Shout Out with Bragging Rights

I promise, the story is worth reading…

You all know by now from reading the blog that I L.O.V.E., love, lovelovelove my sweetheart, right?  That I think he is one of the God’s greatest gifts to me and my children.  That he is … so much more than I am eloquent enough to say or write about.

He worked like a mad man this past weekend.  After not having “work enough to do” for weeks, there was once again too much work to be done in the time given.  He read something like 800 documents in two days.  On average they took him two minutes each to read, some more, some less.  He worked from home, but worked all weekend.  Day and Night.

So imagine his slight dismay when he arrived at work this morning only to be given 100 more documents to read!  He was already cross-eyed from all the reading this weekend.  (Alec has a dominant eye that when he is tired, he turns his head and looks/only uses that eye.  All day Sunday he had his head turned using that eye.  That’s how I know when he is truly tired.)

So today, he took a break for lunch.  Often Alec just works from his desk through lunch.  Today however he decided to go to “the kids driving range” (not just for kids, but that is what our family calls it) where he has “free golf range balls FOR LIFE” and hit a bucket or two.  (yes, really – golf balls for life!)

But there was “something” going on down at the end of the course… a hole in one contest.  It was $1 “per ball” to play but they offered him a two for one coupon, but he ended up buying a “deal” where they gave him 20 balls, a bottle or Rudy’s BBQ sauce and dinner for four at Rudy’s – well worth the $20 it cost him for the Rudy’s alone. 

I believe it was ball 15 that bounced a couple times on the green and then… disappeared.  Disappeared into the HOLE!  A Hole in ONE!  I think the prize was dinner for two at Flemming’s – but the prize he is most excited about???  A chance to hit for another hole in one later this week.  Only that hole in one is worth:

$1,000,000

Wouldn’t that be nice?

It was just the thing he needed to brighten his day, week, month, perhaps year.  Just the break he needed from sitting behind a desk with tired eyes reading hundreds of documents that most of us wouldn’t understand.  I am so happy for him, not because it’s pretty cool or one of those “I will remember this for the rest of my life” moments – but because it means so much more to him.  It’s a milestone, monumental moment that makes him… well, HIM.  Proud of himself.

I am sure you all understand.  When good things happen to those we love, we are happy for them, but when they are fulfilled and pleased for themselves – the joy and pride we feel for them is so much greater and more full!

I am so proud of him.  So happy for him.

What Hewy has to say about Joseph

I like about him, a, the shirt he has that says "Mommy is a stinker!"
(It says "Mommy's Little Stinker" but Hewy thinks it says Mommy IS a STINKER!)
And I like to hold him.
And I like to take a bath with him.
And I like... to say, "Ohh, Ohh Joseph" when he cries.
And then I like loving him.
Well, he's like a baby.
He has brown hair and his eyes are blue.
I like to tell him jokes.
And I like his socks.
(When I asked if we should keep him?) Yes.
Joseph will like the black and white puppy we are getting for Christmas, because it will lick him (Just so you all know Hewy has fabricated this Puppy for Christmas story!)

saved

A couple weeks ago Grandma heard a clunking noise coming from the washer. When she went to see what it was - she found Liam's iPod. ought-oh! Liam had received it for his 8th birthday and had been told if we found it laying around, it would be ours. He has "lost" it a few times and earned it back. But once he actually lost it for several months. da Momma was so not happy. And then one day we were cleaning the gameroom as family and what do you know... we found not only Liam's iPod under the couch, but Noble's too. I was in iPod heaven. Liam had only just earned it back when we found it in the washer. It made me laugh to see him trying to "figure" out how it got in there... "but it wasn't in the jeans that I washed...?" Obviously it was.

I plopped it into a bowl of dry rice for a week, then charged it, reset it and guess what?
IT WORKS!


But now it's mine. For a good long time and it will take a lot of "earning" to get this one back! I have my own iPod, but you can never have to many of a good thing! :)

But just so y'all know, if you get your iPod wet, the dry rice trick really does work. It wicks away all the moisture.

4 weeks

Joseph had his first cold this week.
We are so glad that it was short lived.
He had a high fever, wouldn't rest, stuffy-yucky nose, and threw up over and over.

