Nine Months

 Our little Ollie is not so little anymore! At nine months old he's about 18lbs and growing. He has finally popped through a few teeth. When I felt his gums the other day he had just about six that were ready to pop all at once. He is crawling all over the place and getting into everything! He's gotten pretty quick. He eats finger food now and loves to feed himself! I  can't even tell you what his favorite food is because there isn't really a food that he hates (except maybe pumpkin puree). He's a pretty easy going guy and we love that! He has a hilarious fake laugh and likes to be a part of our conversations. He is learning how to put himself to sleep at nap time and bed time. Some nights are better than others, but we're making progress! He moves around in his crib now quite a bit and will sit up and play with toys or try to stand. He is such a joy and I love him all the way from his crazy hair to his chubby baby toes. Happy nine months buddy boy!

At Their Mother's Feet

One night last month I came to the realization that my children are growing up and spending more and more time away from home. Sometimes when I feel sentimental I get creative. It was my dream to submit this to a poetry contest or get it published, but for now I will settle with this...

At Their Mother’s Feet

A short eternity ago,

On a narrow Elm lined street,

Lived two little children,

Who played at their Mother's feet.

The home was quaint and simple,

With two bedrooms up above,

Empty of modern things,

But always filled with love.

While Mother cleaned the kitchen,

They would toddle on nearby,

Watching at the table,

When she rolled the crust for pie.

They'd lick the bowls and dishes,

When the baking was complete,

And resume their playing,

Back at their Mother's feet.

  

Watching Mother making dinner,

They run the creaky floors,

Laughing, giggling, falling,

Welcoming Daddy through the door.

When she set the little table,

She would pause and kiss each face,

Then gathering round together,

They bow their heads for grace.

Soon their family grew by one,

And they found it hard to stay,

In their quaint two bedroom home,

With just a tiny space to play.

So they left their Elm lined street,

For a house to call their own,

With extra room and a yard to play,

Seeds of curiosity were sown.

Mother kept a watchful eye,

As they ran and played outside,

Peddling fast on their bikes,

Once they learned to ride.

Now as the days go by,

Their world grows even more,

"I love you, Mom!" they shout,

As they run out the front door.

They come home rosy cheeked,

From an afternoon of play,

They gather round for dinner,

After being gone all day.

She tucks them in one by one,

And a tear escapes her eye,

Caressing their little faces,

She lets out a longing sigh.

Though there’s still a few,

That play at their Mother’s feet,

A longing for the early years,

Leaves her feeling incomplete.

They grow older day by day,

Their faces more mature,

Looking towards the future,

She begins to feel unsure.

Late at night she climbs the stairs,

Wishing to put life on repeat,

For all she has ever known,

Is toddlers at her feet.

The Maid

Today started super early with demands for breakfast to feed hungry tummies. After being up with three of the boys in the middle of the night for various reasons I was feeling pretty sluggish. I did not want to wake up. I was not a happy mamma.

The day just kept getting better as I scrambled to pack Camilla's lunch, sign a field trip form, and get her out the door on time. As the littles ate they argued and poked and pushed each other's buttons. I got frustrated, and grumped, and felt very "woe is me" all morning long.

The boys continued to wrestle and argue while I got dressed for the day. I decided the house was clean enough and called everyone up to get their shoes on. We took off for an early morning walk to the park. Joe asked if he could ride his bike and my grumpy self decided it would be too much hassle with the dog and the baby.... He complained the whole way to the corner and sat on the sidewalk refusing to cross with us. I waited on the other side, my patience wearing thin. FINALLY he decided to cross the street (after checking if it was safe of course). As we walked he made sure to stay exactly ten steps behind me muttering, "You're stupid, Mommy..." every few steps. He kept it up all the way to the park and I chose to ignore it even though it hurt each and every time he said it, because he was just mad.

By the time we got home I was really feeling down. I felt like a no body. I got thinking about all of the things that I've put on hold while the littles have over-taken my life. My flute collects dust under my bed, my volley-ball serve could use some practise, I hardly get to touch my piano any more, I don't have time for writing, I struggle to keep up with this blog....What do I have to offer the world?

I called my Mom and she shared some tid-bits  about my great-grandmother, the one I'm named after, who raised her kids plus her younger siblings. She never became a writer, or amounted to anything "great" in the worlds eyes, but she was great and worked hard every day of her life. You'd better believe that those kids were all very grateful for her after they'd grown and gone. Mom reminded me what's really important in this life as I cried and felt sorry for myself.

The boys made mud pies at the park today...twice in fact. That's two times they came home extra dirty and slimy. After the second time I decided to let them wash off at the spray park. We loaded up and took Joe to his chiropractor appointment (he's been off lately), then to the post office, and the library. We surprised Camilla after school and picked her up too. With a picnic packed we headed to the spray park for a few hours of fun before I had to start dinner prep.

