Gun Cleaning

Rus had to clean his guns yesterday. Jacob and Beau were naturally attracted to the sound of metal manliness and had to watch Rus's every move. After about the second gun being cleaned Rus thought to have Jacob go get his new Nerf gun that he got from Uncle Jacob for his birthday. Rus put some water in a cup and handed it to Jacob as his "cleaning fluid," and then let him use some of his other cleaning tools while instructing him on what areas of the gun needed to be cleaned. Also as a dutiful father he reiterated key points of gun safety and when it's okay to touch dad's gun or dad's bullets. It was pretty much the cutest father-son bonding thing I've ever seen - akin to a mother and daughter making a cake or painting their toes together...but cuter.
And now to update you on my other hoodlums...
Bekah has been sort of difficult lately. I was really grateful that Rus was home the week after Christmas because he 1.)got to see/hear first hand the incredibly dramatic fits Bekah can pull off and 2.)got to work with Bekah, have lots of "Dad Talks," and joined me when I could do nothing but shake my head in unbelief at her excessive antics. Think: full out tears and wailing/screaming if she bumps her head on the railing of the stairs, or if Beau pushes her, or if Colonel sniffs Frenchie (her stuffed dog), or if Jacob says something that she interprets as insulting, or if I'm not making spaghetti for dinner, or if I don't let her eat an apple ten minutes before dinner, or if I WANT TO BRUSH OR FIX HER HAIR (a truly awful form of torture), or other equally heinous crimes.

Actually the Tuesday after Christmas she threw a fit about her hair and Rus handed me fifteen dollars and his keys. I took her straight to Great Clips and had them chop at least four inches off. She cried on the way there but was fine during and afterward. She looks super cute with it short; I especially like it when it's curled (she doesn't).
Her hair before: (Christmas morning with the coveted orange)Her hair after:(Bekah and Frenchie)

Rus and Bekah actually made a list (that Bekah signed) stating that Bekah is allowed to cry one time a week. One freebie a week, because even moms do that. After that, the first time she cries each day she has to go to her room for five minutes and then do something nice for someone else. The next time she cries that day she has to go to bed and (this was Rus's idea and I'm sure he'll be at work if ever it needs implementing), wear a diaper, because that's what babies do.
And now Beau:
This crazy kid has been keeping Rus and I up at night for the past three nights (at least). I know now (after a trip to the Dr.), that it's because he has an infection in each ear. He's been sleeping on our floor in our bedroom because that way when he wakes up every hour Rus just has to say, "Lay down Beau, go to sleep," and he's good for another 45 minutes. I don't know how Rus has been faring at work with his lack of sleep, but I'm feeling pretty foggy headed and s.l.ow.. Hopefully tonight - because of drugs glorious drugs - will be better.
He is a deceptively cute and fun monster, despite it all...As for Rus and I...the bathroom is slowly coming along and Rus's dad is now serenading us with songs of how he'll be the first to use our shower. (I'm thinking the shower heads might go missing as we wrap this one up...j/k)
I've made my list of goals/big changes for this year and I'm pretty sure I'm going to be a little battle worn by this time next year...if I make it. This will be a Big Year. It will go something like this:
Make the yearbook for the school (we're starting simple here...)
Help Emilee disguise the cultural hall as a Reception Hall for her wedding reception in March. (Difficult, you know...)
Go to Disneyland. (Hey if it's not on the list it won't happen.)
Put our house up for sale. Again.
Keep our house clean.
Sell our house.
Pack.
Move.
Remodel the kitchen in Abq. Repaint the bedrooms and install new carpet. Tear out all the flooring in the house. Hopefully tear down some walls.
Leave my old ward and wonderful friends.
Adjust to a new ward and find/bribe new friends.
Have Bekah start a new school.
Have Jacob start school. Kindergarten!

Seriously, I'm feeling some growing pains just thinking about it all. Maybe the secret is not to think about it too much... :)