I have been meaning to hop on here for weeks (months) to catch up on our family journal, but can’t seem to find the time to organize my thoughts, or the many photos I would like to share. There are not enough hours in the day to accomplish all that is needed (or wanted perhaps) so something is always done at the expense of something else it seems. Today it was a choice between blogging or a clean kitchen. But oh, how I miss writing my thoughts and capturing the daily happenings of our home!
This season of life has us juggling teens, tweens, and littles and it is beautifully exhausting! My days usually end in the hour before midnight and begin around 6:15am. Sometimes I wonder if there really is a beginning or end as the clock ticks on through the days and nights and sleep is often minimal. I pour my energy into the big kids until late at night helping with homework or enjoying spontaneous chats in the kitchen with each of them sitting on a barstool or counter top casually discussing whatever comes to mind as they put off bed time. I then wake with the babe throughout the night and then rise early with hungry littles. My days are filled with cleaning, baking, reminding, shuttling, cheering during their sports, organizing meals, grocery shopping, and snuggling. I was also recently called to serve as second counselor in the Relief Society (our church’s women’s organization) and have been feeling extremely humbled as I try to navigate the new demands this will have on my time as I serve the sisters in our ward. I’ve been examining my life and figuring out what is essential, and as a wise friend recently counselled, letting His grace get me through each day and make up the difference!
Mike is busy juggling his roles as Father, Bishop of our ward, provider, helper of homework, general manager of the boys hockey league & their assistant coach, along with all of the many ways he serves others. He also drives Camilla in to early morning seminary after his early morning workouts with a friend. He is typically away from home at least two or three evenings a week between church meetings, board meetings, and youth group. It is not a life for the faint of heart, and he manages it all so well!
Camilla is crushing grade ten and working hard to achieve honours with distinction again this year. Her days are filled with early morning seminary, school, sports, church responsibilities, and math homework. She wakes herself up each morning around 5:30am, packs her own lunch and makes her own breakfast, and then joins us for family scripture study at 6:45am before leaving the house at 7:00am. She keeps to this schedule no matter how late a volleyball game or youth group go the night before, and pretty much always wakes with a positive attitude ready to take on the day! She is an incredible young lady and we are so proud of her and the friends she has made and the choices she makes each day.
Hyrum is enjoying his last year at the middle school! He loves band and school sports and hanging out with his friends. I feel like he grows an inch every week and he is almost taller than me now! He’s always tired, growing is exhausting! He has a passion for pedal biking this year and spent a whole day making a jump for the yard with a hand saw and a drill. He enjoys building and creating and figuring out how things work. He also loves being on the ice and playing hockey with Joe.
Joseph is loving grade seven and enjoying being on the same volleyball team as his big brother. He wakes himself up before family scripture study to shower and do his hair most mornings and always smells amazing as he leaves for school. He loves to keep busy and work with his hands as well as play all the sports he can! He enjoys his friends in the neighborhood and is always eager to play after school.
Finley is glad to be in the oldest grade at the elementary school. He does a good job looking out for his younger brothers. He recently bought himself a fish for his room and named her sky (she’s a half moon beta). He loves to talk and share things with us (especially before bed) and I love hearing his thoughts and ideas. He quietly serves me by unloading the dishwasher for me each night. He’s also great with Cooper when I need a minute to throw in laundry or run to the garden for something.
Oliver is in grade three this year with the same awesome teacher who taught Joe in grade one. He’s been enjoying his scooter and his free skates. He loves being outside running around and playing. He’s also doing swimming lessons with Fin this Fall and enjoying that once a week. He’s been a huge help in the garden this year and enjoys the hard work!
Sawyer is enjoying his first year at school with the same sweet teacher who taught Oliver in first grade. He misses being at home and will often lay on my lap for a snuggle after a long day or quietly soak up the sun on the back deck while lying on Sonny boy. He is an old soul and enjoys his solitude. He loves learning though and will often tell me all about the new things he’s learned or count for me or sing his alphabet.
Lily passes her days blissfully at home enjoying second breakfast with Grampa when he gets home from his bus run, painting, watching bluey, playing outside, and making Cooper laugh. She actually enjoys playing on her own and will often be immersed in a game of make believe on the living room rug or with her dolls in her bedroom. She is bursting with energy and excitement for life (much like her older sister) and is full of determination!
Cooper spends his days walking around with the assistance of whatever he can get his hands on (the wall, cupboards, kitchen stool, couches). He still takes two or three naps a day and wakes a few times during the night. Most nights I come into his room to find him walking circles around his crib with his eyes closed, crying for help. I wrap him up and lie him down again and he drifts right back to sleep. He is constantly trying to keep up with his older siblings while I’m wishing for time to slow down. I cherish the moments when he drifts off to sleep in my arms or on my shoulder. I adore his chubby, curled baby toes. I love the way he sleepily laughs when I kiss his face over and over before his naps. I can’t help but smile when he shrieks with glee as he motors around from one thing to the next. He is so close to walking on his own and can stand and sit with only one hand grasping onto something. He’s even started letting go for a split second while stepping towards another object to grasp. His cheeky grin tells me he’s going to be another busy boy when he gets his feet under him!
I have dreams of getting more posts/stories/pictures uploaded on here. I have blog books I need to print and catch up on, and slowly it will all come together! I’m so grateful for the time I get to share with this crazy fun family of ours and cherish every moment!
