Afternoon Shakes

Before breakfast was even over today Camilla requested a milkshake. These kids always wake up ready to take on the day. Hyrum was outside in his pj's and splashing boots first thing after the sun. I had just changed his diaper, so his pj's were unzipped showing off his awesome belly, and the empty legs floated behind him as he ran around the yard. Oh what our neighbors must think. Camilla finally got her wish just after lunch. It was hot and we all needed a pick me up, so strawberry shakes it was!

Then this happened...

Rocket Ship Rides

When my siblings and I were little we invented this thing on the trampoline called Rocket Ship. Basically I would pick them up with my legs and they would fly across the trampoline. We got pretty good at it. The best was when we could do it in the house and fly onto the couch. Today the kids were begging me to play with them after all of the laundry and dishes I had to do. I love playing on the floor with them! We did some Rocket Ship rides, safe and slow I assure you. I love their sweet smiles and I love when our home is filled with laughter.

We have also been loving the outdoors. Joseph usually chills in his swing while the rest of us kick around a soccer ball or draw with chalk. We are so glad that the snow is gone!

Love this handsome little man and his adorable smiles!

Being a Kid

Being a kid means blowing bubbles in your milk to your hearts content.



Mother's Day

I have been thinking a lot today about all of the women who have influenced me over the years. I have also been thinking a lot about my mother and if she was always as gentle, kind, loving, wise and forgiving. I wonder if she struggled with some of the same things I did and how she reacted when we tried her patience as children. These are the kinds of things I wish I could remember. Because as I grow and learn with my own small children I sometimes get discouraged with myself when I raise my voice or lose my temper. Surely, my amazing mother NEVER lost her temper with us (not that I remember anyways). Sometimes I wish I could go back in time and be a fly on the wall. I sure do admire my Mother and all that she is. She has taught me so much about nurturing children, giving tender loving care, cooking dinners for a crowd, enjoying life, and loving my role as mother. It is because of her that I grew up with a special love and desire to be a mother. I couldn't wait to have a house full of babies to call my own, to bathe them and wash behind their ears, to make them peanut butter playdough like my own mother did, and to teach them amazing things. Motherhood seemed so much simpler from the eyes of my childhood. Little did I know of all the work, sacrifice, heartache, patience, energy and constant prayers that go into this great role. I am so grateful that I have a mother who taught me all of this and continues to teach me through her example and her tender loving care.

Planting and Playing

 We made it safe and sound to get our girly from the Acreage. Gramma took Hyrum in to see the little chicks last night and he loved it. He gave his "I'm so excited but don't want to show it" smirk. It's the cutest little look.

This morning we went out right away after breakfast to check on the chicks again. This time he actually held one and loved every minute of it. When we separated out the little Turkey's Hyrum kept sticking his hand in to pet them. They're a bit more agressive and curious and munched the ends of his fingers.

Daddy took our car in to the car wash to clean it up and then vacuumed it. When he finished the kids wanted to go for a spin. He drove to the end of the lane and back with them and then each of them took a turn steering (I love the country). It was pretty cute. 

We had a chance to hang out on the deck with Great-Gramma Purdon. She spoiled us this morning with Banana bread and Rhubarb cake. We all got to enjoy it nice and hot.

We spent the rest of the afternoon planting the garden. Hyrum learned how to plant the onions with Gramma. The kids loved playing in the dirt and water.

Joseph enjoyed being outdoors, playing with the grass and trying to eat it. He's getting much better at sitting on his own!

Joe had both his morning and afternoon naps in the wheelbarrow. It was a super hot day, so we had to wheel him into the shade. He snoozed for quite a while and I'm sure the fresh air was good for him. Even though he wore a ball cap the whole day, his cheeks still ended up a little rosy at days end.

We came in for a late afternoon lunch and when Grampa looked outside he couldn't help but laugh. A few minutes earlier I had asked Camilla to take off her muddy clothes before coming in. We peeked out to find her ringing out a sock before hanging it on Gramma's clothes line to dry. So funny! She was taking each dirty piece of clothing and "washing" it under the water sprinkling out of the hose. Then she would ring it out while walking across the lawn to stick it up on the clothes line.



I thoroughly enjoyed my day outside (and I have the red arms and rosy cheeks to prove it!). I love how working in the garden is relaxing in it's own way. We got a lot done today and I can't wait to come out and enjoy fresh carrots and raspberries soon!

It's so nice to get fresh air and sunshine!

On Our Way

Photo credit goes to Auntie Emma

Camilla has been having so much fun at Gramma and Grampa's the last couple of days. Today Mom told me that she wants to spend all of her time with the baby chicks and doesn't like to leave them. When I phoned today she was out helping Grampa put together a green house. Her job was to pass him the screws. Hyrum has missed her like crazy, but I think the time apart has done them both good. We are heading out soon to meet Daddy at the train station and pick up Camilla. It's been far too quiet around here without her!

Signs of Spring

There are signs of spring all over the city!

The boys and I rode the bus today while the car was getting fixed.

