Cooper: Eight Months

Cooper is 8 months old, and such a tease already! It’s been so fun watching his personality develop this month. His favourite past times include spitting cookie chunks on his brothers in the car (on purpose) and then laughing hysterically about it. He also loves a good game of peek-a-boo and delights in grabbing or touching things he can’t have. It’s so fun to watch what he chooses to laugh and joke about at such a young age. Pushing a ball across the floor and chasing it keeps him pretty happy. He is crawling all over the place now and pulling himself up on everything! He loves learning and watching how things work and it won’t be too much longer before he’s pulling things out of my cupboards and drawers. He’s also recently learned how to wave when we say “good-bye” to the kids in the morning. He’s cutting four top teeth all at once right now and sleep has been far and few between. The combination of teething and hitting all of these fun milestones right after each other has made for many wakeful nights. The big kids are a huge help when they’re home offering to watch, feed a bottle or hold. They adore him! He sure brings us all a lot of joy! #cooperjames 

Oliver turns EIGHT

Happy EIGHTH birthday to Oliver! You are the perfect mix of thoughtful and light hearted. You have the best belly laugh. you are always the first one to ask me how my day was when you get home from school. You are careful and kind to your siblings and like to see other people happy. You have a great sense of humor and bring a lot of joy to our home. We are so glad to call you ours!

 

Grampa's Greenhouse

We went out to visit the greenhouse this morning! The cherry tomatoes are coming in hot and I've been craving a Greek Salad! I couldn't help but snap a few pictures of Cooper as he took it all in. We love Grampa's greenhouse!

Then we headed back inside for a snack and some "school". Lily has been loving this watercolor book and is quickly making her way through her alphabet!

 

First Day of School

Today was everyone's first day back to school! I hate to jinx it, but we really are in a sweet spot as far as independent children go. Everyone was awake on time this morning, and a few of them even showered before we gathered in the living room for scriptures & prayers. It felt good to get back into routine again! Tomorrow, early morning seminary starts and Camilla will be heading in around 7am with Mike. 

Camilla ~ Grade 10

Hyrum ~ Grade 8

Joseph ~ Grade 7

Finley ~ Grade 5

Oliver ~ Grade 3

Sawyer ~ Grade 1

It was fun to have them all together this morning for our first day back! And they were all willing to smile for a picture!

When everyone left to the bus, the house was sure quiet. It felt weird after being together all Summer! This was my view as I tidied the breakfast dishes.

Cooper is on the move! Over the last few days he has learned how to crawl and loves pulling himself up on everything he can get his hands on. He's a little bit more content now that he can move around!

Lily missed Sawyer TERRIBLY today. Her best bud was Sonny boy this morning! 

Calaway Park

Today we took the gang to Calaway Park! It’s been a few years since our last visit and they were so excited! We left home later in the morning and stopped at Wendy’s for lunch in Calgary. We then took advantage of the discounted late admission and spent the entire afternoon at the park!

Sawyer went on the airplanes, merry-go-round, kids swings, kids coaster, and kids air balloons, and rode the bumper cars like five times in a row at the end of the day.

Lily could hardly be convinced to go on anything. The few rides she did end up going on she hated, except for the merry-go-round. 

She happily played in the sprinkler next to the Octopus and ended up with the cutest curls!

The big kids ran around the park all afternoon hitting up the roller coaster, Storm, and the drop ride. 

 

We were able to meet up with Camilla and Hyrum for a chunk of time and do the log ride all together. Mike went with Oliver and Sawyer while Hyrum and Camilla took Lily. 

Joe and Fin went on the Storm at least 10 times in the few hours we were there. Joe was barely tall enough last time and Fin couldn’t ride, so they were happy to do it together!

 I only saw them a few times when they needed their water bottles or were running to the next ride. 

Sawyer waited all day for the bumper cars and was happy when we finally made it over near the end of the day. He rode them five times in a row and the smile on his face was priceless. 

The big kids finished up their day on the coaster and then we made our way out of the park and back to the city for dinner at Costa Vida. We ended up getting home pretty late, but the kids had a super fun time and thanked us on their way to bed. We are cherishing these last few weeks of Summer break!

Bishop Stannix

 Today marks the end of over five years of service in an amazing bishopric for Mike, and the beginning of at least five more years of service as he was called as the Bishop of our ward.

 I wish I could have recorded the looks on the children’s faces as they heard the news during our Sunday services today. 

I’ve been asked by those we had permission to share with how I am feeling about my husband serving in such a heavy calling while we juggle everything that comes with our busy family life, and I honestly have felt at peace. While Mike likes to know where he will be in the next few years and carefully plan, I tend to take a more faith based approach to life, taking things as they come and knowing that the Lord will help me handle the extra load.

I look forward to being by his side sustaining and supporting him as only a wife can as he throws his whole heart into this new call to serve. I know he is close to the spirit and will receive the inspiration necessary. I have personally witnessed the way the Lord has quietly prepared him and his heart over these past few months and I know he will always strive to do what is right. 

I am grateful to the good men who agreed to serve alongside him and I know that these callings come from the Lord. There is no denying it. He is so present in each of our lives, if we choose to see it.

 I’m so grateful for the support of all of our family and friends. I love this Gospel and my Saviour Jesus Christ. 

A Beautiful Privilege

I am needed from the second my eyes open in the morning to the moment they close each night & more.

And while it is exhausting and trying, it is also a beautiful privilege to be needed by these sweet souls day in and day out.

Just a few of the thoughts swirling through my mind as I nurse in the afternoon light of the nursery.

Everything Good

This morning as I sat on the couch nursing Cooper after the morning rush, Lily climbed up beside me and hugged my arm, like she always does while I nurse. I kissed her on the top of the head and said, "I sure love you, Lily!" She looked up and me and said in the sweetest raspy little voice, "I love you too. You make everything good." It felt like a pretty big compliment and I was impressed by her thoughtfulness. As I smiled to myself, she continued, "You make girl cheeeeeese gooooood, and paaaaaancaaakes gooood, and toast goooooood, and all sorts of stuff good!" Not quite the interpretation of "you make everything good" that I had in mind, but I'll take it! Lily Joy makes everything good! We sure love her!