I love his guts!

Our little Clark is getting so BIG.  He has gotten so tall lately, he is all legs and arms.  His hair is getting long again too... and I don't want to cut it, so there :)  He is so funny, fake laughing when he makes his own jokes, trying to play jokes on his brother, playing jokes on the cat...he is ALL about making you laugh.  I love it.

His talking is getting better too!  He can say about 40-50 words now, and about half of them you can even understand.  He counts all the time, and loves his letters and numbers....oh and shapes.  He loves shapes and can identify about 6 different shapes.  One of the biggest improvements he has made is his ability to pronounce the words better...he used to only say the first syllable of a word, 'wa' for water, 'cook' for cookie, 'circ' for circle...but now, most of the time, he can and will say the whole word, it is cute.  We still can't get him to say anything on command, or when he "supposed" too...it is only when and where and how HE wants, but it ok.
Last month we went for Chinese food, and in Clark's fortune cookie was the fortune: You are a bundle of energy, always on the go.  Truer words have never been spoken, that fortune cookie was meant for Clark.  He is always go go going, and having a ball while he is at it.  We sure do love this little guy, and couldn't live without him.

Pumpkin Patch Time!

Last weekend we went to the Kapolei Pumpkin Patch, for our 3rd year in a row, it is turning into a nice little family tradition, one I look forward to a lot (since it kicks off our whole holiday season).  It is amazing to see how much the boys have grown in one year.  Last year Harry was only a few weeks old, and Clark was trying to adjust to not being the center of attention anymore.  Last year Clark called the pumpkin's balls and tried to throw them around everywhere, this year he though they were apples and told us like 100 times "see appums".  

How about this one, he says...kind of.  He mostly just said "see" over and over again.  He had no interest in actually choosing a pumpkin to bring home....maybe next year.  It was SO hot and dusty...we didn't stay for very long, but we did find a very nice pumpkin to carve up.
They also had no interest in sitting and smiling for a good picture.  It was a miracle I got Clark to even look at the camera.  Harry was only interested in all the LEAVES and twigs...I swear he has such a leaf fetish, ha ha ha.

Jason and the boys.

Mommy, and her boys.  

We went by ourselves this year...so there was no one to take our family picture.  (We sure missed you Auntie Carol and Uncle Ed!)

Harry just chilling in the pumpkin patch, with a nice piece of straw.  He was in heaven.  After we left, we took the boys to Wendy's (also, a part of our yearly pumpkin patch tradition) and the boys were SO excited, more excited than going to the pumpkin patch even.  It is so easy to keep them happy, french fries and nuggets.  What a great family day!  I am looking forward to next year...maybe we will even live in a place where we have to wear a sweater to the pumpkin patch...and we can get hot chocolate.

Truck or Treat

Lil' Manning, CDC Guy, and Clark the Mummy

Last weekend was our ward (Kahalu'u) Trunk or Treat.  Since the boys real Halloween costumes hadn't come in the mail yet, we dressed them up in stuff we found around the house.  Harry wore Clark's NY Giants jersey, and went as our little Manning.  He did not like putting the black make-up under his eyes, but I think it looked so cute on him.  We wrapped Clark up in tons and tons of bandages to create a Mummy.  He looked hilarious, and of-corse the wrappings only lasted 15 minutes before they were falling off everywhere.  Jason pulled out his old stand-by of CDC Guy.  I think I have seen him dress up as this 100 times (boring).  We had a great night.  Harry stuffed his face with every piece of food and candy he could find, Clark ran around trying to get the older kids to play with him... and Jason and I tried to stay dry from the rain.  We have such a great ward :)

My Sweet Boys

It is so hard to get a picture of them together, both looking the same direction, and not crying or making a scowling face...Daddy had to bribe them with snacks for this picture.

I can't even tell you how much I love this.

I am turning into that person that just posts videos over and over, writes a little something, and calls it blogging.  But I just had to share this video.  I can't even tell you how much I love this, how much I wish I could've been there, how I think that if people did something like this everyday the world would be a much better place to live in.  Enjoy :)

Did I mention, I love Sound of Music, I love Maria, I love singing...a little do-re-mi always makes the day seem brighter.

