4 Months

Josie had her 4 month well check today. As I suspected--she is doing well.
She now weighs 13lb 8 oz
She is 24 1/4 inches.
3 more shots, but she is being tough. We love her to pieces!

Say it Ain't So

We got to this milestone way too soon. Josie had rice cereal for the first time today. She did great. The last four months went by too quickly. My Josie is a baby now, no longer an infant. I don't know that I like that much.

Melting

I'm pretty sure that every family has one of these. You know, a worrier. We have a worrier at our house. His name is William. If Will is watching TV or playing something that has his full attention, you can be standing right next to him, practically yelling to get his attention, and you likely won't get it, until you pull out the big guns. What might those be? Just mention the word fire alarm.
Now, before I go any further, I'd like to mention that I realize that this might in fact have lingering consequences that haunt him into adulthood, but it's the only way to get the kid to listen! I could tell him 10 times in a row, getting louder and louder each time that breakfast is ready, and not so much of a twitch to let me know it registered. But, if I happen to say, "Will, I'm close to the fire alarm" panic flashes across his face, and he quickly darts his attention my way. At this time I say, "Hey, your breakfast is ready." I know that it's cruel, but it works because Will is a worrier.
Living in Wisconsin, every summer there is the threat for "severe" weather. Will takes this seriously. He watches the news coverage intently to see that we are all informed. About a week ago, he was monitoring the atmospheric pressure and dew point readings for us as any six year old would, when they flashed a graphic on the screen of the country showing the hottest regions, and mentioned that the oppressive heat was headed our way. They weren't kidding!
Will tried to warn us several times that the "hotness" was coming, but like fools, we planned several outdoor activities anyway, much to his dismay.

First, a sizzler at Miller Park to watch the Brewers play the Diamond Backs. Will was quick to point out upon our arrival that the hotness was here.

You'll notice there are only pictures of the boys and Josh. Where are Josie and me? In the first aid station with nurse Mary. No worries, we are fine, but it was one of the only air conditioned rooms in the whole joint, and I'm pretty sure Josie would have turned into an adorable puddle of sweetness had I not sought cooler air.

Next, the ward picnic. No pictures. It was sufficiently buggy, hot, sticky and rainy. Nothing screams ward unity like being huddled together getting high off of each other's bug spray fumes, and feeling desperate to be sitting closest to the citronella candles. Muskego Lakes Pride!

Finally, on Saturday Josh took the boys out for a long bike ride. It was hot. Really hot, but that didn't stop them. Strangely, Josie and I also participated in this activity but from the comfort of the air conditioned vehicle. I strategically parked at stops along the route to serve as a pit stop and possible medic should things turn sour. They all did great.

Thankfully, we survived the "hotness". Today was beautiful. All is well...until Will let's us know that it isn't.

Forever Young

May 22, 2003

Huntington Beach, CA

Josh turned 30. August 8th to be exact. Thirty is a big birthday by most people's standards. Teen years are long gone. Glorious 20's....over. BUT, my Josh is smart. Really smart. He has figured out a way to stay (or at least seem) forever young. Curious?

The trick is to never, ever, ever stop going to school. It's nearly impossible to feel or seem old if when filling out paper work at the doctor's office you write "student" on the line for occupation. It's like we are in a perpetual state of in between. Not quite young and dumb, and not quite old and stuffy. So smart! With the track we're on now, he gets to claim this for the next 4 years! 34 never felt so young.

Josh's birthday happened to land on a Sunday this year. It began with early morning meetings, frenzied church service, and then meetings/interviews after church. For his present he went to the PGA tour at Whistling Straits, but that wasn't until Monday, so he didn't even have a gift to open. He did get a raspberry cream cake, his dinner pick of chicken fajitas, and an afternoon nap with Josie, but I can tell you that none of it is sufficient to really celebrate our Josh. Taking on the roll of student for years and years is no easy task, and his burden is great! Being married to me is no easy task, although I'm trying to make it easier :) Being daddy to 3 beautiful kids is a wonderful task, yet not easy either. Serving in the bishopric- no easy task, but he does it willingly. Taking care of himself physically and spiritually seems impossible when faced with the obstacle of having to create time to do it, but do it, he does.

After writing out all that he does, thank goodness for him that he has managed to stay forever young, because no average 30 year old could do it all! We love you, Josh.

Oh My Goodness!

A mini skirt has never made chub look so good!

SIX

I can't believe he is six. We have been parents for six years, and I still don't think we know what we are doing. I'm just thankful we've all survived. Since Will was born we have lived in 5 different places, attended 6 years of college at two different schools, and have added two more people to the mix. Josh and I joke that Will is only going to know the "poor student" version of us, and miss out on the "we're finally not too poor for that" version. There is a possibility that he could be graduating high school around the same time that Josh is finishing residency, so that means that Will's dad will have never had a "real" job until then. I have a feeling that he won't think less of him, since according to Will his dad is his favorite person ever.

This picture was taken at about 7:45am. Will had already been up for nearly two hours because he was SO excited for his birthday. Unfortunately, he didn't go to bed until very late, also because he was SO excited for his birthday.

Overtired + extreme anticipation= Moments of complete ridiculousness for mommy, and a raging head ache.

Will opening his new remote control monster truck. We are taking bets on how soon they will break that one. (I give it one week)

Happy Birthday, William boy!