Joseph is also gaining weight again which is good. He is growing, getting very long, but he hasn't been putting on weight since he was born. Thankfully he gained about a half pound this week.

I like this picture as it shows an expression he has all the time. He seems to be a wise old soul that observes and ponders the world around him. For the most part he is a calm, quiet baby that sleeps most of the time. I wonder how thin the veil is for him still, if he has the chance to communicate with angels. I thought about this morning as I was feeding him. Does he remember he was excited to come here, does he remember the plan?
Love this little mister.

Two quotes that about wrap life up around here…

• “All the boys have run naked in the kitchen today” – Alec, after staying home, realizes how crazy HOMEschool can be.
• “Would you like honey on your hotdog?” -Liam, who thinks honey is good on everything.

3 weeks

It seems longer than 3 weeks ago.
Life seems so normal again.



snoozin' on Mom's bed while Mom keeps close watch.

"my grandpa is the best!"
They both are!

Alec and I call him the "Banana Baby" because he so long and skinny. He might "look" like me and my dominant genes in the face, but he got his Daddy's body shape!

1st day of preschool

Doesn't he look proud!?



Hewy is in a co-op preschool this year. Mostly friends from church. It is twice a week and for two and half hours. He has been so excited to start and even packed an unneeded lunch the first day.

First day pictures.

let it rain, let it rain, let it rain

We have been in a drought here in Texas.
lots of 100 degree days and no rain.

The day Joseph was born it rained and it has been raining off and on since then... but this week, it "Texas RAINED!" It rained hard for a long time and nearly flooded. (6 inches or so in 24 hours) The boys went out and played in it. The fully dressed in Cougar gear was not planned - but after last week's win - we have been even more PRO-Cougar than usual.

Our Stake has been fasting and praying for rain, so this has been a good faith building experience for the boys, well, for us all.

when you are tuckered!

Hewy fell asleep in his Tow Mater chair in the kitchen of all places wearing his famous plaid shorts and striped shirt.

Junior Cougar

Last week, for BYU's opening game, Joseph wore his Junior Cougar onesie that New Grandma had bought for him. This week he got to wear his jersey for the first time. I think he is quite handsome!

brotherly love!

Super Yum

My dear friend Lois, and her family/sisters/parents, sent this Edible arrangement when we had the baby. It was beautiful and yummy! My kiddos love fruit and enjoyed devouring it.

Lois and her sister, Diane, stayed with us this past weekend. Most of the Thomson family was in town for the baby blessing of their sister, Paula's, baby, L.J..

I enjoyed the late night talks - hope we didn't keep Diane up too late!

Rise and Shout. . . .

the Cougars are OUT!



for the non-college-football-people out there, (Gasp!), last week was kick off week for College Football. College Football is also Alec's favorite pastime, or is that golf? (Alec weighs in: "hmm, tough call") And although Alec follows all the college teams and can talk the talk with any fan of any school - we all know that his blood bleeds TRUE BLUE for the Cougars of BYU!

This year, BYU's kick off game was against Oklahoma and they were playing in Dallas at the Cowboys' Stadium. My good husband, who is a full blown fan, didn't go because he is also a full-time Dad and hubby. He stayed home to support his recovering wife and bond with his littlest one. "We're going to lose anyway." He would say. Oklahoma was ranked number 3 and we were ranked number 20. (Notice the past tense!)

Saturday our dear cougars beat the Big 12 giant 14 to 13!
what a game!
A not to be missed game!
Thank goodness for TV and ESPN.

We are still on cloud nine!

We train them early to know they are Cougars!

O Rise, all loyal Cougars and hurl your challenge to the foe.You will fight, day or night, rain or snow.Loyal, Strong, and True Wear the White and Blue.While we sing, get set to spring.Come on Cougars, it's up to you!
CHORUS:O Rise and Shout, the Cougars are out Along the trail to fame and glory.Rise and shout, our cheers will ring out,As you unfold your vict'ry story.On you go to vanquish the foe For Alma Mater's sons and daughters.As we join in song, in praise of you, our faith is strong.We'll raise our colors high in the blue,And cheer the Cougars of BYU.

