One Year of Lily Joy

 Today we celebrated Miss Joy and all of the happiness she has brought to our family over this last year! It has been the fastest year of my life! I can't believe Lily is already this old. She has been a super happy baby, easy to please and easy to love. She is adored by all of her doting older siblings and equally adores them back! I love watching the children interact between different ages and stages. She has a special love for her big sissy and enjoys snuggling to sleep on her shoulder or running to her first thing in the morning. 

We enjoyed a small, quiet celebration tonight as a family with a simple made-with-love cake, and gifts. 

We like to get our girls dolls on their first birthdays. This year I found a local doll maker and was able to customize the doll a little bit. It has blonde hair, blue eyes, and a button nose just like Lily. The big kids named the doll Miss Joy.  She loves her!

The traditional yellow chair month mark pictures were taken in the playroom (since that is where the chair resides for the Christmas season). Its fun to look back and see how much she has grown and changed each month!

Under the light of an almost full moon, I rocked with her until she fell asleep in my arms. I looked down at her body sprawled across the chair, much longer than it was a year ago. He hands were folded delicately on her chest, her lashes rested peacefully, while her chubby cheeks smooshed against my arm. Her breathing was rhythmic and quiet. 

As I sat and snuggled, I let a single tear fall upon her head. I am going to miss this sleep deprived, wonderful season of life. I wouldn't trade these years of snuggles in a rocking chair for anything else life could give.

Snow Day

 This morning we woke to a Winter Wonderland. The buses were all cancelled and instead of driving the children into school, we decided to have a snow day! Excitement filled the house as the children woke and peeked outside at the view. Spruce boughs were heavy with snow, and the world was dressed in white. 

 

 

After breakfast they begged to go outside and play before the first rays of light appeared in the sky. Sonny bounced around them happily in the fluffy white snow as they pulled their GT racers behind them to the hill. 

 

 

Next came the sleds to pack down a trail, and before long they were making their way to the bottom of the hill. Laughter filled the early morning air as they hollered and played. Sonny snuck up on Hyrum, who had back dropped into the snow, and ended up covering his face in slobber and snowballs. We all laughed about it as Hyrum slowly walked toward the house, brushing the snow out of his collar and wiping it off of his cheeks.

 

 

 I couldn't resist bundling up Lily and bringing her out to experience the beauty and wonder. As we made our way to the top of the hill, the sun began to wake above the spruce trees. 

 

The sky was glorious and the beauty breathtaking. 

I stood in awe at the sight before me as the children slowly gathered around me to play. I could have stayed inside cleaning up breakfast and missed out on all of this!

Camilla and Sawyer plopped down beside each other in the snow while Hyrum pulled lily around in her new sled.

 

 

I was overwhelmed with JOY and PEACE as I drank in the morning air.

 

For a brief moment, we had no responsibilities, no obligations. We got to just be, and it was spectacular!

Hyrum just had to give Lily a squeeze! She looked like a little marshmallow...

 

I love watching the big kids interact with the little ones.

Sometimes I can't believe how big he is getting.

Camilla brought Opal out to play for a bit and we giggled as she jumped and tunneled through the snow!

Of course there was lots of snow angels to be made as well!

Our fingers started getting cold just as the warmth of the sun could be felt on our cheeks. We snapped a few more quick pictures with the morning light and then made our way inside for hot chocolate!

 

 

If only every December morning could be so glorious and wonder filled!

 

Welcome December

The wind blew in a Winter storm over night. It started with rain and soon covered the brown grass with a fresh blanket of wet, heavy snow. The snowflakes danced to the ground all day long. I shoveled the heavy snow thrice just so it wouldn't get too heavy to lift at days end. The spruce boughs were covered in white and drooping to the ground with the extra weight. I felt as though I needed to take this mid week/beginning of the month to turn inward. Although my house needed cleaning, I spent much of my time in the yellow chair staring out the window at the giant flakes of snow as they came down. Christmas music softly played all day. 

 

Some tidying and baking and knitting was done. While Sawyer and Lily napped, I managed a batch of Christmas cookies for the freezer to gift to friends. 

I couldn't resist tucking Lily in next to Sawyer after she fell asleep! It's so crazy to compare this picture to the one I took like this when she just a few days old. Time goes by so fast!

 

 

In the afternoon my mood lightened as I listened to the little boys giggle outside. The snow was so sticky you could grab a handful and it would come out as a ball the size of Ollie's head. They had fun snowball fights and enjoyed wading through the deep snow and exploring. The first big snow fall always makes me so giddy inside! I may complain about the cold in a few months, but for now I am basking in the slow living and the beauty it offers!

 

 

When the bus pulled up after school, it ended up getting stuck at the end of the driveway. She let the kids off and they ran as fast as they could through the deep snow. The neighbors gathered together to help get the bus out, it was quite an ordeal. 

The boy's coach said that hockey practice was optional, and to be honest, I didn't much feel like going out. The boys were determined to go, and so we warmed up the van and pulled the heavy snow off the windshield and slowly made our way to town. The roads weren't ideal and I debated turning out, but if we took our time, it was fine. 

