To Elder Speakman

Hello Elder! 

I know, I know, I am like the WORST sister ever. I am so sorry it has been so long since I have written you. :( Please know though that I look forward to reading your letters every week, and I think about you every day and keep you in my thoughts and heart and prayers. The children always remember to "bless uncle Johno!" when we say family prayers. :) They love and miss you, as we all do. 

Ok, so lets see. Whats been going on that is worth telling you? We went to Cali in June and it was DIVINE!!! Spent the whole week just chillin' on the beach, enjoying the beautiful weather and enjoying spending time together. Seriously, one of the best vacations I have ever had. I miss it all the time and already can't wait for next year! 

Well...Bella had her third birthday, as you know! She is the cutest little princess ever. She is a feisty little handful, but boy do I love that girl! I can't wait to be her best friend as she gets older. She is a smart little thing, too. Almost every week her nursery leaders tell me how impressed they are with her knowledge and abilities. SHe will be starting preschool this Fall with Sis. Rogers. It will be so weird, having both Bella and Brax going to school and just Conrad home alone with me for those few hours. My babies are growing up! I just wish she would catch onto potty training as quickly as she would everything else. Thats the one area she just doesn't seem that interested in!! Ggrrrrr....we are working on that one. Her favorite phrase right now is "Mommy, (or Daddy,) Do you love me?" :) Anytime she gets in trouble or is giving us loves or just randomly walking by she will ask us "do you love me?" And when we answer "yes" or "of course!" she rewards us with the biggest, most beautiful smiles. I tell ya, we are in trouble with this one! 

Conrad is walking all over the place,  or running is more accurate! First thing out of bed in the morning he goes into the kitchen, grabs his shoes, holds them up to me and says "shoos" and then "down" and sits for me to put them on. YUP! He is saying words now! His first one was "down", and he can say "ball" and "shoes" and "crackers" and "balloon" and "drink" and "ma" and "da!" My favorite is "down" and "da"...Anytime Justin is home he runs around the house yelling "DA!" for Justin. Its so stinkin' cute. All my kids are snugglers, which i love, but Conrad is my best. He would stay in my arms all day if I let him, just hugging me and kissing me and loving me. I am so sad that he is growing so fast...especially since we are unsure if he will be our last or not. I am not ready for my baby to be a boy!! 

Braxton starts kindergarten at the montessori school this year. He is constantly amazing me with how smart he is and how good his memory is. We will be talking and he will just randomly say" Do you remember when....?" and bring up something I said or did or something that happened forever ago that I even barely remember. Its crazy! I will never be able to get away with anything with that kid! Good I guess, but bad too. :) He loves to wrestle with Justin and can actually hold his own pretty well, considering Justin is NOT soft with him at all! THe poor kid. He is a swimming maniac and would spend all day in the water if let him. He has a sweet tooth that rivals my own (no one to blame but myself, right?), he loves playing video games (a little too much, I think... I am going to have to start rationing his alotted time, or making him do it) and is such a social butterfly. He loves playing with anyone and everyone, including children older than himself. He is a FLIRT with the older girls! He was like that even when you were home, though, so I know you know how much of a little flirt that kid can be. :) He is one of the most curious kids I have ever met, and he is a crazy good negotiator, too. WIth his stubborness and skills at negotiating, I think I give in way too much and he gets away with a lot more than he should. Again, teenage years...NOT looking forward to them. He is by all means definitely a first child - confident, stubborn, leader, always wants to be in charge... hard to believe this kid has only been in my life for 4 years. He tries my like none other but brings me so much joy. Its weird how that happens. The things than can bring you the most grief and stress can also bring you the most joy and love. The highest highs, and the lowest lows. They are my heart and soul, though, and I wouldn't have it any other way! 

Well i sure love you my brother. I love seeing you grow and learn and become the man the Lord intended you to be. You truly are a special man and I am so excited to see where this mission and life takes you. Hugs and kisses from me and the kids. 

Sure love ya!