Echo in the Bone

 I have some family members currently reading this book (and the previous in the series) so I will not say much, so as not to spoil it for them.  From the day I received my (VERY SPECIAL), Echo in the Bone book in the mail, it has barely left my hands.  I carried it around with me everywhere, reading a paragraph here, and a sentence there.  It felt so good to be reading about Jamie and Claire again...  I KNOW it is just a book, a rather impressive series of books really, but I can't help to feel that there is something more when I read them.  I just can't get enough.  I am a fan, a BIG fat fan.
I loved this book! The cliffhanger at the end (rather, a list of cliffhangers), I did not love so much. I think it is just plain cruel for Diana to leave her readers (very loyal and loving readers) in this much suspense. I am not sure what I am going to do with myself as I wait for the next book. I hope hope hope that the next (and last?) book will end well, tie up all the loose ends and leave me much more satisfied than this book did.

My Chunky Little Nugs

Harrison...I love this face.

He is such a delicious little nugget.  He has been going through some major growth spurts lately, and has gotten so much taller.  He is up to 33 pounds...same as Clark!  His hair is also starting to curl up a little in that back...I wonder if he is going to have curly hair like Clark?!

He loves to play outside in the water.  When ever anyone opens the door he runs, yes runs, as fast as he can outside.  He is fascinated with this drippy faucet, FASCINATED.  He is such a delight.

A Father's Love

A son asked his father, "Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?" The father who, despite having a heart condition, says "Yes". They went on to complete the marathon, together. Father and son went on to join other marathons, the father always saying Yes to his son's requests. One day, the son asked his father, "Dad, let's join the Ironman together". To which, his father said "Yes".  For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride, and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon, along the coast of the Big Island. Father and son went on to complete the race, together.

This is one of my favorite stories, ever! 

I saw this story on Oprah, a few years ago, and it has never left me. It really shows the strength of the human spirit, and a father's love.
The video, set to this song, really changes the entire tone...and lets you feel the strength of our Father's love.
It is too good not to share, and it is nice to be reminded of these things, every now and then.

I am not a MAID.

This may come as a surprise to some of you, mainly my three boys, but I am NOT a maid.  It is not my job to clean 18 hours a day...yet to stay on top of the constant avalanche of dishes, toys, laundry, and MESS, that seems be be how much I have to work.  I have to vacuum everyday, EVERYDAY.  Two loads of laundry a day, just to stay on top of it (and right now the washer is broken so we are way behind).  The dishes never end, the mopping never ends.  And don't even get me started on the bathroom! Someday, in my dream home, I am going to have my very own bathroom.  I gave up making the beds ages ago, and I only pick up the toys once a day.

I know as a mother my job is never ending, but I didn't really think that job involved a bucket full of Clorox water, and a mop.  I live with the messiest three boys alive, the messiest.  Last weekend, I cleaned the house from top to bottom, the works.  Not even an hours later, it didn't even look like I did anything.  Jason is pretty much a lost cause, if I can get him to keep his mess in one corner then I have succeeded.  I can not wait for the days when I can make Clark and Harry help out around the house.

Hmph...I just needed to vent.  I feel better.  Now, off to vacuum, again.

3 more years.

Jason and Lt. Cuhl on the wing of a C130 for Jason's Coast Guard re-enlistment.

I guess it is the popular thing to choose a cool place to do your swearing in, when you re-enlist.  I have heard for people choosing some pretty crazy places.  Jason played it a little safe this time and chose to have his re-enlistment ceremony on the wing of a C130, at his work.  There goes three more years of our lives to the Coast Guard.  If you would have asked me eight years ago, when we first started this whole thing, I NEVER would've thought we would be lifers...but we are.  Only twelve more years and Jason can retire!
I think he looks so handsome, and I am so proud of all the hard work he does for our family!  I am so thankful that Jason has a good steady job, especially in these uncertain times, we surely are blessed.  We have about 9 more months left here in Hawaii, and right now we have no idea where we will go next.  Jason is in the mist of a very difficult decision, whether to change fields from HS (which is the medical field) to ME, which is the new law enforcement rate the Coast Guard is starting next summer.  He keeps on going back and forth...from something comfortable that he is REALLY good at, to something new and exciting.  It will be a big change for our family, one we aren't 100% sure of it right now.  Jason could use a lot of your prayers.  We are hoping to find out within the next few weeks which direction we will be going.  It is so exciting and scary at the same time.  I can't wait to start looking at the places where we could move to next!  Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Connecticut....there are so many good places to choose from!  We will keep you posted.

