2.29.2012

Just because....

Did I ever mention that we are a little busy around here? I stopped doing facebook and I figured I would have lots more time and motivation to blog since I'm not on there anymore but no, still not very many posts. Life just flies by sometimes. OK, all the time. But I love what I am doing and where we are right now and I am so happy. Blissfully. How can I not be with these three darlings hanging out with me every day (most days I get Cade too)?? Seriously, does it get any cuter?
Someone told me the other day that Jeff had told him that having twins is so much fun! I absolutely agree but I thought it was very sweet for Jeff to say that to someone else. I really had no idea how much fun it could be having two at the same time, learning the same things and doing the same things. Yet they are so absolutely different and endearing in their own unique ways. Callie & Kimber have been such a blessing, such a tender mercy to our family. How we love them!



Our little Cadeson Glen turned 5!! I can't quite wrap my mind around the fact that this kid is 5; it seems like yesterday we were white-knuckling it up Ironwood to get to the hospital in time to have him:) He is such a special part of our family. For at least 6 months before his birthday, he asked me almost every day how many days until his birthday (He has already started asking for next year). Cade is such a good-hearted boy who likes to play ball, likes numbers, counting, and dates, likes to be obedient, likes to help with his sisters, likes things in order and looking nice, and likes to play Wii. He got Wii Sports Resort for his birthday and has been having so much fun with it (we all have - even me)! Cade is amazingly talented and smart and we LOVE him!


Like I said before, we are keeping ourselves pretty busy. We spent the past 3 months doing basketball with Cole & Madlyn and while it was fun, we are happy to be taking a break from team sports for a while! Madlyn & Cole are working on piano, taking lessons from me. We are working on establishing good practice habits and I am happy to report that we are getting better. Madlyn is moving right along and is getting quite good and Cole actually has a very natural ability to play....just no motivation:) Cade is having fun in pre-K and can't wait to go to kindergarten next year! Lane is getting bigger and smarter every day and is so stinkin' cute! Callie & Kimber are learning how to talk quite a bit and it is so much fun. One of my favorites is when they wave at each other and say, "Hi!" They just got diagnosed with ear infections on Monday - thank goodness for antibiotics and pain relievers - they are much more cheerful today:)

I am excited to say that we are getting some visitors in a couple of weeks - yay! Two of my siblings and two nephews are coming for a few days and we are so pumped! Cade keeps asking me how many days until Layton & Parks come, hehe.

Just a quick end note: I think this must reflect some character flaw of mine, but I really can't stand politics. Every time Jeff turns on a debate or political talk show, I almost feel ill and can't hardly stand to be in the same room. I think it is because I just don't know who to trust or what to believe, but it gives me the same kind of sensation as listening to fingernails scrape on a chalkboard. Really. It is that bad. I know that I should care deeply about who runs our country and I do. I just think that I shouldn't have to listen to any of their mumbo-jumbo but that if I sincerely pray about it, I will be inspired as to who I should vote for. Can't that please be how it works? Sigh.


1.17.2012

Arise, and Shine Forth

We showed this video (click the link) to our kids for FHE last night and they LOVED it! I played it this morning while they were waking up and getting ready for school and everyone was so cheerful (and they watched it about 10 times)! As a mother, it spoke to me since this is what I hope for my kids - for them to be fearless and humble and an inspiration to the world. We have all been inspired by its message and are doing our best to arise! and shine forth. We have also all been singing the song all day, hehe:)

I am so in love with my kids - they bring so much joy to my life! Madlyn is getting so grown up; Jeff & I were just wondering where time has gone - where is that cute toddler who walked around our little apartment wearing my high heels? She is so sweet and thoughtful and organized - I love that girl! Cole is so tenderhearted and sweet; he melts my heart. Lately he has been giving us lots of little gifts and love notes - and he is starting to be a little stud on the basketball court! Cade is so fun - I get a kick out of his little dimpled mischievous grin! He is super good at MarioKart and is so fun to play with! Lane is such a darling! He is a Sunbeam this year and is quickly charming his new teachers! I am loving the little bit of one-on-one time I get with him. Callie & Kimber are really starting to interact with each other and it is hilarious! Usually Callie will instigate some sort of game of chase or peek-a-boo and Kimber will just laugh and laugh. They make me smile.

Life is good - we are happy!

1.11.2012

Today my heart is sad. A friend of mine who used to live here in Hewitt gave birth to a baby girl two days ago, a baby born at term with Trisomy 9, spina bifida, and many heart problems. Gracie Belle passed away early this morning. My heart is tender for those sweet parents who have struggled for months with the knowledge that their baby would not survive and who are now dealing with the loss of their baby girl.

How thankful I am for our Heavenly Father's goodness and mercy to us, especially in these times of trial. How wonderful it is to be able to be sealed as a family for all of eternity in the house of the Lord. I know it does not take away the pain and heartbreak of losing a child but I know it can help bring peace.

