Time.

My little boy is growing up.

C.C. starts school tomorrow and all week we have been talking about it and getting him ready for his first day. I have been so busy I haven't had much time to actually think about it much until now. I have grown to cherish the few minutes at night when they are all in bed and the house is quiet. It gives me a moment to reflect and breath.

With C.C. starting school it has made me first feel old, and second ponder the purpose of being a parent. When I think about it, the responsibilty is overwhelming and makes me feel so inadequate. All my life I have heard people tell me that time goes by quicker every year and I am seeing this more everyday. I can't believe at times how our little ones are growing yet I don't feel any different. Ok, maybe a little.


I can't believe that William is starting college at BYU this week, that Ian and Aaron are behind the wheel of a moving vehicle.

So many things boggle my mind if I stop to think about them. Our little family is growing bigger and growing up. I think it should remind us all how important it is to stay close and in touch with one another as things change so quickly.

I had a moment to go on a short drive today with my dad and as he told me stories I couldn't help but think of how quick life goes by for us all. Resolve the things we must today as it might be much more difficult later. Appreciate life, our time, and each other.

Summer Time

It has been 20 days now since I have last posted anything on here and I can hardly believe it. Surely 20 days should feel longer than this.

We are well into summer and the days are longer which would make you believe you could get more done. Au contraire, it is more like my mother in-laws garage.
You work to empty it, and it is filled just as quickly with more stuff than you had before. My days are busier than before and summer is going to be gone before I know it.

I feel like my son C.C. felt the other day. We got up and made pancakes, rode bikes, played with friends, went swimming, roasted smores in the back yard (burning every kid in the process including the neighbors), and then finished the day off with some left over fireworks. When I was tucking C.C. into bed that night I mentioned that tomorrow we'll have another great day. He responded that we didn't even do anything fun today. He either has very short memory or his standard of fun is really high. Summer is going to be done and gone and I will be thinking we didn't even do anything fun.

I remember as a kid, summer was always the greatest thing aside from Christmas morning. That first day of summer with no school was magic as I would think of all the wonderful things I was going to do that summer. The days back then seemed to drag on forever at times and there wasn't a worry in the world. Summer meant waking up extra early and going roller skating before the sun and parents got up. Playing down in the river or out in the sand hills and bringing home what ever creatures we could catch. I loved sleeping out on tramp under the stars and dreaded the projects my parents would come up with for us. My dad was usually working a side job painting a house or fence and occasionally we were asked to help. I remember painting a fence with my dad and Annie my little black dog ran under it putting a white stripe from the tip of its nose to the end of its tail.

Summer was a time of freedom and fun as a kid. Today its a little different as I am working several jobs and going to school, but I still find time some nights while sitting outside under the stars to remember those summers from my youth. It makes me wonder what my kids will remember from their's when they are grown and grumpy like me. Hopefully I can meet my sons expectations and we can have at least one fun day this summer.

Oh Blessed Day.

This past Sunday we blessed our new little one Alyson Ann Lange. She did her part perfect and just laid there quiet and content. Her little blue eyes just stared upward at the strange site of half a dozen men's faces surrounding her. If you think about it thats got to be a little awkward for the baby.

We were very fortunate to have a good showing of family there to support us and it has made me reflect some the past few days on my own family. I am not the best by any means of showing my love or gratitude toward them. At times I am the worst critic of my own family which I find very sad. We all have our short comings but nothing should divide the family.

I was very proud of my brother Jason for coming and supporting me and my small family. It really meant a lot to me. Believe it or not he made it through an entire sacrament meeting and didn't die from it. I expect this to happen more now bro.

I was saddened briefly as I thought of my family and all my brothers. For a family with a lot of men I was unable to have a single priesthood holder from my family stand in the circle with me. Now there are very valid reasons like living in another state is a good one I guess. And illness kept my dad and another brother away. So in no way am I looking down upon anyone, I just wanted to express my feelings of sadness about not having my brothers with me physically, as I know you were all there in one way or another.



