Autumn Lovin'

My favorite Season is practically here! We have been waking to the most beautiful skies and the crisp morning air can't be beat!

We are trying to get out and enjoy the sunshine as much as we can. We know how lucky we are that the snow hasn't come yet and getting outside is one way we can show our gratitude.

I can't believe how big Sawyer is getting already! It's funny to think back to this time last year and how anxious I was to meet him. Now he is pulling himself up on things, crunching leaves in his chubby baby fists, and thoroughly enjoying life.

Autumn, you are fabulous!

A Morning Fog

This morning the fog hugged the ground as the sun slowly rose above the spruce trees. I will never tire of watching the sunrise just over the tree line, painting the sky tangerine and rose. While I packed school lunches Ollie exclaimed, "Mommy, I did it again!" I turned to see Ollie, lip stuck out, looking down at his sweater as porridge dripped down the front. I wiped it up and then he went right back to shoveling big bites into his mouth. He woke up famished. 

The blue sky called us outside and brought peace and calm to the rowdy little boys. The energy from the wrestling match they were entangled in earlier was put to good use as their legs carried them down the lane way and onto the gravel road. When we returned home I put the stroller away in the greenhouse and then we ventured up to the orchard to check our the apple trees. The boys spied the red and green apples and ran through the field. I resisted the urge to photograph them in the glaring mid-day light and made a mental note to come back again at sunset when the sky was painted and the lighting more agreeable. 

We had fried eggs on toast for lunch and then I rocked the baby to sleep. The rest of the afternoon flew by and before I knew it we were picking up the kids from school. Somehow they convinced me to pick up a dozen donuts. I smiled through the sibling rivalry and after school chaos and spontaneously pulled off at the river on the way home. We ate our donuts on the hill and then ventured down to the water to skip rocks. 

A few minutes in, Oliver told me he peed his pants. The rest of the kids weren't ready to go home yet, but I was feeling frazzled. When we arrived at the van I noticed a spare change of clothes that I had put in at the start of our potty training adventures. We did a quick change in the parking lot and everyone agreed that they would get along if we could go explore the stair case and trails. I let out a deep breath and smiled and they were so excited.

By the time we arrived back at the van I was feeling renewed and more at peace. It was so beautiful in the trees and so good to see the littles getting along.

While Daddy was away at meetings we decided on smoothies and snacks for dinner. As the kids were sipping their smoothies they began to argue again. I told them I was going outside for a few minutes and Finley begged to come along. I left Sawyer in his highchair and had Camilla feed him his dinner. Finley grabbed my hand and asked if we could run together. He giggled the entire way to the orchard and back again. 

We admired the sunflowers as the sun went down and then joined the others for bedtime.

A Rainbow Dozen

Today I finished the novel that I began yesterday. It's nice to get lost in the pages of a book every now and again. The littles giggled and looked at me like I was crazy when I skipped across the kitchen after reading a particularly good part. As the weather turns, the season of crochet blankets and slowly devouring novels begins. 

Between chapters I'm able to fold a load or two of laundry, and put some pumpkin muffins in to bake. While the timer ticks away I read a page or two at a time. The wind howled outside as we cozied up on the couch. 

I enjoyed doing some kindergarten with Fin today. We worked on how to hold a pencil and drew some numbers. 

The chickens are all laying now and we are getting beautiful rainbow dozens. Collecting eggs is like a treasure hunt!

While Ollie is pretty much fully potty trained, there is still the odd reminder that I need to make.

Sawyer is moving all over the place and pulling himself up on everything. 

By the time dinner rolls around I am usually exhausted! When I look at the dishes on my counter it's hard not to feel defeated. They are never ending. 

The beauty of motherhood is that we are able to keep going no matter how many sleepless nights might have passed or how many messes we've cleaned, or how many loads of laundry we've done. Mothers are able to show up each day and put one weary foot in front of the other until all of the jobs are done. The extra hugs and kisses definitely help!

At days end I find myself standing over a sink full of dishes while a cool breeze from the open window rustles the stray hairs that have slipped from my ponytail.

Rocking my Baby

My baby is almost ten months old and I still snuggle him to sleep. As soon as I sit in the rocking chair he cuddles in and surrenders to sleep. Some might say I've spoiled him, but in these quiet moments I can't help but feel that it's just right.

With earlier babies I let others dictate what was right, how often they should be waking, and when they should be sleeping through the night which resulted in feelings of failure when they didn't fit in with the ideal.

After six babies I'm a firm believer that mother knows best and that babies can't be spoiled if they are held too much! They grow so fast and these moments pass so quickly. If you need me, I'll be rocking my baby...

