and my way of remembering.  I think the word that says it best is joy.  Pure Joy.  And that’s good enough for me.

It is 4:16 am.  I probably would have woken Erik up to tell him this story, but he is getting up in an hour to go golfing, so I’ll let him sleep.  But I know I won’t be going to sleep any time soon –it’s just how I am– so I will tell you the story.

Sam started coming down with a little something yesterday, so I expected a rough night to be in store.  I’ve heard him coughing several times during the night, and crying a couple times, but overall he’s been pretty ok.  About half an hour go I heard him have a little coughing fit, and then I heard him talking.  A lot.  This kid was wide awake.  He was talking about the cup of water he found in his crib — a very rare “treat” saved only for hot outside days and being sick — and about the trucks on his pants, and who knows what else.  So I went in to make sure he hadn’t thrown up or pooped or soaked himself with his treasured water.  Sam was just sitting there, leaning against the side of the crib like nothing at all was unusual.  He said to me, “Blue’s Clues, downstairs play” which means change my diaper and then I’ll be ready to go for the day.  No way, Jose!!

I did change Sam’s diaper, then we snuggled up in the glider for some quiet time.  Sam and I sing a lot.  Wheels on the Bus and Itsy Bitsy Spider are his favorites.  But Primary songs are what I sing to Sam before going to bed.  I held my sweet little angel and started singing I am a Child of God.  “I am a child of God.  And he has sent me . . . ” and Sam shouts “HERE!”  “Has given me an earthly . . .” he enthusiastically joins in again “HOME!” “with parents kind and . . . ” “DEAR!”  By now Sam had realized he was being clever, so each time he knew the word he just beamed at me with his amazingly blue eyes.  “Lead me, guide me, walk beside me.  Help me find the . . . ” “WAY!” and a little giggle.  “Teach me all that I must do to live with Him some . . . ” you guessed it, “DAAAAAY!”

I was amazed and touched by the amazing Spirit my toddler could bring into the room at 4 in the morning.  I don’t take credit for this one at all.  I bet he sings that song every Sunday with his nursery leaders.  I am so thankful for the gospel; to have it in my life and to know that it is 100% true.  I am so thankful that Samuel, at 20 months, already has it in his life.  I know my family and I are truly blessed because of the gospel, and I know that it gives us the chance to live together forever.  And for that I am so grateful because I love the gospel and I love my family, and I wouldn’t want to ever be without either one.

I can still hear Sam.  Talking about trucks.