New Cutlery!

We got a gift card for Christmas to use towards new cutlery and today I finally cashed it in on a brand new, shiny set of cutlery! I was so excited that I washed them up and we used our brand new forks to enjoy our Grilled Chicken Caesar salad for dinner. The big set (for eight people) was on clearance and marked down a couple of times which allowed me to buy another smaller set as well.

We'll never have to buy cutlery again! I am excited to use them to enjoy delicious meals as a family. I am excited that we can have many friends over to enjoy delicious meals with us! It also made me excited for huge parties and family gatherings. Easter. Christmas. Thanksgivings! Oh the possibilities. So if you ever come to dinner at the Stannix's, you can be rest assured that you won't have to eat with your hands (unless of course you want to).

And just because I am in love with this boys long, dark eyelashes, his baby blues and his crooked smile, I thought I'd post a picture!

Claim to Fame

Our house woke up super early this morning. Hyrum wanted his bottle at 7:00am and soon after his sister was awake. I went downstairs with the kiddos and Camilla wanted "bepest". After a cartoon or two it was time for Hyrum to get a bum change again. I put him on the floor in the hallway and changed his bum while he screamed "Wah! Wah!". At the same time Camilla was trying to talk over her brother, "I have to go pee! I have to go pee!" over and over again until I acknowledged her. When everything settled I went upstairs and related my story to Mr. Stannix.

...."Wah! Wah!" "I have to go pee!" "Wah!" "I have to go pee mommy!" "Wahhhhh!"....Then we laughed together and he pulled me into bed for a morning snuggle. Seconds after I hit the bed we heard, "Mum, I need a wipe!" We both burst out laughing and laughed really hard and then I headed downstairs to help out the girl in the bathroom. Ah, the life of a mother.

We spent the afternoon braving the blizzard outside (seriously like 2 feet of snow overnight) and went to Costco to pick up my pictures. We decided to make Grampy's Taco's tonight but I needed corn meal. We checked high and low at Costco and had no luck. We hit up Safeway on our way home and they were out of corn meal. I even made a stock boy check the back for me. Since both the kids were napping we went to the good ol' IGA near our old place. I love that store, they always have what I need. On our way there Mr. Stannix had his "Claim to fame". They were talking about TV's on the radio and he text in about the story of Camilla spraying our TV with water. It was read over the radio and they gave him a shout out. Awesome. He was pretty excited.

When we got home we unloaded the car and then Camilla hung outside with Daddy while he shoveled the bazillion inches of snow that dumped last night. We're walkin' in a winter wonderland once again.

Then Mr. Stannix started dinner. Grampy's Taco's take a while to make, but it's a fun process. We cranked up the music, danced, sang and flipped taco's (it's all in the lips or so I've heard). It was a great thing to do on a Saturday night! The first three flopped and mangled and ended up on the floor. Mr. Stannix is back to pro status though and flipping tacos could be his next claim to fame! When we had stuffed ourselves full of yummy goodness we counted up our toothpicks to see who ate more.

The kids went to bed shortly after dinner because we took so long with the prep work. I am so proud of how easily they both go to sleep. Prayers, stories, hugs and kisses, lights out and they both lay quiet in their beds awaiting sleep. Now it's time to tidy up the house and get it ready for Sunday!

