John's Hairy Back

I couldn't help but post this picture. Jeremy was giving John a haircut, and all the hair had collected on his back. He looks like a little werewolf! All kidding aside, Corey really does have a quite hairy back. His back is covered in peach fuzz. It's the strangest thing. Corey's hair is also very thick and grows fast. When we cut the boys' hair, there's always a much bigger pile next to Corey. Caitlyn played her violin in church for the first time last night. She had no fear as usual, and did an excellent job. I forgot I had my camera in my bag until after she was done!! One of Caitlyn's front teeth is hanging on by a thread. I've tried to pull it, but it's still a little too attached on one side, but the permanent tooth is already starting to come in. It's really grossing Jeremy out, and Caitlyn's not helping since she is constantly flicking it forward with her tongue. When she does that, it sticks straight out of her mouth, almost at a 90 degree angle! I'm hoping that she will let me try and pull it again tonight. If it doesn't come out soon, maybe Grandma and Poppy can try when we get there. :) We are leaving early Wednesday morning for Tennessee. I am so excited! I will post our trip details tomorrow. I need to get busy on the laundry, so we can pack the suitcases! Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these.

Ninja Warrior

If you have never watched Ninja Warrior, these pictures may have less significance, so I will explain. Ninja Warrior is a show on the G4 channel on cable. We like to watch it as a family and sometimes catch the 6PM back to back episodes. It's a strange show to say the least, but it's funny and the kids really get into it. It is a Japanese show and they speak no English. There are English subtitles at the bottom of the screen, but of course only Caitlyn can read those. Every six months, 100 challengers from all over the world come to attempt the Ninja Warrior obstacle course. It is divided into four stages, and only one person has ever completed the whole thing. The obstacles are insane, and in my opinion, impossible, hence the name Ninja Warrior. One of the obstacles is called the Spider Walk. The challengers prop themselves up between two slippery walls, and "walk" to the other side. If they slip, however, into the absolutely disgusting pool of muddy water they go. These pictures were taken of Caitlyn's attempts at recreating the Spider Walk in our hallway. As you can see, most everyone got in on the action, except Corey and I. I didn't attempt it for obvious reasons. I could break my neck, or even a leg! Corey wanted to, but sadly his short little arms and legs did not reach. So if you ever wonder what the Knutson Klan does in their spare time, now you know! We are secretly training the kids to become the next Ninja Warrior! Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these.

Somethings Are Just Hard Wired In

It is very rainy and 50 degrees outside today. Looks like we'll be hanging out in the house today. Here's some pictures of the boys I just took a few minutes ago. I am learning very quickly that some of their male traits are just hard wired in. Jeremy is not one to walk around the house shirtless, but John has been obsessed with being shirtless lately. Corey? Well, he just does whatever John does. As you can see from the photos, when they dressed themselves this morning, they apparently thought that jeans were the only required item. They are happily playing with puzzles on the floor, and watching "Super Why" ( a great PBS show). What could be better, right? Probably nothing for these two little boys. A friend sent me an email this morning that I couldn't help but share. It's a great story that has a very important message. ~~A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead. Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow,once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday." ~~ It just goes to show how important being at church is. Without that fellowship and growing together as Christians, that Holy Ghost fire in our hearts slowly distinguishes. I don't know about you, but I certainly don't want to be a cold and dead Christian! Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these.

Letting Go

Today's the big day. Dawn is moving. As much as I've struggled with this whole situation, I am finally learning to let go and leave it God's hands. This morning as I drove her to school, she said, "Momma, when God comes in your heart he never leaves right?" That one statement comforted me, and let me know that we had left a mark on her little heart. That we had taught her the important things. Even as I cried after I dropped her off, I felt a peace that I hadn't yet felt, like God reached right down, and said everything's going to be alright. Though we will still see her, today marks the end of her stay with us, and the end of my role as her mommy. And though we don't know what God's plan is for her, God knows. Habakkuk 2:3 says, "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak......"

Our Little Wordsmith

It always makes us laugh to listen to the words that Caitlyn uses. Ever since she started talking, she's been trying to out new words on us. I still remember at barely three, her saying that something was "hilarious." Occasionally, she's not even sure what they mean, but she tries to use the words anyway. Recently, we were at a friends' for dinner, and she informed the other kids that it would be "more appropriate" if they put their napkins on their laps. Her new favorite phrase is "so totally cool". Caitlyn's large vocabulary is probably a result of her being an avid reader. We also have never talked "baby talk" with her, and I think that has made a difference too. John David has recently started this same habit. Instead of just saying that he's hungry, he'll say that he's "really" hungry. Then when you question him further, he'll state, "I'm serious. I'm really serious." I love listening to the kids talk. Corey's vocabulary and speech have greatly improved over the last several months. And even though most people still can't understand him, we understand him fine at home. The kids are so honest about their emotions, and have such passion about things. Some of my favorite moments are spent listening to the random thoughts of the kids. Now that Caitlyn is getting older, you can really have some deep conversations about life with her. Everything is so simple to her, so black and white. Sometimes I think she's smarter than I am. Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these.

What's New With Kylie?

Kylie has gotten her purple belt! This picture was taken yesterday afternoon as she proudly showed off her new belt. I think she's more excited about this one than the others, probably because it's purple. Kylie has really grown up a lot lately. She has really mellowed out. She is still a ball of energy, but has many more quiet moments than in the past. Almost every day, she wears this black leotard. She alternates different color tights, but the black leotard has become a permanent piece of her wardrobe. I'm not sure what draws her to this particular leotard, but for now it is her favorite. I of course make her wear real clothes when we leave the house, but when we're at home the leotard stays on. I have to secretly wash it when she's sleeping!! Kylie has always had this fascination with bugs. She's not afraid of much, and she's discovered that the other little girls are, especially at church. She enjoys chasing them around, dangling a Daddy Long Legs from her fingers. She's laughing hysterically, while the other girls are all screaming. We've also noticed that every time the kids catch a bug or a small frog, that Kylie is always the first to say it's time to let it go. Even after they've played with it, and it isn't even alive anymore, she still is the one that marches out the back door, and lays it gently in the grass. Our little fireball is turning into a very compassionate little girl. Just because she's not as emotional as Caitlyn, sometimes I think we forget how deep her feelings really run. Out of the blue, she'll say something thought provoking, and we discover that she's contemplating deeper emotions and thoughts than we realize. I don't think Kylie is in any danger of losing her fireball side anytime soon though. Love you all, and thank you to God Almighty who has for now blessed us with these.

New Blog Layout

If you haven't viewed our blog page in awhile (due to receiving posts via email), come check out the new layout! I changed some things around. Hope you like it!