Halloween

This morning I woke early, the light of the full moon streaming through my window, casting its white glow on the floor. I blinked sleep from my eyes as I tip-toed around the kitchen grabbing a banana and a drink for Sawyer. We whispered and snuggled together on the couch until the older kids woke. 

 

"Mornin' Mum! It's Halloween DAYYYYYY!" Ollie has been eagerly waiting for this day all month. 

 

 We ate breakfast, watched a movie with Daddy and then got our costumes on for the Trunk or Treat activity at the church (socially distanced of course).

The littles were super excited as we loaded up to leave. We arrived early and turned the back of the van into a gypsy tent.

 

While everyone went around collecting candy, I got to hand out candy and use my magic ball to tell their fortunes. It was a blast! The kids were glad to be outside and able to chat with friends.

Afterwards we went home, relaxed, at dinner, and got ready to head around the acreages nearby.  Some of the littles were happy enough with their haul from the Trunk or Treat and didn't care to stay out too much. We went to most of the houses in our little area, many of them friends. Lots of people had treat bags to grab on their porches and stood at a distance to chat with the kids as they arrived. With everything being so different this year, I think everyone did a wonderful job at pulling off a fun Halloween for those who decided to go. Happy Halloween!!

 

Pumpkin Carving

 A few days ago Mr. Stannix told me he had booked me an appointment for a hair cut. It was a gesture of true love. He knows I'm too practical/cheap to do it myself. It's been over two years since I've been to a salon (remember Camilla was the last person to cut my hair). 

 

  

I got a good couple inches chopped off and it feels so light and fresh now! I am grateful for a husband who looks out for my needs despite his busy schedule. 

After dinner we did our annual pumpkin carve. We grew four little pumpkins of our own this year and I picked up a larger one from the store on a whim. It worked out well because each child had their own pumpkin to design and carve. Ollie buddied up with Daddy and was so excited about their idea to make a pirate pumpkin!

 

It's always fun to watch and observe and see what they come up with. The boys always love playing with the pumpkin guts (except for Sawyer who wanted nothing to do with them).

I love Ollie's proud little smile in this picture!!

 

When they all finished, we lit the candles, and they called Gramma over to check out their creations. A cat, Harry Potter, a pirate, a one-eyed alien, and an old man with a unibrow. We are officially Halloween ready!

 

Apple Fritters

 Today I woke feeling tired after being up all night with an older child. They kept coming to my bedside every five minutes telling me they felt sick. I'd sleepily rub their arms or back and suggest eating or drinking things that may make them feel better, but they would be back a few minutes later. My alarm was set for 5:45am so that I could get a little study in before the house woke. I dozed in and out of sleep, not looking forward to the early start. Sawyer stirred at 5:00am needing a drink and his covers pulled up. I tucked him back in and tip-toed out to the living room. After turning out every light in the house, left on by the older child who was wandering around all night, I sat and studied my scriptures with half closed, sleepy eyes.

 

I followed Mike to town (he had to drop his car at the mechanics) and on the way home I couldn't help but notice the beautiful snow-capped mountains. "Look at the mountains, Ollie!" He replied, "Wow! They're GORGEOUS!" He then began asking when we could go hiking again. If there's one thing I want to instill in my littles its a love for God's creations and the beauty that surrounds them every day!

When we got home I made some dough for Apple Fritters and then a batch of bagels. I've never made fritters before, but found a recipe that looked easy and delicious!

Oliver and I enjoyed ours warm and freshly glazed.  I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the kitchen and getting dinner one the table.

 

Sunday

I always wake up on Sunday mornings with aspirations for a happy sabbath. This morning Satan quickly crept in. Children were fighting, everyone was thinking only of themselves, comparing who got the biggest piece of German pancake, becoming angry over toys. It escalated quickly to door slamming, harsh words, and me sobbing into a pillow wondering where it all went wrong. But after church, things started to look up.

Tonight we started the bedtime routine a little earlier than usual. Once Jammies were on and teeth were brushed, everyone cozied up in the bunk room while I read. Joy and laughter prevailed and our day ended on a good note.

As I type, two sleepy boys are snoring in my ear and I can hear the pages of books being turned while the big kids wait for me to tuck them in.

Families teach us so much about love and forgiveness and grace. The days aren't always easy, but the little things always make it worth while.
 

Handmade

Over a dozen hours of love was poured into this bonnet and bootie set. Being a self-taught knitter, I am a little bit slow! I modified the boot pattern to make it look like a pair I had swooned over in a small shop a little while ago. They are more like socks than booties and should keep baby girl extra cozy! The addition of the tights helps keep them on babes kicking feet. I love it when I have time to create and make things for those that I love. I am grateful for the example of my Grandmother!
 

Wonder and Awe

Sawyers favorite place to be is outside! It was a lot easier in the Summer to just send them out to play. Now we have to put on snow suits and extra gear. He slowly walks around, his eyes filled with wonder and a smile slowly creeping across his face. The snow is cold, but beautiful. He pauses to examine it with his mittens. He looks around at all of the trees and then up into the sky as he slowly remembers what Winter is. After all is said and done, he is happy to be outside!

 

 

Nourishing my Soul

I have been feeling a push lately to rise before the children in the morning. Something has been stirring in my soul. At 5:45 this morning, while the house was still and quiet, I lit my grandmother's lamp, shewed two little boys back to bed, and studied my scriptures.

As the rooster shouted his good morning, and the furnace heated our home, I read and nourished my soul in hopes that I would be more pleasant when the littles awoke. 

