Elliana

Elliana Olivet Jauregui went home, October 13th, 2009.

Even though Ellie is not an "O'Brien boy," and my boys didn't even really know her (due to distance), it has impacted them in some way... especially Micah.

I've never really had to talk about death with Micah before. He'll ask questions about my Grandma and Grandpa and I'll tell him that they raised me and loved me and now they've gone to be with Jesus in Heaven. Their bodies just stopped working, like a battery wearing down.

Micah is very curious about this and will repeat what he remembers from our discussions to me often. And when Ellie died, it was the same. Only, this time, he saw my tears - he could sense the pain death brought. I showed him pictures of Ellie... a beautiful little girl who looked about his age. He repeated the story I told him about how Ellie's body just stopped working and that she went to Heaven.

And then he repeated the story to every-single-person we saw for the next week....
I'm amazed at a child's fearless contention with pain, sorrow, and the unknown. We adults like to talk about it with a numinous reverence...

I'm so sorry that they didn't know Ellie better here on this Earth. There was a beautiful, peaceful simplicity to Ellie. There was a deep love the family had for her, though she never had to earn the love she received.

My heart hurts so much for my cousin, Abby and her husband, Tano. I want to be there... because I know that if one of my children met the Lord before I did, I would want Abby by my side - almost more than anyone. She's a deeply loving and compassionate person. God is wise to have placed Ellie in their care for eight years.

Missouri game

Since Uncle Thomas is an "O'Brien boy" himself... we wanted to cronicle some of his life events too. His victories are our victories.... that's what family is about.








Seriously, how does his arm DO that???

Malachi is TWO!!

Malachi hardly knew that he had turned two. We kept saying all day -- Malachi, it's you're birthday! And he'd look at us like, "Ya,so?" He must have gotten this from the O'Brien side. :) The chocolate cupcake, however - now, THAT he could get into!

SDSU vs. NDSU !!!!

October 17th and 18th, we traveled to South Dakota to watch Uncle Thomas QB for SDSU against their rivals NDSU. He played well and South Dakota won the battle! It's really a fun "family" trip - we travel with Grandma and get to see Uncle Thomas the morning after the game. What a treat! (the hotel with a waterslide doesn't hurt either.)

There is just something about Autumn...

I raked this pile four times... and the boys waited in anticipation each time... and it was totally worth it. There is so much freedom and joy in these pictures. Days like this are good for the soul.

Random October

This is Micah and his friend Jackson -- being boys. Note the matching shoes and matching Plasma cars. :)



Yes, Malachi wants to be like his daddy -- but more than that, Malachi needs to work. He mows the lawn. He vacuumes the house. He pretends to use the blender. He hamers with his toy hammer. He helps me run the dishwasher, the washing machine, and even puts away the extention cord. :) I'm banking on this coming in handy when he can REALLY put himself to use!



Micah, practicing his cutting.



This is Micah's drawing of the first snow... it's a view of the trampoline covered with snow, looking down from our living room window.




Malachi Nicholas turns two on October 18th. This is a "finding nemo" cake, our neighbor made for Malachi.





Daddy time. The boys LOVE when Daddy comes home to wrestle, read, chase, and really, do anything together. John looks forward to this too. :)

Oh my.... Belly!

Yes I am only seven months along. I have pictures of me the day of delivery for Micah with a smaller bump. :P

Our baby (BOY) is due December 17th. Boys, boys, boys...