Miracle Treat Day

Oh man. It's been a rough week as far as sleep goes. If it's not one kid, it's the other. I haven't gotten a full nights sleep in about a week and always wake up somewhere other than my bed with a kid snuggled near. Last night it was Joseph. He woke just after midnight and cried hard for close to half an hour. We ended up cozied up on the couch in the front room for about half the night. When my sore body finally had enough of the couch, I carried my little man to his own bed and found his brother in mine. I spent until 5:30am in Camilla's room since it was cooler anyways. Joseph and I had a good hour together downstairs before everyone else woke up for the day. A part of me was super cranky, but another part of me couldn't help but smile as Joseph sang away, "Maa-maa-maa....Daa-Daa-Daa...Aiy-Aiy-Aiy". As we made our way up to the kitchen for breakfast I couldn't help but think that the upcoming night time feedings won't even phase me if my kids keep training me the way they are! 

I made up a special loaf of french bread yesterday and used it this morning for french toast. Joseph gobbled his all gone, Hyrum had his with ice cream, and Camilla just liked it with syrup. Daddy ate super quick and then we all shouted "I love you's" as he headed out the door to work. 

I cleaned the kitchen and ran some errands with the littles. One our way back we hit up DQ for Miracle Treat Day. The kids were pretty excited to go inside the "resternaut" and enjoy their treat. We had a lot of fun just chilling and eating. I also grabbed a burger and an order of fries for myself. I've had a craving for pickles lately. The littles liked dipping my fries in their blizzards, just like they've done at Wendy's.

Love those crazies of mine!

A Bowling Date

 Tonight we went on a date with the older two. We had Uncle Arland and Auntie Naomi put Joseph to bed and hang out at home while we were gone. I think the older two really enjoyed having us all to themselves for a night. They were pretty excited to try out bowling and did super well! 

My camera didn't quite capture the way Hyrum would jump for joy at every pin he knocked over. We had the bumpers for the two kids and it was a riot. I haven't laughed that hard in a really long time. Hyrum would line up to roll his ball and then pause to watch the next ball rolling in. Finally he would throw it and while it slowly made its way towards the pins he would glance down the alley and check out what everyone else was doing. Sometimes when he knew it wasn't going to hit anything he would get all nervous and put both his arms behind his head while he watched. Other times he would get pretty into it and start pointing and calling out to his ball hoping it would help change the direction. He did a potty dance for the first few throws. I said, "Ya know, if you go potty, you might be better!" And he replied, "I already AM better!" I had to laugh because he was true, his score almost doubled mine!

Camilla was also pretty great! Her score almost rivaled Daddy's. She liked to bowl backwards between her legs. She loved passing the balls out to everyone when it was their turn and was a great cheerleader. I got probably the worst bowling score ever and she came up and patted me on the back and said, "It's okay, Mom. It's just 'cause you're pregnant..."

Love this girl!

Daddy got a ton of spares and strikes! It was super fun!

Until next time bowling alley!

Third Breakfast

 Last night was another night of musical beds and Joe-Joe is always awake at the crack of dawn, like before 6:00am. He had already had a banana and two bowls of cheerios before the older two joined us. We then enjoyed third breakfast with Daddy before he left to work.

 Joseph loves smoothies!

He's kind of a crazy in the morning and I love it!

A Second Look

 This afternoon Mr. Stannix and I got to have another quick peek at baby. Because I wasn't as far as everyone thought at our last ultrasound they weren't able to get good pictures of the heart and a few other things. Again we got to watch baby move and squirm on the screen while she took pictures. It was great. The tech quickly did a few profile shots at the end and was kind enough to send them home with me along with the knowledge that everything looks perfect so far. I couldn't be more relieved! I can't wait to meet this little person in December!

Happy Sunday

It has been such a great Sunday. It's been a while since I have left church feeling so uplifted. Typically Sundays are a little rough, but our children are at just the right ages where everything just works out sometimes. Mr. Stannix gave a fabulous talk today on teaching children in the home. I managed our crew by myself on the bench and didn't have to leave the meeting once. Part way through Joseph spotted Daddy up on the stand and called out to him with his cute little voice. The older two sat so well and Hyrum is getting good at folding his arms and just listening. As soon as Joseph hears the organ start to play he grabs me a book and climbs up on my knee. I love listening to him sing along in his own little way. 

After the meeting both of the boys happily made their way to nursery and I got to attend Sunday school for the first time in a long time. I sat through the lesson beside Mr. Stannix feeling so "naked". It's been a while since I've just been able to sit through a lesson without having to leave to nurse, hush a baby to sleep, or sooth a crying child as he transitions into nursery. I wasn't sure what to even do with myself. I felt so weird. When I heard little babies crying around me, I almost wanted to jump up and volunteer to take them out.

We had a great lesson in Relief Society about Eternal Marriage and I was reminded about a quote that I read in institute when Mr. Stannix and I were dating. 

"True love is not so much a matter of romance as it is a matter of 

anxious concern for the well-being of one's companion."

