The Breakfast of Champions

As much as I hate to admit it, I think it may be time to cut the hair.

The Whole Family

Even though we have lived here for over a year it's still strange to me that it's possible to be with Alan's entire family, all 26 of us, for Sunday dinner. The tragic news: Alan's younger brother Steve and his family are moving to Utah in a few weeks. We will miss them so much.

So out of my league.

When faced with the dilemma of how to escape their crib, some children teach themselves how to climb out.
Other kids TAKE THEIR CRIB APART.

Ahhhh, A break from the heat.

Two weekends ago we took the boys on our ward's annual campout. Alan even left work 3 HOURS EARLY for us to be able to make it to camp before it got dark. Because who wants to set up a tent in the dark? Not me. Not that I'm involved in the setting up of the tent-that's Alan territory. Anyway, there are few things our boys love more than camping. Will has asked me every single day since we got home when we are going camping again. My favorite part- the fact that the temperature dropped to 59 degrees!! It was heavenly. And so were the gorgeous green trees (see photos)! Not so heavenly: being woken up in the middle of the night by the sound of an animal (coyote?raccoon?bear?) climbing on your car not ten feet away from your tent in an attempt to get to the bucket of chicken that your eagle scout husband left on top of said car. It was not restful nights sleep, but fun nonetheless.

House full of Orthodontists

Our friends from UCLA, Taylor and Trent, are in Tuscon for the annual Tweed Convention and they made the journey up to Phoenix to spend Sunday with us. They are both orthodontic residents that will finish their training in the next year, and are wrestling with all of the decisions that Alan and I faced not so long ago. It was so fun to have them around- thanks for coming to visit you guys. Just remember- it will all work out!

The Champ

This little man has been such a trooper. He has not complained one bit. The recovery is going great. Thank you so much for all of the prayers/calls/emails/cards/emotional support/food. Every last bit of it is so appreciated. We are so proud of our boy, and so hopeful for the outcome. We'll know in about a month how successful everything was. As of Thursday the Doctor says: So far, so good!

So worried. So sad. So calm. So hopeful.

Can you feel all of those emotions at once? Wednesday is surgery day for Alex. It will be the 3rd attempt at correcting the eye muscle issues he has had since he was about one-year old (diagnosis: strabismus). We've been through this before twice, in Dallas, with a different doctor. I'm positive we're doing the right thing by trying again. Our new surgeon comes highly recommended, I trust him and his abilities. I know we found him through divine intervention, truly we did. But the risks. The possibility of something going wrong and what that would mean for my baby. I feel this all-consuming dread about facing his recovery. Is there anything harder than watching your child suffer? Two of the longest, hardest, darkest days of my life were the last two times this sweet little boy had to go through this. I'm just so sad he has to go through it again. Despite the worries, I'm hopeful. We're all hopeful. So if you think of it, say a prayer for Alex Wednesday. He could use it.

The Hair

I'm so torn about what to do with The Hair. My mom and my sister insist that I must chop it all off, immediately. Alan is on that bandwagon, he threatened that if I don't do something soon I will come home one day and it will all be shaved off. I always thought my boys would have short cuts, but Will's hair has taken on a life of it's own. This sounds weird, but it's become a part of his personality. I just can't imagine my baby without The Hair! Mostly I'm worried that when I cut it he will look like a big boy, and that would make me cry. I know something needs to be done. We honestly can't go out in public without someone commenting on The Hair. The question: should I just trim it so it's out of his eyes and off his neck? Or should I actually make the cut? Such a dilemma.

Blurb.com

I've found the solution to the question of who I will use to print my blog. These books look exactly how I envisioned mine. (Thanks, Kerflop!)

Note to Will

Dear Will,
In the future, please note that I will not be able to take your tantrums seriously when you are wearing pink star glasses. In fact the louder you scream and yell, and the more dramatically you throw your body on the ground, the cuter you become.
Love,
Mom

Curtis Men Hard at Work

They (Alan's dad, brothers, and brother-in-law) spent Saturday wiring Alan's new office for telephone, internet, cable etc.. There are advantages to living near family!! Thanks for the help everyone.