All Smiles

Look who's all smiles this week! All of the kids compete now to see who can get the biggest grin. Finley loves all of the extra attention.

My Joe

I have been thinking back a lot lately on Joseph's baby blessing and the part where he was blessed that he would have a special relationship with his mother. We definitely have a special relationship and though it has come easy because I am his mother and he is my child, it has still been a long road. Joseph is by far my busiest child, and has been since day one. He wouldn't sleep until well past midnight and even now he wakes up often in the night. When he is awake during the day, he must be kept occupied or he finds his own fun in my brown sugar container, the fridge, or the bathroom sink. There are days when he makes me want to pull my hair out and Mr. Stannix sometimes jokes that he's taking years off his life, but we sure do love our Joseph. Over these last couple of weeks when I find him in the middle of one shenanigan or another, I constantly remind myself that he is not a bad child, he does not mean to be bad, he is just curious and busy, oh so busy. This morning he polished off three yogurt containers before I even woke up. He's the kind of kid that likes his breakfast at 5:30am. He would eat cookies for breakfast lunch and dinner and has asked for them at 3:00am on more than one occasion. Before lunch he flooded the downstairs bathroom by repeatedly dumping boat fulls of water on the floor. After his nap he chased his siblings with a pair of scissors, snipped my yarn project before it was finished and covered himself in Vaseline all while I was changing Finley's diaper. And don't even get me started on the bedtime struggle. Usually I say a lot of "Get back to bed please!" and he replies, "Akay akay, I wiwll I wiwll..." Then when I need him to do something and he doesn't "wanna" he will usually respond with "I un waaaaana" in a low growly voice. Because our days can be so chaotic and busy sometimes, I cherish the quiet moments I get to spend with him. He gives the best hugs with his arms wrapped tightly around your neck. He still kisses me on the lips and asks for it often. He loves stories. He loves to play this game where he runs at me from the otherside of the room and knocks me over with a giant hug over and over again. He is pretty rough and tumble and likes to tackle his siblings to the floor and put them in head locks. He hasn't quite grasped the concept of whispering when the baby is sleeping and will talk even louder if I ask him to. Sometimes I just need to remind myself to forget about the dishes and laundry and just sit on the floor and play with him, because when we are playing together he doesn't get into as much trouble and I really love his belly laughs! He really is a good kid, and we really do have a special relationship. He has a big heart and a lot of love to give! I love this kid more than he will ever know!

Cherished Treasures

 I spent some time this afternoon scanning some of the artwork that decorates my fridge. My shoe box of special treasures is pretty full with two children who love to create and I just can't keep everything. I figure this is a good alternative, and I can still treasure them forever.

 (The top two lines are Camilla's work, and the bottom are Hyrum's)

(The top line are Camilla's drawings, and the bottom are Hyrum's)

I especially love Camilla's unicorn (in the middle), Hyrum's picture of us hugging, and Hyrum's yellow power ranger. We can finish off a stack of paper pretty quickly around here, but I love watching the children create. I love that Camilla gives me twenty cards a day folded backwards with MOM written on the back instead of the front. They are both super thoughtful and I cherish their little drawings so much!

Freshly Bathed

(Picture taken by Camilla)

I love drinking in the smells of a freshly bathed babe at days end.

Our Littlest Gentleman

 

A Special Blessing

 Today Finley received a name and a blessing from his father. I am so grateful to be married to a worthy priesthood holder who can bless our children. It was a very special day spent with family and friends. We spent the morning getting everyone ready for church and visiting a little bit with my parents. I dressed Finley in the same little blessing out fit his older brothers wore. So many memories in that one little white outfit. He looked so handsome all dressed in white. We filled up a whole bench with our family who joined us. My parents, Mike's mom and sister, Arland and Naomi, and my grandparents were all able to come. At the beginning of the meeting, Finley was brought to the front and held in a circle of men to be given a name and blessing. He was blessed to feel the joy of the spirit from his mother and siblings. And as he feels of the love in our home, he will have a happy disposition. He was blessed with a strong, healthy body and a mind to seek after knowledge. He was blessed to recognize his spiritual gifts. He was blessed with the gift of listening and ability to grow spiritually as he listens to his mother and family. He was blessed with the gift of discernment which would allow him to discern the needs of others, be filled with charity and have the capacity and strength to bless others. He was also blessed with peace and to be a peacemaker in the home. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have been given to be a mother to another on of Heavenly Father's children. We are so glad to have Finley as a part of our little family and can't wait to watch him grow!

Saturday Mornings

Sometimes our Saturday mornings are nice and slow. And I like that. Joseph was up long before anyone else. So early in fact, that we made him go back to bed. An hour later both the boys snuck down for cartoons on the iPad. Camilla joined them soon after and poured everyone some cereal for breakfast. I listened from the bedroom while I nursed and snuggled Finley. Once we were done I changed Joseph's bum and then he ran around in only a diaper for a little while. I love Saturday mornings.

Finley's Friday Faces

Swimming Lessons

 Camilla and Hyrum have started another round of swimming lessons. It was kind of a spontaneous decision to help us get out of the house a bit more, so we were stuck with 5:00pm lesson times. It worked out that I was able to get them both in classes around similar times and we only end up being at the pool for just over an hour total. 

 Hyrum is in a cute little class of Sea Otters and is doing so well. He was a little unsure the first day since he was on his own and not with his sister this time. But now he is the first to volunteer for things and is even getting his face in the water more!

 

Camilla is in Salamanders and loves it! She is struggling a bit in the deeper pool and we had a few tears today after a front glide went wrong, but she is learning and loving it! 

 

As for Mr. Joseph, this is how we make it through our hour on the pool deck...

Some Favorites

Here are a few of my favorite things lately...

I love my little list maker. Camilla makes herself check lists and reminders for everything! When she put up a reminder to turn off her light, it made me laugh. While I tucked her in that night she told me all about the check list she was already working up for the next day in her head. She is a super organized little girly.

I have finally started cloth diapering again. I love a puffy, cloth diapered baby tush.

 

When Daddy gets home everyone smothers him in hugs and kisses. After a mini wrestling match with the older three, he usually snuggles up with Finley while I finish up dinner. It's pretty much the sweetest thing.

 

 Warm bread and butter is definitely a favorite around here!

I am also loving the little bit of free time I get to make cozy headbands.