Of Things that Matter Most

"If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most."

Watching this video "Moments that Matter Most" have put a lot of things into perspective for me today. The video actually gave me goosebumps and I thought it was really well done. It was a great reminder of the things that matter most to me, and special moments that I never want to forget. 

"Moments are the molecules that make up eternity".

~Elder Neal A. Maxwell

I find these special moments in my Children's smiles, in playing at the park, in blowing bubbles with Camilla, in the pure sound of joy that comes from my children's laughter. I find these moments as I recall my temple marriage where I was sealed to the man I love for time and all eternity. I can find these moments in sweet kisses from Mr. Stannix. I find these moments as I take time to hug my children and read to them and tell them that I love them, or tuck them in tight at night. These special moments shine through as I spend time with my family and listen to their hopes and dreams. I find these moments in the sweet giggle of a little baby. I find these moments in the fresh smell of rain after a hot day, or splashing in puddles with my little girl. I find these moments in crisp Autumn air and listening to the leaves crunch under my feet. These moments appear in building snow men, skating around a rink under a blue sky, and snowball fights. I find these moments as I watch my sweet angel children sleep in their beds in their streetlight lit room with tiny grins on their round little faces, knowing that they are fully content. I find these moments with I slow down and take the time to look for them in my life.

"It's not so much major events as the small day to day decisions that map the course of living ".

~President Gordon B. Hinckley

It's not the big things we do, but daily decisions that help us focus on what matters most. The decision to hug our children, or tell them we love them. The decision to hold family prayer and scripture study. The decision to build our relationship with the savior. The decision to not get angry when little things go wrong or there's a mess to be cleaned up. The decision to listen to our little children when they talk to us and gaze into their little eyes. These are some of the things that matter most.

It's hard to appreciate these moments in the busy lives we lead, but life is so much more full and rich when we take the time to think about these precious moments. We truly do have reason to rejoice.

Our Little Trolls

Bathing the kiddos last night was just too much fun! Hyrum needs to grow some more hair though before he can fully sport the troll hair. I am in love with the little bit he does have though. Camilla helped me bath him in his little tub and had a lot of fun. She was able to get his diaper and jammies ready for me. She's such a great big sister.

Camilla has been saying the funniest things to me lately! Yesterday when she was heading out onto the deck with her baby she said "Bye!" I said, "See ya soon!" and she said, "Dive Saaaafe" (drive safe). I guess she's heard us say it so many times to our friends and family as they leave our home. She's very polite and lately her favorite word is "Danx" (thanks). I will get something for her, or help her and she will say "Oh....danx". Her other favorite saying is "Look! I peed-a potty!!" She also loves to help set the table and will say "One-a Mommys...One-a Daddys...One-a Mana (Camilla)" as she places the forks at each spot. It's super cute to watch! She will repeat anything that we say with a smile. Today I was talking to Hyrum and she started copying me in her little voice, "Watcha doin' Hyrums?!" (because she adds an 'S' to everything). Last night at the dinner table, she asked for help, so I fed her a bite of dinner and she said "Danx hunny". It was THE cutest thing ever and Mr. Stannix and I laughed out loud. She must hear us call each other 'hunny'. It's so fun to listen to her chat away all day to her baby brother or her baby dolls. She sounds so grown up.

Spitting Grass Clippings

This morning, Camilla wanted to go out on the deck to play. I unlocked the sliding door so that she could go in and out. I continued tidying up and doing what I was doing. I noticed her sneak passed with her little car and take it outside. Normally, I don't allow this because our deck has no railing and I'm scared to death that she'll ride it off the edge. Sure enough...A few minutes later I hear her crying and go outside to find her struggling to her feet. I look at the overturned car, the face down dolly and my little girl who has now made it to a standing position. I step off the edge, give her a hug and wipe the grass clippings off her shirt. She settles down and then tries to get the grass clippings out of her mouth by wiping her tongue and spitting. Although I felt badly for her, I couldn't help but let out a little giggle at the sight. Crash and burn, with a mouth full of grass to add to the humorous situation. Nothing is bruised or broken and she was fine like 10 seconds after it happened. I'm still not sure if she was just pushing her dolly around on the car and then went down after them, or if she was riding on it herself. Earlier this morning she was out playing on the deck with her dollies and I ran in to answer the phone and take the cookies out of the oven. I went back out two minutes later and she was GONE! I made a loop around our house, while talking to a friend on the phone and she was no where in sight. I told my friend I'd call her after I found my kid. I called her name and looped again around the house and she was no where to be seen. I was freaked out and thought someone had kidnapped her off our back deck or something! Seriously! I went in the house and called her name and heard no response. Then I heard her coming down the stairs. No idea how she snuck passed me in the kitchen, but she did. Thank-goodness she was inside. I suppose I need to step up my motherly duty of supervision.

