Sunrise

By 4am last night I had three kids and a dog in my bed. I lay awake smooshed between Ollie snuggled on my arm and Joe pressing into my back.  Fin was snoring on the other side of the bed. The dog was curled up in the crook of my legs, and the baby was wiggling around inside me. We were all up before the dawn to get kids off to school. But before we did too much, I had to sit in the chair in front of the window and soak in the quiet moment.

Dental Check-up

Ollie's first Dental visit was a success!

Crisp Autumn Nights

We are really loving these sunny, blue sky days and crisp Autumn nights. I am also really loving this boy (and his eyelashes).

Pondering

This morning we woke up at 5am and got ready for the day. I had to drop Mr. Stannix at the airport to catch his flight to Toronto bright an early this morning. After dropping him off and trying to hold my tears until the car, I headed back home to get the littles ready for church. The drive was long and quiet and gave me lots of time to think, ponder, and breath. I didn't realize how much I needed the alone time until now. I watched the sun come up crimson red on the horizon and turn to a pink glow on the frost covered fields. It was so great to watch it from start to finish.

I arrived to chaos on the home front. The boys were pushing buttons again and beating on each other. Bless Gramma's heart for her patience! We got dressed for church while I prepped a potluck dish for after church. Thankfully I had my parents there to help! Joe's teacher came up to me after church to talk to me about Joe. I was expecting the worst and stood in shock as his teacher handed out compliments on Joe's great behavior and his knowledge of the Gospel. "I can tell you work with him a lot at home," he said. I could barely mutter a thank-you I was so taken back by his kindness. Rounding everyone up after church proved to be difficult. I belted in two kids and then ran back into the church to find everyone else. I came out to the sound of a car horn honking repeatedly. When I realized it was my van I started running. I wasn't the only parent rushing out to see what was going on. Close behind me was a father of seven who exclaimed, "Yay! It's not mine for once!" We laughed. It was great.

Surprise Date

I enjoyed a date day with Mr. Stannix today, thanks to my parents for urging me to go see him before he flies to Toronto. Having him away during the week stinks and I knew if I had to do another week without seeing him I might go crazy. I've missed him, and so have the kids. The boys are nutts when he's not around. He keeps us all sane.

I drove down to Strathmore and met up with him in the morning. We spent the day checking things out in Calgary and talking. It was a nice, quiet day. We went for dinner at the Roadhouse and split 30 wings between us. It was so nice to just be together without any distractions.

At days end we both felt that confirmation that we are doing what's right. I sure love this guy!

Lousy

It was kind of a lousy day today. I feel like all I did was cry. The kids were off school and everyone was pushing everyone's buttons. We helped a bit in the garden, but I was feeling tired and overwhelmed all day. In the late afternoon I stood in the window and let the sun pour in and warm my body. There is nothing better than a sun filled window on a chilly day.

I baked bread for the millionth time, which I actually enjoy. It gave me time to think and be still. I really missed Mike today and may have cried over my toast. 

When I looked at Joe tonight after dinner I couldn't help but wonder when he got so grown up!

Peering out the back door at this gorgeous sunset gave me strength to endure the bedtime routine. Sunsets bring me joy and cause me to pause and reflect. There were more tears after a rambunctious scripture study and prayer time and I didn't have the patience I needed to make it through the rough bedtime hustle. Tomorrow is a new day though, lets hope it goes a little smoother than today.

Service

 A few days ago we heard of a neighbor in need of help with some yard work. When I heard that it was raking leaves, I quickly volunteered my littles for the job. We spent a few hours this afternoon enjoying the blue sky and sunshine and helping someone we love! The littles were having so much fun that it didn't really seem like work at all! They all worked super hard, played super hard, and were super tired by the end of it. When we finished she invited us in and gave each of the kiddos a Popsicle for their hard work. They were absolutely tickled and wore big smiles all the way home. Service has a sneaky way of bringing cheer to both the giver and the receiver. We all went home with warm hearts and smiles.

Fresh Eggs

It was another beautiful day filled with collecting eggs and playing outside. The little boys helped Grampa wheel the raspberry canes to the fire pit. Finley is almost strong enough to use the wheelbarrow all on his own and loves to help! Ollie likes to run and play all day, especially when it's warm!

Blue Skies

The weather has warmed up once more and we are enjoying some more time outside. All of the snowing and melting and snowing and melting is starting to make me crazy. While the weather is nice we are trying to get the garden out, some of the raspberry canes dug, and the yard cleaned up.

This morning I tried my hand at homemade pretzels. Aside from a little too much egg wash, they turned out really yummy!

The little boys sure love the extra space to run and explore! Fin visited Gramma's chickens and loved feeding them leftovers from the garden.

Sugar Cookies

Today I decided to whip up a batch of traditional sugar cookies. We make these every Valentine's, Halloween and Christmas and cut them into different shapes. I figured the kids would have fun decorating them after school and it was something to help us get excited about Halloween. Finley helped me cut out the shapes and I spent the afternoon putting pans of cookies in the oven. When the littles got home we gathered around the kitchen table and iced to our hearts content.