In my life I have always admired and loved my brothers both older and younger. I have idolized my older brothers as a young boy and been very hard on my younger brothers because I expect great things from them. With all of our family events I don't recall all of us standing together in a priesthood circle or blessing. We came close when, with dad, we were able to give mom a blessing in the hospital. We had all but one brother then, and it is a memory I will always keep and cherish. I find great joy when I talk to any of my brothers. I love to see us together and I find strength in each one of them. I have been fortunate in my life to have the brothers that I do. It makes me deeply sad to hear one say he is removing himself from the family for any reason, Jason. I want all my brothers to know that I still idolize each one of them in their own way and admire the strength and light each one has to offer.

Sleep Bug

Our little Kayli has had a bit of adjustment since we brought the new little baby home. She has gotten better but for the weeks she had a hard time sleeping in her bed. We would get up and find her all over the house. Because she had no sleep she would crash everywhere during the day too. I took a couple pictures to share our cute little Kayli.

C.C. the Superstar!

We are only a short time into this summer and so far so good. Our family has been to a Luau at Bear Lake, had a mini vacation in St. George, and even got away to San Francisco for a bit, but none of these compares to watching C.C. play sports. He is so funny!

I think it is a huge understatement to say that C.C. is a competitive. Something he inherited from his mother no doubt.

I remember when Liz and I were first dating we decided to play chess. Or I should attempt to. Liz had never played before so I found it a great opportunity to show off my wisdom on a chess board. Nothing says I like you than taking her queen with a pawn. I was teaching her the different moves the pieces can make and what their names were while we went through the motions of a game. Mind you we weren't really even playing, merely instructing at this point. Liz became so frustrated when she was put into check the board went flying and pawns became missiles in the air. I ducked for cover and made a mental note to never play chess with Liz again.

Another time we were swimming and Liz wanted to show off her swim team experience and challenged me to a race across the length of the pool. She was fully confident she had found something she could beat me at as I swim about as good as a rock. Now I was trying to be a nice guy and let her off easy but she kept demanding a race. I tried every way I could to protect her from being humbled in the pool but she insisted. We both took our marks and promptly took off for the other end of the pool. Now I wouldn't say I'm a good swimmer but I felt good that day as I attempted to just not drown. When I touched the opposite wall I turned my head to see Liz about half way down the pool and with just a foot left in the water as she climbed out. She stormed off and didn't talk to me for the rest of the day.

I only share these stories to show you all where I think C.C. may have gotten a bit of his competitiveness. I'm not trying to rub it in at all Liz. ;)

This year C.C. has finished soccer in which he was by far the most intense little 5 year old we saw on the field. On the way to one of his games I could hear him talking to himself in the back of the car. He was saying, "I can't let the cougars win today. I've got to do good and beat them." Have you ever seen a 5 year old get psyched up for a game? By the way he refers to all the other teams as the cougars as in BYU because they are the bad guys. C.C. was by far the best scorer and only defender on the field. He even perfected his sliding kick to score several times.



After soccer we are now into T-Ball. Oh boy! This is exciting if you haven't had the privilege of watching 5 year olds kick dirt and chase bugs around a field. We've only had two games so far but I tell you I find myself just laughing sometimes because I don't know what else to do. The kids at this age are much more interested in the shape of the clouds then fielding a grounder. Except for C.C. that is. This kid has practiced for hours in our back yard just because he wants to. The best moment happened just the other day as C.C. ran the bases. Every other kid is lucky to know which order and direction to run but C.C. ran for home and didn't just slide into home but he full on dove, face first. It was a perfect slide other than the fact he stopped about a foot short of the plate. I have no idea where he learned this but he was safe by a mile as the kids in the outfield were probably still chasing an over throw.

BIRTHDAY BOY!

Our "big" little boy has unbelievably turned 5.  I can't believe it myself.  I almost don't like to admit it.  CC has been a great kid and I am ever thankful that he joined our family.  It just wouldn't be the same without his wisdom and kindness around the house.  CC is constantly reminding us the rules of the house and keeping Liz and I in check on everything.  I dread everyday I don't get to spend with my little boy.  

He is a great big brother and son!  

Alyson Ann Lange