Whistler Part II

We had a pretty great week in Whistler! While Mike attended his daily tax course, I caught up on some much needed sleep and finished organizing most of our next blog book. I even treated myself to my very first massage ever, and it was amazing! It took me a few days to get used to being without the kids. It was weird to be able to enjoy my whole dinner without having to share or leave the table one hundred times to fill cups, clean spills, or grab something. Mid-week I wanted to bake something so bad! The kids would call me every morning and tell me about their exciting adventures at Gramma and Grampa's.

It rained on and off most of the week, but we finally saw a little bit of sunshine our last couple of days. I took to the streets to do some window shopping and picked up a few little Christmas gifts for the kids and a Christmas tree ornament. It really is a pretty place to explore!

On one of the warmer evenings we went for some Cows ice cream after a game of tennis and some dinner. We got there just before it closed, and then had to try and quickly pick from the huge selection!

Mid-week we treated ourselves to room service after spending the night in the pool. We thought the prices were ridiculous until we saw the portions! We were expecting them to just knock and leave it like they always do, instead a lady came in and pull our hot food out from a special place under this fancy table. 

On Friday morning I packed the van and met up with Mike after his course. We settled into the van for the long ride to the Acreage to pick up the littles. We took the slow, winding road back to Alberta and drove through Banff just as the sun began to set. Just inside the park we saw two black bears in separate places along the road and stopped to take a quick picture out the window. Then we laughed (with fear) at the tourists who got out of their truck to get a picture practically with the bears...yikes!

While we drove I reflected on the week. It was wonderful to relax and have some time for myself. I have come back calmer, more collected. I feel like I will be able to be a better Mom because of it! As the sun dipped further and further behind the snow capped mountains, I let out a sigh of relief. Alberta will always be home to me.

Hudkins Reunion

 This month has been a bit of a whirlwind! We got back to Rocky late last night from our week in Whistler, loaded up the kids and the dog early this morning, and headed to Edmonton for the Hudkins reunion. We were kind of volunteered to organize this one along with my little brother and his wife. They did a lot of the work, and I mostly posted on the family blog about the location and time and stuff. We do a big weekend reunion every couple of years and try to alternate with a day reunion one year in between. The turn out this year was sparse, but those that were able to make it had a lot of fun!

 The kids love interacting with their little second cousins! (And check out that cute little photo bomber...)

 My grandparents have made quite a legacy!

 My cousin, Jenny brought all of the games and activities for the littles. They had so much fun with all of the minute-to-win-it  games!

 I think the most entertaining game to watch was this one...even the adults had to join in!

Whistler

We've been in Whistler for a couple of days now, and it's been nice and relaxing! The drive alone left me feeling quite content (even though we were sick with awful head colds). I was in aw of the beauty around us the entire time and couldn't stop taking pictures! We passed by lush green mountains, tall snow covered mountains, calm mountain lakes, and waterfalls that stretch from mountain top to bottom.

I didn't so much mind the slow drive on the twisty mountain road with views like this!

We passed through a little place called "Pemberton" which apparently puts on a HUGE music festival. There were crowds of people walking along the side of the highway from campsites like this to listen to all of the different music.

We're staying at the Fairmont and the view from our room is amazing. It's in the upper village which makes it a bit more of a walk for dining/shopping, but it's lovely! We've been able to jump in the pool and hot tub almost every night to relax before bed.

On our first night here we went to our favorite little mexican joint. 

The food was just as impressive as last time we were here! I got the chicken fajitas and Mike got the enchiladas.

It's such a cozy little place to eat and I love the "authentic" feel it has. While Mike spends his days at his tax course, I spend mine catching up on blog books and sleeping. It's been nice to wake up each morning feeling rested, but I sure do miss our littles!!

