While watching tv...

The last post was lame, but I wanted to at least acknowledge that Kyler had turned one, and show off our family pictures that my friend Amber took, because I liked every thing about them (well, except maybe me). How was that for a run on sentence. Things around the Hopkinson house have been crazy, like always. I love summer, but I feel like my life goes non stop for about 90 days straight. I guess I can't complain too much, because I have been having a lot of fun. As for new adventures, we are moving for the 5th time in our married life. Cody started a new job in May, and we are in the process of building our very own home. Exciting, scary, all of that. As for kids, Camdon turned three on Saturday. We had a huge family pirate party, with a treasure hunt and all. Camdon can't stop talking about it, and that makes me think it was a slamming success. Camdon might be the sweetest, most responsible three-year-old I've ever met. He is also my best friend (he shares that title with a few choice people). Kye just started walking, and now we can't get him to stop. He is a brute, loves all things boy, and has the happiest smile you'll ever encounter. Anyway, I'm typing this from my phone while watching a very intense show with Cody (not sure why I chose this particular moment to blog, but I did), so I'm going to end it. Is anyone even reading this still?

We took family pictures for Kye's first birthday. He turned 1 on April 25. It was pretty awesome.

Enjoy.

9 Months

How was my last post about Kyler being 7 1/2 months, and this one is 9, when it seems like it has only been a few days? That just not fair. He is too little to be this old.

His newest things are waving hi, clapping, shaking his head no, mimiking the words we say, and singing. This boy LOVES to sing. He and Camdon are a regular duet. They're going to make us rich one day.

He loves eating anything and everything within reach. And, I have yet to see him full. He never stops.

He follows Camdon everywhere still. Camdon has a love/hate relationship with all the attention Kye gives him. Kyler thinks he is older, bigger, and more capable than he is; but, in all fairness, he is pretty capable for his age.

At his appointment he was 18 lbs and 28 inches (I think...). About the 25% all the way around, just like his older brother.

He loves him some pasta...

...but not the pictures I make him suffer through.

7 1/2 Months

I don't post nearly enough information about little Kyler Roy.

*He is now 7 1/2 months.
*He just started crawling about 2 weeks ago.

*He has two teeth, the second one just poked through yesterday.

*He is pretty content and laid back.

*He has the best old man grin I've ever seen.

*He is quick to laugh at almost anything and anyone.

*He loves to hug, and squeezes so tight it makes me never want to let go.

*He is a lot less clingy than his big brother, but still cries for me a lot.

*He has the fastest hands I've ever seen, so you have to be on guard.

*He could eat all day long. If anyone has food, he thinks he should too.

*He loves kids, even when they mawl him; especially his older brother.

*He sleeps from 6:30 p.m. to about 7 a.m., eats, then sleeps until 9.

*He refuses bottles and sippy cups, even when filled with sugary drinks.
*He definitely knows (and lets you know) what he likes/dislikes.
*He has the loudest, most shrill scream I have ever heard. No joke.

All in all, he has been the most perfect addition to our family. Camdon tells me every single day, "Mom, I love my baby brother." And, I do too...so very, very much.

Phone Photos

I found Rudolf.

...and Santa.

He's 7 1/2 months.

We think we'll keep him.

Reading together.

Hanging out on the couch.



And, Cody.



Costumes

Cody and Kyler were a Ventriloquist and his Dummy. Camdon was a Hobo. And,
I was Mom Jeans (SNL).

Thanks Caleb and Hayley for the picture.

Hard Day

Today was a hard day.

Camdon, who is usually a sweet and very obedient little guy, was not being himself. By 9:30 a.m., he had already been put in time-out three times (he woke up at 8:30). I was on the verge of hysteria as I sat next to his bedroom door, holding a screaming Kyler (who is another story all in his own), and listening to Camdon thrash on the other side.

When a day starts off like that, little can turn it around. I usually just have to cringe my way through it and hope the next morning things will be better. Not even lunch with my beautiful sister and hanging out with cousins cured what the horrible morning had started. I even tried to medicate with a Dr. Pepper. Its magic was lacking.

Finally bedtime came. Halle-freaking-lujah. I got him in his room and told him it was time for prayers, like I do every night. Still cringing. And, something magical happened. He didn't fight me. Instead he got on his knees, folded his arms, and said his very first unassisted bedtime prayer. As he finished, a smile (and maybe a tear) crossed my face.

The prayer did not erase the need I had for alone time and quite, but it sure reinforced why I am a stay-at-home mom; and that I do, in fact, love my children. They are beautiful, wonderful little souls that bless my life.

p.s. The other day, as I was changing Kye's diaper, Camdon ran into the room and said, 'You want to see my bum?' then mooned me. That kid.

