It's been one of those weeks...

So, it's been a sort of tough week with Brent. As a baby/child, he has always been an early riser, and unfortunately has the genes from Jared, that when he wakes up in the early mornings, there is no way he is going back to sleep. We have tried everything you can think of to keep him in his room until 6pm. Clocks, locks, treats, verbal praise, late bedtime, nap, no nap, repetition on what he needs to do...etc. It doesn't seem to help. So that is annoyance number one. I still don't know how to solve this one.
The next thing that Jared and I are having a problem with, is his discipline. He is a red type personality, and he keeps on getting into trouble. We pick our battles, trust me, but the biggest problem is the listening. I freak out in my head when I have a hard day with him, thinking that I will not be able to handle him when he is a teenager. Jared thinks he will grow out of it, but personalities don't change. Anyways, the whole reason why I'm writing this is to remember how I'm feeling right now. After breaking down to Jared, and us both feeling like we didn't know what to do, Jared said, "Pray to Heavenly Father for inspiration to know what to do. You are his mother, Heavenly Father sent us Brent because he knew we could raise him, and that you can be a good mother to him." I immediately knew what he was saying was true. The day after our conversation, I set my mind out to be calm when disciplining Brent, and to not get worked up all the time with him. I also made it a goal, that I was going to praise him constantly for all the good things he was doing. I also made sure to emphasize several times a day to "make good choices". The day went remarkably smooth, Brent felt good about himself for all the good he was doing, and I was able to keep my cool when he would be naughty. I know this problem of mine seems so minor in comparison to all the big problems out there, but I really felt that Heavenly Father heard the worries of my heart. I also know that I was able to remain calm...(which is pretty rare) because I had faith that Heavenly Father would inspire me to do and say the right things to Brent. We are on day number 2 with the new changes, and Brent's behavior and demeanour hasn't really changed, but I can tell he is thinking through things a little better when he is making a choice. I also feel better as a mother, because I'm not yelling, freaking out, or showing that I'm annoyed on the outside to Brent. It's a lot of work to discipline, and follow through with time outs, explaining what is right and wrong, but it seems to be working. I just want Brent to be the best he can be, and I guess the reason why I freak out when he is a wreck is because I feel responsible for how he is acting.
The bottom line is, I'm grateful for Jared and his wisdom and righteousness. I'm grateful that he has a testimony of prayer, and through that he is able to help me get through a trial in my life. I'm grateful for my faith in Heavenly Father, he is ALWAYS there for me...why do I forget this? Hopefully when I'm having another rough week, I can look back on this post and be reminded of the power of prayer, and the companionship of the Holy Ghost.

A Broken Tailbone and a Hike

Last Wednesday, I slipped on our stairs, and broke my tailbone. It hurt so bad the day after, I felt like I was going to die. But, I feel better now, and the good news is that it doesn't inconvenient my life too much, but the bad news is that it takes 4-6 weeks to heal. I'm popping the IB profen like M&M's!
That afternoon, Jared came home from work early and took the boys on a hike in some hills by our house. He got some really cute pictures of the boys in the flowers and fields. The boys LOVE hikes, and Jared is very patient with the kids as they explore the outdoors. He tells them facts about the plants and animals, and I can tell he is instilling a love for the environment in Brent.

I just love my boys...

