When I open my eyes the house is oh so still. I can hear Joseph's feet hit the floor as he slides out of his bed. He hits up the bathroom and flushes the toilet on his way to my bedside. His tummy has woken him and he needs breakfast stat. He wiggles his way onto our big bed and shakes me awake. "Is it bepest time yet?" he asks. I hug and kiss him with my eyes still shut. Finley has started sleeping through the night but it will probably be weeks before I feel like I've caught up on sleep. Joseph leaves our bed and heads to the kitchen. I listen as he clicks on the lights and opens the pantry door. Before long he is at my bedside again with a box of cheerios. It is time to start the day.
As I pour the milk I look out the kitchen window and admire the view of the frosted trees. The sky slowly changes from pink to blue as the sun rises over the rooftops. I go downstairs to find the older two playing quietly and we begin our morning routine. It isn't long before we are all gathered around the table eating eggs. We say a quick good-bye to Daddy and have a family prayer. I leave the boys safe and warm while I walk Camilla a few doors down to catch her bus.
When I return, Finley is awake and I feed him breakfast. We tidy the kitchen and clean up our rooms and then head out on a walk. We stop and visit a new friend and drop off a few of our Christmas tins around the neighborhood. When we get home the children's cheeks are pink and their fingers chilled. I put on the kettle and make up some hot chocolate to help warm us back up.
The boys spend most of their afternoon playing close by as I work away on a baby blanket for a friend. When the fighting begins I declare nap time. Hyrum enjoys a few cartoons and some coloring while he waits for me to come back down.
We have a few hours of whispering and quiet play which is so good for my soul. Sometimes the craziness gets to me and these few hours help recharge me for the rest of the day.
When the boys wake up we all hang out at the table for snack time. Finley is hamming it up and I can't help but take a few pictures of my giggly boy. It's so hard to believe that he will be a whole year old next week.
We are all excited when Camilla comes home. The games of pretend resume with Camilla's big imagination taking charge. When dinner time nears I ask them to start tidying the basement. They each get a dump truck to make it more fun and Camilla divides up the work equally. Everyone eats their dinner all gone and I serve them ice cream to celebrate the occasion. Baths and showers are promptly had and then I tuck the littlest into his crib. Daddy does bedtime with the big kids while I escape for a few minutes of sanity. I finish up some Christmas shopping and arrive home to a quiet house. Mr. Stannix and I spend some time together before bed discussing hopes and dreams and counting out many blessings.
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