Blessed with Much

This last month has been nothing short of a trial. Trying to keep up with church callings, a busy little house hold, tax season and dealing with family matters has left us stretched thin. On Sunday I felt like I would burst into tears if I was asked to do something as simple as saying a prayer. The Relief Society lesson was so well done. It was on serving others. Tears were close to the surface the entire time. I felt so overwhelmed and wondered how I could consider serving one more person when I already felt so stretched with our current situation. Music has a way of speaking to my soul. As the closing hymn began emotions overtook me.

Because I have been given much, I too must give.
Because of Thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live.

The words sunk deep into my heart. I knew that what we are doing is the right thing. My lips began to quiver and my voice cracked. I couldn't possibly sing another word. Instead I rested my head gently on my baby boy who was snuggled into my shoulder sleeping, making me feel secure, and silently let the tears fall as the rest of the sisters finished out the remainder of the hymn.

I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see,
Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care,
I cannot see another's lack and I not share,
My glowing fire my loaf of bread, my roofs safe shelter overhead,
That he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by they great love, dear Lord,
I'll share they love again according to my word.
I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed,
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

While they sang, I rocked and cuddled my baby. During the closing prayer I wiped my eyes and nose on Joseph's burp cloth. Super classy.

This whole week I've been playing catch up, trying to keep things in order and enjoying holding my little ones close.  My patience has been stretched and some days are really hard mommy days and I go to bed feeling exhausted and guilty. I just feel so weighed down with life and I think I'm on my last tank of optimism. It's frustrating to feel like your not fulfilling your most important roles the way you would like. Hopefully after another couple of weeks, our family will fall into routine and life will get easier.

As I drove home from Walmart the other night I realized that at some point during that day they had filled all the potholes in the road that I drive to and from the school each day. I considered it a little tender mercy and a reminder that Heavenly Father does love us and is aware of our every need.

Camilla has been quietly getting dressed and making her bed all by herself each morning. This has been a wonderful help! She feels happy and excited about being able to do this, and it's one less thing I have to worry about. Tonight before bed she read us the entire "Cranky Bear" book almost word for word. She has an awesome memory. I'll have to get it on video one of these nights. It made my day.

Joseph has also started going to bed at a decent hour, allowing everyone to get the sleep they need. This has totally been a blessing. Dear friends have also been a great blessing. One of my good friends said that Heavenly Father must trust me a lot and knows that I can do it. This thought has been comforting to me throughout the week when I've felt like I've reached the end of my rope. It's been nice to ponder my relationship with my Heavenly Father.

Auntie Faith left on winter camp with the young women on Wednesday after school. With the awesome weather I bet they're having fun. Mr. Stannix left on winter camp with the scouts today after work, so it's just me and the littles for the weekend. It will be nice to have a few slow mornings with the children snuggling in my bed catching some Netflix on my iPad. I've always hated being home alone, but hope Daddy is enjoying the little breather with the young men.

I spent majority of my evening tidying and whipping up dishes. I put a load of laundry in before Camilla went to bed. I freaked myself out tonight though, so there's no way I'm going into the creepy basement until morning. Before bed I indulged myself in some chocolate (cures everything) and a chick flick. I may have had a little too much chocolate though. Now that Joseph is asleep, I think I'll head to bed myself.

Belly Laughs

 Last night I took both the boys up the stairs together to tuck Hyrum in to bed.  Hyrum's chubby little hands clutched the railing as he slowly made his way to the top. I followed close behind, one slow step after another with Joseph in my arms. Half way up Joseph started giggling. A step or two later he delighted me with a full out little laugh. His whole belly shook in my arms as he giggled at his brother's head bobbing up and down in front of him with every step we took. Hyrum would turn around and smile and Joseph would let out another belly shaking laugh and flail his arms in delight. By the time we reached the top, all three of us were laughing pretty hard. Best sound ever! And the perfect end to a busy day.

Sunday Afternoon Naps

Sunday afternoons at the Stannix's usually include a nap. 

Mr. Stannix kind of depends on them.
And I couldn't resist a picture of my little guys white cuffs.

You may have had a good Sunday afternoon nap if...

You wake up looking like this.

And you're really thirsty!

My Blue-Eyed Helpers

Hyrum woke up from his nap today just in time to help me roll out the dough for bread and pizza buns. I snuggled my sleepy-eyed boy for a few minutes before placing him in his booster. Before I got my hands in the dough I placed a handful of flour infront of my little boy. He grinned from ear to ear and looked up at me. The expression on his face was a I can't believe you're actually going to let me make a mess look. I couldn't help but smile back as I went to work. And then, with my doughy hands, I couldn't help but grab the camera and photograph his big blue eyes and fresh from sleep cheeks. 

