The Best Job

It's been a long day.

I was up most of the night listening to our little lady whimpering from an ear ache.

Finley cut a tooth and has a cold.

Two of four children saw a doctor this morning and one was prescribed antibiotics.

I'm wearing the same thing I was wearing yesterday.

I smell like baby barf.

My shirt has been spit up on so many times I've lost count.

And thanks to Finley's fever this is going to be another long night.

But this is still the best job around!

The Little Brother

 This morning we all took Finley for his four month immunizations. When I got there I realized I forgot the stroller at home, but we all surived! Finley weighed in at 16lbs 1oz and is about 25inches long. He is in the 25th percentile for pretty much everything. But in the 75th for his weight/height ratio. When we finally went in to get his immunizations Joseph was the cutest protective big brother reassuring him that "it's okay win-lee" and "you'll be okay". After his three needles I snuggled him in a favorite blanket and he fell right to sleep. Thanks to that and some fruit snacks the fifteen minute wait after was a breeze! 

Since Joseph fell asleep on the way to the clinic, we let the afternoon nap slide and went out in the yard to play instead. We are really loving the sunshine and green grass these days! 

 

Finley has some pretty awesome big brothers to look up to! And they are growing so fast. I really wish time would freeze today.

Mother Dear

Today my parents spontaneously came up for a visit, so I got to spend part of mothers day with the woman I admire most. For the last week I've been thinking a lot about my mom and wishing I had some of her strengths and talents. One evening after I had cleaned up the kitchen Mike said, "Wow, you made quick work of that!" I smiled proudly to myself as I thought of how quickly my Mom cleans up after each meal. It's like she snaps her fingers and everything is magically washed and put away. What I sometimes forget is the years of experience and practice it took for her to get to that point. I now feel like there's hope for me yet!

My Mom is a pretty special lady. She is absolutely beautiful and one of the most Christlike people I know. She has always been a great example of service and charity. She always worked for us with love and without expectation of thanks. My eyes have been opened since becoming a mother to all of the selfless service and sacrifices she made for us. She was happy to wear her old jeans for years so that we could enjoy new clothes. She quietly cleaned up after each meal when we were busy with sports, friends, and school. Looking back, I hardly ever remember her complaining.

My Mom was a great constant in my life growing up. She always met us at the crossroads. Before we left in the morning she would make sure we were full of homemade pancakes and spiritually fed as well with a quick scripture study and prayer. When we arrived home from school she was always there and the house would smell of homemade bread, cinnamon buns or fresh baked cookies.

My Mom has the patience of a saint. I don't remember her getting mad at us too often (except maybe when we deserved it). Even when I lied about an injury I got quadding (for fear of losing that privilege) she patiently waited for me to tell the truth because she knew my guilty conscience would get the best of me eventually. If we did things wrong, or didn't listen she never said too much, she just quietly carried on and waited for us to learn.

My Mom taught me how to live through her actions rather than words. She has always been an amazing example to me. I am so grateful for a mother who gave up an amazing career to stay home and teach us.  Ever since I was little I have always wanted to be a Mother. My mother instilled that desire in me through her example and love for the calling of Motherhood. I am so grateful for a mother who valued womanhood and homemaking and was able to pass that love on to me.  When I mother my children it is her that I try to measure up to. And so when my husband tells me I made quick work of the kitchen, or happily proclaims that my stuffing tastes just like my moms it makes my heart happy. Someday I hope to be just like her.

Happy Mother's Day Mamma!

First Goal

 We signed the older two up for soccer this year and they are loving it! Camilla had one practise already this week, but Hyrum's was snowed out and rescheduled for today. Thankfully we woke to blue skies and sunshine! If it wasn't for the wind, it would have been perfect! This morning Hyrum woke up excited to play and told me he really just wanted to score a goal today. Hyrum played this morning and it was quite humorous watching him get the hang of it. For the first half he really wasn't sure where to run or what to do. If he did get the ball he would kick it and freeze on the spot in a funny pose until the ball stopped. It was so hard to sit on the sidelines and not coach him along! He eventually figured it out though and scored his first goal in the last few minutes of practise. He was pretty pumped. 

We got to see the replay at least ten times after. "I just ran like this, kicked the ball, and then fell like this!" We grabbed slurpies on the way home to cool off!

