A Special Blessing

 Today Finley received a name and a blessing from his father. I am so grateful to be married to a worthy priesthood holder who can bless our children. It was a very special day spent with family and friends. We spent the morning getting everyone ready for church and visiting a little bit with my parents. I dressed Finley in the same little blessing out fit his older brothers wore. So many memories in that one little white outfit. He looked so handsome all dressed in white. We filled up a whole bench with our family who joined us. My parents, Mike's mom and sister, Arland and Naomi, and my grandparents were all able to come. At the beginning of the meeting, Finley was brought to the front and held in a circle of men to be given a name and blessing. He was blessed to feel the joy of the spirit from his mother and siblings. And as he feels of the love in our home, he will have a happy disposition. He was blessed with a strong, healthy body and a mind to seek after knowledge. He was blessed to recognize his spiritual gifts. He was blessed with the gift of listening and ability to grow spiritually as he listens to his mother and family. He was blessed with the gift of discernment which would allow him to discern the needs of others, be filled with charity and have the capacity and strength to bless others. He was also blessed with peace and to be a peacemaker in the home. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given to be a mother to another on of Heavenly Father's children. We are so glad to have Finley as a part of our little family and can't wait to watch him grow!

Saturday Mornings

Sometimes our Saturday mornings are nice and slow. And I like that. Joseph was up long before anyone else. So early in fact, that we made him go back to bed. An hour later both the boys snuck down for cartoons on the iPad. Camilla joined them soon after and poured everyone some cereal for breakfast. I listened from the bedroom while I nursed and snuggled Finley. Once we were done I changed Joseph's bum and then he ran around in only a diaper for a little while. I love Saturday mornings.

Finley's Friday Faces

Swimming Lessons

 Camilla and Hyrum have started another round of swimming lessons. It was kind of a spontaneous decision to help us get out of the house a bit more, so we were stuck with 5:00pm lesson times. It worked out that I was able to get them both in classes around similar times and we only end up being at the pool for just over an hour total. 

 Hyrum is in a cute little class of Sea Otters and is doing so well. He was a little unsure the first day since he was on his own and not with his sister this time. But now he is the first to volunteer for things and is even getting his face in the water more!

 

Camilla is in Salamanders and loves it! She is struggling a bit in the deeper pool and we had a few tears today after a front glide went wrong, but she is learning and loving it! 

 

As for Mr. Joseph, this is how we make it through our hour on the pool deck...

Some Favorites

Here are a few of my favorite things lately...

I love my little list maker. Camilla makes herself check lists and reminders for everything! When she put up a reminder to turn off her light, it made me laugh. While I tucked her in that night she told me all about the check list she was already working up for the next day in her head. She is a super organized little girly.

I have finally started cloth diapering again. I love a puffy, cloth diapered baby tush.

 

When Daddy gets home everyone smothers him in hugs and kisses. After a mini wrestling match with the older three, he usually snuggles up with Finley while I finish up dinner. It's pretty much the sweetest thing.

 

 Warm bread and butter is definitely a favorite around here!

I am also loving the little bit of free time I get to make cozy headbands.

Little Explorers

 Yesterday afternoon the blue sky and sunshine begged us to go outside. I bundled up Finley and stuck him in the wrap in anticipation of a nice long walk with the littles. When Joseph made his way downstairs after his nap I dressed him in his snow gear and we joined the older two outside. Before making our way to the trail we hung up our homemade bird feeders on the front tree. 

 Camilla did up some lovely hearts.

 Hyrum made some pointy stars.

 They look super cute on our tree!

 As we walked towards the walking trail I reminded myself to give the kids some space and let them explore and enjoy. Camilla found a stick when we arrived at the walking trail and Joseph always took up the tail end.

 Hyrum intently studied every puddle and piece of ice he saw in his travels. It was pretty cute watching him get his face nice and close to check everything out.

 Finley slept through it all, but enjoyed the fresh air I'm sure.

We had a lot of fun and the littles burned a lot of stored up energy.

 

The walk home took twice as long and I was constantly calling out to Joseph who would stop and examine his surroundings quite frequently. I had to remind myself at least 100 times to let him enjoy and take it slow. We really had no reason to rush home, except that Hyrum really had to pee!

Quiet and Still

It's been a pretty chill morning around here. I freshened up the bedrooms by changing the sheets on the beds. As the sun came up over the rooftops I rocked my sleeping baby and chatted with Camilla in her room. I spent a good hour just sitting there, enjoying the children and the warmth of the sun on my face. While Finley was asleep I trimmed his little finger nails. I loved holding his tiny hands in mine, admiring their shape and wrinkles, all while Camilla chatted away. The other day we had a pretty funny conversation that went something like this.

Me: Don’t put things in your ears please!!

Kids: Why?

Me: Because it will hurt them.

Camilla: But when Jesus comes he’ll bless us, and we’ll get better. I learned that.

Me: Yes. But until then, your ears will really hurt.

After Finley woke up we had some tummy time. Now I'm waiting on the bagels to finish rising before I throw them in the oven. They should make it out just in time for lunch! I just had to take a few minutes to blog and remember how quiet and still this morning was. I love when our mornings are slow and easy and I can really enjoy my littles.

Love Love Love

"Mom, I just love, love, LOVE Finley. I want to give him a knock over hug I just love him so much!"

My Favorite Time

It's my favorite time of day. Just thought I'd share a couple of photos before I go and play with my two big kids.

Help Yourself

 If the way my hair looks right now is any indication of how our day was, I'd say it was CA-RAZY! My morning began with a speedy clean of the house since we were having friends over to play. In between cleaning and feeding my other children who seem to be bottomless pits these days, I did get to enjoy some baby snuggles.

 Photo courtesy of Camilla.

Joseph is back to his regular shenanigans. He can open the fridge now and does so quite frequently throughout the day looking for something to eat. Today while I was nursing he asked super politely for "Appo juice, peeeeeees". I asked him to wait just a second and then came in to him drinking right from the carton. "Oh, You're too busy feeding my little brother? No worries. I'll just help myself thanks." He shot me the cutest little grin after I caught him. I couldn't even be mad. He's one resourceful little dude.