Updates

This week Dean opened a Clovis branch of the shop.  He has been working really hard on this and I am so proud of him.  Along with work he has a calling in the Elders Quorum Presidency.  

He has been enjoying Fresno State football and has gone to most of the home games.  I have gone along with him to a few. 

In September Dean had LASIK.  He was not fond of wearing glasses and contacts were irritating his eyes.  He is happy with the results. 

Dean is also super helpful around the house and with the kids.  He is a great dad and husband. 

In August I started a Statistics class at Fresno City College.  It feels good to use my brain.  Being a mom is challenging but not really intellectually stimulating and as nerdy as it sounds, I enjoy math.  It was kind of hard in the beginning getting used to the schedule and finding time for homework along with everything else but it seems to be working out well. 

I have recently taken up a new stress reducing activity.  I am taking spin classes at the gym.  I never thought that pedaling a bike in room for an hour would be so much fun or help keep me sane.  I leave the class feeling a weight off my shoulders. 

I am still the secretary in primary.  For some reason I kind of feel like a foreigner in this calling.  I am grateful though.  I work with some amazing women that make me want to be a better person.  It has been a surprisingly spiritual experience.

Abby is doing well.  She is still loving school.  As you can see in the above picture she had and a recent visit from the tooth fairy.  Grandma Dori is the official tooth puller in the Dockstader home.  Although after Carter kicked Abby in the mouth during some roughhousing the tooth was barely hanging on. 

Abby plays really well with her brothers.  Her favorite cartoon is now X-Men.  I would not say that she is anything close to a tomboy but is funny to see how living with brothers has changed her. 

Carter is also doing well.  He's really enjoying preschool.  The above picture is from his trip to the pumpkin patch with the boys from school. 

I took Carter to be assessed by the speech therapist at the school.  While he is not where he should be for his age he is not bad enough that he qualifies for speech therapy.  He has been doing so much better though.  He also seems happier now that he can tell me what he wants.  He is still Carter (high strung, stubborn) but he is really calming down.

Carter occasionally fights with Grant but it has not been as bad as I thought it would be.  Grant is usually the instigator.  Carter is quick to help Grant.  If Grant is upset, Carter will find a toy or his passy and take it to him and tell him, "Don't be sad." 

One of Carter's new favorite pass times is playing pbskids.org.  He is really good on the computer and with most electronics. 

Carter is calming down and Grant is becoming WILD!  The kid runs everywhere he goes.  He wants to play outside climbing and getting dirty.  He is only 16 months but feels more like a 2 1/2 year old.  Grant loves to wrestle, play with trains and stuffed dogs but also pretty much whatever Abby and Carter are doing. 

He is also talking pretty well.  His first word was Dad.  Followed by ,"Hi Dad." as soon as Dean got home from work.  He can also say Mom, Abby, Caca (Carter) gogi (go gurt), bye bye, no, go, and he will mimic many other words and sounds.

Well, that is what is going on with the Dockstaders.  He are healthy, happy.  What more could a girl ask for?