Puddles

They love rainstorms, puddles, and just being together.  I'm so glad our kiddos are friends.

My Superhero

"Bracken, you need to get your pajamas on and brush your teeth before your babysitter gets here."

He ran off to get ready for the night.  After a while I realized it was very quiet in the bathroom.  I went to investigate and found a Superhero in sunglasses and cape, who smelled like his dad's cologne, styling his hair with a generous amount of gel.  "Whoo-hoo-hoo! I look cool, huh mom?! I'm gonna protect you and Chandra from the bad guys."

Totally made my night!

Her Typical Expression

The Hard Questions

Bracken had two blankets that he got when he was a baby that he became very attached to.  He would hold the silky tags up to his nose or lips to fall asleep. When he was two they fell apart and I gave him similar blankets to replace them, but he cried during the night for his tags, so I ripped the tags off the old blankets and sewed them onto the new Light Blue and Dark Blue.  They've gone pretty much everywhere with him.

Excerpt from Bracken't Journal:

May 21, 2012 -- "I like my blanket 'Light Blue' a lot...I lost Light Blue one day and I cried a lot.  I said a prayer we'd find it. My Daddy came home and looked for it in the darkness at SUU. I was so glad he found it.  It was cold when he found it."

The morning after Brian found 'Light Blue' Bracken told me, "Look Mom! I asked Heavenly Father to help me find Light Blue and He did! He answered my prayer!"  It was a pretty special day.

Fast forward.  Bracken lost Light Blue again...but it's been over a month and we haven't found it.  Last night he was especially sad and had big tears.  "Mom, I'm just thinking about Light Blue.  Let's say a prayer that Daddy will find it." He asked Heavenly Father to help him find his blankets, then I helped him ask for comfort and understanding too. A few minutes later after I finished singing to him he said, "Heavenly Father put a light on in my heart."

I thought things were all better, but this afternoon Bracken was sad about something and he cried to Brian, "I'm feeling sad, why didn't Heavenly Father find Light Blue for me when I asked him?" I don't remember exactly what Brian said, but he reminded Bracken that Heavenly Father helped him feel better after his prayer, and that maybe Heavenly Father gave Aunt Linsy the idea to make him a new special blanket, the one he has now, to help him feel better. That Heavenly Father loves him, but He doesn't always say "yes" when we ask for things, just like Brian and I don't always say "yes" when Bracken asks for things.

I think it's the first time I felt a little bit of panic at one of Bracken's questions.  How to answer to strengthen his testimony, not hurt it.  To comfort but strengthen him.  I'm glad Brian was around.  He's a pretty awesome Dad!  I'm sure we'll have many more hard questions come up as time goes on.

When I grow up...

Bracken a year ago:  "When I grow up I'm going to take hard classes and drive an ambulance like Dad."

A few months ago: "When I grow up I'm going to be a cashier."

Last month:  "When I grow up I'm going to build houses with Grandpa Rob...and build roads."

Another day: "I'm a photographer."

A conversation from last week:

Brian: "Bracken, are you going to be a gentleman when you grow up?" 

Bracken:  "No, I'm going to be a farmer."

Then today he said, "Mom, I'm going to be a farmer AND a gentleman when I grow up."

Know that whatever you decide to be, we'll be proud of you.

Hobos but happy...

It's 6 or 7'o'clock. Chandra is in the same thing she wore to sleep in the night before.  Bracken chose to wear pants that are a little too small. :)  Instead of dinner we had popcorn.  They're playing in mud right by the road. We never got our hair done that day. At least you can't see me in the picture! I'll be a better mom tomorrow.