The family update

I feel like I tend to leave Matt out of the loop of things, so I just want to update on everyone in general and add a few pics. Ashleigh - she started school and as of now is LOVING it. She is a huge helper around the house. She actually just finished doing the dishes for me. Her favorite thing is to have a girls' night and pamper mommy. She puts lotion on my feet and legs (I have been teaching her some good massaging techniques), and she brushes and styles my hair. And, yes, I have left the house with 'her' style still in it so she knows I love the hairdo. I love having a princess around. Ashleigh, as she is growing up a bit, has been showing an amazing spirit. The other night she and I were in the car alone, she asked me to put on a Jesus movie because it had been a while since we had seen one. I put on 'Finding Faith in Christ'. We got to talking about Jesus, and she was asking how we know Jesus is there. I talked to her about Graham and how we can't see Graham in heaven, but we know he is with Jesus and Heavenly Father. I also asked her if we can see or hear Jesus and Heavenly Father. She said, "No, but I can talk to them when I am scared." We decided that we talk to them through prayer. I asked if she can hear Heavenly Father next to her when she prays for that comfort. She said, "No, I just know he is there to comfort me." I am amazed at how much she has grown.

Matthew - he is a sweet boy who knows when loves are needed. He cuddles me all the time, and needs a lot of love himself. He is very sensitive. It amazes me how I have 2 boys who are VERY MESSY, and love getting messy, yet the second they drop a piece of food, they start crying and whining to pick it up. Matthew ADORES his big sister. He wants to do EVERYTHING Ash does. Including go to school. This morning he asked me if he could come out to the bus and ask the bus driver if he can get on the bus. He walked out with me, and just started walking onto the bus. The driver giggled, but I ended up having to pick him up and carry him back to the house. He was very sad. He loves Lightning McQueen from Cars, and Buzz Lightyear, Spiderman, Batman. Sometimes he will be all of them at the same time. There are also times where Matt (in wanting to do EVERYTHING Ash does) dresses up in Ashleigh's princess dresses or her leotard. I guess I should take a picture of it. He LOVES the water. We went to Ricky's lake for Labor Day, and all he wanted to do was be in the water. I told him he had to wait to go in until Aaron arrived, but he was so anxious, Pops finally caved and took him in. They had a blast. Matt does tend to get bullied by his brother and sister. He is the sensitive one, so the second they start teasing he is the one to run and scream instead of fight back. So, they keep doing it because of the reaction they get. I feel sorry for him.

Ben - The bilingual bully. He loves to run after Matt and bite him. Every time they bite each other, I make them bite themselves quite hard. It doesn't seem to get the point accross. The other problem is that Ben knows biting is him power against Matt and he uses every second of it. We were at the park, and Ben was taking a toy Matt was using. Matt leaned over and bit Ben on the arm, then ran. I told Matt to come sit in time-out, but Ben was standing at the bottom of the stairs holding onto the railings with a huge evil grin. Matt knew if he headed back down the stairs, Ben would bite him back. So, he went all the way around the playground to get to me, and keep away from Ben. Ben was satisfied because he scared Matt away, and got the toy. Oh, boys. They are definitely more destructive, more physical, and more. . .well. . .boyish. Ben also worships his big sister. She will play with him, and he will be laughing, then Matt will come along and do the same exact thing. He will just look at Matt and shoo him away. I guess Matt does get left out a lot. The kids have been going to a spanish speaking babysitter for a year while I was working. Ashleigh and Matt learned words here and there, but Ben speaks it. I know he has conversations with me in Spanish (probably a mix of the 2), and I have NO idea what he is saying. We say agua instead of water, and leche instead of milk. Ben will give you a beso instead of a kiss or an embrasso instead of a hug. He does know the english word because we say it both ways to him, but I think it's great that he knows spanish, and I want him to remember the little that he does know.

Aaron - He is loving his job at Schering-Plough. He works in the lab. He tests new drugs to be put out on the market basically. He really enjoys the people he works with, and it is a GREAT company to work for. I can't remember him coming home once in the past 2 years working there where he has been depressed, or not happy with his day at work. It makes for a happier home. He currently is teaching the 15 and 16 year olds at church. I think 17 is included in that, but not positive. I think he really enjoys them because they do interact, and they know a bit about the church. They do joke here and there, but I think Aaron likes that too.

Whitney - Due with our 4th child in 3 weeks. I am very scared as it is another boy. I am very excited to have another baby, though. We really felt like this is what the Lord wanted, and so I am trying to embrace it. We have decided to name him Garrett Kenton Rockwell. Garrett is a take on Gary (my dad), and Kenton is Aaron's dad's name. I am anxious for him to come mostly because I can't walk at this point and it is hard to care for 3 kids when you can't get off the couch. I make do, but it is hard. I know that having a new baby isn't going to be much easier, but at least I will be a bit more mobile (after a few weeks of recovery). I have been working at Porcelanosa Tile for the past year. I started maternity leave a bit early because I have pelvic symphysis separation (my pelvic bone started separating). It isn't anything dangerous, or something to worry about. . .it is just painful. Makes running after 3 kids so much MORE FUN!!! I have loved working, but also love being home with the kids, as hectic as it gets. The kids are loving having me home. It has been nice.