I am thankful for my opportunity to be a mom and to have these precious souls with me. I know I will be giving lots of extra hugs and kisses today:)

1.09.2012

Christmas, The Girls Turn 1!, Halloween, Lane's Birthday

We have had some wonderful months! Our kids are so much fun and we truly enjoy being together and love being their parents. Often, after a busy day of working and playing together, I will turn to Jeff and say, "This is why we have kids!" Enjoy a few pictures of some of our big events:
Christmas Eve with new jammies from Dad & Mom
We told our kids that we would be able to open one present on Christmas Eve evening and they all wanted to choose the gift they wanted to open but we told them that they had to open the one we chose. They weren't too happy about opening the "soft" gifts because they knew that they were clothes. But when they opened them and found their jammies, they immediately were so excited! They loved that they were all button-down and went on and on about it - it was so cute! Lane, in particular, said, "I don't believe it! It has buttons!" I am not sure why they were so excited but it was so gratifying to see their grateful hearts. We didn't hear one more word of complaint about only opening the soft present:)


Christmas morning

Callie on her birthday

Kimber on her birthday - she was pooped!

Halloween - L to R: Batman, Thing 1, Cat in the Hat, Thing 2, Martin Kratt (from PBS), and Spiderman

Lane's 3rd birthday

Christmas Eve before opening our button pajamas:)

Our new year has started off great - we are busy and happy! Stay tuned for more of our adventures! I promise to do a better job at posting - my kids are growing up too quickly and I want our families to be able to see them!

10.05.2011

Randomness

Just because I like my family...I added this picture. This was taken in July at Zion's National Park in Utah. I think this was one of our biggest tests with our 6 kids yet - it was such a long day! But so fun and so worth it! We got to go with Jeff's family during our Family Reunion and loved it!

I like math and numbers and money. I really do. But did you know that when you put them all together in a graduate-degree Finance class it is the most ridiculously boring, difficult-to-understand subject you could ever study? For reals. I have learned that I have no business savvy whatsoever. Or maybe I have truly lost half of my brain cells with each baby that I have had. Either way, it's kind of a disturbing thought.

Taking our thoughts elsewhere, what do you think of a bakery? I want to have a bakery. Maybe not an actual store with actual hours where I have to commit to working every day, but maybe something where I can take special orders for people. I have the name of my bakery all picked out (I've had it for at least 6 years now) but I can't say it out loud yet because I don't want anyone to steal it. And I'm pretty sure someone would because it is so good.

I also think it would be pretty sweet sauce to have a bed -and- breakfast somewhere. Jeff does not agree. So I guess that idea is out the window. Oh well. All of my "restaurant recipes" (as my family is starting to call them) will just have to find some other way of making their way to your plates and into your tummies.

10.02.2011

Family Fun

Today we dressed everyone up and took some pictures. I needed some pictures for some frames in the kids' rooms and we thought this would be the best day to get it done. Here is my Kimber girl - she is totally walking around these days! She is so much fun!

Callie - she is such a sweetie and so much fun!

Our boys - can't believe how big they are getting!

This is a picture from our vacation this past summer - I really liked it so I thought I'd throw it in here. I just love my man!


And here is our Maddie girl - so beautiful!


It was a great day today - we did pictures, watched Conference, enjoyed our first apple crisp of the fall season & some cookies with some friends, and did gymnastics! We were spiritually fed and physically rejuvenated. I love my little family so much and feel so grateful to get to be a wife and mother:)

9.19.2011

Thoughts

Do you want to know about how many diapers I change in one day? At least 10 but usually more like 12 or 14. Every day. Sometimes I am lucky and get to change 15. It is unreal to me. In a week or so, I am pushing one little bum out of the diapers and into his cute little Lightning McQueen underwear. And believe me when I say I will be pushing...we have been talking about this and practicing for at least a full year and he does NOT think it is a good idea. But 3 is my limit, absolutely. And so like it or not, that little boy is learning to use the toilet.

I think my baby girls can sense my sadness that they are growing up way too fast. They have been indulging my need for lots of cuddles & snuggles. Even Callie will snuggle with me a little bit. I just love how their cute squishy bodies fit so well next to mine. I love how they laugh when I give them machine-gunner kisses on their cheeks and necks. I love how they come to me when they need protected from the mean ol' vacuum. I love how they get so excited to see me when they wake up and can't hardly stand to wait for me to get them out of bed. My Kimber is starting to walk. Callie is cruising around things and crawling all over the place. They are 10 months on Wednesday.

I love my job. It's been a little hard lately. I'm tired. I worry about things. Sometimes I get emotional and needy. Occasionally I get sick of doing the laundry and the dishes. I am forgetful (I really hate that one). This too shall pass.

I have the best husband in the world. Hands down.

That is all.