I couldn't help but notice all of the leaves coming on the trees.

That and the blue sky made me super happy.

This chubby cheeked little boy also makes me happy

He's growing too fast!

Little Chicks

Today Camilla took a road trip with Grampa and Auntie Emma to pick up the little chicks. They just hatched yesterday. I am a bit jealous. I can remember as a kid hopping in the back of the old blue Ford truck and driving with my Dad to pick up the chicks in the Spring time. I would spend hours with them after we got home watching them learn to drink and run around. I am so glad Camilla gets a chance to experience it too! She will be spending a few days with Gramma and Grampa at the Acreage. I am going to miss her so much! She helped me pack her bags this morning. As I was buckling her into the car she was talking about leaving and it finally sunk in that she would be away from us for a couple of days. She looked as though she was going to start to cry, so I quickly hugged her. She was brave. She asked me if I was going to miss her and if I was going to cry after she left. She gave me the tightest little hug and a big wet kiss on the cheek. 

It's been a super quiet day with just the boys. Hyrum isn't sure what to do with himself without someone to follow around. At dinner time he helped me set the table as I passed him the forks I said, "one for Mommy, one for Daddy, one for Hyrum...." and he looked up at me and asked, "What about one for Cama?" Then I had to remind him that she was at Grampa's. "Where did my Bampa go?" he would ask in a sad voice. So funny. Then when I came down from the bedroom he asked me if I found her playing "ready or not", which I think meant hide and seek. It's so weird not having her around. When Daddy asked him where Camilla was he said, "Gettin' chickens, Daddy".

She called us tonight from the Acreage to tell us all about the baby chicks and how fuzzy they are and how much fun they are. She talked to Hyrum for a few minutes and asked him things like, "What did you eat for supper Hyrum?" "Did you eat it all gone?" "Did you have dessert?" "Was it good?" She sounded so grown up! I love hearing that little voice of hers on the telephone.

We Skyped before bath time to say goodnight. She was bouncing all over the couch in excitement and just loving life. My Dad and Sister sent me pictures during the day to keep me updated. I can't wait to hold me a fuzzy little chick. I also can't wait to hold and snuggle my little girl again this weekend! 

What's a Girl to do

It's after 11PM on a week night and I'm still awake.

It's been a long day.

When everyone was napping I had big plans to be productive.

Instead I fell asleep in the chair with my feverish 

Babe snuggled on my chest.

Daddy is away at Hockey tonight and it is super windy.

As I type my curtains are blowing frantically around the open window.

I came upstairs early intending on going to bed.

Instead I ended up listening to conference talks while 

Joe slept between my outstretched legs on the bed.

Poor baby has been burning up all day.

I think he's the last member of the household to get it.

Around 11PM Hyrum couldn't stop coughing. 

Camilla got scared that he would puke and kept asking

him to drink some water.

Each time he would shout back, "NO!"

It wasn't long before I heard Camilla's feet on the hardwood floors. 

Now she's nestled in beside me.

Daddy's going to come home to a bed full tonight...

Joe is still warm and snuggly. 

I have a feeling we will spend most of our night together.

Character

Sundays are almost always an adventure, and this morning proved to be true. Mike left to his early morning meeting just as I jumped in the shower. When I was finished I heard Hyrum happily talking about how he got himself a drink.  I rushed to the kitchen (knowing how much fun the water cooler can be to a two year old) leaving Joseph on our bed surrounded by pillows. When I entered the kitchen I saw my blonde boy in his blue footy pyjamas skating around my kitchen like the floor was an ice rink. So many glasses of water had been dumped that the water around the baseboards was at least an inch thick. I put on my best serious voice and called Hyrum by his full name. His fun quickly ended and his smile turned to a pouty lip as he choked back tears. Oh that sensitive boy of mine, how I love him.  We grabbed some old towels and mopped up the floor.

I quickly went back up to finish getting Joe dressed for church. The moment I took his diaper off he peed all over himself and my bed, so it was off to the bath. He giggled as I carried his naked chubby baby body down to the bathroom. This Sunday was not looking so hot already and we hadn't even left the house yet.

Church went relatively well. Daddy had to bless the Sacrament which left me with the three children. As I sat there singing the opening hymn, cuddling Joseph to sleep I felt so blessed. Hyrum and Camilla were sitting relatively quiet on either side of me. I am so glad they are learning to sit through church and feel the Holy Ghost. When Daddy joined us on the bench, Hyrum quickly climbed up on his knee. A few minutes later he was snuggled in fast asleep. With two of the three kids out for the count, the rest of the meeting went amazingly.

Our Relief Society lesson was on character and how we should strive to “establish a character before God that could be relied upon in the hour of trial.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, Chapter 8: “Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart”) It just made me think about how I can grow and develop more character when I am dealing with the children in moments like we had this morning. I want my character to be relied upon, and I never want my children to doubt my love for them. I learn so much from them each day about love and forgiveness.

We spent the afternoon running around outdoors in our bare feet soaking up the sunshine and breathing the fresh air. It was heavenly.