A Little Getaway

 Last night we arrived at the acreage to drop the kids off for a whole week of fun at Gramma and Grampa's. Joseph ended up being awake all night with an ear-ache and sore throat and I took him to the doctors early this morning to see what was up. After a throat swab and a chest x-ray it was diagnosed as a viral illness to be treated symptomatically with tylonel if needed. He was in much better spirits by the late morning, and I didn't feel as guilty about leaving him. I knew he was in capable hands and would be on the mend shortly.

We gave hugs and kisses and jumped in the van for a whole week without the children. It rained the entire time we drove through the mountains. Mike and I both had the sniffles and plugged ears. We practically had to yell to hear each other and when we talked we sounded like we were talking with our noses plugged. It was not an ideal way to start a vacation, but we pressed on and made it to Kamloops for the night with lots of cough drops and water.

We enjoyed a late, quiet dinner at Moxies and an early bed time!

Fifties Housewife

 The other day I took all of the littles with me to get the oil changed on the van. After we had our fill of wandering around a nearby store (and Joseph setting off the fire alarm...ahem...) the older three sat on the bench at the mechanics to build their kinder surprise toys to play with. Finley slept peacefully all wrapped up on my back as I swayed, while the baby wiggled around inside my basketball sized belly. An older gentleman walked in to pick up his car and said, "These can't all be yours, can they?" I assured him that they were (I mean, they all look alike), and that my oldest was seven, just to see the look on his face. He commented on my obviously pregnant belly and then added, "Wow! It's like a flashback to the fifties!" I've dealt with a lot of comments on the size of our family, and wasn't sure if he was being kind or poking fun, until he added, "Good for you!" 

I often complain to Mr. Stannix that I was born in the wrong era. Put me back in the fifties where being a homemaker was accepted and encouraged and women took pride in looking after their families to the best of their abilities and I would feel right at home. 

I feel greatly blessed that Mr. Stannix has a great job that allows me to stay home and raise our children. I enjoy many modern conveniences that women in the fifties didn't have, and am blessed to have free time to spend with the children each day. In a world of such uncertainty I feel it is so important to raise our children in a stable, secure environment and am grateful for a loving husband who helps make it all possible. 

I love waking up to Joseph rubbing his eyes in his blue and grey striped footie jammies as he comes to tell me, "Mommy, I had the PUR-fect sleep!" 

I enjoy helping the children with their morning jobs. As I open Joe's curtains, Finley hands him a pair of pants from the bottom drawer and Joe exclaims, "Thanks, Fin! That's so con-sid-rate of you!" I can't help but giggle at the big words he tries to use.

There is something satisfying about being able to make homemade bread and baked goods.  The smell of fresh, baking alone transforms our home into a happy place. While rolling ginger cookies and dipping them in sugar, Joe will ask if we can make the balls of dough into a castle while they wait on the plate to be cooked. He grabs two warm cookies off the cooling rack and sizes the bottoms together before giving the smaller one to his little brother. I smile because Finley will only eat half before putting it down somewhere and asking for another. When our home is warm and smells like ginger and fresh baking, I am happiest.

I love when all of my children are home. It's been such a treat having Camilla home for Summer break. They all spend the day playing, running back and forth to the park behind our house, and crafting. Camilla was gifted some smelly markers for her birthday and now I have kids walking around with marker dots under their noses from smelling them, asking things like, "Can I smell your picture?"

 

There is something special about the chaos of dinner time as we dish up plates, eat good food, and mop up spilled drinks. I love when we all crowd around the little round table in the breakfast nook, instead of the big dining table. And even though it's hard to wait sometimes, I know it is so worth it to eat together as a family after Daddy gets home from work.  The conversation, closeness, and unity just can't be beat!

And after the littles are all tucked in for the night with stories and kisses, I enjoy curling up on the couch next to Mr. Stannix and working on an unfinished crochet project. I love to work with my hands and create warm winter hats for the children and booties for the new baby. 

Mr. Stannix and I almost always go to bed at the same time and finish our day kneeling, hand in hand with a prayer. Some might call this life old-fashioned, but I call it wonderful!

