Time Experience Thoughts

After church meetings on the day Cade was blessed, Kyle took off his shoes and walked along the curb which rings the planter area outside in the front of the chapel. He walked back and forth singing "Chim Chiminey Row." (His own version of the song, with special voice inflection. His father and mother had recently attended a Halloween party dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert. Kyle heard them sing the songs from the movie and this is how he remembered the song.)

Cade's three older brothers, Ryan, Sean, and Kyle being silly. Ryan squishing his neck. Sean making a funny face/mouth. Kyle doing his grinning Winston Churchill. Sean acting surprised, Kyle sticking out his tongue, Ryan slouching. 

Again He sighs   And comforts our very soul. His eyes   Reveal our every goal. Then he testifies   And now we really know. Again. Scott L. Vanatter, 30 September 2010 (This poem, in honor of Cade, can be read in at least a couple ways. First, when we encounter him -- taking care of him when he is 4 weeks, or 4 months old, etc. Second is when he is forty or fifty years old – when he might be caring for us.)

Another science experiment/project. Mentos in Diet Coke. Carrie built a delivery mechanism for the Mentos (a curled up piece of paper to fit inside an open soda bottle top). The boys carefully placed the Mentos in the ammunition cartridge, then dropped the charges into the soda. The blast of fizzing soda went about 6-10 feet in the air. Over my head, and way over the boys heads. Note the boys faces. See movie below.

Scott Serves now as first counselor in the bishopric. Works for a competitor to his last company. Finalized move of three wards into a new chapel—including ours. Drove to Kansas to spend Christmas with mother and sister—just got home. http://scottvanatter.blogspot.com/ Becky Serves as the shift coordinator every Thursday evening at the Washington D.C. Temple (with President and Sister Tingey—Scott’s former mission president!). Teaches the Adult Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class. 8th year working for BYU—Coordinating the Washington D.C. Student Teaching Program. Sydney Moved to Arlington (Crystal City) this year. Now in the Colonial Ward. Works in the Washington D.C. Temple on Thursday evenings on Becky’s shift. Traveled to Greece this fall. Is dating Mike! (“Love is in the air!”) http://photogal98.blogspot.com/ Carrie and Scott (along with Ryan, Sean, and Kyle) Summer and Thanksgiving in Virginia. Bough...

Tonight Becky and I experienced the Fourth of July fireworks show in DC with grandsons Ryan, Sean, and Kyle (and their parents and Sydney). As usual, the show was over-the-top fabulous. All three boys were transfixed. Though, about 3/4 the way through the show, Sean (4 years old) got a little distracted, maybe even a bit bored with the constant flow of color and light and sound. However, he could not keep from being drawn back into the drama of the "Finale." Always a crowd pleaser. This year was no exception. As it got going, he re-engaged and could not help from dancing and bopping to the sight and sound of beat of the constantly exploding fireworks. I caught him on video in a freeform joyous dance. Towards the end of it all, he was so excited he let loose with a spontaneous sommersaut. Enjoy. We sure did!

Within seconds of Carrie getting down onto the floor to play, the boys jumped onto her back playing horsey, etc. (with light sabers)! They are full-on boys, rough-housing, and having fun, fun, fun whenever feasible. (Always a good thing!) Grandma Becky reminds me that the boys are as quick to play horsey, etc. with their dear ol' Mom when she gets down on the floor with them, as they are with their Dad. The boys love love LOVE their Mother. They tell her so; they tell her she's pretty; they follow her; and respect her. She is -- along with her dear hubby -- raising a team of righteous sons. A sight to behold (their interaction, their eyes, their council, their nightly prayers, their Family Home Evenings, etc.). Happy Mother's Day Carrie. (And Grandma Becky, and Grandma Lee, and Grandma Dot, and all.)

[During the last half of April Becky and I visited Carrie and all the Motley Boys: Kyle, Sean, Ryan, and Scott Motley. Of the 1,000 stories I could tell of the experience, here's one.] Well. I missed shooting Part I. (And boy did I miss something.) After spending a Saturday afternoon walking up and down a river in Auburn, CA, skipping stones, and taking in the blue sky and mountain air, we stopped by McDonalds for a soft ice cream cone. It was a pretty hot day. Everyone got their own one, except Kyle. He was just turning one year old. I ate the top portion of my cone, then handed the cone and a short mound of ice cream to Kyle. He was sitting wedged in the corner next to Grandma Becky. So, he puts the cone up to his mouth, and begins tasting, then eating it. After a few seconds of getting the full measure of the vanilla taste, he suddenly realizes how REALLY good this ice cream stuff REALLY is. He raises both his hands (cone still in one hand), and with a wide-eyed, big wide smile ...

Dear Sean, Happy Birthday, you "beautiful, beautiful, beautiful boy." We like to listen to this song every now and then before we fall asleep at night -- and think of you, "darling Sean." Can't wait to see you ride your bike! See you soon . . . With lots of love, Grandma Becky Grandpa Scott

The family at Kyle's blessing Sydney Carrie & Sydney Carrie & Scott Motley Ryan, Kyle, and Sean Motley Ryan, swinging and jumping Sean, swinging and jumping Kyle, jumping

Since we took Carrie, Kyle, Sean, and Ryan to the airport last evening . . . "there's a kind of hush all over the [house]." The toys are put away, the boys have flown away, but the joys will never go away. So much love.

Kyle Reese Motley, born 9 pounds, 12 ounces on April 24, 2008 (pictured with loving brothers, Ryan and Sean)

Asking early -- and often -- for what they, really, really, want; Though, soon enough, receiving that which they actually need . . . and perhaps just a bit more. Seeking out the highest, and the brightest, The right, and things that matter most . . . they find themselves. Knocking on the doors of opportunity, They enter in with opened eyes . . . and fully enjoy, no longer boys. Scott L. Vanatter, 15 April 2008 (Poem for Kyle, Sean, and Ryan on Kyle’s birth)

The boys stir (awaking and arising) Plunging into new days of promise. The boys grow (playing and working) Building a better world and life. The boys know (connecting and embracing) Knitting together -- and healing -- generations . . . of softened, tender hearts. Scott L. Vanatter, 15 April 2008 (Poem for Kyle, Sean, and Ryan on Kyle’s birth)