Merry Christmas

 

Slowing Down

 

Relishing

I am soaking this up because every day she grows and changes! Lainey is such a good baby! She is content with herself. I can put her in her crib and she will happily look around and observe. She doesn't usually fuss and if she does, it's never for very long and usually only when she's sleepy. She has such a peaceful nature about her and I've loved getting to know her!

 

Winter Solstice

 

Finley: Eleven

Finley is ELEVEN! He is helpful, willing & kind. He is a super fun big brother who always gives Cooper piggyback rides or helps with the littles whenever needed. He is chatty and thoughtful and insightful. He is academic and bright! He is looking forward to receiving the priesthood in January and heading into the young mens program. We enjoy all that he brings to our family and are so glad he's ours!

 

He is Near

This morning I read a post about how God could have made things easier for Mary and provided things like a home and a soft bed...but He didn't. The writer went on to say, "the hardship didn't disqualify the moment, it was part of it..." and as I read that I realized that Lainey's birth felt much the same. The days leading up, and even the day of, were full of trial and hardship, but that didn't make her birth any less special or important. Just because things didn't go according to my plan didn't disqualify the moment or minimize the importance of bring a life into the world. But in the moment, it was made to feel like an insignificant event compared to everything else that was happening. I felt like the amazing experience I had just had and the hard work I had just done didn't even matter. The writer of the post then concluded with the thought that, "God doesn't always remove the hard, he enters it. So if your life feels messy or heavy, it doesn't mean He's absent. It means He is near." Tears stung my eyes as I read and realized that I had felt Him near and noticed all of the tender mercies offered along the way in a less than ideal circumstance surrounding her miraculous birth!

 

Lily: Five years

In the middle of the night Cooper and Lily both woke to the room full of balloons. I had lots of fun hanging out in there trying to get them back to bed! The morning sun was much welcomed and we enjoyed some couch snuggles while we visited with the birthday girl.

I can't believe that Lily is FIVE! She is spunky, sassy & sweet. Every day is exciting and fun for her! She's a fast learner and full of energy. She shares her light naturally with others. She is helpful and full of love. She has a big heart and a big personality. She loves music and dancing. We are so glad she is ours!

Happy birthday Miss Joy!!

 

Band Concerts & Birthday Prep

Tonight we enjoyed Finley's band concert! It was so fun to see the grade six band play and hear how far they've come already this year! I dropped off and picked up Daddy at the door. The cold and hard chairs trigger his back spasms, so it was a rough night for him.

Lainey slept and nursed through most of it and Cooper stayed home with the big boys so I wouldn't have to chase him too! 

Camilla picked up balloons for Lily's birthday tomorrow and the big kids blew them all up and put them in her room to surprise her when she wakes. We will see how Cooper does too when he wakes up to a room full of balloons in the middle of the night! 

 

Annual Bakeoff

Tonight we hosted the youths annual Christmas Bake-off! The young men make something over in my parents kitchen and the young women make something over here. There are judges, taste testing, and even a trophy. It's all very official and the youth take it very seriously! The friendly competition is so fun to watch! 

The boys made a forest log complete with moss and fungus. It turned out so nice and tasted great!

The girls did truffles with gingerbread men and the decor and taste was top notch!

After cleanup, everyone went home and we enjoyed some quiet moments near the tree!

 

A Home Visit

This morning my midwife came by for a home visit! Lainey weighs 7lbs 8oz. She got her tongue tie clipped quick and she is doing so well! Mike & my Dad headed into town to pick up new toilets for the bathroom renovation downstairs. and we enjoyed a mostly quiet day. Lily wasn't feeling well and spent a lot of the day curled up on the couch with blankets. Cooper tried dragging Lainey's bassinet out to the pool room (with her sleeping in it). Even though it crashed down the first stair, she stayed safely folded up in the sheepskin and didn't even wake! Sheesh, he's busy! I stayed up late chatting with teens and waiting on our big girl to get home from her bball game in Camrose to hear how it went. It's not always convenient or easy to wait up, but I enjoy doing it and connecting with them when they get home. I love hugging my teens goodnight and checking in with them before bed. 