Focusing on Similarities

It's natural, when you have a second child, to focus on the differences between the two. Lately, we have found a lot of joy in focusing on the similarities. When Camilla was first born, people would look at Camilla and say how much she looked like her Daddy, or how she has his forehead, or how she has my eyes and chubby cheeks. When Hyrum was first born, people would say how he has his Nana's chin and lips, or his Grampa's mouth and ears, or the Hudkins' nose, or his Mommy's eyes, or his great-grampa's hair line (just kidding). Mr. Stannix and I have found joy in comparing baby pictures of Camilla and Hyrum and noticing their similar features. They have similar little chins that get lost in their neck rolls when they tilt their heads down. They have identical colored eyes and similar forehead shapes. Sometimes Hyrum will make certain faces and look exactly like his Uncle Arland did when he was a baby. It's interesting how focusing on the similarities within a family can unify us and bring us so much joy. Not only does it bring joy to our little family, but also our extended family.

The Farmer's Market

Today when we woke up, we opened all the windows. The air smelled so fresh! We had our first thunder/lighting storm last night and it was LOUD! We decided to check out the Farmer's Market with some friends this morning! It was a lot of fun!

It brought back a lot of memories of growing up in a small town. I love going to things like this and just walking around and taking it all in.

We walked up and down all of the aisles and taste tested a bunch of different things. This pasta and sauce was amazing! It was so fun!

Camilla spent the majority of her time getting shoulder rides from Daddy, Jessica or Taylor. When we let her down to walk she would run ahead with confidence, dodging people as she walked. When I saw these lillies I couldn't resist buying a pot for my kitchen table! They are my absolute favorite flower and they were so gorgeous! Thanks to Mr. Stannix for actually convincing me to buy them. I was so excited to learn that they come back year after year. I think I will put them in a big planter outside eventually so that I can always have them.

I had to get a shot of Camilla with her two favorite people!

On the way home we stopped at 7-11 for a slurpee. Camilla ended up stealing and drinking most of mine. It was almost as big as she is!! Daddy mowed the lawn while we sat on the deck, soaked up the sun and blew bubbles. 

And finally, a picture of our little man who is growing and changing so much!

Last night as we lay in bed listening to the thunder storm and the rain pounding on the window, I was telling Mr. Stannix how I wish time would slow down. I feel like I haven't had the opportunity to enjoy him as much as I was able to do with Camilla just because of having to split my attention between the two of them. I wish I had more time, just me and him so that I could get to know all sides of my little boy and start to peek into his personality. He's already a month and a half old and I feel like he was just born yesterday. I want time to slow down!

Playin' in the Sand

Yesterday night after dinner I had a lot of fun with Camilla. For some reason I got the song Mahna Mahna from the Muppets stuck in my head.  As I cleared the table I started singing "Do-do-da- dodo" and then I would turn to Camilla and say in a really low voice "Mahna Mahna" and she would giggle. Then at the end of the song I would tickle her while singing and she would say "Again?". This went on for a few minutes. Then, all of the sudden, she exclaimed "MANAMA" in the lowest, scruffiest little voice and ran at me giggling. I laughed really hard, a real laugh. It felt good. We played in the kitchen for the next 10 minutes and I laughed. Then she went out in search of Daddy saying "MANAMA" in her low little voice. "MANAMA daddy's" over and over again until she found him and then she ran and giggled at him too. Such a fun little moment.
This morning we tried out a new hair do! I think it's cute! Camilla's a fan of her bangs being out of her face.

After we all had breakfast and were dressed and Hyrum napped, we called up some friends to go to the park and play with us. We gathered up Camilla's sand toys, sunscreen, and treats and walked over to another park to meet up with our friends. It was a fun morning and I enjoyed the sunshine!

When we first got there, Camilla took her little buckets and shovels over to the sand and was bombarded by all of these kids. They all spoke french, so Camilla really wasn't sure what to think of their funny way of talking and the fact that they just stole all her toys. Poor girl. 

Hyrum hung out in the stroller for a lot of the morning safe from bugs and wind and I was able to play with Camilla.

 The other kids finally left and Camilla and her buddy were able to enjoy digging together in the quiet. They were super cute to watch and played fairly well together!

I took advantage of having an extra pair of hands there and snapped a picture of my kiddo's and I at the park.

This nifty sign is right across the street from my house. You know you live on a busy street when.... I am looking forward to one day living in a smaller community where there isn't as much need for signs like these. It makes me a little nervous that we don't have a fence or anything, but luckily Camilla is very aware and well behaved when we are outdoors and near traffic

Anyways, I am taking the afternoon off! It's been a long week with no naps, and I think this Friday afternoon calls for a nap.

