Life Lately

It has been getting warmer outside and it is so welcome. Tonight after the littles were in bed, I cracked the windows and listened to the frog song as I read on the couch. It's been a stressful few weeks with tax season and prepping Mike's new office for the move over and organizing our home. Among the chaos is still swimming lessons, and sporting events, and music festivals...Some days I run from Dawn to Dusk. I'm always exhausted!

We are almost done with renovation stuff, just a few scraps of drywall to fix up, some window jamb extensions, a bit of electrical, stucco, and some deck stairs. Soon we will be into gardening and landscaping season, while also prepping for our Nauvoo trip and volunteering on the Band Parents board. It feels like a lot sometimes, but how can we make a difference in the world if all we do is sit at home together. I am glad my kids are out shining their lights and building their talents. I happily support their dreams and desires!

Soccer starts on Tuesday this week. It's just Ollie this year, so we won't be spending hours at the soccer field twice a week. This weekend we have a basketball tournament, stake conference and some highway cleanup. I still need to get some things ready for our flight to Toronto with Joe and Fin in eight days. We will begin our trip there seeing some sights and then drive across the border to Palmyra to visit some church history sites. Usually we take our children to conference when they turn eight but with Covid and temple square being renovated, it hasn't worked out for the last few years, so this is what we came up with instead! The boys are super pumped.

After celebrating Hyrum's birthday last night, we took a drive to pick up some new baby chicks! Right now they are living in a large box in our house and the littles were pretty excited to play with them before church this morning.

Sawyer and Lily have been pretty gentle with them! I'm not sure if either of them remember our baby chicks from last year, so they are both pretty excited.

I'm mostly excited about the blue eggs I'm going to get as these are Americana babies. We have some pure bread Wheaton Americanas and some mixed Americanas that will lay either blue or green eggs for us. 

They're all so stinkin' cute right now!

Hyrum turns Twelve

Happy TWELFTH birthday to this incredible kid! Hyrum is a kind, quiet soul who always strives to do what's right. He works hard and plays hard. He has many hobbies and interests and likes to teach himself things. He always takes time to hang out with Sonny and play fetch. He's mastering a few pieces on the piano and loves to jam on his guitar. He's a friend to those around him and generally a peacemaker in our home. We are sure glad he's ours! Happy birthday big guy! 

A Quiet Friday

Today we had a pretty quiet Friday filled with Banana chocolate chip muffins and afternoon naps! 

These are my favorite kind of days, especially after all of the running we do during the week!

The house was still and warm and filled with the aroma of baking when the children got home from school.

 

Kiwanis Festival

Last year Camilla played her violin at Kiwanis, and this year she chose to do a piano piece. She has been practicing hard to memorize the notes and dynamics and feel of the German Dance piece she chose. She totally rocked it and I was so glad I could bring her in and watch her perform. She is a girl of many talents and it has been a joy watching her use and develop these talents!

 

Mary & Martha

Last week I found myself pondering the story of Mary and Martha. I thought about how easy it is to be caught up in the cares of keeping a home, tending to responsibilities, and checking off the never ending to-do list. In our fast paced world, it can be hard to set aside time for what truly matters most.

As I taught the children this story, my eyes welled with tears while we read the gentle rebuke from the Savior. "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Martha was trying to be a good host and serve the Lord to the best of her abilities. I can imagine her tidying up and preparing food for the Saviour. How often I feel like Martha, careful and troubled about many things. In all of the necessary, mundane daily work, I sometimes forget to stop and take time to sit at Jesus' feet as Mary did and to focus on those things that matter most.

As I fell asleep and contemplated the happenings of the day I realized that along with reading scriptures and praying, I worship at His feet when I take time to shepherd my children and turn their hearts to Him. I worship at His feet when I take time to listen and understand the needs of my family instead of focusing on the dinner dishes. I worship at his feet when I take time to read bedtime stories or snuggle a child to sleep instead of checking off my to-do list.

When I realize what really matters in life, I feel His presence more easily. My heart is filled with joy when I "choose that good part" and focus on the teachings of the Saviour. When I set time aside in my day to read His word and serve others, I can feel the power that has in my life, no matter what the day brings.