My Testimony

After watching general conference this past weekend, I felt inspired to share this talk, and my own personal testimony (which I do not do often enough).  I have been watching conference for years, and some talks always stand out a little more than others, I wish I could remember and share them all.  This one in particular by Elder Jeffery R. Holland moved me.  My heart, mind, and soul swelled with the TRUTH of the words he was speaking.  

It is a little long, sixteen minutes, but it is worth watching.  Sorry it is cut in two parts...


Part One

Part Two

I would like to bear my testimony that I KNOW, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a true church!  I have a testimony of Joesph Smith, and the Book of Mormon.  I have a testimony of our prophet and leaders, and I believe that they receive revelation through God to direct us during these latter days.  I have a testimony of the Atonement.  I thank God, and our brother Jesus everyday for dying for me, so that I may repent of my sins and come unto Him...and someday, if I do the things I've been taught, I know I will be able to live with them again.  I have a testimony of daily prayer, scripture study, and attending our church meetings.  I know if we do these things faithfully we will be blessed in our daily lives, our families and children will prosper, and will be be happy.  I have a testimony of temple work.  (I miss going to the temple so much.)  If we keep the commandments, our temple covenants, and endure to the end, I KNOW that our families can be together forever.  I am so thankful for the church in my life.  I have been blessed in so many ways; with beautiful children, a loving family, a way to provide for our family, wonderful friends and countless experiences that I wouldn't change for the world.  I am filled with gratitude, and I want to share these things and my testimony with you...in the name Jesus Christ, Amen.

Halloween is coming!

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We are getting ready for Halloween...are you!?  Happy Halloween, Love the Boskos

Happy 1st Birthday Harrison!!

You are 1 year old!!!  Happy Birthday!

I can't believe you are already 1 year old, I don't think I will ever get used to how fast you boys are growing up.  You have been such a good baby.  Happy go lucky, playful, content, cuddly, funny, and chunky as all get out!  I love watching you figure things out, and discovering the world around you.  You love life, you are so happy every morning when you wake up, jumping up and down in your crib with the biggest smile on your face.  You love trying new things, and you are so curious.  You love watching Backyardigans!  I am not sure how normal it is for a 1 year old to have a favorite tv show, but you do.  You get so excited every time it comes on, dancing your little baby dance and waddling around the room to the music.  You are so delightful!

You were such a good baby, sleeping a lot, eating a lot, snuggling a lot.  A nice quiet break from your going a mile a minute brother.  You brought such a peace into our home, and slowed us down a little, you still do.

Your birth and delivery were very trying on me, it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.  I still think of how scary and painful it was, the chaos all around the hospital room.  It was noisy, confusing, and scary (and did I already mention that it HURT!), but as soon as you were out, as soon as I heard your sweet little cry and saw your chubby love-able face, I felt calm and happy.  When the nurse put you in my arms I was over joyed, all the torture of that early morning was gone, all I wanted was you...happy, sweet, little you.  I have very fond memories of snuggling and feeding you in the hospital, a quiet time for just the two of us, it was so special to me...and has kept me going on our hard days.

No one, not even me and your Dad, could believe what a big baby you were...and you were even two weeks early.  8 lbs 12oz, almost 9lbs!  You never really looked like a newborn to me, and you have always grown so fast.

Can you believe how unbelievably cute and chunky you were, a squishy little love bug.

You have had your ups and downs with your brother...more bad days than good.  But I will never forget how sweet and tender Clark was towards you when he first met you in the hospital, quietly petting your head and face, giving you little kisses.  As much as he tortures you, I know he loves you.  He hugs and kisses you every night before you go to sleep, he always makes sure you have your blanket and pacifier, and when you play outside he always watches out for you.  You have loved following him around, chasing him, trying to keep up.  I just know one of these days, really soon, you guys are going to be the best of friends.

