So, yesterday at Lowes and then today at Walmart, Logan busted out the chorus of the song "The Family is of God."  He was so loud, but too cute to quiet down and people seemed to get a kick out of him.  "God gave us families to help us become what he wants us to be.  This is how he shares his love, for the family is of God."  He sang it many times over and over and only switched songs for an occassional "Popcorn Popping or "Old McDonald had a shark" (yes, a shark) before returning to "The Family is of God."

I miss my husband!  He's been in Houston for the last few days, but I'm glad he'll be home soon.  So, apparently Mike was bored last night and looked online to see if anyone plays ultimate frisbee in Houston.  He found a group that played near his hotel and went to play.  Lol.  I told him he's an ultimate frisbee geek.  He so is.  He usually plays during his lunch break at work and I guess he was going through withdrawals.  Lol. 

My Christmas shopping is completely done for everyone other than Mike and the kids (and I already know everything I'm getting for them).  I didn't want to stress out finding gifts at the last minute this year, so I shopped ahead of time.  The presents for extended family are all bought, wrapped, and ready to give or mail off.  

Random events from my week...

You know your 2 year old is watching too much Dora when everytime he walks downstairs he says, "Cinco, Cuatro, Ocho" over and over again.  I've never taught him those words.

Logan has decided to attempt the monkey bars in the backyard.  The only problem is, he can only make it two bars in and then he screams for help.  I feel like I'm constantly running across the yard to save him.  Cameron saved him twice today and Logan threw a fit because he wanted "Mommy to do it."  Hmmm...that little schrade was put to a stop quickly. 

Cameron is loving his choir at school.  He practices everyday with the CD.  He now knows a host of songs ranging from all of the Armed Froces songs to Frosty the Snowman to Happy Kwanzaa to Feliz Navidad to a Hanukkah song.  Interesting mix.

I've had constant colds lately, but luckily no sinus infections yet... that has to be a record for me.

The sad part of my week was yesterday and today.  I found out yesterday that a nine year old boy, Taylor Spencer, that used to be in Cameron's church class, passed away from Leukemia.  Today I went to the funeral... it was sad.  The parents were so great about focusing on the positive aspects about their son finally being out of pain and that they knew they could be together as a family again.  But...I still feel so badly for them.  No parent should ever have to bury their child.  I kept thinking to myself... "Why this child... and not my own?"  I'm grateful it wasn't my child... yet the randomness of who gets these life threatening diseases scares me.  We're praying for the family.  And yes, it is comforting to know that families can be together again after we die.  I don't know how I could live not knowing that... I can't imagine worrying more about my family more than I already do... but at least I have that comforting thought.

It was a good and busy weekend.  Mike was the Scoutmaster for the 11 yr. old scout camp out so he was gone Friday night and most of Saturday.  Cameron and Errolyn both did well in their soccer games on Saturday and both had goal assists and key goal blocks.  As soon as Mike returned, Janet and family showed up and I had to leave to play in a string quartet for a wedding reception.  While I was gone, Mom, Dad, David, and Heidi arrived. 

On Sunday, both Kevin and Mike spoke in church and Cameron and Errolyn sang 2 missionary songs for the musical number.  Everyone did a great job and the spirit was strong.  A lot of people said the kids sang well and Errolyn was bobbing up and down to the beat and it was very cute.  With all of our relatives in town we took up two very full long rows in the chapel.  After church, everyone came back to our place for lunch.  We all talked for a while and then all of the out of towners left except for Mom and Dad.  I had to go to my Messiah rehearsals, but while I was gone Kevin got ordained to be an Elder.

This morning, I had a doctor's appointment and then Logan and I drove to the airport to say goodbye to Kevin.  It was raining very hard, but we all made it safely (although I can't say the same for the 2 cars behind Mom and Dad).  I'm proud of the growth I've seen in Kevin over the last 10 months while he's lived with us and he will make a good missionary.  Cameron and Errolyn were sad that Kevin was leaving, but I let them wake Kevin up before they went to school so they could say goodbye.

Tonight, we had a good FHE and then we carved our traditional family pumpkin.  Logan especially got a kick out of the carving process and lighting the pumpkin.  After the kids went to bed, I spent the rest of the night working on Messiah preparations.  The Messiah is going to be awesome!  The choir and orchestra are coming along so well.  The youth and children's choirs start this Sunday and I'm sure they'll be great as well.

(There are a few pictures of the kids in a protected post below.  If anyone wants to be added to the protected list, please let me know...but you have to have a Xanga user name in order to be added.  I don't protect a lot of posts, but I protect a lot of the pictures of my kids.)

Today was a good day.  I volunteered to help at the kids' Bike Rodeo this morning.  It was fun, but exhausting.  Errolyn ended up with a 2nd place trophy for her grade level.  Cameron messed up on one of the events and was sad.  Cameron had choir practice after school- I don't know if I've mentioned that before, but he joined his school choir.  After the conducting workshop at church a couple of months ago, Cameron showed his music teacher that he could conduct.  She told him he should join the choir... so he did.

The weather has been wonderful today, so the kids spent the rest of the day playing outside.  Then Mike and Cameron left for their Father/ Son campout.  They have lots of snacks and a new tent so Cameron was very excited to go.  Mike called and said Cameron was running a lot and since the ground was uneven he kept tripping and one time almost fell into a fire which freaked Cameron out a lot.  They turned in early so they could watch a Harry Potter movie together in the new tent. 

Errolyn, Logan, and I had our own party.  We spread out a blanket, had the same snacks as the boys, and watched Cinderella.  Then Logan went to bed and Errolyn and I stayed up talking while I painted her nails.  I put Errolyn to bed because after watching Cinderella I was in the mood to watch Ever After, one of my very favorite movies.  I looked at the rating and it was only PG so I called Errolyn down and let her watch the movie with me.  She really enjoyed the movie and staying up with me.  We both cried in parts and laughed in parts.  It was so cute to see her smile whenever the Prince and 'Cinderella' were together.  She's such a girl.  :) 

So, now my dilemma is: stay up and clean the house, record the youth demos I desperately need to record for the youth and children's choir, or stay up and do nothing because it's late and even though I'm not tired, I don't feel like doing anything at 10:30 at night.  I'm apt to do nothing... but I always seem to be guilted by my conscience into doing productive things... we'll see.

I put the new audio for my arrangement of Love One Another on my website... http://texansusan.com/Love%20One%20Another.html.  My brother Kevin and I recorded it, so it was fun to do together.  I'll have to re-record my part after I'm not pregnant when I have breath and can actually sing again, but it'll work for now.

Errolyn played very well in her soccer game today!  Cameron scored the first goal of his game and the only goal for his team, so he was excited.  He also played well.  Logan wants to play soccer... maybe when he's 3.  Mike should be home from Houston soon- yea!  The cooler weather we've been having is wonderful.  It's the perfect temperature!  Not too cold, not too hot... I am so much more productive when the weather is nice for some reason.