"And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost." 3 Nephi 12:6

My goal is to keep this up for the rest of the week in hopes that it will bring light to the atmosphere in our home and help me deal more calmly with trials that may arise this week. Nothing valuable ever comes without sacrifice.

 

In other news, I am thirty-two weeks into this pregnancy! It's amazing how quickly time flies by with each pregnancy. There is still so much to do, but I am not worried or stressed about any of it really. Over the years I've learned that baby's don't really need much aside from nurturing and love. There will never be a short supply of either of those things in our home thanks to our large family and lots of siblings who are ready to snuggle and dote.  

 

We can't wait to meet this little one in a few months!

 

Sledding

 Everyone was so excited that it was Saturday today. It's been a long week of school and the littles needed a day to relax. They spent practically the entire day outside sledding, building and playing. It was so nice!

  

 

Softly Falling

Today the softly falling snow made our home feel extra cozy. I love days like these where time seems to slow and everything becomes hushed.

 

Throughout the day I often pause at the window to watch the flakes swirl to the ground, mesmerized by their magic. 

 

As the weather becomes colder, the trips to the chicken coop become more frequent. Putting on my Winter things and trudging out through the snow is the perfect break in my afternoon. All of the crosses have started laying and I am loving the dark browns, blues and olive colored eggs we are getting.

 

 

The reality of Winter also means that my back entryway looks like this 99% of the time. I am grateful for infloor heating in this room. Everyone just lays out their gear on the tile and it dries relatively quickly.

 

On the way back in from chores late in the evening, the house was dark, except for the outside light to show the way. I felt grateful for a warm home filled with those I love.

 

Snug and Warm

While it's a chilly day outside, we've been keeping snug and warm! Sawyer happily went for his afternoon nap and slept for so long. While he was asleep I made up some bread and cinnamon buns for our afterschool snack.

 

The littles got home from school and spent literally two and a half hours outside. They built an epic jump on the sledding hill out front and went flying off it over and over again. We had hot turkey sandwiches for dinner and everyone was so happy and helpful. 

 

Dinner was filled with lots of excitement and chatter! As I stood in the kitchen and observed the scene my heart swelled with gratitude. Sawyer even had to start hamming it up when everyone else was laughing and had us all giggling pretty hard. I cherish nights like these.

 

At the end of the day we gathered in the bunk room and read by candle light. The littles are really loving the Little House on the Prairie series and we've had some really great conversations surrounding it. About half way through the chapter, Ollie could be heard snoring away on the top bunk. When we finished, everyone tucked in quietly and I made my way upstairs to do the nightly tidy and dishes. 

 

When I checked on Sawyer I found his covers kicked all the way to the bottom of his bed and his little round belly showing. I gently pulled down his shirt, pulled his covers to his chin and lightly kissed his forehead. His fingers were intertwined in his hair, a habit he's had since birth. 

At last the house was still, moist from simmering tomatoes all day on the stove. I stirred the pot full of tomatoe sauce and admired how thick and nice it was. Sure we could buy it at the store, but there's something about the work involved that makes it taste just that much better. As I locked doors and got ready to tuck in for the night, I said goodnight to kitty who was curled up in her bed on the back deck and gave Reese a pet as she stretched out beside Finley for the night. These are the days!

 

Snow Excited!

The littles are so excited about the fresh snow fall!! Finley was jumping up and down as he headed out the door to school today! I enjoyed a slow morning, watching the sun come up as we waved everyone off on the bus. My drive to and from town was dreamy. I love when the fresh white snow covers the bare branches and brown grass and makes things look fresh and wonderful again!

 

 

 

First Snow

This morning I looked out the window to see snow gently falling. It didn't take long for the leaves to be covered with a light blanket. Ollie kept looking out the window every five minutes and asking, "Is there enough snow to go sledding NOW, Mom?! I'm just so excited I can feel my tummy tickling!" We turned on the oven and whipped up a batch of ginger cookies for the occasion. When the kids got off the bus I could hear them screaming, "IT SNOWED!" as they ran up the lane way. I guess it's time to get out the snow gear...

 

 

Thanksgiving

We've had a full Thanksgiving weekend with a few of my siblings home. We've loved the cousin time and late nights. We enjoyed a big meal at my parents place when everyone was here and then I cooked a turkey, dressing (etc.) up today for those who stayed for the holiday Monday. I don't have many pictures to show for it, but it was wonderful to get together with family and enjoy a good meal. I made pumpkin pies for the first time in forever (thanks to my mamma for the crust) and they were so yummy! Hyrum said it's his favorite pie (which is something I didn't know) and he may have had like three pieces. Oh! And it's also important to note that Hyrum won this turkey at their school turkey trot. He was so stoked! 

 

Grateful

With freezing temperatures on their way, today became potato harvesting day! We had a few extra family members around to help dig and lots of littles to bend and pick up potatoes. The potatoes were a lot smaller this year and the hills weren't as full. We still feel blessed to have gotten what we did though!

Once the crates were full, we loaded them into the back of the truck to take to the root cellar. The littles were all super helpful and happy while we worked and stuck it out until the end!

Oliver has been begging to stop by the stairs every time we drive by on our way to town. We decided in the late afternoon to head out as a family for a walk. Unfortunately the weather wasn't very cooperative and it started getting really windy and spitting rain. 

 

By the time we finished, everyone was cold and ready to go home. But it was still so nice to get out on some trails and enjoy the smells and sights!

 

I am super grateful for this crew! When I think back on how crazy this year has been so far, they've shown such resilience and strength. I know it hasn't always been easy for them and there is things and events and people that they have missed so much. I appreciate their happy attitudes and willingness to persevere and help those in need along the way.