Sunday Best

Today our ward enjoyed the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program. It is truly one of my favorite Sundays of the year. During the Primary Program the children (ages 3 through 12) are responsible for our main worship service. Each child is assigned a part, and the presentation is always touching, charming and often times amusing.

I have to chuckle at the different attitudes that the Marshman boys take concerning the Primary Program. Several weeks ago, when the practices for the program began Adam rushed to find me right after church and told me with audible concern with his voice, "Mom! You won't be able to see me in the program if you don't move your seat on the program day!! I am on the other side of the room from where we always sit!!" I assured him we would move to a point in the chapel where his Dad and I could see all three of our boys.

Adam gasped with rising fear in his voice, "That will be impossible!!" I assured him that we could figure it out...

Evan said shrugging nonchalantly, "You'll never see me...I'm behind the organ." His tone sounded as though he was totally unconcerned.

Then I asked Brian where he would be sitting during the Primary Program and he looked at me blankly and said,

"The what?"

You see...very different attitudes.

The program was as charming as always, and Mike and I were able to sit strategically so that all three of our boys were visible to us. Mike and I are awesome like that. Sweet Adam need not have feared.

We did have to chuckle to ourselves at how differently our boys behave during the actual program.

Evan was calm, cool and collected. He didn't even blush when the much taller young man that spoke before him pushed the microphone waaaaay down so that our, *ahem* much less tall Evan , could use it right at the correct level.

I whispered to Mike that poor Adam looked like he was about to be executed. When his Primary class lined up to take turns at the microphone Mike got him to smile weakly by holding his fists up in the, "fisticuffs" position as if to say, "Go get 'em champ". Adam's stage fright was clearly visible and his cheeks and ears were red (which I found totally endearing) as he spoke. I was so happy for him that he made it through and did such a great job. He seemed to calm immediately after his turn at the microphone was over.

Brian seemed totally unconcerned that he was sitting up on the stage, and did not let the potential for hundreds of eyes to be looking at him at any given moment deter him from wriggling in his seat. At one point his shoes were visible due to some very vigorous upward leg swinging but...don't worry...I was able to lovingly glare him into taking a more reverent seated position. He did a fine job during his time at the microphone and I found his heavy nose breathing between every few words endearing as well.

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I know that I used humor when I described the events of Sacrament Meeting today... but the tears of gratitude that came as I listened to all of those sweet children of God take part in the program, makes me so grateful for my membership in His church and that all of our children are

learning the truths of gospel so young.

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October 2008 Evan (11 years and 3 months old) Adam (8 years and 3 months old) and Brian (5 years and 5 months old)

A Touch of Pink

We just wanted to wish my little brother John, his wonderful wife Amy, and their four adorable sons Taylor, Jonas, Mason and Sullivan a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS on the birth of their beautiful baby daughter, and sister...

Carrington Lynn Schwartz

Born October 17th, 2008

7 pounds and 1 ounce

and 20 and 3/4 inches long.

I have been wanting to post about this for a little while now, but I wanted to wait until John and Amy had a chance to post about it on their blog first. As I told Amy on the phone...I didn't want my post to be any kind of a copyright infringement. I assured her that I fully understood that she and John owned all of the copyrights to sweet Carrington.

Proud big brothers (Left to Right: Taylor, Sullivan, Mason and Jonas)

Daddy is already, totally smitten...and get this...HE GOT TO DELIVER HER. (John is in medical school and John and Amy also have a great working relationship with their OBGYN.)

Look at that angel face...*sigh*....baby love....

And will you look at all of that thick and luxurious hair!!! It won't be long Amy, until you can make use of amazing blogs like this one.


Evidently, the first words out of John's mouth after he delivered Carrington were,
"It's still a girl!!
You see...when Amy was pregnant with their 4th child she was told in an initial ultrasound, done by the OBGYN during a Friday appointment, that he was 98% sure she was carrying a girl. This news was, of course, exciting because, though they would have been thrilled with another son, it was exciting to add a touch of pink to the family.
The whole family was very excited for them. 98% chance of a girl was pretty certain, right? Over the weekend, Mike jokingly said at a family dinner to John,
"Well, I hope that last 2% isn't a peni$!" Everyone chuckled...that Mike...he is such a jokester...such a card...

It was so funny... until Monday afternoon when Amy had her official ultrasound with the technician on the 4-D ultrasound machine. The Monday ultrasound revealed that the last 2% was indeed, a peni$.
Mike and I felt so badly...especially because I had told several people about Mike's, "hilarious" comment over the weekend.

So, you can see why John and Amy were thrilled that Carrington was, "Still a girl!"
We love you guys so, so, much and are so happy for you. I can't wait to kidnap hold your sweet baby girl!

Anyone?

Does anyone else have to deal with this sort of behavior on. a. daily. basis? Is it a common occurrence in your home to hear the father of your children yell, "Ohhhhh, it's on now...and there's gonna be pain!" as your 3 thrilled children dogpile him happily? On your way to the kitchen, do you have to step over a mass of flailing body parts as you exit the family room? Are several of the lamps in your home crooked because they were somehow knocked over during a raucous display of hand to hand combat?

(Above is an example of Mike's specialty: The Inhumane Tickle)






I was just curious.

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October 2008: Evan (11 years and 3 months old), Adam (8 years and 3 months old) and Brian (5 years and 5 months old)

The Earth is About to Be Destroyed (Just Wanted to Give Everyone a Heads-Up)

Sometimes members of my little family forget to put recyclables in the recycling bin and put them in the *gasp* regular trash can. When I discover such transgressions I usually try to make a joke, saying something along the lines of:

"Who is thwarting my efforts to save the world again?"

or

"Shame on someone! I am trying to save the world here, family!"

The other day I found an empty gallon milk jug teetering on the top of the regular trash. I held it up and said loudly enough for everyone to hear...

"Who is trying to destroy the earth?"

Mike responded quietly, "Oh...sorry...that was me...I was...", but before Mike could finish Brian piped up cheerily with an ear to ear mischievous grin...

"Me, Mom. I'm trying to stroy the earth."

From the look of your bedroom floor lately, I can honestly say I suspected as much, son. I. suspected. as. much.

Brian (October 2008) 5 years and 5 months old