The other day the kids spent the afternoon outside. Usually when they come in a million things need my attention, so we throw the snow gear in the entry way until it dries enough for me to pick up later. Miss Camilla surprised me by hanging it all up, and insisted on showing me. She was so proud of herself. I just couldn't believe it all fit on one little door handle, boots and all!

I love my kids and am so grateful for them and the way they help me experience JOY on a daily bases!

Zonked

Mr. Stannix volunteered for dish duty tonight. 

My poor chapped hands probably wouldn't have lasted long in the water. 

While I stood in the kitchen chatting with him the little man decided it was nap-time and zonked out on my shoulder. 

Such a sweetheart.

To Play all Day

This morning came very early after being up every hour with a baby.  Learning to roll? Teething? Gas? I was totally unsure. I carefully crawled over  sleeping Joseph at 7:00am and made my way downstairs to get pancakes going for breakfast. While everyone was eating I packed Mr. Stannix's lunch in his work bag. He scarfed down pancakes and orange juice and flew out the door to catch his bus. We were on our way out too. Hyrum followed him down the front walk begging for a kiss. Mr. Stannix chuckled and obliged. The rest of us went and piled into the car. After doing up all of the buckles and belts we took off to drop Auntie Faith at school. The kids were all in their pyjamas still and feeling cold from the morning winter air. When we got to the school I pushed the kiddos in the stroller and carried the baby seat on my arm. Just inside the front doors are four stairs to get to the school office. I think I may have resurrected an old volley ball sprain getting the stroller up and down, even though I had help both times.

When I got home I threw on a show for the kids and put Joseph in the bathroom with me in hopes of escaping for a few minutes into a warm shower. Not even a minute later the door opened. I peeked out to find Hyrums little voice calling for me. He stood on his tip toes as his chubby hand clutched the door handle. The cold air blasted into the bathroom and I quietly urged him to close the door. As I finished my shower the door continued to open and close and open and close with a blast of cold air each time. 

"Heh-wo? Mum?" Click.  

I may have to start locking that.

My house was messy and dishes were undone, but all I wanted to do all day was cuddle my baby while he slept and play away the afternoon with the children. I snuggled Hyrum for a few minutes after tucking him in for his nap. His face still had remnants from lunch. I ran my fingers through his long hair before kissing him. For the first half of his nap I escaped into Camilla's imagination. The couch transformed into a sports car. She lovingly buckled all her teddies in the middle and then we drove away to a dress-up party in the mountains. You know how some people put their hands on their hips when they get all stern? Well, she puts hers up closer to her arm-pits and furrows her brow with a slight smirk. And as she struck this pose she informed me that I was supposed to take a left, not a right. Then we consulted the map which was a sheet of white paper full of scribbles. After a quick appearance at our dress-up party we made our way upstairs for naps. She whispered to her teddy bears until she fell asleep ten minutes later.

Hyrum was a handful today. He kept finding pens in the oddest places and using them on his knees, hands, toys and my table. And if that wasn't bad enough, he took a plastic knife from Camilla's toy kitchen and "drew" on Daddy's TV (sh, don't tell). Luckily the scratches weren't permanent. The one and only time I will clean that TV is when the kids make a mess...It looked worse than it really was. We did however enjoy a few tickle sessions and some awesome belly laughs. My favorite though was his hockey helmet for the afternoon which was constructed from a cracker box.

We played until late afternoon and then I made up some dough for pizza. While it was rising I did a bunch of dishes. Mr. Stannix worked super late again, so we ended up having to eat without him. The kids love their pizza and had two pieces each. Baths and bed time quickly followed and then I made up a dozen banana muffins for breakfast-on-the-go tomorrow morning. We will be dropping Daddy to work and then Auntie Faith to school. It's going to be an early morning...Time to get my last munchkin to sleep so I can get some rest.

Joseph's Gramma Blankie

Growing up, my siblings and I all had a special blankie which we called our "Gramma Blankie". They were made for us when we were babies by my Gramma Hudkins. Those blankets came on many trips with us and worked perfect for sleeping in the car on long drives. I feel so lucky that my kids get to have these special blankies as well, only made by my talented Mamma. When my family was up this last weekend, my Mum brought up Joseph's blanket. This afternoon when all the kids were napping he enjoyed some much needed tummy time atop it. I could seriously munch on those cheeks all day!

