Post Lunch Snapshot

Just a little post lunch snapshot of my little guy and I.

He is so cute some days that I could smooch his cheeks all day.

Thinking of You

Dear Mr. Stannix,

It was terribly hard to say good-bye last night, for both of us. I was so glad when you called to let me know that you made it safe and sound on these winter roads. The children slept a full twelve hour cycle which was nice. Joseph crawled into our bed shortly after midnight and decided to sleep sideways, resting his feet on my baby belly. I don't often sleep alone when you're away! There is always an extra child or two in our bed it seems. 

This morning we had cereal for breakfast. Remember how Joseph spilled his milk not once, but twice yesterday? Well, today Hyrum decided he wanted to switch seats before he began eating. He carefully moved his freshly poured bowl of cereal from one side of the table to the other. He was quite proud that he didn't "psill a bit!" Then he put snow puppy up on the table and somehow knocked the whole bowl onto the floor. I'm considering banning cereal or anything with milk from our house for a while. Since he was sad enough for both of us, I kept my cool and wiped it up with a smile, thinking of you the whole time and the way you helped me mop up the milk yesterday morning. 

After we had eaten, tidied our rooms and said family prayer, Camilla and I spent a good chunk of time on school. She did some math and practised her printing. Her baby a's are looking amazing! She also learned a few new words.

The rest of the day was filled with lots of "I'm hungry" and "Can I have a snaaaaaaack?". It seems our children are bottomless pits these days. We spend so much time making things to eat in the kitchen that I have a hard time keeping up with the dishes!

Post nap-time Joseph greeted me with the cordless phone from our side table in hand. The screen had a bunch of numbers on it and of course he wanted to call "Dad-ee" or "Papa". When he didn't have the phone he was busy climbing on things he shouldn't be. He's always trying to reach new heights it seems.

Thank-you for putting on the winter tires this weekend. It was nice to feel so safe as we drove to the store. It's so great to feel taken care of. Mr. H snuck a box of KD into the cart today, so we might just do that for dinner. I'm sure they will all be more than happy. Of course I picked up a salad for me to eat, along with some cut up veggies. 

After we got home from shopping we spent a bit of time playing in the backyard. Camilla loved pulling her brothers around on the sled and Hyrum enjoyed jumping on the snow covered trampoline. The first thing Joseph did was sit down and move his hands around in the snow. He was quite excited about it! When their cheeks were nice and rosy I called them in to warm up. It really is chilly out there! 

I sure hope your day is going well. We are thinking of you and counting down the days until you come home! I'm looking forward to sharing my bed with someone who doesn't sleep sideways and kick me all night long...

Love you!

Paper Airplanes

 This afternoon I got to enjoy a few quiet moments to myself munching a salad while the older two played outside and Joseph enjoyed an extended nap. He slept for a good long three hours, which made bed time a disaster, but those quiet moments might have been worth it.

Soon the older two had some cold fingers and joined me in the kitchen. It seems that wherever I am, they aren't far away. I am okay with that though, because I love them so. Hyrum and Camilla grabbed their paper airplanes and before I knew it they were whizzing around my kitchen.

I sat at the end of the table and smiled as Hyrum launched his airplane from the stairs. He looked so grown up in his little "farmer" outfit he picked out this morning. 

I cherish quiet moments like these, where life seems to pause and we get to soak up our surroundings. It's nice to take time to count our blessings.

On Overcoming Trials

I can't believe it's November already! Time has been flying by in the Stannix home. I have become a little lazy in our documenting lately and am hoping to have a post of "little things" for later this week. Last month was a toughy with Mr. Stannix training in Calgary during the week and coming home for weekends, which were also packed full of family things and church callings. Even though we have had a month and a half to practise our good-bye's I still cry every Sunday night as the littles and I gather in the front window to wave Daddy off for another week. And even though I've had a lot of practise with this whole "single mom" thing, I still dread every Monday. Days are long, my belly just keeps growing (for which I am grateful), and my body is oh so sore each morning when I wake and each night before I go to sleep. I am so grateful for such a responsible oldest child who sneakily tidies the toy room to surprise me, or creatively helps her brothers do things that I need them to do. She sure is a special girl!

We adored the time we could spend with Daddy this weekend. We did one final rake up of the leaves in the yard and cleaned up the garden. Mr. Stannix kept my kitchen cleaner than it's been all week and we really enjoyed some downtime as a family. There were a few moments when we were all playing in the backyard Saturday afternoon where I wished we had a personal photographer to capture the children's faces or record their laughter. Mr. Stannix lovingly told me to take a mental picture and hold those moments in my heart. There was just something so special about the way the kids giggled as they chased their Daddy around the backyard trying to steal the soccer ball. Their faces were so bright, and they were so full of love and life. I loved watching Joe chase everyone, thinking he was part of the game even though he didn't really know what they were doing. I loved the way Hyrum ran around the yard with his elbows bent, his nose crunched and a huge grin across his face. I loved hearing Camilla's belly laugh and she shrieked with pure joy. I stood in the midst of it all a little misty eyed and couldn't help but think how blessed I am. 

This year our family has experienced many trials and heartaches and I am amazed at how much closer we are because of them. I recently had someone close to me lose a baby and in trying to think of words of comfort and ways to serve them, memories of our own loss came back to me. My heart filled with gratitude as I remembered all of the wonderful friends and family who served us during that time. There are still hard days even ten months later. There are still nights where fear and doubt creep in and tears fall on my pillow. But I am so grateful for the knowledge and peace that the Gospel brings to my life each and every day. I have become so much closer with my Savior as I have used to atonement to overcome not only the little shortfalls each day, but also the things that seem unfair in this life. 