They played for ten minutes before they were starving, cold, and ready to go. In that ten minutes I layed on the picnic blanket with a curious baby beside me, wishing I had brought my camera. If I had I would have photographed the vibrant blue sky, the leafy branches as they swayed in the wind, and my kids holding hands as they ran through the water park. For just a few minutes, I was in my happy place. I tried to coax them to play for just ten more minutes but one of them continued to fuss and whine. I bit my lip and folded up the picnic blanket as they protested our departure that they had whined for in the first place!

While I stirred the spaghetti sauce Finley chatted my ear off, "Mommy, what's that sound?...Mommy, What's that sound?..." repeated over and over again. I've always thought if you can't say anything nice (or nicely) don't say anything at all. While he kept repeating the same phrase over and over again, I pursed my lips and stirred my sauce.

Meanwhile, Hyrum ran in for a drink as chunks of mud fell from his shoes all the way up the stairs and into the kitchen. He promised to sweep it up when he got home, but I knew that he would forget.

I worked with Camilla on a school project at the kitchen table while finishing up dinner. She is celebrating her "school birthday" tomorrow (since she was born in July) and requested vanilla cupcakes with blue icing "please Mommy".

As I finished dinner and worked with Camilla Ollie was crying in his highchair, only quiet when Camilla would put his bottle in his mouth and help him hold it. And the toddler was still asking questions in the background...

Oh..and did I mention Joe cut Finley's hair. This is the second time in a year. Thankfully it's not too noticeable.

After dinner the three little boys went for a bath. I changed my tenth poopy diaper of the day, washed the spaghetti sauce from their faces, and the mud from Joe's hair. While I jammied the baby Joe and Fin made sure to get the bathroom floor nice and wet because we all know that I needed yet another mess to clean up today.

We all gathered downstairs for scriptures and prayers. After two minutes on the couch I could hardly keep my eyes open. Once prayers were said and hugs were given Joe jumped on my back with a sly grin and Finley threw himself in my arms. I carried both of my monkeys up to bed and snuggled with them until they fell asleep.

As the night comes to a close the dinner dishes are still on my counter. My kitchen smells like fresh baked cupcakes. The clumps of mud on the stairs have turned to dust because no body had time to sweep them up. There's a pile of baking soda by the back door where the puppy peed before bed. And Mr. Stannix might have a bit of a wet shoulder from my recap of the day.

Being a mother is by far the hardest thing I've ever done. Sometimes I feel more like a maid than a mother. But it is also refining, and wonderful. I would not be who I am today without the sacrifice I've made for each of my children and the love and patience that they show me each day.

"God planted within women something divine that expresses itself in quiet strength, in refinement, in peace, in goodness, in virtue, in truth, in love."
-President Gordon B. Hinckley

A Rainy Saturday

This morning we had a brief bout of sunshine which allowed Mr. Stannix to mow our overgrown lawn. Just as he finished weeding the rock bed the rain started to pour. It rained and rained all day long.

 I warmed the house with some baking and most of us settled in for afternoon naps.

We then bundled up and ran some errands. The wind and rain whipped our faces as we ran into the grocery store. Everyone was happy to get home and enjoy a warm meal. Mr. Stannix and I finished off the day with a cup of hot chocolate and a movie.

The Evening Glow

Last night I took advantage of the evening glow and pulled out my big camera to practice. I've been trying to figure out how to shoot on manual, and after playing around with the ISO and changing my shutter speed a million times I ended up with quite a few that I actually liked! It helps to have an adorable, freshly bathed baby, and a perfect Summer's night. Ollie is growing up so quick, and these pictures are proof! He looks to big, and chunky, and sweet. He's finally poked a tooth through on the bottom and there is three more that are ready to pop any day now. I love his whispy hair, dark lashes and expressions. Some days leave me wishing that time would stand still.

Simple Pleasures

 This afternoon we enjoyed sunshine and a light breeze. It was a great day to hang the baby swing and hammock. I also hung a line between the posts of the deck and put the cloth diapers out to blow in the breeze and bleach in the sun. 

 My brother brought this swing back from his travels long ago. All of our boys have had the pleasure of using it and today it was Ollie's turn to give it some love. 

 The hammock was a hit with the rest of the boys! They all took turns relaxing and basking in the sun. 

 Oh, it was a happy afternoon. Full of laughter, joy, kisses & hugs. As I sat in the yard counting my blessings and admiring my children my heart was full.

 This. This is what life is about. The love we share with those around us. Learning to be kind and serve each other. These boys melt my heart every single day.

