Sunset Walk

A little sunset walk was in order tonight when Cooper just wouldn't settle into bed. The nanking cherries were humming with bees and the lighting was perfect! Blossom season is upon us and I couldn't be happier about it!

 

Soccer Season

Soccer season has officially begun! We kicked off the evening with pizza for dinner and then everyone went their own directions. Finley, Oliver, Sawyer & Lily are all playing this year! Hyrum and Joe are both reffing this season as well and Hyrum was a linesman for Finley's game tonight. It always makes for a long night at the field with so many little soccer players, but the kids enjoy hanging out at the park when they're not playing, or cheering on their big brother!

 

Paintball Party

Hyrum wanted to do something fun to celebrate turning fourteen this year! I don't remember the last time we threw him a birthday party, but fourteen is a pretty fun reason! He gathered some friends from school and we drove them all to a paintball course for a few hours. They all had a pretty good time and loved looking at the cool paintball guns for sale before heading home. When we got back we had ice cream cake, and then the boys started a fire and hung out until late. I drove everyone home shortly before midnight since we had to get up early for highway cleanup the next day. It was a busy, fun, exhausting day!

 

Rays of Sunshine

Tonight as I sat in the nursery waiting for Cooper to fall asleep, the rays of sun dancing on the wall through the curtains called to my soul. When he had finally settled in to sleep, I tiptoed from the room, slipped on my shoes, and snuck outside to enjoy the last of the days sunshine and bird song.

Spring always has my mind and my heart battling over what needs to be done. My heart yearns to be outside beneath skies of blue, listening to the birds and pondering. My mind can't let the mess inside rest and my time is often consumed with piles of laundry and stacks of dishes. It seems there's always much to be done and not enough hours in the day to do it, so I carve out a few minutes here and there to do something that will fill my soul (like an evening walk once everyone is in bed).

Typically sunny days mean outside work gets done and windy, rain filled days draw us back inside to play catch up. It's a constant juggling act and I'm still dropping balls everywhere. 

But tending to my children's hearts, nourishing their bodies, and making time for those I love most are high on the priority list in this season of my life.

I'm grateful for the tiny rays of sunshine throughout the day that keep me pressing forward as I juggle my efforts both inside and out.

Hyrum Turns Fourteen

Today Hyrum turned 14! We celebrated last night since we were all able to be together, but we made sure to make him feel special today too! Time flies when you're having fun! He is the tender heart of our family. He's super easy going, typically a peacemaker, and does life at his own pace. He doesn't like to rush things. He loves working with his hands. He still enjoys biking and dirtbiking quite a bit! He enjoys researching everything about bikes and can tell you all kinds of things about what makes a good bike. He is athletic and musical and fun to be around. We are so proud of the young man he's growing up to be!

Happy Birthday Buddy!!

 

Lily's Gramma Quilt

Lily was gifted her Gramma quilt today! She loves the teal color and the floral backing. It fits perfectly on her bed and really adds a nice touch to her room!

What a special treasure! Thanks Gramma! xoxo

 

Naptime

 

AM/PM

Early mornings before school with teens usually look a bit like this....

And afternoons look a lot like this....

Always be Happy

As I went to bed late last night my heart was heavy and my mind weary. It had been a really long day with lots of things to do, and my patience was wearing thin come bed time. As we gathered for night prayers I turned on a hymn to help set the tone. Everyone filed into the living room, but a few of the little ones had more energy than they could handle and were bouncing all over the couches instead of coming to kneel with the rest of us. There was lots of chatter about video games and no one seemed focused on the task at hand. I became grumpy, and then upset, and after what felt like the millionth time of asking, I finally peeled a bouncing child off the couch and sat them in my lap for prayer time. They fought and whined for the duration of the prayer and tears stung my eyes as we knelt together. 

Then began the long process of getting all of the littles into bed. We brushed teeth, flossed, got drinks, went potty and then I tucked in Lily with a hug and a kiss. Next, I went down to Sawyers bedside where his regular back scratch and song were requested while Cooper tumbled around in his crib upstairs. I turned out the light afterwards, and quietly made my way up to the kitchen to make a bottle. Cooper was waiting with blanket in hand and we had a moment to snuggle together. When I placed him in his crib, he did not roll over and drift off to sleep like usual, instead he jumped around for a while and then got really upset that he was stuck there. I sat quietly in the chair waiting for him to settle, laying him down and picking his covers off the ground multiple times after he would throw them out of the crib. Finally, after all else had failed, I went to his crib side and gently patted his back to help him calm down. Eventually he fell asleep and I was able to leave and greet Mr. Stannix and the big kids who had just arrived home moments before.

When I went out into the kitchen I noticed Oliver sitting at the island with a piece of paper and his art kit. It had gotten dark, so I turned on the island lights for him and went to work warming some food for Mr. Stannix.

Next I hugged Fin and Ollie goodnight and they headed down to bed, and soon the teens were also on their way downstairs, dreading the early school morning ahead.

When I finally made it to bedtime myself, I noticed a piece of paper left on my side of the bed. "Always be Happy" it read. My dear Oliver had noticed my frustration over the course of the evening and decided to cheer me up with a little note. Tears of gratitude stung my eyes for that little boy who took time to cheer and to bless. I am forever grateful when my children see a need and fill it. I placed it safely on my bedside table as a daily reminder. 

 

Egg champ

Sunday afternoon we relaxed and then did the traditional egg champ with everyone to see who would come out victorious! 

It's been a long time since I claimed the title of "champ", but this little pink/orange egg did the trick this year!