Birthday Recap

On the last week of school, Camilla decided she wanted to have a little birthday party. We printed off some invites for her to handout to a few of her close friends, and all but one was able to make it! We celebrated on her actual birthday, which was kind of fun! 

The girls crafted, played, colored, and ate cupcakes. She has a pretty good group of girls that she hangs out with, and I am proud of her choice in friends.

That night we did our family celebration. Daddy did the traditional birthday measuring. She has grown a good couple inches since last year!

After gifts and a bike ride on her new bike, we came home and had donuts. Everyone was pretty caked out, so this was the perfect alternative. She watched her number 7 sparkler go while we sang to her.

It was the perfect end to a great day!!

Seven Years

Our oldest daughter is SEVEN! I can still hardly believe it! I was so thrilled to hear my cute Irish nurse tell me "it's a girl!". I always secretly wanted a girl first, and my dreams came true when we had our little Camilla. She has brought such joy to our lives with her sweet laugh and sense of humor. She's got a special zest for life that it contagious and wonderful. She is optimistic and always looks on the bright side. She is just the big sister I was hoping she would be and does a good job at "mommying" her little brothers. She is responsible and hard working. She is the perfect mix of girl with a hint of tom-boy. She loves to wear dresses, but still enjoys getting messy. She is the most thoughtful girl I know, always putting others needs above her own and sharing all she has with her brothers. She is a fantastic problem solver and a huge help when fights break out. She is gentle and kind and tries her best to please everyone. She is witty and has a wonderful vocabulary. I love that she still thinks "snook" is a word. She helps make our home a happy place to be, and I don't know where we'd be without her! 

Happy 7th birthday Cami girl!!

Tucker

Last week we did something crazy and got a puppy! Mr. Stannix is a dog lover and has been scoping out dogs online for quite a while. He dropped a few hints, got me used to the idea, and we actually met a different dog that didn't end up working out. Long story short, it got the ball rolling and we starting thinking more seriously about getting a pup for the kids. When I saw Mike's eyes light up when we met the dog, I decided that I could put up with the extra work just to make him happy. When Mike called me at lunch one day and asked me to hurry and jump on the AARCS website, I knew we weren't far from getting a pup. He found exactly what we were looking for! Things took off from there and we ended up bringing our little lab retriever home late the same night after driving through a big tornado warning.

Tucker's been with us for a week now, and it's been a wild ride! He's a pretty good boy, but still like's to torment Finley and Joe and chew on everything. The first day we brought him home he welcomed himself by digging a little hole in the yard (thankfully it's been the only one so far). Joseph likes to pester him when he's sleeping, and Tucker gives it back. It's been a big change! All I keep thinking is, "short-term pain, long-term gain".  I'm looking forward to when we're past the house training and teething stage.

My sister snapped a few pictures of our little lab when we were out at the acreage last week. It's a good thing he's cute, because he can cause quite a bit of mischief!

Here's to many years of puppy happiness!

On Being Capable

Art by Caitlin Connolly

Today left me wondering if I am indeed capable of handling another child.

This morning I sorted the recycling while the little boys played in the van. While I took a quick call, Joseph begged me over and over for my car keys with that mischievous look in his eyes. He persisted to ask louder and louder and I eventually had to go inside to finish my phone call. I came back to the van minutes later to find him trying to start the van with a butter knife. I let out a sigh, tried to hide my smirk, and explained the danger of starting a car without a mommy or daddy.

Later in the afternoon Camilla and a friend came back to play. The front door didn't quite latch, and I found it wide open when I walked up stairs to check on Hyrum. I then noticed Finley's bedroom light on and thought it was odd since he was supposed to be napping. I couldn't hear either of the boys and immediately realized they must have went out the front door. I found Hyrum running back to the house to get me, and Finley in the arms of a dear neighbor friend who happened to be walking by shortly after the "great escape". She passed him off to me like it was no big deal, but my chest was pounding and my face turned red with embarrassment. He hadn't made it too far, but far enough that he was crying and afraid. In talking with Hyrum and asking why he didn't just pick him up and bring him inside, I realized that he was torn between obeying my rule about crossing roads without a Mommy and saving his little brother. He then reassured me that the street was "completely peaceful" the whole time (thank-goodness). I held it together until I shut the front door and then I burst into tears. Tears of embarrassment, gratitude for his safety, inadequacy... I couldn't help but feel like I wasn't capable to take on the responsibility of another child.

