On September 29, 2006 we had a major family event. As you all know, Matt is in dental school and will be doing less and less book and class work and more and more practical patient care. So they have what is called the White Coat Ceremony. It's quite a big deal. All of the students receive their white doctors' coats and take the dental oath. It was a very proud day for all of us. I was very emotional (shocking, I know). We had several people there. Matt's mom and sister, Jayleen, and our nephew, Ian came to help us celebrate Matt's big day. And of course, Sammy and James were there too. My friend watched Isaac and Joseph. The ceremony was a little lengthy for James even. As you can tell by how thrilled he is in the pictures. Matt has worked so hard and has been so successful. We can't help but recognize the tremendous blessings we have received and see the Lord's hand in our
lives daily. (I'm still trying to figure out how to use this program. I can't seem to get the pictures to go where I want them to).
I love Sundays. It is so wonderful to be able to just spend the day together. Sunday always begins a little crazy with the hustle and bustle of getting ready for church and it is a complete miracle when we all make it to church with our hair combed. (Unfortunately I am included in that). But I love being with the children in primary and each Sunday I am so proud of my boys. They are so good and are so well behaved. Yes they have their moments, but don't we all? I can hardly write this because Isaac is making us laugh so hard. The boys have been taking turns telling stories with their daddy, and Isaac likes to take everyone's turn. He keeps shushing his daddy and saying, "once upon a time....." And then he does a crazy little dance. He loves an audience. 
What is so much fun about scooping the guts out of the pumpkin? Everyone loves to do it. Isaac was a bit apprehensive at first and then got right in there and had a blast. I roasted the pumpkin seeds and they were really good. At least Matt and I thought so. The boys did not like them. But it was such a fun night. There is nothing better than playing and laughing with my boys. (All FOUR of them):>) James and Joseph tell me what they want and I do the carving. That's my favorite part.
I dreaded James' first day of school for at least a whole year. But it came and went and was fairly uneventful. Except for the fact that I had to go pick him up because they wouldn't let him go to class. Apparently Virginia is very rigid about immunizations. He was missing one, so we made a quick trip to the doctor's office and he was back in time for lunch. James loves school and does very well, as we expected. He loves his teacher and he has made many friends. Every time I go to the school someone stops me and tells me what an amazing child we have. Matt even had a teacher ask him if we would write a parenting book. (HA, HA!) We can only attribute his goodness and obedience to his nature. He just came that way.