You kill me with your cuteness!  Did I already mention how fast you have grown!

Are you gonna hate me one day for this picture?  You always get teased for being named after Harry Potter, but honestly no other name fit you the way Harrison did.  Since the day you first kicked in my tunny, I knew you were my little Harry.

So grown up, and wearing real shoes (that we could barely keep buckled by the way).  You love trying to keep up with the older kids at the park and nursery, there is nothing you can't or won't try to do.

For your birthday Grandma and Grandpa Deimler came out to visit.  We went to Hanauma Bay for swimming, and to Bubba Gump's for shrimp, to the North Shore for shave ice, and then home for a cookout with the neighbors.  What a busy busy birthday!  You loved playing in the sand and swimming.  You didn't quiet understand all the attention or Happy Birthday wishes, but you had a really fun day.

Our little family on your 1st birthday!  Granny Deimler (G.G) made you that birthday banner.

You couldn't take your eyes off of Daddy when we were singing you happy birthday.

Not too sure about the cupcake....I think you were stuffed by the days goodies and tired from all our activities.

You got a lot of fun presents for your birthday, but you loved this Backyardigans dvd (from Auntie Laura) the most.  When you opened it you got the biggest smile on your face, and didn't care about your other toys (well for a little while).

I hope you had a special birthday, even though you won't remember any of it.  Your Daddy and I love you so much, more than you can ever know.  It is truly our pleasure to have you in our home and lives, to call you our son and baby.  

Happy Birthday Harrison!

Sharing

On a recent trip to Costco, I got the boys a book to keep them quiet while we were shopping.  I expected a lot fighting over the book, a few eye gouges, and a lot of whining.  But miraculously enough they shared the book!  Not only did they share and read the book together, Clark let Harry snuggle with him!  They looked so heartbreakingly adorable snuggled together in the grocery cart, sharing the book, laughing at the funny sounds the buttons made.  It is moments like this that I will close my eyes to remember the next time Clark shoves Harry just to see how hard he can fall.

Hiking to Moana Falls

One of the fun things we did while Grandma and Grandpa were here, was hike to Moana Falls.  It is such a great hike, not to hard, but enough of a challenge to make it interesting.  It is about 1 1/2 miles round trip.  It had rained the night before, which made the already wet ground extra muddy and slippery...very very interesting.  Here Clark is racing Papa to the starting line, Clark was so excited.

Getting ready to start.  Grandma found Clark a walking stick, which lasted only a few minutes before he starting hitting everything, including us, with it.  Harry enjoyed his first ride in his new giant baby carrier (it can carry a baby up to 40lbs, so it should last use a few weeks, ha ha).

Clark ran the entire way up!  He had a little trouble when the climb got steeper, the steps were a little big for his short legs.  Every few minutes you could hear him say "oh no, oh no" when his flip flop would slip off in all the mud.  But he had so much fun.  Walking down was another story, the mud and falling down had finally got to him...I guess .08 miles (the hike up) is his limit.

The scenery is so breathtakingly beautiful.  So lush and tropical and wet, even the air felt wet.

Almost there!  You can see the falls through the trees.

We did it, albeit a little muddy and sweaty, but all in one piece.

What a great afternoon, and fun to share it with my parents.  Now that we got a baby carrier that can actually carry Harry, we plan to go hiking more often.

A trip from Grandma and Grandpa!

Last week my parents were able to come visit for the week.  We had so much fun!  We got to go to the Dole Plantation, Hanauma Bay, the swap meet, The Macadamia Nut Farm (which we LOVED), hiking to Moana Falls, a visit to the shrimp trucks (where we discovered that Giovanni's Original Shrimp truck is WAY better than Romy's), to the North Shore for Shave Ice, the big mall downtown to eat at Bubba Gump's, and to Jason's work for a tour of the planes and a luau.  The boys had so much fun playing and hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa.  It was so sad when they left, Clark cried for a whole hour (honestly).  I love spending time with family, and it was so much fun showing them around the island that we have grown to love.

 

ps. Papa's boobs are on the internet, ha ha ha!