Living in a Snowglobe

I made the mistake of listening to the radio yesterday as I was driving home from my midwife appointment. The news was filled with so much that can weigh heavy on a persons heart. As the world is in commotion, it can be difficult to sift through everything we see and hear on the media to find truth. There is so much fear, contention and differences of opinion.

 

As I watched the sun come up this morning, and the children walk out to the bus stop I was filled with hope. Each day we are given a fresh start and new opportunities. We can choose to be kind to others despite our differences. 

 

 

Today I am choosing to focus on what matters most, and that's what's happening in our home. I will be snuggling my babies close and creating a peaceful refuge for my littles. The last few days have been like living in a snow globe, and this scene brings me so much peace each morning!

 

The little boys had so much fun outside in the sunshine! Ollie practiced his hockey skills and Sawyer sang and wandered around the beaten down trails.

"Watch this, Mom! It's gunna be a good one!"

 

Nursery Make Over

Recently we decided to give the nursery a bit of a re-do. While I loved my chevron wall, I wanted something more gender neutral as baby girl and Sawyer will both be sharing this space. While scrolling pintrest I came across a DIY wainscotting that I fell in love with. We measured out the room and figured out how many boards we would need to make it work and then Mr. Stannix spent an entire Saturday cutting, and nailing the trim and boards. For the next week I painted and caulked the wood and I am so happy with how it turned out! I added a couple more woodland animals (which still need frames) and can't wait to get the crib all set up in here now! Sawyer keeps exclaiming, "New OOM!" He loves his new room. It's been a while since we've had a baby share a room, so it will be a fun adventure. It always makes me think of our little old white house in Edmonton where we had three littles in a room and every wall was covered with furniture and our little crib was stuffed in a little indent.

 

 

 

Halloween

This morning I woke early, the light of the full moon streaming through my window, casting its white glow on the floor. I blinked sleep from my eyes as I tip-toed around the kitchen grabbing a banana and a drink for Sawyer. We whispered and snuggled together on the couch until the older kids woke. 

 

"Mornin' Mum! It's Halloween DAYYYYYY!" Ollie has been eagerly waiting for this day all month. 

 

 We ate breakfast, watched a movie with Daddy and then got our costumes on for the Trunk or Treat activity at the church (socially distanced of course).

The littles were super excited as we loaded up to leave. We arrived early and turned the back of the van into a gypsy tent.

 

While everyone went around collecting candy, I got to hand out candy and use my magic ball to tell their fortunes. It was a blast! The kids were glad to be outside and able to chat with friends.

Afterwards we went home, relaxed, at dinner, and got ready to head around the acreages nearby.  Some of the littles were happy enough with their haul from the Trunk or Treat and didn't care to stay out too much. We went to most of the houses in our little area, many of them friends. Lots of people had treat bags to grab on their porches and stood at a distance to chat with the kids as they arrived. With everything being so different this year, I think everyone did a wonderful job at pulling off a fun Halloween for those who decided to go. Happy Halloween!!

 

Pumpkin Carving

 A few days ago Mr. Stannix told me he had booked me an appointment for a hair cut. It was a gesture of true love. He knows I'm too practical/cheap to do it myself. It's been over two years since I've been to a salon (remember Camilla was the last person to cut my hair). 

 

  

I got a good couple inches chopped off and it feels so light and fresh now! I am grateful for a husband who looks out for my needs despite his busy schedule. 

After dinner we did our annual pumpkin carve. We grew four little pumpkins of our own this year and I picked up a larger one from the store on a whim. It worked out well because each child had their own pumpkin to design and carve. Ollie buddied up with Daddy and was so excited about their idea to make a pirate pumpkin!

 

It's always fun to watch and observe and see what they come up with. The boys always love playing with the pumpkin guts (except for Sawyer who wanted nothing to do with them).

I love Ollie's proud little smile in this picture!!

 

When they all finished, we lit the candles, and they called Gramma over to check out their creations. A cat, Harry Potter, a pirate, a one-eyed alien, and an old man with a unibrow. We are officially Halloween ready!

