Batter Up!

 This afternoon we loaded up all of the littles, invited some friends, and headed over to the Hall to play ball! Each of the kids had a turn to practice their batting skills, and then we got a small game going. Grampa was a star in the outfield and Daddy hit the ball out of the park. Everyone had a great time, though Camilla is still convinced she likes kickball better. After dinner we loaded up all of our tired littles and headed for home after a long weekend away. Until next time!

Speak Gently

Today I woke up feeling super grumpy. We spent the morning trying to find a lost swimming suit before the bus came and everyone was a tad bit overtired still. I managed to make French toast for breakfast. Camilla squeezed in a super quick violin practise and then just about missed her bus. They've had a substitute driver and she comes five minutes earlier than usual. 

The boys and I headed to the city to run some errands. They were good so we braved the wind and hit up a nearby park. New parks are always exciting and even though the slides were out of order they had a blast! 

Finley surprised me by navigating up AND down a ladder. He's getting so big these days. Despite the cold they didn't want to leave. It took me a while to convince them that it was time to head home for lunch. 

We stopped at a gas station on our way out of town. As I was filling up the van Joe's plastered his face against the window, mouth open wide and tears on his cheeks. I looked in the back to find two boys in a tussle. Shoes and fists were flying in turn as they tried to work out their differences. I tapped the window and gave them my mom eyes. When I realized there wasn't much I could do from where I was standing, a small laugh escaped my lips as I shook my head at their boyish ways. 

They continued to wail as I drove away, so I parked and made them both get out. "You want to hit him? Hit him! As hard as you can right in the nose..." Hyrum turned his head to hide his smirk and wipe the remaining tears. Joe exclaimed, "No! He's my best friend! I don't want to hurt him!" I will never understand boys... While they hugged and made up I caught a stranger a few cars over smiling to himself after watching the whole scene play out. We all buckled up and headed home. The boys slept in the back while I soaked in the beauty of wide open fields, big red barns, and farmers prepping the ground to plant. 

As I pulled into the garage everyone woke and began screaming for something. Joe was starving, the baby needed feeding, and Fin had a dirty bum. Diaper changes took priority and I tried to take deep calm breathes as Joe yelled from the top of the stairs. 

Everyone cheered up quickly with some lunch. Hyrum and Fin went down to play together and Joe helped me bake cookies. He measured and dumped all of the ingredients and rolled over half of them on his own. It was so satisfying for him and he proudly brought some cookies to his brothers once they cooled. It was a huge success because I didn't burn a single pan!

When I was at Michaels this morning I fell in love with a wall hanging that had this quote on it. It was way more money than I'd usually spend on home decor and I loved it so much that I even placed it in the cart for a few minutes (until I talked myself back out of it). Instead the boys helped me pick out a cute frame and I found a free printable online. I am so pleased with how it turned out! 

By mid afternoon all of the couch cushions were off and the boys were engaged in a crazy game of make believe. I sat in the rocking chair with the captor at my breast watching the chaos unfold. I've been desperately trying to wean this dear babe of mine but he's stubborn. I'm trying to savor these afternoon nursing sessions because he is growing fast and soon they will be no more. I watched him drift to sleep with the dog curled up at my feet. 

Finley drifted off for his third cat-nap of the day in the late afternoon. Capturing moments like these helps me stay grounded and reminds me why I do what I do. Sometimes the constant mess can be overwhelming and other days I'm able to stay calm inside despite the happy chaos. 

At days end I found myself snuggled in a single bed with my boy, my baby, and a puppy as dark clouds blew in from the West. When Joe twitched his leg and all three were breathing deeply I knew it was safe to tuck the babe into his crib.

Monday Musings

We are back home and getting into routine again. The day started with an early wake-up from my teething baby. He has a runny nose and a cough. It's been exhausting for this mamma. I feel like I am drowning in house work with bags to unpack and laundry needing to be done. Everywhere I turn there's something that needs to be cleaned, wiped, folded, picked-up. 

One of my bright spots today was when Fin came up and hugged me randomly and told me, "I wuv you Mommy." He did this a few times today and each time he hugged my leg, or rested his head on my shoulder it made me feel so grateful to be his mamma.

Joe has been trying my patience today. Each morning I pray for perspective and the ability to see life as my children do, but sometimes it's hard when he's throwing the dirt out of my pots on the deck. When I asked him why he did it he responded, "I was just having fun." He wasn't trying to be a bother, he was experimenting and learning. Later on when he dumped a basket of clothes that I had folded I got extra cranky. I made him clean them all up and put them into their proper drawers. When he was finished he hugged me and apologized. As I nursed the baby to sleep Joe quietly snuck into the room and motioned for help with something. I couldn't refuse his dashing smile that seemed to say, "Please?" and his sparkly eyes that said, "I love you!" Sometimes I have to remember that he's not meaning to be "bad". His brain just works so fast and unless it's kept occupied it makes him do crazy things. He is one kid that can drive me crazy and fill my heart to the brim with love all at the same time. 

Hyrum is all boy lately. He loves to explore, adventure, and spend his afternoons outside. There has been a lot more punching and wrestling this week. All of the sudden he has a need to climb, and play rough, and tease. It's quite funny watching all three boys roll around on the livingroom floor putting each other in headlocks or pinning each other to the ground. I know it's just a glimpse of things to come. 

Camilla is such a responsible girl. I love how she gathers her things for school, half packs her lunch all on her own, and problem solves. She is wonderful at helping her brothers when they need her. I am so grateful for her happy, sweet, positive attitude. She's a tough little cookie and always tries her best. 

