A Patting Approval...

Let me preface this post with the following:

I do NOT care what your political views are. I do NOT care which candidates you support. I do NOT care if you like Romney or Obama or any other politician. That is not what this is about. That discussion is better suited for a different time and place. So, please keep all political comments off of the blog. Thank you!

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Dear Dudes,

Today was a good day! Even though both of you woke up on the wrong side of the crib, it was still a good day. And, that happens on occasion. I wake up with bad hair days all the time, so I know how you guys feel.

After some suds, we dressed you boys in some sweet Sunday onesies, shorts, and the finest Sunday kicks this side of the Mississippi. After getting dressed, Boston was still pretty cranky and went back to sleep. So, for today's purposes, Braxton will be modeling the new Sunday look.

It's GQ time...

From the birdie tie...

To the kicks...

The kicks are so awesome that they make the picture blurry. As the youngsters would say, "You guys were lookin' FRESH."

Church was great. For the first time, Braxton, you went up to the pulpit to bare your testimony with me. We talked about how we were both bald and chunky. We also told every one how Heavenly Father has a sense of humor, and that we love that about the man upstairs.

And, Boston, you went up with Mommy. Mommy and you talked about prayer and how important it is to you. You guys talked about the love of a family, and Mommy said she has 3 kids. Yeah, she considers me a kid.

While in the spotlight, both of you slept the entire time and neither of you farted in the direction of the microphone...so that was a relief.

Just like your Great Grandpa Imlay, you slept through sacrament and woke up when it was time for a snack.

While standing outside the door to Sunday School, I spotted some peculiar gentleman standing at opposite ends of the hallway. The both stood at attention, hands crossed at their waist. The both had a spacial pin on the lapel of their jackets. And, in their left ears, each of them had an ear piece. At first, I thought it was the security force that Nana had hired to make sure you boys were alright.

Seriously! You Nana is a little paranoid. But, at second glance, I knew exactly who they were. I had seen them before. They were with the Secret Service. The gentlemen standing guard in the hallway meant only one thing...the Senate Majority Leader, Senator Harry Reid was attending the Eldorado Valley Ward today. Senator Reid is one of the most powerful men in the United States government, and he works closely with President Obama.

Senator Reid has achieved a more senior elected position than any other Mormon in the history of the United States. Also, if he finishes his current term, he will be one of only six men in history to serve 6 years as a Majority Leader. Those are significant accomplishments. Regardless of whether or not you like him as a politician, it is pretty neat to be within arm's reach of someone with that amount of power.

As I held you (Braxton) in the hallway, Senator Reid approached us. He told me that he appreciated my testimony. We awkwardly shook hands because I was holding a sleeping Braxton in my arms. He proceeded to ask how old you guys were and if you were both boys. I responded proudly that you guys were identical twin boys. With an approving smile, he softly patted you (Brax) on the head and said "You got a handsome fella there, keep up the good work". Then, he moved on to join his wife in Sunday School.

So, at just short of 8 weeks old, Braxton Parker Barrow received a patting approval from one of our higher ranking officials in the United States Government. I don't know if politics will be in your future Braxton, but you made an impression on Senator Reid.

How many 8 week old babies can say that?

It was a pretty cool experience.

But, while in Sunday School, it made for a little bit of an awkward situation. I was tasked with making Boston a bottle during class. Normally, it is no big deal, but when you are trying to be sneaky and mix mystery powder with a liquid in a small container...it can raise some eye brows. I have expected to be taken down by Reid's guards.  But, in the end, it turned out alright and Boston enjoyed his bottle just a row away from the Senator.

While in Sunday school, Braxton was talking up a storm. He was trying to answer questions and get any sort of attention that he could.

Happily, he spent the remainder of the class looking excitedly at the ceiling.

It was a pretty good day at church. Boston slept through most of it, so we didn't get many pictures of him. But, Braxton, for a portion of it, was wide awake and talking up a storm.

After church, we spent the day at Grampy and Grammy Imlay's house. You guys hung out with your Aunt Riss and your cousins too. We lounged around the house...talking, reading, and napping. It was great to just be around the family and enjoy each other's company. We had a good dinner cooked by Grammy and Riss did family home evening.

We were reminded that we have a lot to be grateful for. And, I am so grateful for the two of you and your mom. I am grateful for family and their love. And, I love spending some quiet, relaxing time together on Sunday.

And, that's what I love about Sundays!

I love that I get to spend the day with you boys. I love that I don't have to leave you for ten hours to go to work. I love that we can sit as a family in church. I love that we are a family. And, I love you.

Love,
Dad