Ten Months

 Have I ever told you how tricky it is to take still photos of a ten month old? My camera could hardly keep up with him. After about 100 tries I ended up with four good ones of my wiggly worm. This kid is an absolute joy! I haven't slept in ten months, but his smiles and giggles make it all worth it! He is officially weened but still doesn't sleep through the night. I think we're getting pretty close on that one though.

His newest love is shrieking, ear-piercing shrieking. He has definitely found his voice! He is quick on his knees and loves to climb! He has also become pretty independent and will play forever on his own which has been nice. He loves it when I get down on the floor to play with him and will climb all over me and give hugs and kisses. Joseph will tell me "I sure love Finley!" He is a lot of fun and we all adore him!

Moving Day

 This morning I woke up early, got everyone dressed, tore apart the beds, and shoved the last few odds and ends into boxes before the movers arrived. This whole weekend was a whirlwind of birthdays and events and things to do. I managed to get the kitchen packed up late last night after we got home from sharing dinner with our friends one last time. While we were there I watched our kids play together in the backyard and choked back the tears brimming in my eyes. In just a few short days everything would be different.

The kiddos spent their morning raking leaves in the backyard and their afternoon glued to Paw Patrol on the iPad. They were so well behaved and made me proud. Two big men loaded up our life into the back of a blue moving truck in just under four hours and promised an early morning delivery the next day. I loaded my hungry kids in the car, stuffed the bedding, pillows, teddybears, and important things around them and tossed them a few snacks for the road.

I turned on a favorite movie to settle them in and then walked back into the house one last time. I had done so good all day being very business like and not crying. As soon as I stepped through the door into our dining room I could feel the tears pricking my eyes. I stood at the front entry way and looked over the empty sitting room and floods of memories came to me. 

As I walked up the stairs to the bedrooms I started sobbing, realizing this would be the very last time I walk through this house. I soaked in the beloved nursery one last time. I peeked into Camilla's empty room where the walls were once filled with random artwork taped up where she pleased above her bed. So many nights I spent awake in those rooms as the street lights poured through the windows. I wiped away the tears as I locked the door and then joined the children in the van. 

Our first stop was to say good-bye to Clara and Jessica. The kids rushed through their front door and hugged Jessica's baby bump as they excitedly told her about our big move. Then they happily ran in and played with Clara while Jessica and I embraced in the entry way, the very same entry way we hugged and cried together after I found out we lost our baby. It is super hard to say good-bye to someone so near and dear. We've shared so much together! They waited at the front door and waved us off when it was time to leave. We made our way over to Daddy's office for hugs before we left and got out of the city before rush hour. 

Three hours later we arrived in our new little town in the dark of night. We grabbed a late dinner and had a picnic on the floor of our new home as the kids ran around oo-ing and ah-ing at everything. Then it was time for jammies and bed. Camilla put out blankets in front of the fireplace and once everyone was cozied in I dimmed the lights and turned it on. They watched the glow as they fell asleep and then I joined them. There is nothing more fun than camping out (at least that's what the kids thought). Our stuff arrives tomorrow and I can't wait to put everything in it's place. 

Platform 9 3/4

 Mr. Stannix was an avid Harry Potter fan when I met him and I had never read the books. After we were married we read the books together. It was a lot of fun sitting up late taking turns reading aloud. Mike would always beg me to read more chapters and I didn't mind because I loved how much he loved listening to me read. I can't wait to read the books to our kiddos someday! A cherished memory for sure. Anyways, this weekend my friend threw a Harry Potter themed party for her husbands 30th and it was so so fun! We left the kiddos for the evening to get sorted into houses, drink butter beer and pumpkin juice, and enjoy tarts and other Harry Potter themed food. We played games and I laughed until I cried with some of the other girls the party over a pair of spanx. It was a pretty awesome night out with my love and a good group of friends! 

Last Day of School

Today was Camilla's last day of school with her awesome teacher, Mrs. Ertman. I smiled to myself as I thought about her reaction when I told her the name of her school. "Velma?" she giggled. "Like, Velma off Scooby-Doo!" I was so worried about sending Camilla to school this year but I adored her teacher and her soft manner. The worst part of this whole move for me is the thought of pulling Camilla from a classroom where she is thriving and making friends. We went to the school a little bit early in the morning to say good-bye since her teacher was going to be away in the afternoon. Though I haven't been able to volunteer in the classroom with three kiddos at home, I have kept in very close contact with her teacher. She is such a sweet lady and we are sure going to miss her. It was nice to hear how much of a leader Camilla is at school and to hear how she will be missed in classroom discussions. "She is an AWESOME student!" she told me. And it made my mother heart swell with pride. 

Just before we left we took a picture with her very first teacher.

She wanted a picture of her desk she shared with dear friends.

Before we left I asked her if there was anything else in the classroom that she wanted to remember. She paused, put her finger on her chin, and looked around the room. "Umm...my smartboard!" Alright. A picture in front of the smartboard it is! She is looking forward to a few days off school to play with her brothers and to settle in at the new place.

Thankful

 I tried to get everyone together this morning for a picture before church and it turned out quite comical. I am thankful for my family and their crazy personalities. I am grateful that my kids love each other with a fierce love (even though they fight sometimes).