I immediately grabbed my phone. I desperately needed someone to tell me that I was capable, that I could do this, that I was doing a good job, that it was normal to feel this way. I dialed a few different numbers and finally got a hold of my Gramma (who could hardly understand me as I cried). She told me a few stories of similar experiences, reassured me that I was doing a wonderful job, that I had great kids, and that these things happen.

Finley seemed a bit warm and had a mild cough most of the day. By the late afternoon I was so exhausted that I slipped in a few winks while he drifted off to sleep on my shoulder. I woke to the sound of Camilla giggling at my open mouth and uncomfortable position. I smiled as I blinked the sleep from my eyes and hugged her. They were all hungry for dinner, and it was time to get up.

Shortly after dinner my dear friend texted me and told me to listen to the song "Dirty Dishes" by Scotty McCreery. I had told her about my day and she was thinking about me. It's basically about being grateful for the slamming doors, laundry, dirty dishes and a tired husband who provides, because it means you have happy kids, clothes to wear, food to eat, and money to spare.

The trenches of motherhood are exhausting. My floors are constantly sticky, my bathrooms constantly need cleaning, there is laundry everywhere to be washed or folded, and my sink is constantly filled with dishes. There are fights to break up, lessons to be taught, messes to be cleaned...It seems like it never ends. Some nights I literally fall into bed, completely drained from the days events, only to be awakened moments later to sooth a crying child, comfort someone who had a bad dream, or fill up a sippy cup for the tenth time.

Finley has woken up three times already tonight coughing and I have rubbed his warm head and ran my fingers through his hair each time. I have a feeling I'm in for a long night. But I am grateful that I get to be the one to comfort him and kiss his soft cheeks while he rests.

I recognize that this is only a short season in my life. I know that the happy chaos will soon come to an end. I adore being a mother. But some days are just plain hard. And today I was grateful for supportive friends and family who reassured me that everything is going to be okay, and that I am capable. There's a huge difference between feeling capable, and being capable. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who helps me know that I am capable. Who only gives me what I can handle and stretches me to my potential. Tomorrow is a new day (just pray my children don't wake up at 5:00am again...)!

"As a mother guided by the Lord, you weave a fabric of character in your children from threads of truth through careful instruction and worthy example. You imbue the traits of honesty, faith in God, duty, respect for others, kindness, self-confidence, and the desire to contribute, to learn, and to give in your trusting children’s minds and hearts. No day-care center can do that. It is your sacred right and privilege." - Richard G. Scott

Work & Play

 I think we are finally falling into a bit of a groove around here. I still have a hard time balancing work and play some times. When the mess drives me crazy enough we take to the outdoors for some nature and exploring and try to forget about it until later. I started out today with a small to-do list, and only ended up actually completing one thing on it (that bathroom was really starting to bug me), and then there was dishes and cooking of course. 

 Camilla and I were the first ones awake. Since the little boys were in separate rooms, they slept in nice and long. Camilla has taken on her responsibilities for Tucker very seriously. Looking out the window early this morning and watching her play tug of war with him made me smile. We hung out in our jammies until the boys woke up and then made breakfast.

 The littles begged me right after breakfast to go play at a park. I surveyed the kitchen and decided the dishes could wait. I felt semi-discouraged that I have been having such a hard time keeping up with things, but Finley's giggles on the swing made up for it!

Joe climbed the rock all by himself and proudly asked me to take a picture. As I look at it now, I realize how big this boy is getting. He is such a good kid and has such a big heart. All afternoon I've had the saying, "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" floating around in my head. And in case anyone is wondering, I still have at least half a bag of chocolates left to last me the week!