Strange Times

I've been unsettled lately as we've been watching the news and hearing reports of what is happening right now with our nation's economy. I have to admit that initially hearing the reports about banks failing was strange to me. I wasn't excited about the repercussions, just hearing that something so big and unfamiliar was happening was new. It's like hearing of a really huge blizzard coming your way. You know that it's going to make life more difficult, probably interrupt schedules and lives, and perhaps even become a danger to other people's lives. But, you don't realize these problems until you are older and have experienced the problems firsthand. As a child, or someone who hasn't experienced the storm before, you just feel the anticipation of experiencing something everyone is so anxious about.

So, initially that is how I felt about the situation. But, as things have progressed, I've become a little more wary. I am certainly not an economist, and I don't know as much as I should about lawmaking and things, but I can tell you that I have been very disappointed watching the news today. I am concerned about the tentative plans to fix what is happening, but I have been more disappointed watching our countries leaders bicker and blame each other. As I watched that, I started to feel very worried.

I've been reading blogs that have been posted from older families about how grateful they are that their food storage and things are in order, which only makes me feel a little worse. I just wanted to send a shout out to all the families who are in similar situations as us.We're all trying to heed the counsel to prepare, it's just different for each family. Steven constantly is reminding me that Heavenly Father is mindful of every situation and he knows how hard we are each trying.

I'm grateful for a few things. As a family, we're working on our food storage and emergency supplies. We don't have quite what we should, be we're trying. Most importantly, we have General Conference this weekend! I can't think of a better time to hear from our leaders and the Prophet. I am very anxious to hear their counsel and to feel of their spirit.

I'm grateful my husband is level-headed about this. I would probably have packed everything and had us up in the mountains somewhere by now, but Steven reminds me to stay calm and not panic. (I'm awesome.)

I think our Country is going to be okay. And I think all of us families are going to be okay too.

The Things I'm Subjected To...

Warning...Girl missing Boy...

Well, Steven is out of town, and I'm missing him quite a bit. I never realize until he's away how much my life revolves around him. When we were engaged I used to send Steven e-mails listing things I loved about him. I know it sounds lame, but we hardly dated so they were as much a revelation to me as they were to him. It was fun to see how many things there were to love about him, and I realized today that I have about 100 reasons more now. Don't worry everyone out there (Jarom, Tyler, Dan...I'm talking to you...) I'm not going to list them all, I'm just listing a few.

1. Since Steven and I were first friends, he always made me laugh. It wasn't his jokes or anything else he was doing, it was just him. His everyday thoughts and actions make me smile, shake my head, and cover my face. I remember trying to buy him a hat, and when I asked him what his hat size was, he got off the phone and then got back on and said it was kind of big. I told him that wasn't a hat size, and then I asked how he determined that. He told me that he measured his head with a lamp cord. (What?) His humor and lightness of heart was so important for me when we were in the hospital with Cooper.

2. I am so grateful that he is a worthy priesthood holder. He leads our family so sweetly, but strongly. I'm so grateful that he takes the role naturally and without prodding. When we were in the hospital, there were a few moments where we were really close to losing Cooper, and I can't explain how grateful I was that he could give the blessings that were needed.

3.He keeps our family fed. Enough said.

4. He loves his family so much. I love watching Steven with his brothers. (And in-laws) It's been so amazing for us all to get to live in the same place for a while. I don't know if Steven's brothers know how much he looks up to them and learns from them still. He loves each of his siblings so much, and I'm grateful to them for always taking care of their little brother.

5.When Steven and I decided to get married, we had only been dating for about two days, but we had been distant friends for about two years. It was a decision that was very much prompted and confirmed by the spirit, but it was a difficult one for me none-the-less. I was really looking for the person who would knock me off my feet, and Steven just kind of snuck up behind me. (And stood there for two years) We decided to get married, even though we would be very far apart for all the months leading up to our wedding. We actually didn't live in the same town until after we were married. So, the decision to get married was one that was scary for me. I knew we could make it work, but I very much wanted to feel overwhelmed too. The day before I was supposed to move to Nevada, my family and Steven tricked me and he flew in for only about 12 hours so we could be together. That was the moment for me. I was completely overwhelmed and I'll never forget that moment. Steven makes me feel like that everyday.

6. Steven is an amazing father. I never really worried about how he would be with the baby, but I've been pleasantly amazed. He is very confident with Cooper and he never complains.

I miss him. He is amazing.

Goal!

Steven scored a goal at his indoor soccer league game last night! I was so proud of him for finding a team and making the effort. Cooper and I didn't make the game last night, since it was at ten o'clock, but we can't wait to get there and see the star in action!

Milestones

Today we went to the doctor for Cooper's 6 month checkup. Today he weighed 21 pounds and is 29 inches long. (Steve whispered to me very excitedly that Cooper is getting really close to the same height as a hobbit) Those stats put him in the 97th and 99th percentile. We were very excited to hear his progress. Since we came home from Cooper's surgery 3 months ago, Cooper has gained 11 pounds, more then doubling his weight.