A "Joyride"

This morning we test drove our new-to-us Schwinn Joyrider. Camilla is in love and still sitting in it after being home for half an hour. She may just eat her sandwich there as well. We took it to the library for Sing Sign and had a blast. I love that it has a swivel wheel in the front. My arms feel so much better after a long walk. The only bummer is that it doesn't fit through the doors at the library. 

It's actually a double, but Hyrum is too little still. Camilla was loving the extra space and stretched right out to enjoy the ride. I didn't hear a peep the whole way there or back. She just sat enjoying the view and being protected from the mosquitoes. I'm excited to use it more outside this summer as we go on family outings.

Although I love having Hyrum close to me, I'm looking forward to when he's big enough to be pushed around. Then, maybe I'll take up jogging again. 

On the walk there I got thinking about some advice a friend shared with us this weekend. They talked about how parents sometimes get mad at their kids for being bad when in reality, the parent is just annoyed at what the kid is doing, and the kid really isn't being bad at all.  Does that make sense? I think that rang true here this morning. There were a few times I was mad at Camilla for being "bad" when really she was just doing something I didn't want her to be doing. I think it's time to step up my patience level and let her be a kid and enjoy everything around her.

On a side note, Hyrum totally giggled this morning and it was hilarious! I have no idea what he was laughing at as he was just sitting in his bouncer. He is getting more content with just sitting and watching and listening. It's such a relief. I'm looking forward to watching him grow and change and follow his big sister's footsteps.

The Best Morning

My little boys grunts and whines got me out of bed this morning for a 7:00am feeding. It felt nice to sleep in a bit. I was welcomed by little grins and flailing arms. I scooped him up, sat in the rocking chair and cradled him in my arms. As he filled his little tummy, I leaned my head back on the top of the rocker and closed my eyes again. A few minutes later, I hear a whispered "Hi". I lift one eye lid and see my little girls big blue eyes and white baby-toothed grin. I let out a gentle sigh, and try to come to terms with having to wake up for the day. Camilla sits on the edge of her bed and puts on this hilarious hat and gives the biggest smile. Daddy walks into the room and we both giggle at our funny little girl. I close my eyes again while Camilla gets out of bed. I hear her little feet pitter-patter across the old hardwood floor in her bedroom. Mr. Stannix goes to finish getting ready for work and we have a good chat while Hyrum finishes up. Now Hyrum is asleep again, so I lay him gently back into his crib and tuck an extra blanket on him. I hear my little girl call me from the bottom of the stairs, "Mommy? Have some nanas please? Mommy..." I stand at the top of the stairs and smile down at her, "Of course you can have a banana". I go downstairs, put her in her seat and hand her a half peeled banana while I make eggs, pack a lunch and chat with my dear Mr. Stannix about life and our future. He finishes his orange juice and then he leaves for work with a kiss and an "I love you". As the door closes, Camilla exclaims, "See you soon!!".  I love mornings like this. Mornings that are calm and slow where I can soak up every moment, every grin, every kiss and every time Camilla says "Mommy". It makes my life so wonderful. There is nothing better then being a wife and mother.

Playing Pretend

Camilla is going through her bed time routine with her baby and teddy. It's pretty funny. She says, "I lay down wif you?" and "Night, see you soon", and "Sleeeeep time". Then she says "Wate up!!" and throws the blankets off. She's been a busy girl all day, its nice to see her sit and play quietly with her toys. This definitely beats what she was doing this morning!! I caught her naked with her hands in the toilet...It's no swimming pool, but whatever floats your boat I guess. We scrubbed her down good!!

Blowing Bubbles

Today Camilla and Hyrum napped at different times. It was nice because I got to spend special one on one time with each of them. While Camilla slept, I got to snuggle and hold Hyrum. He smiles a lot now and likes to look at you. I even got some coo's out of him today! It was nice to sit and admire my little guy. Hyrum napped later on in the afternoon which allowed me some time with Camilla. We laughed and chased each other around the house and then ended it off with a tickle session on the couch. When she doesn't want to be tickled anymore I hear "Kiss...KISS!!" between giggles and then stop to kiss her. When we got bored inside, we ventured out into the backyard to blow bubbles. I had a lot of fun with my little girl. She has such a sweet little personality and she is so full of life! Her giggles are to die for, right from the stomach. She has no fear. She also told me she pooped her diaper this afternoon. I went to check and it was just wet, and she said "No, have ta poop" so we went to the potty. After a few minutes we had some potty success and she was rewarded TWO jelly beans.  Some of my favorite things that she said today were: "Bless you Bud-dy" (when Hyrum sneezed), "Wanna dance Hyrum?", and "Lookit youuu" (to Hyrum in her high little voice). I just love my little, spunky girl. She brings me so much joy!