Annual Pumpkin Post

Well, our pumpkins are at least interesting this year. I got lazy and just drilled a bunch of holes in mine. It turned out rather pretty I think. Jacob was very traditional in his carving. Spike went totally crazy with his power tools. His looks very evil if you ask me. Here they are not necessarily in the same order in each picture. I think we were all tired this year. I had a nine and a half hour day at work, so did Spike and Jacob had just finished with basketball practice. There! That's my excuse. ;)

Annual Pumpkin Post

Well, our pumpkins are at least interesting this year. I got lazy and just drilled a bunch of holes in mine. It turned out rather pretty I think. Jacob was very traditional in his carving. Spike went totally crazy with his power tools. His looks very evil if you ask me. Here they are not necessarily in the same order in each picture. I think we were all tired this year. I had a nine and a half hour day at work, so did Spike and Jacob had just finished with basketball practice. There! That's my excuse. ;)

Busy, busy, busy!

I have been busy, oh so busy lately! The blog has been neglected. Let's play a little catch up. First, I got an email from a sister in the Garrison Creek ward where Mark is serving.  She has three little boys and her husband is in the Bishopric.  Their family fed all four, you heard me four, missionaries that are serving in their ward.  She sent me a lovely letter and a picture of the Elders.

This is the letter she sent along with the photo. (Mark is the especially handsome one on the left)

Hi Sis. Grant,

That's right I remember now Elder Grant said he has a little brother, 14 years old I think he said?  My middle son, Cade, just turned 5.  On Tuesday, the day after the Elders had come for dinner, Cade asked if the Elders were coming for dinner again that night.  He asked in particular if the tall Elder will come back.  I said, "oh, do you mean Elder Grant?".  He said, yes, Elder Grant is awesome and he is so tall!  Towards the end of the Elders visit, we like to have them share a scripture with us before they leave.  Everyone was on the couches and Cade was bothering his big brother, Caysen (10 years old).  Elder Grant said something to Cade along the lines of, "you get to sit next to me!".  Cade loved that and moved closer to Elder Grant - and that was the end of Cade bothering Caysen.  Thank goodness for Elder Grant stepping in. :)

One other thing.  I was recently released from my calling in Primary and attended the whole Relief Society meeting for the first time in several years.  Elder Grant and another companion (I didn't catch his name and I think he was transferred because I haven't seen him since) had been asked to come and share what the priesthood meant to them.  It is always touching to hear the young men/young adults (missionaries in this case) express with true sincerity their love for the gospel and the priesthood and how they have increased their appreciation for the priesthood over time and even continuing as missionaries.  Also how they are honoring the priesthood they hold. I was grateful for Elder Grant's testimony.

Thank you,

Christina 

Ah, Mark, good boy. :)

In other news, I have started to work again.  I got a job in the Cowley elementary school as a para.  I work with a little girl in the morning and then I do the computer lab in the afternoon.  Jared texted me the other day and asked if I liked my job. I told him that I am smiling most of the day so that must mean I like it.  Yes, I have missed working with little kids.  They are so silly sometimes.  I love it when I get a hug.  Today a little boy hugged me from behind as I was leaving the lunchroom.  Those surprise hugs are the best. I am working technically part time. 31.75 hours.  That seems silly to me but then they don't have to pay health benefits.  That's all right especially since I get health insurance through Spike's job.  I do get retirement and life insurance and stuff like that. It does feel weird that my time is not my own anymore.  Even when I was working at the printing business I could come and go as I pleased.  Structure is good....I guess.  A paycheck is definitely good. Especially with paying that missionary money every month.

Jacob was a little concerned about me working but for the most part I am home when he is home and I won't have to miss his games so I think we are all right. It feels good to have another purpose in life. I just need to be way, way more organized.

Life is good, we are happy.

Goodbye to our Kiddos!

We were able to enjoy Connor and Carson for two weeks.  I have to admire mothers everywhere and especially mothers of young children. I had forgotten how much gets put on hold. Jacob was such a help with Connor. He slept in the same room and quieted him down in the night. When we first got the kids, Carson got up three times in the night but by the end he was sleeping for at least six hours and only got up once a night. We have been missing being so excited when the train goes by. We miss getting a smile whenever we glance in Carson's direction.

It was nice to Jacob to not be the only child in our home. He needed to be a big brother and see things from another perspective. Here are a few pictures of our adventures together. We met Lucas and Shanae in Casper on Saturday to give them the kids back. I can't wait to see them again at thanksgiving and christmas.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

I can hardly believe that Jacob is a teenager. My goodness, how time flies! We love our Jacob. He is such a sweet boy. When I am struggling with something, he gives me a hug and then sets me straight. He sees things and situations with such clarity and maturity. We are so blessed to have him in our family.

Pics from this week.

We've had a busy week. Lucas ans Shanae were both sick so I went to Laramie to help. I couldn't stay very long so I brought the boys home with me until they feel better. We have had a fun week....not a whole lot of sleep but fun nonetheless. Here are some pictures to prove it.

Lovely Week

Jared surprised us on Tuesday by coming for a visit. We thought he was going to come but we weren't sure when he was going to get here. I called him on Monday and he said he would be here on Tuesday. I figured that he would start his trip on Tuesday, not so. He surprised us by getting he at two in the afternoon in instead of ten at night. What a nice surprise.

Jacob was thrilled! It is tough being the only one home. For this week at least he was not an only child. Jared teased and played football with him, watched one of his football games and did all those big brother things.  Jacob wanted him to stay until christmas. Too bad life gets in the way sometimes. Jacob didn't get very much sleep this past week. He wanted to stay up and spend time with Jared, I let him choose when to go to bed.mit became rather difficult to wake up in the mornings to go to school. One day he tried to get me to let him stay home. Nope. Wasn't going to happen.

Jared helped me around the house by trimming hedges and helping with the rental. It is really nice to have someone so very tall and strong especially since Spike has been recovering from surgery. We can't wait for another visit, hopefully for Thanksgiving.

Here he is taking a ride in Bob's Austin Healy. It was not necessarily a comfortable ride but it was pretty cool. Jacob is squished into the back seat that was built for a three year old child. They both enjoyed it very much. The car and the boys are pretty cool.

Photo from Sister Dold

I got some pictures sent to me from Mark's companions mother. What a sweet lady to do that. Here is my favorite.ok, here are two of my fav's. the boys in the picture are, Elder Mark Grant, Elder Peterson, Elder Dold, and Elder Booly. Mark is now the district leader.