Also, Coop has figured out that he can scream this week. We thought it was very entertaining until we went to visit Grandma Davis and Cooper threw his very first screaming fit. How embarrassing. Sorry Grandma!

A Confession...

This morning we woke up to a very cold, rainy morning, and boys with fevers. This has never happened to us with Cooper, so I made everyone stay home today. We rarely stay home from church, so we had a great breakfast and then had a discussion about how to keep a peaceful spirit in our house today.

Something many of you may not know about me is that I absolutely love Christmas. I always felt like it was wrong that the spirit of Christmas is so amazing, but we only keep that feeling around for four weeks. Once October rolls around, Christmas movies and occasional music are fair game at our house. (It's okay, everyone thinks it...Steven is a Saint) It helps me be cheerful, and it also helps me not feel really depressed when Christmas is over. I know that this isn't particularly popular, in fact, when I was growing up and played the piano for our ward choir, I remember a Sister who would literally hiss at everyone if we sang a Christmas song before December.

So, as we looked at our choices today, I realized that we didn't have as many Christmas movies as I remembered.

1. The Santa Clause
2. The Polar Express
3. Muppet Christmas Carol
4. Mormon Tabernacle Choir w/ Sissel
5. And the best of all....

What are your favorite Christmas movies? I was checking on Amazon, and they aren't expensive, and I would love to increase our collection. I know for sure I want to add the old Scrooge with Albert Finney that we watched as kids, Christmas Story, and The Family Stone.

Suggestions?

Saturday Cleaning

We've had a rough time staying motivated to clean our house today. I thought we had enough steam to finish, but when I went downstairs to throw some trash away, this is what I found.

Video Game Mutiny.

Do You Ever Feel...

Like you are being conspired against? I came down to see my cute husband feeding our cute boy and a series of events transpired that I did not see coming. I took the first picture because I thought the boys looked so cute together. When I came around the front, Cooper totally knew I was freaking out inside. Take a look...

Did no one at this house read my last post about baby food? Or....did everyone read it?

P.S. I'm just happy he's smiling...teething is not a favorite around here.

Misfit Pictures

Our Utah trip was so much fun. I took tons of pictures, but some of the pictures didn't fit into any particular post, but they were either too goofy or too cute to delete so here they are...

Lessons Learned

The last few weeks Cooper is learning some very valuable lessons from his cousins.

1. You can squawk and make very loud noises and someone is bound to pay attention.
2. There is better food out there then bottles and baby food.
3. You can grab at practically anything and sometimes get it.
4. Everyone else is sitting up and talking.
5. Canon loves you when he smacks you on the head.

The last one is especially entertaining. When Canon gets about 4 feet away Cooper starts rapidly blinking and crying..

Sunday Walks

Sunday walks have been a long tradition on our family. I'm sure they started with my mom looking at my dad and saying, "Please take those kids somewhere..." So, we have carried them through and this last Sunday, the Maile, Brousseau, and Daines families overtook Daniel Drive.

The strangest game of UNO I've ever seen.

All the present neices and nephews, except Cooper.

Baby Ane wasn't in this picture, but I thought it was too cute to leave out.

Misc..

Things have been sort of random lately...softball games, wii, and Transformers. The best news of all is that Steven is here! He and James arrived last night, and I forgot what the butterflies felt like until he walked in the door. It was so fun.

Cooper has a new crush, his Aunt Katie. Whenever she walks by or is within view, he smiles and chats at her until she'll take a look. They have become the best of friends.

Eva's permanent scowl. Don't worry it's reserved for me.

This video is awesome. Jackson and Matt are playing Wii baseball, and you can clearly see Jackson hit the baseball and then move his Wii remote to make his player run. You only need to move the remote back and forth to make your player move, but Jackson takes it to a higher level.

Update for Steven...

We are having a great time. There have been a few changes around here, so here they are. The Maile's had a baby girl yesterday. By all accounts she is doing wonderfully, and is now named. Meleane Jacqueline Maile. (The first name is pronounced like Melanie but with and island flare...I'm not even going to try to explain...) So, with Mom and Dad Maile being in the hospital, it's given us a chance to have pizza together! By the way, I have a new favorite pizza which is super cheap, which I will reveal later. I have to use it a few times to impress people before I can tell you how to do it yourself! So, here are all the children enjoying the aforementioned-pizza.

(All except Cooper in the high chair...he just got to watch)

Also, now that the Maile house is getting a little busier, Tim has come here to stay with the Brousseau's for a bit. He couldn't have been more thrilled considering that he brought ALL his Wii games, and they have theirs out and ready. (Has anyone actually sat through Zelda before? I think I should get a medal.)

I'm also a little worried for this cat.

Tim laid eyes on him as soon as he got here and has labeled him a friend. I think exactly what he said was that, "Cowboy is the most curious and inquisitive kitty!" So, keep this little guy in your prayers...he's dealing with Tim and Grayson.

A Lot of Excited People...

The usual confusion. People milling around waiting for a glimpse of something really amazing.

The princess has arrived!

We aren't sure of her official title yet, but once I know I'll post it!

We're so glad you're here baby girl!