 

The Mondays

Last night I slept in my bed for the first time since coming home. I had a wicked headache and after spending the last few nights on chairs and couches and the foot of Lily's bed, I desperately needed the sleep. Lainey slept for over four solid hours and woke around 3:30am. She is such a champ! Cooper had crawled in with me fifteen minutes before she woke. Juggling keeping him in bed and feeding/resting has been tricky. I fed her, changed her, fed her again and put her back to sleep. Cooper then whined for a solid 45 minutes before settling back to bed. I crawled back into bed at 5:00am hoping for another solid hour of sleep before I had to wake up and do the morning routine. 

A sweet friend came by after the kids had left for school and offered to do my dishes and tidy my kitchen up. It was so nice to visit and chat and have the extra help. The service was much appreciated! Shortly after she had gone home, another friend dropped by with a freezer meal and an adorable diaper cake! 

Much of my day was spent on the couch nursing and snuggling. I love hanging out with these guys all day!

In the early evening our loving relief society president brought dinner by. Just after she left, the power went out and we ended up eating by lamp/candle light. It was kind of a fun time! The kids went sledding in the dark and assured me their eyes would adjust and they wouldn't knock into each other or hit any trees. The power came on just before bedtime and soon the house was quiet and still. 

 

Lainey's First Sunday

Today was Lainey's first Sunday heading to church with the fam jam. Camilla wanted a picture of all of the sisters before church and made sure they all matched and looked nice.

Three beautiful girls! Aren't I lucky?

Ollie really loves holding her and asked if he could have a picture with her too since his sweater matched her dress.

Lainey slept through most of sacrament meeting, which was a huge blessing because Cooper was still crazy!

In the afternoon we had some friends pop in for a quick visit and the YW president brought by these sweet posters from the youth!

The afternoon sunshine was much welcomed and we spent some time snuggled up on by bed enjoying it.

Lily is absolutely smitten with her new baby sister and is constantly asking to hold and cuddle her. Lainey is a lucky lady to have such doting older siblings.

Deck the Halls

It was so nice to wake up on a Saturday morning in our own home with the fire warming us and baby snuggles on the couch!

Mr. Stannix was able to sleep in because he still isn't getting much rest at night thanks to his back spasms. He gets winded easily and can't venture around the house too much, so he's been in his room and the living room at different points.

In the afternoon I loaded up all of the littles and took them into the church to the Nativity Display. It's a tradition that our family loves doing. Joseph offered to cart Lainey around while I was able to visit and enjoy the beautiful display. Cooper wouldn't let go of his baby sister and ended up "helping" Joe for the short time we were there.

I dug out all of the Christmas boxes and called up some friends who had offered to help us Deck the Halls this afternoon. They came out in the late afternoon, set up the ladder and put the tall tall tree up in the living room for us! We were so so grateful for their service and kindness. We had a great visit!

After Dinner we gathered the crew and officially "Decked the Halls". Daddy was able to watch from the comfy chair in the corner while we all added decorations to the tree and set up the nativities finally. This is probably the latest we've ever decorated for Christmas! 

Gramma and Grampa joined the chaos from next door and we loved sharing it with them!

 

I sure love our decorating crew! Hyrum did a stellar job putting the star on the top.

Watching Fin and Cooper snuggle up next to the tree with a Christmas book warmed my heart.

Once we had finished and the little ones were tucked in, I loaded up Lainey and went to the grocery store. I was feeling a little bit overwhelmed by life and may or may not have slammed the door when I left. While at the store I picked up a Jones Soda and when I cracked it open at home, the fortune made me chuckle. "You can choose your attitude". Cheeky Jones soda....But then the stillness of the evening and the lights of the tree made everything feel calm and peaceful. 

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.....