 I am grateful for the friendships found in families. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who is always there when I need Him. I am grateful for a hardworking husband who follows through with things even when the going gets tough. I am grateful for his strength and advice. I am grateful for our financial stability and the blessings we enjoy. 

This black eye was courtesy of Joe. I am grateful it's on the mend! Happy Thanksgiving!

Easy Afternoons

 Most of the house is packed which means that we get to enjoy a lot more of this beautiful weather! This afternoon I took the children out front to ride their bikes and get some fresh air. Finley needs a lot of wiggle room now and seldom sits in one place too long. It's so fun to watch him explore and crunch the colorful leaves in his fists (or mouth).

Finley managed to make his way over to the tricycle when it wasn't being used and tried to climb up. I sat him in the seat and pushed him a couple of meters and then Joe jumped on behind. It was super cute walking along side them as Joe shuffled them up and down the sidewalk.

 

 Joe can't get enough of smooching his little brother. These two are becoming fast friends.

Stop Growing Up

This week I've found myself repeating the words "Please stop growing up!" At breakfast Finley happily shoves little pieces of pancake into his mouth between sips of milk. He now takes a bottle like a champ and feeds himself. While I watch him chug his milk I can't help but think please stop growing up. While I sit on the stairs talking to my mom Finley decides to climb the couple of steps for a hug. Ah! Stop growing! He stands any chance he can get and giggles infectiously with glee. Slow down, baby. Stop growing up. He takes a tumble at the hand of his rambunctious brother and sits right back up like nothing happens. His eyes are starting to twinkle with mischief as he explores the house. No, not yet. It's too soon for that. Throughout the day he oozes with cuteness and laughs infectiously and I can't help but plea, you're so darn cute, stop growing up! At days end he lies his head on my shoulder with an "awww" noise before I place him in his crib to fall asleep. I slip in later to peek at him and my heart is filled with an overwhelming love for this chunky, growing, bundle of boy.

A Walk in the Park

Autumn is such a magical time of year, so when we leave the house and the weather is warm we always stop off at the park for a bit. We are going to soak up all this beauty before the final leaves fall and the snow flies. On this particular day Joseph scrambled up a tall rock without any help or hesitation. Finley was also trying to climb the playground. We all enjoyed the fresh Fall air and amazing smells!

Let the Packing Begin

A Jumble of Thoughts

This weekend we cozied up together as a family and took in all four sessions of General Conference in our basement. The talks were so enriching and I can't wait to go back and listen to a few of them again. The children did really well sitting through each of the sessions and I got to listen to all but the last half of the last session. I had a few coloring pages to keep them busy, which Camilla and Hyrum loved. I adored how realistic Camilla's drawings were and her ability to interpret what they were speaking on.

"We do not have to be perfect. But we need to be good and getting better."
-Kim B. Clark

"Put God first, regardless of the trials you face. Love God. Have faith in Christ, and entrust yourself to Him in all things."
-Koichi Aoyagi

"The kingdom of God is not and cannot be complete without women who make sacred covenants and keep them."
-Russell M. Nelson

October is blowing by quickly. The leaves are almost all on the ground now and our move is fast approaching. Our boxes were delivered today which means I can officially start packing. We have two weeks to go until moving day but the weather has been so great that I'm finding it hard to stay inside.

Over the weekend I spent my evenings working my crochet hook and letting the stress run out my finger tips as I created. I made the older three little animals and it has made me so happy to see how loved they are. While I was making Hyrum's I kept getting frustrated with the nose and tried to change it so it looked better. Hyrum told me to just leave it because he loves it the way it is. All day he told me how much he loved me and thanked me for making him his little rabbit. That poor little rabbit is kind of an eyesore but to hear Hyrum sincerely tell me how pleased he is with it fills my heart to the top. He is willing to overlook the imperfections because his mamma made it for him with love, and that is enough.

 

Camilla is loving school and excited to start her weekly spelling tests. She reads her books without any problem and tells me that they are "easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy". Last week I forgot about early dismissal and was maybe a half an hour late picking her up after I got a call from the school. I felt like the worst mother ever, but when I got there and realized that at least five other mothers had also forgot I didn't feel AS terrible. I made it up today by bringing cookies to after school pick up. Camilla munched away happily in the backseat, talking nonstop between chews and cracking jokes. "Do you know why they call them snicker doodles? Because, they're so good that the kids SNEAK them from their Mom's. Get it...SNEAK-erdoodles?" Her laugh is so awesome! I love that kid.

Finley has gotten pretty quick on his hands and knees now which has kept me on my toes more than usual. The other day I was sweeping the floor quicker than I ever have before. He followed me around the kitchen speed crawling and trying to reach his chubby hands into the dust pile for his next treat. I swept it away over and over again, just in time for his hand to hit the clean floor, but just barely. When he gets hungry he scavenges for food under the kitchen table. He pulls himself up on everything now and even climbed a few stairs today! It's so hard to believe that in just a few short months he will be a whole year old. 

It's too bad that I can't attach a keyboard to my brain because I've composed quite a few blogposts in my head over the last couple of days while doing dishes or laying with Joseph at bed time. It seems that by the time I get around to sitting and composing something it's late into the evening and I can hardly keep my eyes open. Finley has not been sleeping well at all and little Joe has been in our bed almost every night for the past week. I am looking forward to the extra bedrooms so that the boys aren't waking each other up all night long. This mamma is tired!