 Miss Camilla played her little heart out at her practise/game this afternoon. After playing once this week and cheering on her brother this morning she has really gotten the hang of it! It was great to watch her run around the field and try hard to get the ball and score. She got a grand total of four goals (except two were on her own net). It absolutely melted my heart to watch her give the ball up to a team mate so that he could score and feel good about himself too. She is just the sweetest! It was a proud mommy moment.

As soon as she finished her practise and walked off the field Joe ran up and threw his arms around her. "Wee-a! Good job Wee-a!" When he wasn't trying to take out the flags, kick over the pilons, or run away across the park, he was the best cheerleader a kid could ask for. We all came home with sun in our hair, sunkissed skin and smiles on our faces.

Bedtime Tickles

 We love it when Daddy is home! Bedtime tickles make for a happy nights sleep around here!

Little Things

For the last few weeks our family has been battling a nasty flu and cold which has left us all sleep and energy deprived. It started with Daddy and worked it's way down the family. The night that I felt the aches and chills creeping up on me I knelt by my bed and pleaded with Heavenly Father to make it a quick one! When I woke up the aches were gone, and I have been able to carry out my mothering responsibilities with all of the other side effects, so I am pretty grateful for that! Sadly, the blog was put on the back burner and has lacked the heart and soul that I long to put into it every day. While I've been posting one liners and uploading pictures here and there I have also been jotting down the little moments that bring me joy or make me smile each day.

I have made it a huge goal of mine to get down and play with the kids more throughout the day and worry less about the mess, the laundry, and the endless trail of socks up my stairs. It has been so rewarding and I have felt such an increase of joy as I get down to their level, look into their eyes, and let them climb all over me with hugs and kisses. One afternoon I found myself lying on the floor with Finley propped on my stomach, Joseph sitting on my feet begging for a rocket ship ride and Camilla at my head chatting my ear off while she ran her fingers through my hair. Even though it felt a bit chaotic, I paused and enjoyed that moment as much as I could, soaking in every detail right down to the smoothie mustache on Joseph's face. Mothering so many little people is tough some days. While being a mother is totally fun and rewarding, it is also exhausting and thankless. Remembering the little things helps me make it through the day with some sense of joy and satisfaction even when the storms come and it seems like no one is listening to me.

Our days have been starting extra early again. As much as I would love to be up and ready before the kids, it seems impossible as they wake well before 6:00am. I am usually either nursing Finley or just getting back to sleep when I hear the boy's toes hit the floor first thing in the morning. It isn't long before they are racing around the house playing tag or fighting over a toy, or screaming at each other. I dread mornings that start off with arguing. If I'm feeling energetic I will cave to the requests for pancakes with Gramma's saskatoon syrup (which has lovingly been nicknamed "wacka-toon" by Joe). After breakfast we plug away at our regular routine of morning chores and tidying their bedrooms. A part of me dislikes nagging them to get things done in the morning, but I cherish the time that we have all together knowing that Camilla will be heading off to school in September and our mornings will change. For now I enjoy the slow pace and extra time we have to do things like scripture study and prayer together, even when there's fighting and tears. I know this is time we will never get back!

If it's nice we spend the afternoon outside. If it's cloudy, we will craft, bake cookies, or I will make up a batch of bread. One time I made peanut butter and jam for lunch while Joseph stood on a stool being my "helper" and when I put the glob of peanut butter on one slice of bread he immediately stuck his fingers in it grabbed it off and stuck it in his mouth. He proceeded to do it again with the next one. While we were crafting pne day I heard Hyrum say something like, "I'll be done this picture in a jiffy. You should see it Mom! It's gunna be fabulous!" Sometimes our afternoons are rough and filled with fighting and I will hear things like, "Mom! Joe hit me with a noodle!" (the kind you use to float in the pool). And I will never forget one afternoon when I was baking up a storm and Hyrum came in quickly to grab something. Though he didn't say anything, the way he inhailed deeply through his nose twice before opening the door and heading back out showed me that he was enjoying the smell of freshly baked goods. In that moment I loved that little boy and most especially the feeling of safety and security I associate with the smell of fresh baked goods.

Dinner time is hit or miss. Sometimes they love eating what I make and other times I'm left to wonder why I even bother cooking. A few nights ago I had to laugh when Camilla and I were trying to convince Hyrum to eat his veggies. I told him it would make him grow and Camilla chimed in and said, "Yeah, Hyrum, I'm already five, it took me a lot of veggies to be five". I will also never forget when I sat down next to Joseph with a freshly prepared plate of Cafe Rio only to have Joseph dump a cup full of water right on top of it. Mr. Stannix drained it out for me in the sink and I grudgingly ate my soggy wrap.