 Ollie nearly fell asleep as I gently rocked him in the hammock. It brought back so many memories of my months in Costa Rica, watching Tia nap Santiago in the hammock each afternoon. Life was simple, and happy, and wonderful. Today felt much the same.

I finished off the day brushing out my girlies freshly washed hair and putting in some rag curlers as per her request. She is meeting up with her reading buddy tomorrow and wanted to look her best...

Joe declared he was hungry moments after I tucked him in, so I snuck him in some lemon bread and a glass of water. We ate in silence, in the dark, while Finley snored away on the other side of the room. These are memories I want to remember.

And as I type, Woody is in the toy box behind me making me jump with his spontaneous eruptions of "yee-haw cowboy!" and "There's a snake in my boot!" This is the good life. 

Afternoon Nap

This little man put himself to sleep this afternoon, just like this. 

I tip-toed in to check on him after a few minutes and wanted to smooch his chubby cheeks. 

I settled for a picture instead.

Learning Service

 Sometimes I wonder how much of what I teach actually gets through to my kids. 

Today my sweet two year old surprised me when he grabbed a glass of water and headed out onto the deck saying, "I wa-er wa-wa's plant. Wa-wa be SOO happy!"

I know that most two year olds love dumping water on things, but the fact that he finished his thought with "Camilla will be so happy!" made me feel a small twinge of satisfaction. He wanted to serve his big sister and he did it with a smile!

We cleaned the yard up for family home evening tonight. The combination of evening sunshine, blue eyes and sweaty hair begged me to snap a picture. This kid has a heart of gold, and I love him very much.

Summer nights

Tonight we made a last minute decision to hit up the spray park after dinner. The weather was perfect and the crowds were just clearing out. We found a nice little spot to lay our picnic blanket under the shade of a big tree and the children excitedly ran off to play!

We've all missed this guy so much this week. He just returned from an overnight camping trip with the young men in our ward and even though he was tired, he came along for some much needed family time. The littles were tickled to have him there! 

Hyrum and Cj were best buddies! They bravely ran through everything together. Our quiet Hyrum was not so quiet and we could hear him having fun on the other side of the park. I love when he gets excited about things.

Joe and Finley spent most of their time at the squirt guns...

This sweet boy hung out on the blanket all evening with his Daddy. 

I couldn't get enough of his blue eyes and baby grins. He loves being outside and enjoyed hanging out and watching all of the kids running around.

When the sun began to sink behind the rooftops and the wind picked up we gathered our things and headed for home.

After the littles were in bed Mr. Stannix and I sat out on the porch and soaked in the last of a gorgeous Summer night.

June

The arrival of June has cast a jovial mood upon us all. With the end of school just around the corner we are scheduling less and leaving time for spontaneous adventures and soaking up the sun. Daylight lasts longer and bedtimes are pushed later to enjoy the last of the suns rays as the sky changes colors. With Mr. Stannix working late all week we've made due with simple dinners and nonchalant bedtime routine. After ice cream on the deck, the big kids beg to go to the park and I let them, because the weather is far to nice to stay indoors.

Oliver woke up so happy today. He does every day, but today I thoroughly enjoyed his big gummy grins and bright blue eyes. I am so in love with him. Perhaps it's thanks to one too many episodes of Call the Midwife, but lately I can't help but feel super blessed. My heart is so full of gratitude for these little ones. Last night I found myself in the middle of my show, Ollie snuggled on my shoulder, and tears streaming down my face as I wondered how people could possibly neglect these sweet spirits.   I hugged him extra tight before I layed him to bed. 

 Lemons were on sale at the grocery store this week, so I picked up a huge bag full! This morning Fin helped me make lemon bread. My kitchen smelled of fresh squeezed lemons and it was pretty much the best smell ever. The boys came home from the park shortly after it came out of the oven. Being the growing boys that they are they demolished a whole loaf shortly after I finished putting the lemon glaze on top. In the middle of the island I had bread on the go. I make it six loaves at a time and can never seem to keep up!

 Ollie is crawling all over these days, wreaking havoc on the puppy dish and locking himself in bedrooms. He sits right on the other side of the door making it nearly impossible to open it. Today he took a tumble down our tile stairs and his poor head got quite the goose-egg, leaving me feeling like the worst mother in the world! He recovered quick and spent the afternoon playing fetch with Reese and giggling to no end when she would run for the toy. I adore his belly laugh and rolling giggle.

As the day came to a close a thunderstorm began rolling in from the West. The children played at the park with a gaggle of kids until the rain began to fall. It came down hard just as I tucked the little boys into bed, but only lasted a short spell. I opened the windows to relish in the smell of fresh rain. Welcome June, we're so glad you're here!