 

Apple Fritters

 Today I woke feeling tired after being up all night with an older child. They kept coming to my bedside every five minutes telling me they felt sick. I'd sleepily rub their arms or back and suggest eating or drinking things that may make them feel better, but they would be back a few minutes later. My alarm was set for 5:45am so that I could get a little study in before the house woke. I dozed in and out of sleep, not looking forward to the early start. Sawyer stirred at 5:00am needing a drink and his covers pulled up. I tucked him back in and tip-toed out to the living room. After turning out every light in the house, left on by the older child who was wandering around all night, I sat and studied my scriptures with half closed, sleepy eyes.

 

I followed Mike to town (he had to drop his car at the mechanics) and on the way home I couldn't help but notice the beautiful snow-capped mountains. "Look at the mountains, Ollie!" He replied, "Wow! They're GORGEOUS!" He then began asking when we could go hiking again. If there's one thing I want to instill in my littles its a love for God's creations and the beauty that surrounds them every day!

When we got home I made some dough for Apple Fritters and then a batch of bagels. I've never made fritters before, but found a recipe that looked easy and delicious!

Oliver and I enjoyed ours warm and freshly glazed.  I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the kitchen and getting dinner one the table.

 

Sunday

I always wake up on Sunday mornings with aspirations for a happy sabbath. This morning Satan quickly crept in. Children were fighting, everyone was thinking only of themselves, comparing who got the biggest piece of German pancake, becoming angry over toys. It escalated quickly to door slamming, harsh words, and me sobbing into a pillow wondering where it all went wrong. But after church, things started to look up.

Tonight we started the bedtime routine a little earlier than usual. Once Jammies were on and teeth were brushed, everyone cozied up in the bunk room while I read. Joy and laughter prevailed and our day ended on a good note.

As I type, two sleepy boys are snoring in my ear and I can hear the pages of books being turned while the big kids wait for me to tuck them in.

Families teach us so much about love and forgiveness and grace. The days aren't always easy, but the little things always make it worth while.
 

Handmade

Over a dozen hours of love was poured into this bonnet and bootie set. Being a self-taught knitter, I am a little bit slow! I modified the boot pattern to make it look like a pair I had swooned over in a small shop a little while ago. They are more like socks than booties and should keep baby girl extra cozy! The addition of the tights helps keep them on babes kicking feet. I love it when I have time to create and make things for those that I love. I am grateful for the example of my Grandmother!
 

Wonder and Awe

Sawyers favorite place to be is outside! It was a lot easier in the Summer to just send them out to play. Now we have to put on snow suits and extra gear. He slowly walks around, his eyes filled with wonder and a smile slowly creeping across his face. The snow is cold, but beautiful. He pauses to examine it with his mittens. He looks around at all of the trees and then up into the sky as he slowly remembers what Winter is. After all is said and done, he is happy to be outside!

 

 

Nourishing my Soul

I have been feeling a push lately to rise before the children in the morning. Something has been stirring in my soul. At 5:45 this morning, while the house was still and quiet, I lit my grandmother's lamp, shewed two little boys back to bed, and studied my scriptures.

As the rooster shouted his good morning, and the furnace heated our home, I read and nourished my soul in hopes that I would be more pleasant when the littles awoke. 

"And blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost." 3 Nephi 12:6

My goal is to keep this up for the rest of the week in hopes that it will bring light to the atmosphere in our home and help me deal more calmly with trials that may arise this week. Nothing valuable ever comes without sacrifice.

 

In other news, I am thirty-two weeks into this pregnancy! It's amazing how quickly time flies by with each pregnancy. There is still so much to do, but I am not worried or stressed about any of it really. Over the years I've learned that baby's don't really need much aside from nurturing and love. There will never be a short supply of either of those things in our home thanks to our large family and lots of siblings who are ready to snuggle and dote.  

 

We can't wait to meet this little one in a few months!

 

Sledding

 Everyone was so excited that it was Saturday today. It's been a long week of school and the littles needed a day to relax. They spent practically the entire day outside sledding, building and playing. It was so nice!