The best part of my day though was when we were all home and cozy enjoying the glow of the Christmas tree! 

Welcome December, we're so glad you're here, snow and all!   

 

Thirty Six

Today my favorite guy turned thirty-six! We got to spend the day together in Red Deer running Lily to appointments. We made sure to sneak in a lunch date at Montana's and enjoyed their ribs. It was nice to spend some one on one time (with Lily along) for the day and chat about our hopes and dreams for the future. Mr. Stannix has accomplished a lot and I am very proud of him and the way he provides for and loves on our family.

 

Happy Birthday to the guy who sacrifices much (including the candles on his cake) for the happiness of others! Thanks for working so hard for us!

 

Sawyerbean Turns THREE

Happy THIRD birthday to our Sawyerbean. It's been a nutty day with a big drive to Red Deer for Lily's lip tie surgery, so I was gone most of the day. We ended up doing take out and a store bought cake for a half put together celebration. Luckily he is three and doesn't even mind. This boy says the funniest things and his dance moves keep us laughing. He is such a goof! When he opened his presents tonight he kept asking, "Can I have it?!" and "I just WUV it!" Sawyer still asks to go for his nap every day. He's super close to being potty trained and I often hear him say, "Dey're not pants mamma, dey're UNDIES!" When he feels angry or frustrated he yells, "FINE! Imma going a time out!" and stomps off. Even this morning when things weren't going his way he yelled, "No! It's NOT my birfday today!" while crossing his arms dramatically. He loves playing with his big brothers and often sneaks into Camilla's bed to sleep at night. His little voice is the sweetest right now and has me wishing that I could freeze time.We love this kid and his BIG personality! Two's are fun, but we all know that THREE year olds are where it's at! Happy birthday Sawyer Michael!

 

 

 

Time is a Thief

A few weeks ago, my sweet little boy grabbed my hand while we were walking and as I looked down at him, I felt a physical warmth rush over my body, beginning with a jolt up my arm. It was indescribable and has stuck with me ever since. I've been thinking a lot about connection since that day, paying close attention to the way I feel each time I connect with my children. 

I feel it when I greet them with hugs first thing in the morning.

When I take time to stare with wonder at all that they are.

In the moments when I get down to their level and look them in the eye when they speak to me.

As I hold their chubby toddler hands just a little longer.

When I caress their faces before kissing them goodnight in the soft glow of their bedroom.

A feeling of true connection and gratitude for the blessing it is to be their mamma.

In a world where we are instantly connected to almost everything, let's remember to take the time to connect often with those we love most.

Children are a Gift

Today I find myself reflecting on the wonders of motherhood and what a blessing it is. As I scooped Lily off the kitchen floor with her flour dusted knees and dried her tears, Sawyer passed me eggs to crack. We mixed a double batch of banana muffins while dancing to our favourite songs and my heart felt full. 

I recently read a string of comments on social media where people were outraged over a couples announcement of their seventh child, and it broke my heart to see the way the majority of the world views children. Many spoke of how cruel it was to bring children into the world at this time. Others said they were trashing the planet. Many were concerned about overpopulation and draining of resources. Some even called the parents selfish for having so many children.

As I’ve gone about completing the mundane tasks of motherhood this week I’ve been more determined than ever to prove the world wrong. I never want my children to hear that they are any of those things.

This role of motherhood has grown and stretched me in unimaginable ways and I truly believe that children make our world a better place. They bring hope for the future, imagination, light and unconditional love. They have the power to change our lives for the better and to stir up a desire to love from the depths of our very souls. 

As I’ve watched my children learn and grow and experience life, my eyes have welled with tears of gratitude on more than one occasion. I can’t help but think what a gift it is to be their mamma and walk along side them through life. 

In a world that paints children as an inconvenience, let us show them what a joy and treasure children are.

“Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future" -John F.  Kennedy 

Sonny & Opal

Today we took the kittens out to play in the yard for a little while! They have become so alert and are growing up so fast! They barely all fit in this little basket Camilla used to transport them from their little home in the garage to the birch tree. 

We had Sonny out with us while we snapped a few photos and I was a little bit nervous simply because he is such a big lug and could accidently hurt on if he started getting too excited. 

Sonny was a gentle giant for the entire time we were out there, slowly inching forward to sniff and say hello. 

He even let Opal climb all over his paws! I was so impressed with him!

Photographing them at this age is so hard because they don't want to stay still!

Lily was in kitty heaven and adored being out there with them!

She loves to press her cheek against them and softly pet them.

Camilla is the best kitten keeper, and has already found homes for all of them. She diligently takes care of them each day and can tell you about each of their personalities.  This experience has been so wonderful for the littles, and especially miss Camilla. Nature is incredible and we feel blessed to have these sweet kittens for a little while to love on!

 

I finished up the day by canning up some apple juice from our very own orchard! I'm hoping to use it for apple cider in the colder months.