Boycotting Naptime

Camilla's bed was clunking as she moved around upstairs, likely tucking in all her teddy bears and baby dolls for nap time. Hyrum was sleeping soundly in his crib and I prayed that she wouldn't wake him up. Having missed his morning nap, he really needed this one! I sat in the big chair in the living room and read my scriptures with my ears nice and big to hear any movement upstairs. The bed was still clunking and Camilla was whispering to herself and her baby dolls. I stood at the bottom of the creaky stairs and said "Shhh!" for what seemed like the millionth time. She got out of bed three times to pee, and I tucked her back into bed three times. After an hour or so I heard Hyrum say, "OoOo!" I scooped him from the crib, kissed Camilla good night for the 10298th time and headed down stairs. After a bottle I sat Hyrum in his saucer so I could do my hair in the bathroom (Hryum sometimes likes to dump Camilla's potty on the floor and play in it, hence the no babies in the bathroom rule). Since I shoveled the walks and made a batch of bread this morning I hadn't done anything more than dress myself. Mr. Stannix wanted to take us for dinner tonight to celebrate him not having to work tomorrow and I gladly welcomed the break from cooking. I wanted to look good for him, like really good, so I spent a few minutes dolling myself up for dinner while Hyrum chatted at me from his saucer. When I finally finished, Camilla was still rustling around in her bed. I went up to quiet her once more and try to get her to snooze. As I stood on the landing between the two bedrooms she had noticed my change in appearance.

"You don't have your glasses on!"
"Nope, I took them off and put in my contacts"
"Ohhhh... and your hair is all dry? After your shower?"
"Yup"
"Ohhh.... Did you do it?"
"Yes I did, do you like it?"
"Yes. Can you turn around so I can see your ponies?"
"Sure"
"It looks pretty Mommy"

I walked over to her bedside to pull up the covers once more and tuck her in.

"Thanks! After your nap I will brush your hair for dinner tonight with Daddy"
"Ohhh...Okay. And baby can come to dinner?"
"Of course"
"She wants to fly there"
"Okay! Now it's time to go to sleep"
"Ohhhh...."

I kissed her on the forehead and went back down stairs to Hyrum opening and closing cupboard doors. If Camilla doesn't fall asleep, I think I'll just go up and take her place on that comfy bed of hers. I'm exhausted!

Under the Table Smorg

"Sweet! I scored myself half a chocolate chip cookie AND a cracker today!"

Yes you did, buddy. Yes you did.

Your chipmunk cheeks gave ya away this time!

Gently Falling Flakes

"Mum, it's time for bepest! I'm HUNGRY!"

 These are the words that I have woken up to every day this week.

I looked out the window late this morning and saw snowflakes slowly whirling and twirling to the ground. As I watched the snowflakes dance, a feeling of excitement overtook me. This winter scene always seems so magical to me, especially when snowflakes are gently falling out the window. I decided it was a good morning to turn on the oven and whip up a batch of my favorite chocolate chip cookies. Hyrum went down for his nap and then my girl and I gathered the ingredients into a bowl. First we measured the margarine, then put it in the microwave to melt. Next, she dumped the sugar into the bowl. As I went back to the cupboard her little fingers made their way into the bowl for a little taste. I smiled to myself as I grabbed the margarine from the microwave and poured it in. Then it was time to mix in the vanilla. Once we had a nice soupy mixture the oats were added and swirled in. Then a few spices and then it was time for the chocolate chips. 

Again, her little fingers made their way into the bowl to pick a few chocolate chips up that were sitting on the surface. Then I gave her a few on the table to munch while I stirred in the rest of the dry ingredients. 

I left her in the kitchen for a few minutes while the cookies baked. When all was too quiet I went in to check on her and found that she had filled my measuring cup up with sugar and was eating it with her hands. Just when you thought she couldn't get any sweeter right?

Then we ate chocolate chip cookies hot out of the oven. Can there be anything better on a cozy winters day?

I've just been informed that it's time for "Munch". I think someone is growing again.

Waiting for Daddy

This afternoon shortly after 4:30 pm we began our wait for Daddy. The warm sun was illuminating my living room and the shadow of the lovely tree out our front window was cast upon the wall in the hallway. We occupied ourselves for a good half an hour making shadow puppets and playing with the sun. 

Then Hyrum got hungry for a snack and chilled out in his chair while he drank. Those little toes are the cutest things ever!

As I finish preparing dinner this song will continue to play on repeat along with this one.

And the wait for Daddy continues....

