Spring at the Acreage

We took a bit of a spontaneous trip out to the Acreage this week for some new arrivals. The post office called the house bright and early to let us know that we had a box of baby chicks waiting for us at the loading dock. We took the kids in nice and early this morning to pick them up.

Camilla was instantly smitten with the little peeping chicks and we listened to them cheep all the way home!

Camilla got to hand them to Grampa one at a time so that he could show them how to drink and find their food.

It was quite exciting piling in the coop to watch these little chickies for the morning!

Hearing all fifty of them peeping all at once is one of the sweetest sounds! 

Hyrum loved holding them all by himself this year.

So sweet!

It was fun zooming out and watching the kids from the background. 

We spent a good chunk of time just watching the chicks run around, or eat, or walk in the water, or sleep under the light. 

My parents were also lucky to have a mamma hen set some eggs. They just hatched a few days ago and it is unreal watching her with them. When I see the way she huddles her babies under her wings it makes me want to snuggle my children closer. There is much to be learned from a mother hen about mothering.

Joseph wasn't into the little chicks as much. He spent the morning saying "Yee-haw Cowboy!" and running around the acreage. He spent all day outside! When he came in with dirty shoes, I took them off to find dirty socks, and took those off to find dirty little toes! He is a boy through and through!

When it came time to let the chicks settle we could barely peel these two away! I'm sure they will have just as much fun with these little baby chicks tomorrow! And I am now signing off, way later than I should be! I'm sure my baby will be up to nurse soon! I will be pondering that mother hen and mothering all night I'm sure. 

Undivided Attention

Today the littles and I escaped the city to visit an old friend. Before leaving I made sure Mr. Stannix was taken care of on the meal front by leaving some leftovers in the fridge and baking up a batch of bagels for his breakfasts. After folding three loads of laundry, tidying up the house a bit and packing, we managed to leave before lunch! We arrived at my friends place in the early afternoon. 

It was fun to reunite our kiddos after a whole YEAR and see them play so well together! Our first babies were just eight days apart.

We keep in touch on the phone and share our mothering woes quite often...

So when our two little trouble makers got together to do what they do best, we just had to laugh!

And take pictures of course...

On our way out to the Acreage we stopped part way for a picnic dinner and a stretch at the lake. The littles were thrilled with this little park that we found!

The swings were an especially big hit!

This little girl cracks me up so much lately. Her personality is so so great! I can't believe how big and beautiful she is. She is a hoot!

I loved traveling with these little people today. Some might think that a road trip with all four is brave, but they are honestly so good! I loved spending the day with them disconnected from technology and connecting with them. I loved the fact that Camilla sat behind me in Joe's seat and chatted my ear off the whole way. 

I feel like I've blinked and they have all grown so much! It seems like just yesterday I was paranoid about them braving the stairs and following them up to the slide or catching them at the bottom and now I don't have to worry! Except, I will always worry, because I am a mother. I will always worry if I have taught them enough, loved them enough, or spent enough time with them. I'm sure I will worry when they become more independent as teenagers and definitely I will worry about them when they leave home. But for now, I enjoy watching them learn and explore each day. I love their optimism and zest for life. I love watching them dare new heights and push themselves to do new things. Being a mother is one of the greatest things in this life!

Jolly Good

Somebody is starting to really love his Jolly Jumper!!

Yee-haw Cowboy

I was nursing in the living room and heard a "Yee-haw Ca-boy!" from around the corner.

Had to laugh when I checked him out!

Love this kid.

A Delight

 There was a moment this morning when Mike and I were sitting quietly in the front room and he looked over at me and said, "Today is a good day. It's been a while since we've had a good Sunday." I'm sure parents with littles can relate. Most Sundays I wake up with a vision of a perfect morning before church in mind. If the children squabble and fight throughout the week, surely we can make Sunday a better day! And then before you know it everybody is asking you for things all at once. "Mom! Where's my church shoes!?" "Make him stop poking me!" "The baby spit up again!" "Mom!" "I'm hungry!" And I can feel my face getting hot as frustration in the home builds. Then after a certain child pokes his brother for the millionth time that morning I kind of lose it. And I feel like my Sunday is ruined. 

But not today! Today was a good Sunday, and not because everything was perfect, but because I tried my best to have a good attitude despite the bumps along the way. Since we missed taking Easter pictures we braved the wind and cold today to get a few quick shots. Hyrum got a new suit for Easter and Joe got new church shoes (which he refused to wear) and I wanted a picture of my boys in their Sunday best.