Photo Finish

I have come to the conclusion that God loves a photo finish.

I have also come to the conclusion that I have some serious obsessive compulsive behaviors that I did not realize before.

I am a planner. I like to know...no...wait...I NEED to know, I HAVE to know what happens next. And, when I don't, I spend every waking moment trying to figure it out. I obsess, and obsess, and obsess.

Example: I almost always skip to the end of a book when it gets exciting to find out what happens. Then, calmly, I go back and read whatever is in between.

Horrible, I know.

Because of this incessancy, God always makes me wait until the very last second to answer my questions. I wiggle and squirm and fret, while he waits...and probably laughs. Then, when I'm scrambling to pick up the pieces, he releases the gates of inspiration and frees my worried mind.

Not cool.

Apparently he is trying to tell me something. You think?

Camdon Clarke

A few great things that my two-year-old said:

Every time I wipe his little potty-trained bum, "Mommy, do you want to eat my poop?"

After getting in trouble, "I still love you Mom."

Every bedtime prayer, "Heavenly Father. I thank thee. Jesus Christ, amen."

During family prayer: Cody: "We love you Heavenly Father..." Camdon: "...and Jesus too!"

Yet another prayer, "Jesus, today my bum hurt."

After scolding him for being naughty, "Oh Mom, don't be such a bawl baby."

"Mom, I have a hug?" then he ran up and spit on my shirt.

After asking him to pick up his toys, "I'll only be good for candy Mom."

I got a little upset at the Sprint worker, "Mom, you're not being patient with her."

Cody tried to put him to bed, "Mom, daddy's being naughty. He needs a time out."

While I was talking on the phone and not listening to him, "Mom, you're making me feel angry."

Payton and Camdon

I could go on...and on.
I love him.

Next

This last year in the life of the Hopkinson family has been insane. We moved. Then we moved again. And, now we're moving again. We have been through four jobs, a child, and family craziness that I can not even begin to describe. Things I never imaged would or could happen, did.

Stress and happiness have been felt at extremes that neither Cody nor I ever imagined possible.

There have been moments when I knew I could not handle anymore. Moments that made my soul ache, tremble, and cry. Moments necessary for growth and progression. Moments that showed the devil and angel inside me. And, moments full of happiness, love, and appreciation that stifled all else.

I've wondered if life was always this hard, and I just never realized it; or if the world has changed as I have aged. Maybe it's neither. Maybe it's both. And, maybe it's just me.

Why am I writing this now? After several lame posts of pictures, that even I get bored looking at? Because I really want to be good at blogging. Scratch that. I want to be good at journaling. I want to remember the good parts in life that happen each day, and even a few of the bad. I want to remember what I felt, and lived, and survived. I'm not sure I always want to share it with all of you (there are some people I would just rather not have access to this), but it is what it is.

So, here I am, waiting to see what happens next.

Fall

So far this fall we...

Rode a pony,

Played in corn,

...more than once

Went up the canyon,

and played at the park.

We drank some blood,

Then begged for some candy.

All in all, it's been a great season.

More Halloween pictures coming soon...maybe.

We went to Lake Powell



Camdon was there.



Kye was there.

Cody too.



Even a few cousins.



And, of course me.

We went on the boat.

We relaxed.

We all hand a good time hanging out.

Too bad we had to leave.

I know I am not unique in thinking my kids are the cutest ever. But, I thought I'd post some pictures from Sunday to prove it.

If only I were a better photographer.

On our way out the door for church.

Kyler taking a nap instead of going to church.

Way Back in June

We blessed Kye way back on June 5. But, like the great parents we are, we didn't take a single photo. Luckily my dad did, and he just sent me the masterpieces today.

We had A LOT of support from family and friends. We made up at least half of the Sacrament Meeting that day. I even had an old lady chew me out because our family took their regular seats. ha.

We had so many people, in fact, that I totally underestimated the amount of treats we needed...and drinks (but they were technically not my responsibility); which was bad since it was late in the day on a Fast Sunday, and it was roasting hot outside.

Then, a bunch of old people took the tables at the park that we were going to use. Dumb old people. So, I sort of felt like it was a disaster.

Fortunately everyone there loved us so much that they stayed and showed their support anyway. And, most importantly, Kye received a very special little blessing that Cody performed. It made me tear up a bit; not like its that hard to do anymore.

Next go around I promise I will be better prepared.

And Kye, we love you. You are a special little boy. You have won my heart over, and over again. I will be forever grateful to have you in my life.

A Question...

Do you think they look a like?


Kye at 10 weeks



Camdon at 14 weeks