Update...

Summer is over and the Morrill family is settling into the new routine of 1st grade, football, and Parker's new job.  I just wanted to do a quick update on everyone...

Joshy has been amazing lately.  He has been getting up on his own as soon as his alarm goes off, getting dressed himself, then making his own breakfast.  By the time I come downstairs...he's ready to go!  He's also been super happy in the mornings which makes our mornings so much easier.  He is really smart and seems to sense when mommy needs help, or when mommy is about to lose it.  He is always offering to help me with whatever I am doing.  When he can sense I am having a rough time, he is quick to give me hugs, kisses, and tell me he loves me.  Josh has never really been my sensitive one so it's wonderful to see this side of him.  He is also incredibly...grown up.  He is very smart and can do so many things that really do help me out.  He takes great care of Tyce and Jackson...in many ways it's like he's the older brother!  He is more patient with his brothers than I am as well.  The other day he was making a fort for Jackson (who, if you know at all, is VERY hard to please) and Jackson kept complaining that it wasn't "cool" or big enough.  I would've just given up but Joshy kept trying and trying until finally Jack was happy.  Josh is definitely mommy's boy lately, he is all hugs and compliments to me.  I LOVE YOU JOSH!!!

Here he is putting the milk away after breakfast...

Last night I read stories to the boys before bed (usually Parker does story time but he was working late) and I was SHOCKED at how well Jackson is reading!  He checked out a new book from the library that he had never read before and that was far from a beginners book and he read every single word!  So far I've yet to find a book he struggles with.  He has a very good memory for the words he learns and he also sounds words out that he doesn't know.  If the sentence doesn't make sense to him he will re read it until it does.  This is complete opposite of Josh who, if he doesn't know a word, says it really quietly and fast hoping I won't catch it and make him figure it out, haha.  On his last report card in kindergarten his reading level was "above average" and I would say that is pretty accurate!  I am so proud of him and LOVE listening to him read to me!

Here he is reading before school...

Oh, and then there's Tycee!  He has been much easier now that the twins are back in school, they were fighting quite a bit.  He self entertains really well.  He has quite the imagination..one day he played with three grapes from his lunch for over an hour having them talk to eachother and what not.  He loves to play trains, dinosaurs, cars, pirates, and build things.  I thought he had given up naps but lately he has been really wanting and needing them so I try to give him a nap two to three times a week.  He has become more independent and can finally dress and undress by himself.  He is not all sweetness and smiles though.  He's learned the word NO, he's learned how to throw a fit, he's an inconsistent eater, and is just a typical three year old!!! 

Here he is in his "new" jammies that were Jackson's when he was three...

Parker has been at his new job for almost a month now.  It has been an adjustment for everyone that's for sure.  The boys and I miss him, he comes home on the last train which gets in at 8pm, and I think he misses us too.  Last night was his first late late night, not leaving the office until 10pm then having to take the metro and a cab home and getting home about 11:30pm.  He usually has to work a little on the weekends too.  I can tell the new job has been good for him but also hard on him.  He's tired and stressed but enjoying it at the same time.  I am so proud of him and am trying my best to support him and not complain!

What a good husband, letting me grab a picture of him packing up for work... 

 I took the boys to school the other day and grabbed pics of them at their desks, Josh is in the way back...

 Jackson is in the way front...

Oh, and Jackson got his cast put on last week.  We paid a little extra to get the removable one which we can take off for showers.  However, the cast itself still stinks so bad and it's only been a week!  AH!  He has to wear it for four weeks and then we'll decide on whether he should play in the last two football games. 

Here he is when he first got it on, he thought it was cool for about a day then he got sick of it...

Anyways, that's about it!  I am doing well, just staying busy with the gym, keeping up with the house, my stake calling, football practices and games, homework, etc.  It is tough not having Parker home at nights, I am on my own to do homework, dinner, showers, and bedtime every night.  I am missing my family a lot lately.  My older sister is going through a hard divorce and I wish I could be there for her and her kids.  My little sister, well I just always miss her and wish I was there watching little Luke grow up.  I miss my parents so much.  I miss my inlaws so much.  I miss my grandparents so much.  Especially with Parker's new job there are so many times I feel so lonely and alone and wish I had family nearby to comfort me.  Thank heaven for some good friends out here though, they keep me going. 

We are looking forward to lots of visitors coming over the next few months, first up: NICOLE!  She comes next week!