 

Swimming Lessons

We've spent many a Monday morning at the swimming pool over the last little while. Lily and I do a parent tot class and then Sawyer gets to go on his own to swimming lessons while we watch. They both love swimming so much!!

 

Sunday Snapshots

Still documenting this girl quite often as she is growing up so fast! Her vocabulary is insane for her age, and we can do lovely piggy tails in her hair!

 

Family Fire

Today the children asked if we could have a fire! The weather was nice enough that we agreed. The boys started it with Daddy and we all enjoyed sitting around and visiting as the sun sunk down behind the trees.

 

Choose the Better Part

 Tonight while I was making dinner I set off the smoke alarms again. I had to stand on a chair with a broom to silence the one on the vaulted ceiling in the kitchen. 

The whole house smelled like burnt rice.

 After dinner Hyrum asked me to come outside and pitch for him so that he could bat. He even offered to help clean up dinner so that we could spend time together. As I thought of the phrase "Choose the better part" I thought of how choosing Him means putting things that matter first. Knowing that dishes could be done later, I went outside and pitched for Hyrum and Joe. 

Sonny acted as back catcher and outfielder. I had a bag of treats and he would drop the ball right at my feet. It was the best. He got some much needed exercise while I got some fresh air. The boys really enjoyed the extra quality time, it was much needed.

Life feels like it's flying by so fast these days. I thought I was busy when everyone was small and demanding, but I feel even more busy now with littles and driving big kids all over the place. Between friends places, birthday parties, music lessons, sports and field trips, it can be super overwhelming and hard to keep up a good routine at home. I hardly ever have time for myself and struggle to prioritize the things that matter most. The years are going so fast. I am glad that they need me though, even if it is exhausting and trying to fit it all in!

Painting Day

I spent most of today painting Camilla's room for her! She found this wall pattern all by herself on pintrest and asked if it was a possibility. Using the main wall colour from the rest of the house and a darker contrasting color and a whole lotta tape, I was able to pull it off! It may take a while to get all of the paint off my hands and arms though!

 

 

A Promise of Newness

Today I saw a robin hopping around in the yard and it made me so excited about the warm weather coming! Spring brings a promise of newness and hope that always leaves me filled with wonder.

My mind has been a jumble of thoughts and words, but I've been unable to write anything meaningful. We've been busy moving into our new space, celebrating birthdays & holidays, and getting into new routines.

This afternoon Lily took advantage of the quiet and snuggled up on the couch. She looked so comfortable.

Life is good.

 

Sunrise

The morning glow at Sunrise amazes me every time! I couldn't help but take a few pictures to cherish later.

 

 

A Day in the City

Today Lily and I accompanied Mr. Stannix to Calgary. He usually makes the trip once or twice a month to attend client meetings or pick up files at his satellite office down there. It's always fun to tag along and eat Costa Vida for lunch and explore Ikea after all is said and done. It was a beautiful day for a drive!

 

Ollie got to show me some of his work at Parent Teacher Interviews tonight. 

Love that kid!

 

The Movie Theatre

This afternoon we took our fam and cousin Kieran to the movies! 

We watched the new Super Mario Bros movie.

Everyone enjoyed their snack box and pop and laughed through the movie.

It had been a while since we had taken the kids out to something like this!

Easter Sunday

This morning Fin woke up sick, so our traditional group photo didn't end up happening, but I did end up getting a picture of the girls in their new Easter dresses (along with some other kiddos who wanted pictures). After church we champed eggs, had egg salad, and got the turkey and dressing cooked up for Easter Dinner!

 

The Easter Bunny Visits

This morning we woke to excited kiddos digging into their Easter baskets and hunting for plastic eggs filled with treats! They played all day long and enjoyed being together. We had a delicious dinner in the evening and enjoyed Grammas pies and traditional marshmallow Easter eggs for dessert! 

 

Birthday & Easter Prep

This weekend some of my siblings came up to celebrate Easter with us! It also happened to be my birthday today, so we enjoyed chinese food (my fave) and ice cream cake for dinner. Afterwards we gathered around the table and decorated Easter eggs. It was so fun to have everyone in our new space! All of the little cousins are so excited to be together!

The Easter bunny made his visit after the littles were all tucked into bed and eggs were hidden to find in the morning.