I just have to write about how much I love my boy family. Yes, yes, yes, probably at least once a week I feel like I'm going to go insane from hyper Brent, but he truly is a sweet natured boy. This picture says it all...they are all staring at me, with their sweet boyish eyes...
This picture was taken on the train ride down to San Diego Harbor. The boys loved it, and the big boy loved being with his boys, so everyone was happy. Brent thinks Jared and him are equal. Brent still thinks Jared is growing up to be a big boy...(uhhhh, Jared is larger than the average grown male) He also thinks that Jared needs to go in time out when he's naughty...I kind of like this one. They love being twins, so they will wear the same colored shirt, and the same pants on Saturday. We watched our wedding video on Sunday with Brent for the first time. He LOVED it. He asked, "Where was I?" That launched into a full discussion on the premortal life...he really was trying to process everything, and lately he wonders what dying is...it is very interesting to answer his questions...it's only going to get harder, I'm sure.
Cameron's nickname at dinner time is Gaston. When I make eggs for dinner, he eats 3 of them, whereas Brent eats like one. He really has been such a good baby for me, and I feel myself wanting to hold on to the "baby" mentally with him. But, he really is a toddler now...
He adores Jared,and squeals like a pig when he hears Jared's car pull into the garage. When Jared, Brent and Cameron play together, they remind me of a big bear and 2 cubs. Jared often stretches out on the carpet after work, and the kids can't wait to get on top of him. Cameron takes a few loving nips at Jared, while Brent tries to use Jared as a jungle gym. Cameron loves being a part of the pack...he doesn't want to be left out EVER.
I guess what triggered the sudden feeling of gratitude for the boys in my life was watching our wedding video yesterday. It was such an amazing day for me. Watching the video, it was just Jared and I...very in love...happy, and excited to be with each other forever. There were never any doubts or hesitation for either of us when we chose each other to marry, and I love that. In that video little did I know that one day I would have 2 sons that I adore, and cherish so much, and that I would love Jared even more than the day we got married. It's amazing how many hurdles we have had to overcome, and as we are growing older together, it gives me comfort to know that we will be together for ever, no matter what happens in our lives.
I'm grateful for the gospel, which gives me hope and an eternal perspective in life. I feel very blessed...

I have been neglectful...

It has been awhile...I felt the quilt of feeling like I'm not documenting the life of the Underwood family. I'm so grateful that I have created a blog to document the happenings of our family. It is fun to go back and look at the changes of our family.
I have felt busy for the last couple of weeks, even though I'm not a busy type of person. We as a family love that it stays light, so that Jared can do something outdoors with the kids when he gets home. We have been going to the beach for the last couple of weekends as a family from 9-12 noon, the kids get worn out, and take NICE long naps, which Jared and I enjoy. My sister Lana came into town the week before Easter. We were able to do a few mommy things together, and let the cousins make memories together. Here is a cute picture of our 2 youngest, they are 4 months apart.
They look so sweet and innocent in this picture, but wait until they unload all the stuff in your kitchen and bathroom cupboards!!!
We took the kids to the strawberry patch in Carlsbad, and they ate so many strawberries...I thought they were going to turn red. It was really fun to see all the cousins on my side of the family together. They really all look like they are related in small resemblances.
After Lana left, then Jared's family came into town for Easter weekend. We went to the beach on Saturday, and Jared went surfing. He came in from riding a wave, and stepped on a sting ray, and it stung him. Good thing it didn't shoot the barb in his heart like crocodile hunter!!! It got him on his heal, and Jared was in alot of pain! The pain lasted for about 2 hours, while he soaked his foot in boiling hot water to break down the venom. I swear, Jared is kind of going on a bad luck streak lately. Lets see, there was getting stabbed in the cheek with the point of a surfboard, cancer, poison oak that lasted 2 months, and the sting ray incident. What next?????
We had a fun Easter Sunday being with family and eating good food. I guess it's really time to start the diet that I have wanted to start for the last 6 months...ugh.
Just for memories sake, Brent loves playing the Snow White Game. You pretend to eat a poison apple, and then pretend your dead, and then he gives you a kiss, and you wake up, and we do this like 20 times in a row...fun, fun. He also said something funny the other day when there was a fly in our house, he said, "Momma, you dead it" as in you kill it. We are working on past and present terms.
Jared and I call Cameron our little plopper. If you are laying down on the ground, he will come over and sit on you like a chair, sometimes his chair will be your face. He LOVES dogs, and he loves building towers with his blocks. He says a word, that we don't understand..."Unst"...it sounds German to me.