Discipline

Lately I've been struggling with the concept of obedience and discipline as I try to teach my two year old each day. It's been a frustrating learning experience, mostly because I have high expectations. The best way that Camilla can learn is from me and my example. I need to be careful how I speak, act and respond to things. When she is doing something and I feel the urge to tell her to stop, I ask myself three things.

1. Am I asking her to stop out of annoyance? (not a good reason)

2. Is it hurting anyone? (good reason)

3. Will what she is doing/learning negatively affect her in the future? (good reason)
  
These have helped me chill out a little bit and allow her to explore the world around her to the fullest. As I let her take the lead I've been able to see her in a whole new way. I am proud of her and the sweet little person that she is. It's awesome to see her grow and explore who she is as she gains more independence.

For the longest time this scripture has been on my fridge and throughout my day I would find myself repeating lines from the verses. "No power or influence ought to be maintained..." is one that gets repeated frequently. Other days it's "persuasion and long-suffering, persuasion and long-suffering.." And sometimes it's "love unfeigned".

I like the extra phrases that President Hinckley adds to these verses...

“Reproving betimes with sharpness, [When? While angry or in a fit of temper? No.] when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; [Does the Holy Ghost attend contentious reprovings? No.] and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou hast reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;

“That he may know that thy faithfulness is stronger than the cords of death” (D&C 121:43–44).

Being reminded of this scripture throughout my day helped me keep things in perspective. I was still feeling flustered though and continued to read conference talks and advice from others.

"Love should be the ruling principle and the motive force."
~David O. McKay

“Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good. Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage. It is the primary cause of contented, well-developed children. Who can justly measure the righteous influence of a mother’s love? What enduring fruits result from the seeds of truth that a mother carefully plants and lovingly cultivates in the fertile soil of a child’s trusting mind and heart? As a mother you have been given divine instincts to help you sense your child’s special talents and unique capacities. With your husband you can nurture, strengthen, and cause those traits to flower”.
~Richard G. Scott

In my studies I stumbled upon a quote from a fabulous talk that has been a great help. It's perfectly simple and simply perfect.

"There is no discipline in all the world like the discipline of love. It has a magic all its own."

~Gordon B. Hinckley

Meet Saiko

 Saiko is super cute and likes to play.

Saiko made my Dad a Grampa for the third time.

Saiko is my brother's Great Dane puppy.

 

 

 My kids are in love.

Hryum couldn't stop giggling and "Ohh" ing all night

 

 

Saiko nibbled Hyrum's toes and was very gentle with the children.

 Saiko loved playing tug of war with Camilla.

We all loved spending time together as a family.

We also loved Kristen's cooking!

Walking Walking

This boy has loved being on his feet lately.

The Influence of Mother

We are still hanging at Gramma and Grampa's house for the week! As I type I am mising my hubby big time. I packed his orange Roots hoodie before we left so that I could cozy up in it whenever I needed to. FYI this is the longest time that we have spent apart in our whole 3 1/2 years of marriage. I can't wait to smooch him when he gets here tomorrow night!

Camilla has come down with a flu bug and is all feverish and snuggly. I like the snuggly part I'm not going to lie. I think I'll crawl into the big double bed with her tonight just to keep and eye on her. Since I was gone all day I took some extra time to snuggle with Hyrum before bed. I was overwhelmed with feelings of love for him. The unexpressible joy that comes from motherhood is amazing! He's been smiling, giggling and pulling himself up on furniture all week.

I have fallen in love with another quote that I spotted on a friends blog. It's been great to ponder and learn from it this week. Lately, I've been working on the "every response" part. Hopefully I'll have this mastered before all my kids leave home. Anyways, I think this quote is beautiful.

"A mother has far greater influence on her children than anyone else, and she must realize that every word she speaks, every act, every response, her attitude, even her appearance and manner of dress affect the lives of her children and the whole family. It is while the child is in the home that he gains from his mother the attitudes, hopes, and beliefs that will determine the kind of life he will live and the contribution he will make to society."

~ N. Eldon Tanner