Merek n' Dary: October 2016

This year Derek is in his 3rd year at Dental school! I can't even believe we're half way done! Derek is now in the clinic and working on real patients rather than a fake dummy. He LOVES it! He's so happy and so excited for his future. It's awesome that he's found something he's so passionate about. I also love 3rd year because it means way less studying and more time spending time together as a family! It really has been a dream compared to the past 2 years. We've been able to do fun things in the evening and on the weekends with Derek and are loving every minute of it!

Derek at school the day they did laughing gas. HAHA!

Our dental friend Jared was the lucky one who got to learn to do laughing gas on Derek

My kids are at such fun but busy stages. They are constantly in the middle of everything, and are little balls of energy. They are both going through some hard core independence phases. It's awesome and hard all at the same time. Levi's new thing is getting dressed all by himself. This is awesome because I can tell him to get his pajamas on or his clothes on for the day while I help Krew. However... along with this independence comes a lot of giving directions on my end. "Levi go put your clothes on. Please put your clothes on. It's time to get dressed. Ok, please stop what you're doing and get dressed. I will have to take your toy if you don't listen. Levi, Levi Levi...." Etc. etc. You get the point. Along with following direction comes the fun joys of never knowing what Levi will want to wear for the day. It usually consists of a pair of plaid shorts with a striped shirt. Clashing colors such as red with orange, or a pair of high water pants that don't fit well.... Not to mention it's still 90 degrees outside so pants are not really an option at this point. Once Levi has gotten himself dressed comes the debate of whether or not it's worth talking him into wearing something that matches or just embracing his independence skills and the fact that he got himself dressed without any prompting. Levi is also my social kid. He talks non stop and LOVES playing with friends. He loves making people laugh and being the center of attention. I feel in my near future I will be dealing with raising the class clown. He has been proposed to by 4 girls, and kissed by several. He's kind of a ladies man.... so again, my near future is a little frightening. Levi is such a sweet kid and has a sensitive heart. He makes friends anywhere he goes and reaches out to the kids who no one else is playing with. He really is such a good sweet kid.

Such a stud (Photo cred: Julianna Earl)

Handsome young man behaving in church

Levi dressed himself with some clashing patterns haha

Just 2 weeks ago Krew suddenly is bursting with words. Before I would ask him to say something and he would tell me no. Now Krew doesn't stop talking! He labels all his animals by the sound they make. (Bawk bawk, quack quack, woof woof,) etc. It's kind of adorable. My favorite words he says right now are, Ewww, bye (Buuiii), and a whale. Krew has a green shirt with a whale on it. Anytime I put it on him he points to his belly and says, "a whaaaaalllle", all day long. It's hilarious, and believe it or not it never gets old. He is very expressional and makes the funniest faces. He is so so busy and never stops moving. But at the same time he's still an amazing cuddle bug when he wants to be. He started nursery a few weeks ago and is doing awesome. Krew also loves making us laugh, and by the way he has a killer smile. He squints his eyes tight and has one dimple. Anytime he laughs I just stop to stare at that little face. Krew is so busy, can be a bit whiny, but is such a sweet gentle guy. He melts me and dang the boy knows how to get what he wants. He is so sweet.... but don't be completely fooled. He has a feisty side which he uses when things don't go quite his way. I remember sending Levi to nursery worried about him getting hurt. I sent Krew to nursery knowing that the kid can defend himself and get what he wants. Krew makes me laugh daily, but also keeps me on my toes.

Handsome young man behaving in church (Or I mean a staged picture to make it look like he was behaving)

I'm pretty lucky to have all 3 of these boys in my life. They're the best! And as for me.... I meal planned for the first time in a long time so that was a big deal. Haha. I have been busy with my church calling, and have had some fun times with my family and friends. I have some awesome friends down here... and I'm sad I don't have pictures of all of them, but I have had some fun girls nights recently. And not to mention the fun play dates that aren't only for the kiddos but for us mommies too. We seriously have so much support down here in Arizona being so far from home. Everyone of my friends are in similar situations with their husbands being in school or rotations. I learn so much from my friends about how to be better. I am in a couple of book clubs which is always fun. Books and friends... what is a better combo? Also on Saturday mornings a group of us girls rotate teaching dance to each other. It's been so much fun. So far I've learned a clogging routine, bollywood dance, musical theatre routine, a ballet combo, and I taught a jazz dance. It's so fun to be able to learn different genres as well as keep up on some of my skills. There are always fun social things going on down here and I love being around friends and staying busy.