Often the words from a familiar hymn "Carry on! Carry on! Carry on!" fly through my head during the day. On those rough days I am grateful for my children's optimism and endless supply of hugs, as well as the power of prayer. Even though we miss Daddy horribly during the week, we are "carrying on" and making the best of this awesome opportunity Mr. Stannix has been given.

Trick or Treat

 Halloween was super low-key for us this year. We were super glad that Daddy came home early on Friday to enjoy the evening with us. He asked if I had started dinner yet and when I replied, "No..." he said, "Good!".

 We took the kiddos to Wendy's to kill some time and then headed back and did a couple of the blocks in our neighborhood with our cow, horse and pirate.

 Just as we were heading out, it started spitting rain. It was definitely a bit warmer than previous years where we fought with giant snowflakes and crazy wind. The rain still chilled me to the bone by the time we made it home. Joseph enjoyed all of the decorations. Mike and I chuckled at all of his words and excitement. All night he shouted things like, "Ghost!" "Wooowwww!" and would make funny fake scared faces. He's such a character.

The older two were absolute pros this year going door to door and remembering to say thank-you each time. After only one block, they thought their bags were full enough and wanted to head home. We didn't stay out long, but they sure had a lot of fun, and came home with a lot of loot. A couple of houses passed out giant chocolate bars and juice boxes to everyone. I was totally surprised! Back in my day, that only happened when you went trick or treating in the country.

Happy Halloween!

In the Middle

 I have been thinking a lot lately about our dear sweet middle man. There are moments where he is on the sidelines a bit while I teach Camilla Kindergarten and Joseph demands my attention. But I never hear him complain. This morning, both boys snuggled into bed with me quite early. Eventually Joseph made his way down stairs wanting breakfast, but Hyrum stayed behind for a few minutes of extra cuddles. Sensing my frustration with the early start to the day, he wrapped his arms tight around me and gave me the biggest hug! He has such a loving way about him. After breakfast he was playing with his little brother, and I just couldn't believe how grown up he looked! I made sure to snap a picture so that I could smile at it later. I sure do love this kid and his gentle spirit.

Ward Halloween Party

Tonight was our Ward Halloween Party. I wasn't entirely sure what the kiddos were going to dress up as, but a quick trip to the dollar store solved all of our problems. Camilla picked out some fairy wings and Mr. H fell in love with a pirate hat. Joseph's afternoon smoothie face gave me the idea for his lumberjack costume, and then we were off!

 Before we joined our friends I snapped a quick shot of them outside the coatroom. 

 The primary and youth group provided a ton of great activities! Hyrum had fun making a spider cupcake and then eating it. 

 Joseph really wanted a "wowy pop" and was quite pleased when he went fishing for a candy bag and retrieved one. Nothing else in that bag mattered except his "wowy". 

 Before this little lady found her friends, we hung out on the sidelines eating some of the delicious treats brought by everyone. 

I absolutely love this face that Hyrum gives me!

Annual Pumpkin Carving

I have been a little lazy in my Halloween preparations this year. I'm going to be THAT mom who throws together costumes last minute. I'm still not entirely sure what we are going to be for the ward Halloween party Wednesday night...

I was glad when our friends called us up last week to see if we wanted to do pumpkins with them tonight. It's become kind of a tradition to get together with this awesome family each year to carve pumpkins and eat treats. We sure love the time we get to spend with them!

 For some reason our kiddos weren't thrilled about getting messy...

 With a lot of coaxing, Mr. H got his hands dirty!

 We also were super lucky to have Daddy with us for a few more days this week while he does some work up here.

 I love these people! And I extra LOVE having Mr. Stannix home for a few extra nights.

 Joseph got pretty into it at the end, just when we were ready to carve.

 I let him "scrape" away at the inside of the pumpkin with his little spoon for a few extra minutes.

 I love seeing my kiddos work together on things.

 When we were finished I made the littles pose in front of the pumpkins. They weren't too thrilled about that...

We enjoyed some apple pie and yummy bread for snack before the Daddy's took off to the Oilers game. Lucky ducks. By the end of the night it was evident that the children had a little too much sugar! The energy in the room was ca-razy and Mr. H was starting to put on a grump. We said good-bye to our dear friends and I got everyone ready for bed. After prayers were said, teeth were brushed, and heat bags were distributed, all three of them fell asleep without too much fuss. I managed to tidy up a bit and organize myself for tomorrow. I think it's time for me to head up to bed now too!

Apple Pies

 Last week my Mum got a few cases of Mac's for some baking and invited me out to make pies with her. My Mum's pie crust is to die for, and I still can't duplicate it very well. We spent a few mornings putting together pies for the freezer.

 

 The first day we made a grand total of sixteen pies. We cooked up four of them, and ate three of those that day. 

 Pie for lunch anybody?

 Today we made eight and I was lucky enough to bring those home to my freezer. We hardly put a dent in the apple boxes, but it was a good start! I probably peeled over one hundred apples, and I have the stained fingers to prove it! I loved being able to work with my mamma in the kitchen and learn the art of her pie crust! 

The littles loved being at Gramma and Grampa's and played so nicely together while we rolled dough and peeled apples. It was so nice to visit with everyone and to be able to help my sister with some wedding stuff while we were there! And the miracle of miracles, my kids all slept until 8:00 this morning! I love when the Acreage works it's magic. All that fresh air and running around seemed to tucker everyone out nicely. Thanks again Gramma and Grampa!

Off to Work

We are chillin' at the Acreage for a few days!

Today after Grampa left for work, Joe thought he should

go to "wuk" too.

He pulled on Grampa's shoes,

put on a hat and headed out the door to explore.

Sure do love that kid!