So Proud of These Boys in My Life!

Boy #1 : Thomas
This past week was Parent/Teacher Conference. It is always fun to see what he has been working on in school. His teacher had nothing, but good things to say about Thomas. He is getting straight A's and he is very well behaved in class. He is constantly coming home from school showing us a treat he got because he and maybe another student were the only ones behaving or listening. As we were finishing up the conference, the Teacher asked us if Thomas told us that he had been Student of the Month in August? "uh, no. He did not mention this!" wonderful surprise :) She let us know he would be given his award on Friday at a school assembly. Last year at his first Parent/Teacher Conference his teacher told me how much she had wanted to give Thomas Student of the Month, but because he missed two weeks (we were in Phx) she didn't feel like she should. (she gave it to him later in the year :))  I am so proud of his hard work and the example he sets for the other students. They all love him!

Boy #2: Damond 

The same night that Thomas got his award, Damond was also receiving an award. 

Damond was inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. 

The Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) honors medical students, residents, role-model physician teachers and other exemplars recognized for “demonstrated excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion and dedication to service.” 

There are over 300 students in Damond's class. Only 33 students were selected for this. 10%! 

The ceremony was so nice! They shared a little summary on why each student was selected. Damond is so humble and never sees what others do. I was happy to hear others recognize what a great physician he will be someday :)They said he "exemplifies all that a physician is meant to be."  I also expected to hear them tell about the time he sang Johnny Cash with a lady, because it helped calm her down :)  but they didn't.  ;) 

It was a fun way to start the beginning of 4th year :)

Boy #3 Alex

We love Alex's teacher Mrs. Morris. Thomas had her and we were thrilled to find out Alex would have her, too! She is amazing! It is always so cute to see how the kids will act during the first Parent /Teacher Conference. You could tell Alex was a little nervous/shy about the whole thing, but he had no reason. He is doing so well in school! He works hard and is also well-behaved. He continues to love school and it is fun to feel his enthusiasm at the end of each day :) 

Last week, the boys were eating popcorn. Alex showed me a kernal and eclaimed, "he was going to  plant it so we could have a Popcorn Tree!" :-)  I am glad that he continues to be my sweet little boy

even though he is a "cool school kid" now :) 

Boy #4 Jacob

I am loving spending one on one time with Jacob. We are having a blast going to parks and playdates to the museum and orchard. It is fun to stay home with him and watch him learn and grow. He is growing so fast and I am trying to soak it all in. I love that he comes up to me many times throughout the day to love me and snuggle with me :) He is so fun!
One thing EVERYONE says about this boy (even complete strangers) "whoa! That boy has got quite an arm!" People have been saying this forever. I see a future quarterback ;)  and he has really good aim. He even has the correct form and stance.He loves to throw anything that can be thrown! inlcuding a REALLY hard sippy cup directly at my forehead when I wasn't paying attention :( He has his older brother's in fear of his arm. They start yelling, "Mom, jacob is throwing things!" They have been victims of his die cast car throwing abilities. :(

Future Peyton Manning :)

I sure love this rascal!

My favorite boys! 

ps. not trying to brag, just documenting :)

4th Year?!

Usually, when I say we are in 4th year, it first comes out as, "4th year! yeah!" with a big smile on my face. But then it is immediately followed by the, "4th year? what? where has the time gone?" kind of feeling.
A couple of months ago, Damond and I had this "discussion" about which year thus far had been the hardest.    Don't get me wrong the whole road has been long and hard, but for me this past year was the hardest.
Damond's studying might have lightened up a bit, and it really just feels like a bit, but for him I think he just meant he wasn't as stressed out this last year. For me, I don't think i have really caught up since having Jacob. In reality this might not make sense to anyone but myself, but as I told Damond, I know what I feel.
I feel like I have been in such a funk for so long. I stopped running, really any kind of exercise. I haven't kept any kind of family record. Even just taking pictures which I love doing, is non-existent. Time to keep up with family and friends has also been slim :(
Anyways, I decided that things needed to change. Thomas and Alex are both in school all day long and it is helping me feel not so busy. The kids are growing so fast and this time in our life is rushing past us. A whole year has gone by without any documentation of the things we have experienced, what the children have said, how we have grown. A friend of mine has this on her blog and I love it! "You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh your memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience." 
-Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006 

I want to be able to look back and read about this time in our life. I want the boys to be able to read about this time in their life and maybe even future grandchildren ;-) 

Obviously, if life gets really busy again, it may not happen, but I am going to try. :) 

Just over 3 years ago at the White Coat Ceremony

Oh, how we have grown since then. 

In many ways!

I can barely hold Thomas anymore, he is almost as tall as me! 

Jacob is almost the age of Alex in this picture. 

We made it!

This is how we all feel... exhausted and just wanting to be close to Dad. 

Damond finished up his hardest rotation of 4th year yesterday. 

He was in the ICU, putting in almost 80 hrs/week, only to come home 

and study as much as he could to prepare for the exam at the end. 

The last week of the rotation he worked the night shift. 

He would leave for work no later than 5:00 pm. 

Drive 40 min to get to work

Work until 745 the following morning. 

Drive another 40 min. to get home. 

Say hi to the boys and me

Sleep from 845 to 200.

Study until 430. 

Repeat. x6

He had one day off. the day before the test, which he spent studying. 

Then he went to Mutual. 

We went with him, so we could at least spend time with him in the car. 

There is a possibility that next year could be like this ALL YEAR LONG!

I may not make it!!! 

:)

After working all Saturday night, 

he came home and had a YM Presidency Mtg from 9-10:15

left for another mtg at church @ 11:00

Was a zombie at church :) 

then we had the Home Teachers over. 

Needless to say

 we all crashed (just like the picture above)! :)

Today felt just as busy as any other day,

 but I got a 2 mile run in

we were able to have FHE 

and Damond will be sleeping next to me tonight :)

(I, also, averaged about 5 hrs of sleep with him gone)