Ollie Turns Three

Today our Ollie-lollie turned three! It was kind of a crazy day because we had to take Sawyer to the ophthalmologist this morning to get his pupils dilated. I made the cake up yesterday and covered it with plastic wrap to keep it from drying out and was able to ice it after we got home. I still can't believe that Oliver is three! He loves being outside and helping around the acreage or playing on his tricycle. He gives the best snuggles and likes to wrap his arms around our neck when he falls asleep. He is goofy and silly and can't listen to music without dancing (he has the best disco moves). He has a sweet tooth like his mamma and if he's asking for food, he really means candy. He brings our family so much joy and we are so glad we could celebrate him today!

Carry On

This week has felt a little bit crazy and my wardrobe is currently a mash-up of fall and summer. Cozy warm sweaters and sandals are the go-to lately! We have had four extra kiddos staying with us this week to help out some friends with a family emergency. All of our beds are full and I've been prepping meals for twelve! While I feel slightly tired, I still feel like I have enough energy to keep going. It's funny how when we agree to serve or help others, the Lord always helps us and gives us strength to do so.

I spent some time in the greenhouse today with the girls harvesting ripe tomatoes and some of the Tomatillos that were ready!

While he takes a bottle now, the nursing is still going strong. I'm pretty sure this is the longest I've ever nursed a babe of mine, and I can't say I'm hating it. These moments are quiet and precious.

Even though the house is loud and crazy with all of the kids running around, Sawyer still managed a nice afternoon nap. 

And I'm kind of in love with the colors we've been getting from our chickens.

Raspberry Struessel Muffins

It's been a productive morning so far! Raspberry streusel muffins, beef barley soup in the crock pot, and tomato herb bread rising on the counter! The house smells yummy!

Country Roads

The nights have been long in our home this week. I spent last night caring for a croupy child and a teething babe who needed snuggling every half our. Every time I blink I'm reminded how tired I truly am. It was close to 4:00am before Ollie's breathing settled and Sawyer tucked back in. 

We managed pancakes for breakfast and made it to the bus on time! After running to town for groceries with the little boys we explored some back country roads and admired the changing leaves and golden hues. 

Even in the midst of trials we can be reminded how blessed we are and I am filled with gratitude today for each of my littles and my dear husband who is tired right along side me.

I will miss these days.

Back to School

This time last year we had just barely moved, the house was in a state of chaos with stuff here and stuff there, Daddy was commuting back and forth to Calgary, and the children were a bundle of nerves as they began the school year at a new school. This year they all woke up excited and eager to discover what the day would bring! Camilla wasn't worried about making friends, Hyrum was excited about his teacher, and Joseph was excited to learn!

I will be teaching Finley kindergarten at home this year just like I did with each of the other kids and he was excited to be a part of the morning excitement!

The beginning of a new school year also means that the chore charts are back in action. Camilla helped me revise and print them last night and I love how colorful they are!

The little boys and I spent our day picking tomatoes and vegetables from the greenhouse with Grampa!

We get a pretty good haul each day and it's so fun!

Just as we were getting ready for bed we looked out the window and spotted these three deer hanging out in the front yard.

And just like that, the first day of school came to a close and the littles fell asleep exhausted.

One Last Time

Today the littles begged to go to the lake for one last afternoon of boating. The weather was warm, but the wind was cold and the water was a bit on the choppy side. We brought lots of boat snacks (thanks Grampa!) and spent a few hours driving around the island enjoying slow, leisurely tube rides. We were the only ones on the lake, except for a fishing boat. It's always nice when that happens since Crimson is so small. While we were eating Hyrum said, "I'm kind of like you, Dad, I have an empty armpit!" We all burst out laughing. He meant "Hollow leg".

Daddy, Grampa, and I all had a turn on the tube too! When it was my turn Hyrum looked at my legs as we were being pulled around the lake and said, "You need to trim your legs." Turns out I've neglected shaving my legs the last few weeks, and Hyrum definitely noticed! Ha!

When we got home the boys started a fire and we roasted hot dogs and Smores. It was such a beautiful night!  We are loving our new fire pit! It's the perfect height for roasting and cooking!

Sawyer loves being outside and really enjoyed watching everyone roasting, running and playing.

When the sun started to sink lower into the horizon, we gathered the littles and went inside for showers and baths.

We finished off our evening with Father's blessings for back to school and some quiet time together as family. It's so hard for me to explain the way I feel about back to school. It's a good mix between excitement for the children and sadness for me. I love having all of my kids at home together, but it's so good for them to be able to go out into the world and apply the things we teach them here.