When he got tired of being on his tummy, he played some more on his new quilt. My Mum hand stitched hearts, circles, X's and O's all around the border and around the shapes in the middle. Each stitch is perfectly spaced and placed, it almost looks machine quilted. I'm so grateful to have such a talented Mum!

I think Joseph agrees.

Ninety-Three Days

Dear Joseph,

You are three months old already! Time goes by so quickly these days. You are turning into quite the chunkster and I am in love with your arm rolls and kissing your chubby cheeks. We got off to a rough start, but we are finally getting into a good routine. You bring so much joy to our family each day with your smiles, coos and cuddles. Whenever I need a boost of optimism I gaze into your face and you crack me that adorable little smile of yours. You are totally my comfort right now and there is nothing better than holding you in my arms. Tonight while I waited at the top of the stairs for your brother to fall asleep I stared at your sweet face as you slept cradled in my arms. In that moment I felt so much love for you! Camilla can't get enough of holding you. Hyrum loves you too and when he's not trying to rough house with you, he's actually quite sweet. My very favorite is when he puts his chubby hand on your head and brings his face close to yours and says, "La-boo...Jo-Peh". And despite the fact that he attempted to kick you in the head today, he really does love you.

At three months old you:

Recognize faces

Are scared of loud noises

Sleep 4-6 hours in a row at night

Love to kick and giggle in your bath

Will giggle and coo when talked to face to face

Like to stick your tongue out and spit bubbles

Grab onto the toys hanging on your play mat

Like to bring toys to your mouth

Suck your fists when your bored or hungry

Smile a lot
Poop every three days
Enjoy being held
Will hang onto my shirt or tug at my hair when I'm holding you
Like to pull Daddy's pant leg when you play at his feet
Hold your head up for a short time when on your tummy

You are adorable, buddy! We love you so much!

 

Family Day

We all woke up late-ish this morning. It was nice to sleep in, even if it was in a chair. Hyrum somehow snuck by me and when I finally got up I found him snuggled on the same pillow as Daddy reading a book and whispering to himself. Camilla slept for a while longer while I went downstairs with the boys. As soon as everyone was dressed we went to the church for the annual pancake breakfast. There was a super good turn out this year and it was fun to see people. Not long after we got home, my family and auntie Faith arrived and we all took off to the Muttart for the early afternoon. We met up with Uncle Mike, Kristen, Uncle Chris and my Gramma and Grampa Hudkins. It was fun going through the pyramids with everyone.

My favorite was the theme room which was decked out for the Chinese New Year. 

Uncle Mike had fun keeping up with Hyrum. Hyrum loved running around smelling the flowers and asked if he could pet the dragon. Love that boy! Uncle Mike had fun teaching them to play in the water off the bridge...

I got to steal a few minutes with my sweetheart sans kiddos.

It was super fun to have everyone there!

Joseph did super well and spent half the time in the stroller and the other half with Daddy. He's growing up so fast!

The kiddos really enjoyed the last pyramid we hit up because it had stairs! After a few hours we made our way home for a late lunch of beef on a bun. We had fun playing with the kids in our tiny living room and giggling at Hyrum falling every time he tried to throw a pillow at Grampa. It sure was great to spend family day with so much family!

Sunday Best

 I am loving eleven O'clock church! It gives us so much time to get ready while Daddy is at his morning meeting, and leaves a bit extra for some picture time. The boys snuggled up together on the couch this morning. Hyrum was super adorable with Joseph. He loves him. I can't do up the top button on Joseph's white shirt thanks to his double chin, so we improvised with the clip on tie.

Camilla quickly got in on the action. I always have to smile when I hear two kids screaming cheese over and over while I snap away, but this picture is one of my favorites! Camilla is sitting so "lady like". I also LOVE Hyrum's expression and the fact that his legs are crossed. Joseph is loving chilling in between them and I love that Hyrum and Camilla have their arms around their little brother.

Just before we left for church Mommy and Daddy got to love Joseph too! I can't believe he is already three months old! We sure do enjoy him, especially the extra sleep he's giving us lately!

 

The kids did good today at church. Hyrum snuggled right up to Daddy and ended up falling asleep on his lap during the closing hymn. They hung out in the chapel for a little while so he could catch some sleep. Things have been crazy around here lately and the kiddos seem extra tired. It was the most adorable thing I've ever seen. Hyrum was sitting on the bench with his head on Daddy's lap, snuggling a little red ball. He was so out of it that his bottom lip was hanging down all chubby like. A moment I definitely don't want to forget...