 After a quick lunch we were off to 1:00PM church. Sometimes Joseph falls asleep on the short drive there and if we are lucky we can lay him on the bench and he sleeps through the first meeting. When I pulled up and heard him sneeze in the back seat I knew we were in for a long Sunday, but we cheerfully pressed on. As I walked into the building I realized that I had split the zipper on my skirt. I tugged and pulled in attempt to fix it with no luck. I left the children seated reverently with Mr. Stannix and took Finley home with me so that I could change. He had just filled his diaper anyways and could probably use a change as well. I quickly changed (and brushed my teeth because I didn't have time to earlier) and got Finley settled. By the time we made it back the meeting had begun. Finley was asleep in his car seat so I brought it into the chapel with me (even though we NEVER do) just to keep him asleep. I opened up the doors to the chapel in a hurry only to find all of the young men lined up at the back since they had just finished passing the bread. Embarrassed, I mouthed a "Sorry" and waited in the hall for the water to be passed.

 I went in and found our bench MUCH fuller than we had left it and felt terrible about bringing the huge car seat in. The boys fought over who was going to sit on my lap, Hyrum bonked someone in front of us with his arm and they were both being so loud. Just when we got them settled Finley woke up and then all three of them fought over who would entertain him while he sat in his car seat. Hyrum then fell funny off the bench banging his knee and began crying loudly so Daddy quickly took him to the hall. Then Finley began crying because he was hungry and there was no way I could leave Joseph there on his own, so I got up to leave while whispering for Joseph to follow me. Well, that two year old was bound and determined that he was NOT going anywhere without his shoes. I stood, or slouched in the aisle while I watched him struggle to put on his runners before he would follow. The first one went on the wrong foot and didn't quite fit, so then he tried the other foot, got frustrated and switched shoes. Meanwhile my face was beginning to burn and I am sure I was red from head to toe. I didn't really want to crawl over the family beside us AGAIN just to grab Joe and exit again. Thankfully the man sitting beside us recognized my frustration and quickly put on Joseph's shoes. I am certain that two year olds have more determination than I will ever have in my life. I met Mr. Stannix in the hall and explained the whole scene and we had a good laugh about it.

 I spent the last bit of that meeting in the mothers room changing the boy's bums and nursing the baby while Joseph rocked on the second chair. When it came time to drop Joseph off to nursery his lip turned to a pout and he burst into tears at the door. I knew it was probably because he was just so over tired. I got down to his level with Finley propped on one side and he threw his arms around my neck and sobbed. I was due to play piano in Primary any minute. Thankfully Daddy came down the hall and saved the day! I scrambled into the Primary room just in time for the opening song while Mr. Stannix ran out to the van. Camilla had made some things for her class (gifts are truly her love language) and left them in her mexican backpack in the van. Mr. Stannix came in with the wrong bag, it looked more African than Mexican. We giggled in the back of the room since I had told him it was in the Mexican bag, before I ran out to get the right bag. I arrived back just in time to play the piano so that we could all sing happy birthday to the kids who recently had birthdays. Finley slept through the rest of Primary while I played for two separate singing times. Choir was canceled after church so I loaded up all the kiddos and we made our way home. Joseph had fallen asleep on the way so I carried him in and plopped him on the couch in hopes that he wouldn't nap long. While I took the "I'm Hungry" complaints I preheated the oven to throw in a homemade frozen lasagna. Then I made up some cheese and crackers to tide over hungry tummies until Dinner. Daddy got tied up with Priesthood responsibilities and we didn't see him until an hour after church had finished. When he came home I was fast asleep in a chair with Finley on my chest. We had just survived another Sunday, but this time it was better. This time it was a delight all thanks to the scripture that Mr. Stannix shared with me that morning before we left for church.

“If thou turn away … from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, … and shalt honour [the Lord], not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord.” Isaiah 58:13-14

"Bike Business"

Today Hyrum got to spend the day with Daddy on "bike business" as he called it. Mr. Stannix has started biking to and from work and went to check out a few new bikes today. The trip included a few different bike shops and lunch at Wendy's. Hyrum loved chatting away and spending time with his Dad and came home grinning ear to ear. Instead of a new bike for Daddy they ended up with a new bike for Hyrum. He is at an awkward size right now, in between his old and new bike. His old one is small for him and this one is almost just right. Mr. Stannix decided to fix up his old Kona instead of buying a new bike. Hyrum enjoyed tinkering around with him in the yard. It was a pretty special day for the two of them!!

Some Happenings

Life can get pretty crazy sometimes. For the past few weeks I have been barely keeping things together around here. I have reached the end of my rope and I am hanging on for dear life! General Conference last week provided just the spiritual boost I needed to get our life back in order and to be the mother I want to be. After a long Winter and a fair amount of Easter goodies, the children have been full of energy and hard to tame! Sometimes I watch Joseph run back and forth over and over from the kitchen to the livingroom and just laugh in awe of his ability to go from sun up to sun down every single day. Finley is a fabulous baby but hasn't been a fabulous sleeper as of late and I am just plain exhausted. I have had my fair share of bad mommy days and have gone to bed in tears with a hope that I will try better tomorrow. As I press forward through the challenges I have been blessed to see the tender mercies in our home and feel the joy that my children bring me each day.

