four things

1. The boys' dino rawr is one of my very favorite things. It's less like a roar and more like a croak from a sore thoat.

(Dino Rawr from Katie Bradley on Vimeo.)

Liam's was surprisingly good. Here's a more typical Dash:

(Dash rawr from Katie Bradley on Vimeo.)

It just makes me want to scoop him up and squeeze him, it's so cute!

2. Liam and Dash have learned to treat Pogo really well. Despite the fact that Pogo always runs away from their slightest touch.

I could be petting her the same way as one of the boys but she'll run away from them and not me. She's always been nervous around little kids. If I hold her still, though, she'll tolerate some hugs and pats and kisses.

Just look at these faces.

Me: You're okay. They just love you.

Dash: I love you soooo much!

Pogo: HELP ME!

3. When Dad/Mom/Jenny were here, we visited the splash park again. They warmed up to it faster this time.

(Splash Park with GnG3 from Katie Bradley on Vimeo.)

Yes, it's long. So here's another!:

(Splash Park with GnG5 from Katie Bradley on Vimeo.)

Babies getting wet, never gets old.

4. When we had the big family dinner, dishes inevitably were left around, which provided many opportunities for little toddlers.

(Painting the window with Gpa from Katie Bradley on Vimeo.)

Whoops, sorry about the end, there. What can I say, I have a happy husband.

Choices

You can do things one way...

...Or you can try a different approach.

Sean had a meeting this week and realized he's going to have to make some choices very soon. In the next, mmm, eight or so months, he has to decide in which medical field he's going to specialize.

You know, no big deal.

The problems lies in the fact that Sean is interested in everything. And he's really good at everything (except maybe kidneys. But that's okay, that's one he's already eliminated. Heh, that's kind of a kidney joke, isn't it?). So it's really hard for him to narrow in on one specialty without missing something that another specialty would offer.

Sean just finished up his internal medicine rotation. He really enjoyed the diversity of cases he encountered. You really have to think on your feet in that field. But those 6-day-weeks were brutal on me and we only had to live through it for a couple months- as an intern, that's how it is for a whole year!

So internal medicine is in the mix. He's also really liked ophthalmology (eyes are cool), urology (surprisingly, it's one of the most technologically progressive medical fields), and radiology (good hours, uses his knowledge of physics, and is in the same vein as his love for maps. Plus he exhibits quite a knack for reading images.) Pathology may intrigue him but he hasn't had a chance to experience it yet. Not to mention he may want to narrow even further into a pediatric version of all the aforementioned.

With all this tumbling around in his head, you could say he's a little overwhelmed. How do I ever decide?! he keeps asking me. A whole lot of thinking and praying, I'd say.

But no matter what Sean chooses, these boys (and this girl) will always be there to back him up and support him.

Tough Guys

(yes, tough, even if Dash had to wear the girly glasses and Liam's wouldn't stay on his ears)

GC Oct '11

Another General Conference bathed our weekend with happiness and learning. It's a little hard to continually focus upon the speakers with the little tykes having fun. But they certainly had moments of reverence. Actually, each time someone spoke from the pulpit, this is what they did:

Mmhmm, folded their arms. They were ready for about 25 prayers over two days.

I really wonder why. Did the spiritual setting give them a sense of a prayer atmosphere? Did their voices sound like a prayer?

My heart's just bursting.

Lessons impressed upon me from this session of General Conference:

- What an idea, that memorizing a scripture is like forging a new friendship. Thanks Elder Scott.

- Something I've never really ever considered is that so many individuals may be lost without even realizing it. That really gives me a different perspective.

- "Compared to God, we are nothing. Yet we are everything to God." [Deep, feel-good sigh]

- Why'd Elder Ardern have to say that being busy is not always productive? Sheesh. I'm busy all the time, but with what?

- The best way a father can teach a daughter is to love her mother. Did you hear that? The best way a father can teach a daughter is to love her mother. I love that so much. Thank you Sister Dalton.

- In a world of diminishing morality, the Lord's constancy is something upon which we anchor.

- It is never to hard or too late to make good choices. Thank you Elder Bennett.

- Feeling too sinful to pray is like being too sick to see a doctor. Thank you Elder Cornish.

One final General Conference highlight:

(Dancing to MoTab from Katie Bradley on Vimeo.)