~President Hinckley

I left the meeting feeling so grateful for that Mr. Stannix of mine. We have been through many trials and experienced many things together. I am so glad we sat down when we began our marriage and committed to companionship prayers at our bedside, regular scripture study, and monthly date nights amongst other things. Those few things have kept us close and allowed us to have more unity in our marriage. 

Another very favorite part of my day was feeling the baby move as I sat quietly in Relief Society. Feeling those little kicks and taps almost brought tears to my eyes. I feel so blessed to be a mother, even though it's hard. I am grateful for good kids who are willing to learn and help where they can! I am now officially half way through this pregnancy and feeling great! I have learned so much this year from my trials and am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows us each so perfectly.

A Morning Out

 After all of the rain yesterday, we promised the kids that we would hit up the Legislature today if it was nice out. Camilla has been dying to go swimming, and this place is FREE! The pool was empty when we got there and the kids had fun wandering around. Since the older two are fairly independent, I didn't end up getting many pictures of them. They were always off across the pool, skipping on the stones and being buddies. Joseph stuck pretty close for the most part, but when he got away, he ran as fast as he could!

 He loved splashing and wandering around. This time he was a bit more independent and careful while he walked around which made my visit all the more enjoyable. I loved being able to snuggle next to my Mr. Stannix and watch the children play.

 Joseph also liked daring new heights and moving his tip toes to the very edge of a high ledge as if to dare me to get up and get him. He's at the age of pushing limits and discovering new things. Instead of getting mad at him while he jumps on the couch, I've discovered he stops quicker when I don't say anything at all. He likes to push my buttons.

I sure love these three blondies!

In Search of Joy

 This morning started out a tad on the gloomy side. I didn't get enough sleep and the weather was overcast. After we finished our morning chores I decided to take the littles for a walk in search of some joy! Neither of the older two wanted to bike which really surprised me, so we walked a slow pace and eventually made our way to the walking trail. The whole time I was trying my hardest to let the kids explore everything and pick all of the flowers they wanted. Life is so simple and wonderful sometimes. We cut through the soccer fields trying to ignore the mosquitoes as we went. Just as we neared the trail Camilla picked up the pace shouting, "I'm FREEE!" as she ran. I stayed back a bit with Joe while he picked dandelions and blew the fluff all over. 

 The walk didn't prove to be nearly as joyous as I'd hoped. Hyrum was doing a potty dance up and down the walking trail and needing to hold my hand every step of the way. Once in a while he would let go to pick a dandelion and gave me the biggest bouquet of flowers! When Joseph's legs got tired I gave him a piggy-back ride and he giggled in my ears the whole time. There is something so special about little hands touching your face and hair.

Once Camilla announced that she also had to pee, we turned around and made our way home. I snapped a few pictures of the littles on one of their "breaks". My camera hasn't been my friend lately but I still love this picture! When the bathrooms became more urgent, I lifted Joseph onto my shoulders and we quickly made our way home just as the clouds began to drizzle rain.

The Pea Patch

The children spent most of the late afternoon playing outside. We came in for a quick dinner and as soon as they were done they were back out again. The temperature was perfect today and reminded me that Autumn is on it's way. Soon it was time for Joseph to head to bed. I took him up, read him stories, and sang him his favorite songs. While I waited for him to settle I watched the children in the backyard from my bedroom window. Camilla was over by the garden raiding the pea patch with her little yellow umbrella thrown over her shoulder. I couldn't help but smile as I watched her pick away at the few remaining pods of peas. 

...And then I joined her.

Immunization

Joseph had his 18 month immunization today. Most of our afternoon at home has been filled with crying and snuggling my baby bump. Thank goodness for crock pots or we would be eating out for dinner tonight. I don't think I will be moving any time soon!

Hudkins Reunion: Part II

Sunday was a great day! After breakfast we all found a cozy place to sit in the hall to listen to my Gramma and Grampa's morning devotional. Grampa Hudkins shared his adoption story and I may or may not have cried for most of it (happy tears of course). I am so grateful for both of them and the examples they set. We had planned to sneak out for church, but felt strongly that we should stay and enjoy the wonderful spirit we were feeling together as a family. The rest of the day was spent relaxing and chatting.

 Joseph had to try on Great-Gramma's hat!

 My awesome Gramma did a few runs down the zipline.

 I also took a turn.

 And Joseph practically begged Daddy to take him for a ride too!

 Joseph had a lot of fun playing with Auntie Emma's boy.

 We assembled over sixty hygiene kits to help those in need. 

 

 I was able to catch a sweet moment between Mr. H and his Great-Grampa. 

 Mia and Camilla were pretty much joined together at the hip all weekend. 

 Gramma wanted to get some four generation pictures done and we also snagged a family picture with my parents and siblings.

 Immediately after pictures, these boys made their way to the pool and started jumping and splashing in the water. A lot of us got a good chuckle out of it!

 We then enjoyed some watermelon and sitting by the campfire for the evening.

Since we were driving home that night we let the kids stay up way too late! These two were pretty cute with their late night snuggle by the fire. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by family for the weekend and to learn more about my Grandparent's lives! Big thanks to my Aunt and all those who helped make this weekend possible!