Pile O' Feet

Just for fun.
The Four Boys' Feet.

Perfection

Today is September 3, Joseph's due date. He has been here with us for one week and we already cannot remember life without him. I don't want to jinx him or us, but I do have to say this baby is delightful. He is a charm to have around. He sleeps. He rarely cries. When he does cry it is because I am letting him wind up to use his lungs. This drive several people, mostly his brothers, crazy. If you know he is going to cry why don't you pick him up - because I want to know he can cry. He sleeps. Did I mention that already? Two nights ago he slept 3 hours, ate, slept 5 1/2 hours, ate, slept 3 more hours. Very nice. last night he woke up three times between midnight and 5 am, but after the first two times when I got up and he went right back to sleep, I ignored the third and guess what... he went to sleep on his own.

To tide you over...

See, I am trying to get some rest.
I have been accused of doing too much already.
But I do rest, see.

(notice the necklace)

Oh the joy!
There is a reason our Blog is titled Happy Dunn's.
Even the baby seems to be smilin'.

And this one is old, it is from our hospital days.
The day my milk came in I looked down while nursing
my little Mister
and he was giving me the "I love You" sign!

Afraid of heights

Alec took a week, turning into almost two weeks, off from work to help me and bond with Joseph after the baby's arrival. So I naturally created a Honey Do list. Changing all the burned out light bulbs in the house was on the list. This included the oven light, the lights above my stove, the fan lights in the family room and "this" light that is in our stair way.



My sweet husband that is afraid of heights, of uncomfortable with heights would be a better way to put that, climbed the 35 feet to change it. He had to use the handy ladder that can be practically any shape and extend it all the way, put it on the first "platform" of the stairs and climb while my Dad held it so it didn't slip. I was grateful for the light and even more grateful that we have lived in the house four years this month and this is the first time it has burned out. I hope he doesn't have to make the climb for another four years!

Look what Alec found in our yard

Grandpa hates snakes!

Remember When...

yesterday Alec and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary. What a wonderful time in our life to be celebrating! Just as I had said to him the day before - even though Joseph has only been with us a week, I can't recall life without him, he just fits into our family and belongs. I also cannot remember or think of life without Alec, without him being the second part of me, without the humor, the wisdom and steadfastness he is in my life.

He continues to hit "it" out of the ballpark and at times takes my breath away. Yesterday he took Joseph and me out to lunch at one of my favorite places. Joseph was a good baby and slept the whole time and I savored food that I could very well be obsessed with. (It involves homemade mozzarella cheese and roasted garlic - oh, to die for.) Later that night we went for a drive with baby Joseph and ended up somewhere special to pick something special and sparkly up... and then made another stop to buy one more sparkling surprise!

I feel bejeweled.

(Note, these two sparkly treasures come after he had already given me a sparkly gift after Joseph was born, my "pushing prize" or in Joseph's case, my "carrying for nine months and being willing to be cut nearly in half to deliver him" prize.)

I thought about posting pictures, but I don't want to show off. Just want to shout out what a thoughtful, generous, kind man that I am married to. (And to think, all I got him was another SON!)

There are several songs that Alec and I consider to be "our" songs, one of them being Remember When by Alan Jackson. It almost makes me cry when I hear it, and sometimes I do cry. We like it because it isn't about a fairytale marriage, he sings about the hard times and the growth that make marriage beautiful too.

Happy Anniversary my Love!

Remember when I was young and so were you
and time stood still and love was all we knew

Remember when we vowed the vows
and walked the walk
Gave our hearts, made the start, it was hard
We lived and learned, life threw curves
There was joy, there was hurt
Remember when

Remember when old ones died and new were born
And life was changed, disassembled, rearranged
We came together, fell apart
And broke each other's hearts
Remember when

Remember when the sound of little feet
was the music
We danced to week to week
Brought back the love, we found trust
Vowed we'd never give it up
Remember when

Remember when thirty seemed so old
Now lookn' back it's just a steppin' stone
To where we are,
Where we've been
Said we'd do it all again
Remember when
Remember when we said when we turned gray
When the children grow up and move away
We won't be sad, we'll be glad
For all the life we've had
And we'll remember when