I absolutely adore waking up to Mr. Finley's little grins each morning. Tummy time in the front room has become a new love as we both bask in the mornings rays and enjoy a bit of quiet time.

We have also had a few productive "school" days and are currently studying plants in light of Spring being upon us. 

I love that even though I plan things mostly for Camilla, the other two boys can easily join in and learn a little something too! We are currently waiting for our bean plants to grow and charting our observations each day. I love the internet and the vast resource it is for homeschooling!

And whenever I am having a tough day I catch a glimpse of these beautiful flowers from a friend blooming on my kitchen table. They remind me that I am not as alone as I sometimes feel and that there is beauty all around!

We have also revamped the chore charts in an effort to feel more organized. I think it's important for children to work hard and serve in the home as they grow. I recall dish duty growing up with fondness. Lots of memories and opportunities to chat with my parents and work through problems. They have been doing good for the most part. I just need to figure out how to stop Joseph from picking off the star stickers.

The weather has been beautiful this week and we have had many opportunities to play out side. In a way this has been really refreshing for me. I cherish the moments I get to spend in the quiet of my home while the children are out in the yard laughing and enjoying one another. They did a little "signs of Spring" scavenger hunt and my heart melted when I peeked out the back door to find Hyrum working so diligently on his little pictures.

We have had some nice afternoon walks and have enjoyed exploring the neighborhood again!

Joseph loves being in the backyard and is the happiest when he's there. This week he started spontaneously saying "I love you, Mom..." without being prompted. He will randomly say this with arms open wide as he comes in for a hug and a smooch. This guy totally holds my heart and moments like that make me almost forget all of the crazy stuff he does.  

I also couldn't resist a picture with this handsome gent the other day. He is getting so grown up these days that my heart can hardly take it!  And so I press on each day, mustering up every last ounce of energy I can manage, with a prayer in my heart that I will be able to be the mother my children need me to be.

Funny Face

Funny face, I love you!

(Somebody scratched himself in the middle of the night)

Hoppy Easter

Since we like to keep Easter Sunday to celebrate the Savior, the Easter Bunny visited our house on Saturday instead. Our day began before the sun even woke up. The boys were the first ones up and had to wake Camilla. I could have stayed in bed for a few extra minutes but I wanted to see their faces.

This kid is so cute it kills me!

Camilla was excited about her new Easter dress and the hubba bubba that the sneaky bunny left. We spent our morning watching General Conference and then did a quick egg champ so that we could enjoy egg salad sandwiches for lunch.

Hyrum and Camilla were our first competitors.

 Daddy and Joseph went head to head.

And Hyrum and I battled it out for the title. Turns out my little egg head was stronger than I thought!

We enjoyed Ham, homemade buns, pistachio pudding, garlic mashed potatoes and corn for dinner. It was pretty low key. For dessert we had lemon cheesecake, just like my mamma makes it. She made this dessert in a heartshaped pan the day Mr. Stannix and I got engaged. I love the tastes of my childhood.

After that we spent the rest of the evening together listening to Finley's stories and playing in the basement. We all pitched in to clean up the kitchen and the house was tidy and silent by 8:30PM so that Mr. Stannix and I could enjoy a few hours together.

Twenty-six

 Today I celebrated my 26th birthday. It started bright and early with breakfast in bed and gifts. Camilla excitedly brought me her gift wrapped in a brown box with a bow on top and a whole lot of scotch tape to keep it shut. She had wrapped it a week ago and has been waiting and waiting for my special day to watch me open it. Inside I found one of her teddies and an old pair of my slippers which she promptly placed on my feet to keep them warm. I love that girl and the love that she has for those around her. 

 

In the late morning a dear friend gifted me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a trip to the grocery store sans kids. It was pretty great! I spent the day surrounded with those I love most and enjoyed many birthday calls from family. I enjoyed a few quiet moments of self reflection and set some goals for this next year. Mr. Stannix arrived home from work a bit earlier than usual and ordered pizza for the kiddos and Auntie Chris who kindly agreed to babysit for the entire evening! I left a bottle in the fridge and prepped myself for a whole evening away from my baby.

 

Our night began at a cute little Italian joint called Franco's. The atmosphere was lovely and the food was delish! If I could eat pasta every day I would!

 

Mr. Stannix and I both ordered different dishes so that we could share, but both of us ended up liking our own dishes better anyway. I had a delicious chicken lasagne topped with mushrooms and lots of cheesy goodness and I ate the entire thing.

 Mr. Stannix watched me eat with a twinkle in his eye knowing how much I enjoy food and feeling pretty proud of himself for picking such a great place to eat. I love that guy!

We finished off our evening in Row 7 at Rexall to watch the Oilers take on the Kings.  We snuck out a few minutes early missing the final goal that led to their 4-2 win against LA. We beat traffic and arrived home to a quiet house and sleeping kiddos.