After dinner I will put a few kids for baths rotating each night. I will still never forget one night when Joseph asked to be wrapped up like a baby after his bath. I snugged him up in a towel and cradled his toddler body in my arms. He caught his reflection in the mirror and sweetly exclaimed, "Oh baby!" After jammies are on and teeth are brushed we say family prayer. It made me smile one night while we were staying at the acreage and I over heard Camilla and Hyrum arguing over personal prayers in their little bedroom. Hyrum was refusing to say his after being lovingly reminded by his big sister and then he asked why he should and she exclaimed in a sharp whisper, "Because it's important!" Ah I love that girl. One night when everyone was in bed and the house was quiet I found myself folding laundry on my bed as the last of the days sun dipped behind the roof tops and illuminated my bedroom with it's orange glow. I could still feel the faint warmth of the orange rays on my face as I sorted socks and folded onesies and I will never forget the peace and contentment I felt in that very moment after a long days work.

Good Friends

Today I am grateful for the blessing of good friends!

Young Mothers

"May you be given strength to carry your heavy load, to meet every obligation, to walk side by side with a good and faithful and caring man, and together with him rear and nurture and bring up your children in righteousness and truth. Nothing else you will ever own, no worldly thing you will ever acquire will be worth so much as the love of your children. God bless you, my dear, dear young mothers."

~Gordon B. Hinckley

Welcoming May

 On the first day of May we woke early. Joseph gets up at 6:00am on the button and is sure to wake the rest of his siblings instead of sneaking down for breakfast with me. We have been keeping ourselves busy building "model airplanes" out of paper and crafting away.

 It has been overcast and windy most of the day, so I am really enjoying the socks that my Gramma knit and sent up with my brother yesterday. 

This little man is all smiles and I could seriously kiss those cheeks all day!

And of course an overcast, blustery day always calls for a batch of cookies!

 Hyrum has been going through drawing paper like crazy! This is him and his new airplane.

 This picture was for me, and it's probably one of my favorites.

"I worked my very hardest on this one, Mom, and it's for you," he said to me.

"It looks great! What is it?" I ask.

"It's a horse!"

It made my day!

Four Already

Hyrum, today you are FOUR! Each time someone has called to wish you a happy birthday today you have been sure to say, "Yeah, I'm four now!" It's the cutest. It seems like just yesterday I was at the ultrasound clinic receiving the news that you were a BOY. We had secretly found out your gender and kept it a secret the whole time so we could surprise everyone else. As soon as I found out, I went out and bought some blue yarn and started a baby blanket just for you.

The day I went into labor we were enjoying beautiful Spring weather. I spent the morning cleaning and getting our home ready to welcome you. Before your arrival I made sure to do up a batch of bread and froze a few loaves to enjoy in the coming weeks. Because I was waiting on the bread to come out of the oven, we ended up driving to the hospital in rush hour traffic! We dropped your sister off at your great-grandparent's and made it quickly to the hospital. It was a quick delivery. You came out sunny-side up and didn't stop crying until I pressed your little cheek next to mine. You were the very first baby I was able to snuggle seconds after welcoming you into the world.

You have always been calm and content. You started sleeping through the night sooner than anyone else and I sure enjoyed the extra rest. You have always been such a sweetheart and such a perfect addition to our family. I couldn't believe how fast time went by when you were a baby!

It still seems crazy to me that you are already four! I have loved rocking you in my arms, feeding you at all hours of the night, and snuggling you to sleep in your big boy bed. You love affection and touch and are always the kid to climb onto my lap for a snuggle and some extra loves. Sometimes I forget how important those hugs and snuggles are to you, but you always remind me.

I can truly say that these last four years have been a joy! You were quite the mischievous little two year old (peanut oil all over the kitchen floor, toothpaste in the laptop bag..) but always kept me laughing! You have such a sweet spirit and desire to do right and please your Heavenly Father. You have always been an obedient child and your love for life is contagious! I love watching you help your little brothers and be a good example for them. The other day I watched out the window as you climbed up on the trampoline and then turned around to offer your little brother a hand up. It made me smile and filled my heart with joy.

Thanks for being such a special boy! You are loved very much, Hyrum! Happy fourth birthday!!

Love, Mom