I would love to get back to blogging every day, but life seems pretty crazy these days. Instead I jot a few things down on my phone while I nurse and hope that I remember to back post them later. I miss documenting the ins and outs of our days. The kids are so little and easy going right now. Life is hectic and slow all at the same time. I love being home with my littles day in and day out. I know that this stage won't last forever, so I'm really trying to cherish it!

Happy Mother's Day

This Mother's day was a treat! After being up most of the night with a cranky baby, I was woken up by an excited little blonde girl who took my hand and led me up the stairs for breakfast. She cajoled her aunts into making a mother's day feast (with uncle and Daddys help too). I was greeted at 7:00am by this happy face. 

After breakfast I snuck back down to catch a few more minutes of shut eye before the baby and other kids woke. On the end of my bed was chocolate and a card from a thoughtful husband. 

 Before we left to church with everyone I got my talented sister to snap some pictures of all of us. I am so grateful for these five little blessings who call me Mom. 

Joseph was being extra sweet and hugging and kissing Finley the entire time. But I love their little personalities, Camilla's toothless smile and the love that we all share.

I am grateful for my own Mom who instilled in me a love and reverence for motherhood. There is no one else who serves as selflessly as her. She goes about serving quietly with a smile pretty much always on her face despite what may be happening around her. She is kind, level headed, practical and a wonderful example of what it means to be a mother. 

We all enjoyed a delicious Chicken dinner together in the late afternoon. After it was all cleaned up my Dad gathered everyone to watch a short video clip on motherhood. He then asked the kids to list some things that mothers do. Someone shouted "give us treats!" My heart melted and tears filled my eyes as Joseph explained that "Mommy's love you when you're sad and mad and they give hugs and kisses." I am so glad that he understands the unconditional love that mothers have. 

"No woman should ever feel the need to apologize or feel that her contribution is less significant because she is devoting her primary efforts to raising and nurturing children. Nothing could be more significant in our Father in Heaven’s plan."

-Quentin L. Cook

Acreage Life

 We are enjoying our extended stay at the Acreage this weekend with family. There's so much here to keep the kids busy and entertained. Everyone has been relaxing and enjoying each other's company and take-out has been ordered for dinner more than once.

We lucked out and got to be here for another round of hatching. It's pretty neat watching those little chicks zip around the egg and pop the top off. This is the second of three hatches. The best part is that all of these eggs are from their own hens. The first hatch gave them close to fifty new little chicks.

 Mornings are slow and fun. We play, we visit, and we eat pancakes for breakfast!

The littles helped Grampa and Auntie transplant the tomatoes into the greenhouse.

They started the plants from seed in the house and they've grown so wonderfully.

Although the wind was a little bit chilly, the greenhouse was the perfect temperature!

Finley was in heaven with his shovel and all of the dirt. He walked around and did his own thing most of the time.

Rainy afternoons at Gramma's house are perfect for napping under warm, handmade blankets.

Camilla was constantly sneaking into the chicken barn to give the first hatch of chicks some love. She already named a few of them. The yellow ones are her favorites!

This little boy was so darn cute with his dirty fingers, overalls and the sweet baby chick. My sister and I couldn't resist a little photo shoot.

When I was a little girl I used to spend hours with the new baby chicks. They were always so fun to watch and cuddle. 

Auntie Emma shared a few of these with me and I love them!

This little guy was loving life this weekend!

Back Home

This week brought an unexpected visit to the Acreage to say a final good-bye to my Grampa. We are so lucky to have lots of family together at this time. We've enjoyed the nice weather and some outdoor walks with everybody. The littles are so happy to be here with extra space to run and play and use their imaginations. I am so grateful for family and the support system that we have. 

Oliver: Eight Months

Oliver is eight months old! He is such a happy baby and brings us all so much joy! He loves to give kisses, clap his hands, and tell us stories. He's become very interactive and fun these days! He adores his older siblings and loves when they take time to play with him. Even Joe will lay down and put Ollie on his tummy and talk to him. He sleeps so well! I am only up once maybe twice each night. The long stretches of sleep are much welcomed. He is starting to get around pretty good, but mostly looks like an inch worm. Every baby seems to find their own way to crawl around and Ollie likes to stick his booty in the air and almost nose dive as he tries to push himself forward. It's super funny to watch. He recently discovered feeding himself and loves to eat baby cookies and cereal puffs. Taking his eight month photos was so much fun! I love this boy to the moon and back!

Running Again

Today I got out for my second run of the year! It's been so long since I've run, and I've been missing it. With the four boys in tow I don't manage to make it very far, but it still feels good to get out and try! I downloaded an awesome app to track my distance and time and it's fun to compare. The first time I went out running Hyrum wore his rollerblades and pretty much hung onto the stroller the entire time I was pushing it. Joe stopped and started a million times on his bike and was constantly asking for water breaks. It took me almost a half an hour to make it 2.5km, but it's so great to get outside and enjoy the nice weather! By the time we got home we are ready for a smoothie. I added an avocado and some greens to make it extra healthy.

Thanks to all of the extra exercise I usually feel pretty tired by the early afternoon. I try to keep myself busy because I know if I sit down I will probably fall asleep!  Oliver is such a giggly pants lately. Today while I cleaned the kitchen he hung out at my feet laughing hysterically at the dog or his brothers. I can't believe how fast he's growing up!!