A few of my favorite things...

Raindrops on roses, whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens....just kidding...but how can you not sing that song when you think about your favorite things? Just last night as we finished off our family home evening, I sat back (as Kelly so kindly put the kids in bed) and thought about some of my most favorite things...

Each morning when Christopher comes in to our room, he climbs up on our bed and onto Kelly's back--just like a little monkey. It brings a smile to my face and is the best start to my day!

Tessa's little personality is really starting to shine through and I just LOVE it when she scrunches up her face, totally concentrates and spits...she is so funny and sometimes surprises herself with how loud she gets!

Mackenna is growing up so fast--and I think she wishes she could grow up faster. One of my favorite things about Mackenna is her style. She loves BIG bows in her hair, crazy socks and lots of lipstick. She is brave when it comes to fashion--and I must say she has come up with some interesting combinations--but she manages to pull it off. She's so sassy...and most of the time I love it! I'm sure it will get really interesting when she turns twleve :)!

And last night, Carter was my favorite! Kelly had the kids getting ready for bed upstairs while I fed Tessa. Carter was heading to his room and stopped at the railing to yell "goodnight mom, I love you!" I told him the same and then I blew him some kisses. He blew kisses back to me and I said, "Oh--I just felt one hit me on the cheek."--to which he replied, "I just felt one on my chin...no wait a minute..." (he stops to think) and says..."I felt it in my heart".

Now I know that I'm still VERY emotional from having a baby...but it melted my heart and I was very nearly in tears.

Those are the moments we live for as mothers...those brief glimpses of love at home. It makes all the crusty looks, the groans about dinner, the stinky diapers, the whining about chores, the laundry, the stickers on furniture and marker on the wall--worth it. It's that tiny peek at happiness that keeps us going even when we don't know if we can (while maintaining our sanity). I'm just grateful to God for those tender mercies...when He shows me how much He loves me--by helping me see how much I love my children--and by helping me see how much they love me...in spite of me.

So--to be true to Julie Andrews--when the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad--I simply remember my favorite things (namely--Kelly, Kenna, Carter, Chris, and Tessa)--and then I don't feel--so bad!! (It really has a much better effect if you sing it!!) :)

So happy together...

So I post alot about my kids...they are just so cute and funny! They keep us hopping and guessing most of the time...

Sometimes I think Kelly gets pushed into the background alot...I get in to "mom" mode and it's all about potty, snacks, too much TV, snacks, playing outside, and snacks. It's hard to slow down sometimes and remember that I am someone's wife, too.

Luckily I married a great man who supports me in what I do! He encourages me when I'm down and helps me be realistic when I'm taking things too personally or going "over the top" on things. He helps me see that there is more to life than just getting things done--it's about the doing...and enjoying it. He and I definately have our differences but I think that is what makes us strong--if we were both like me, we'd be in a mental hospital by now!! Sometimes I just sit back and think how blessed I am to have married someone who has the same goals in mind that I do--even though our ways of getting there aren't always the same. Probably the thing I love most about Kelly is that he makes me laugh. He can get me laughing even when I REALLY don't want to. I look back at my life and when I think of the many decisions I've made--marrying him was by far the best decision I've ever made. I don't think happiness in marriage comes from snuggling all the time and from never fighting or never being apart. Happiness in marriage comes from knowing that he loves you even if (and that's a big if) you snore at night...okay, so it's more than that--it's trust, tolerance, forgiveness, friendship, patience, love, and a hope that together you can someday get it right. At least I know I got one thing right...and I'm married to him...

Kids...

I love Carter. He is just so random...and has developed quite the sulky face. I'm sure you'll see it at some point in his life--it's pretty convincing. Anyways the other night I was putting the kids to bed and Carter was saying his prayers--he's just recently graduated from saying the same thing over and over to adding his own ideas. Let's just say that it has gotten interesting. On this particular night, he said, "Please bless me that I never have to go to school again and please bless me to never kill anyone so I don't have to go to jail." It was hard to be serious and tell him what a nice prayer he had said...

So--now I get to teach him that God does answer prayers--even if he does have to go to school again. And I don't know what to think about the other part. Isn't it strange what kids come up with? It's always a guessing game and just when you think you have it figuered out--they throw you a curve ball. Kids....

The "Happy Baby" Pose...

So--you may not believe me, but I was doing this same thing in my yoga class this morning! When the instructor said the name was "happy baby"--it made me laugh out loud--which I don't think they appreciated! It just made me think of this sweet baby and how much she loves her toes! She is just so easy going and is totally along for the ride! It seems to me that with each baby, I enjoy it more and more...the little things. Her little smile lights up the day and her cute babbling makes me stop what I'm doing just to listen. It's a bittersweet thing to have a baby--there is so much to enjoy--and yet they grow so fast that it all becomes a memory too soon. So--while the thought of me doing this pose may not bring smile to your face, I hope this picture will!!

What is it about shoes?

I'm not really sure what it is about shoes... but there is something about a new pair of shoes that can put a smile on my face and a skip in my step--wow--I get excited too easily!

I think it's genetic because Mackenna is exactly the same way! She has asked Santa for tall boots for two years in a row now and is constantly "clacking" around in my Sunday shoes--whenever she can sneak into my closet to get them! Anyways...Kelly found a great deal online for new shoes and so what can I say? We splurged!! I LOVE my new sneakers....maybe you don't understand how excited I am about them--but if I'm making time in my day to BLOG about it--they've got to be pretty fabulous! Not only are they comfy, but I LOVE the yellow laces...they make me feel so happy and a little bit like I'm stepping out of my box! I've been trying to do that more lately...I've started going to the gym here and I LOVE it!! Anyways, the other day I went to the gym (no makeup on--which is a big deal for me)--and after my hour long cardio workout, decided to hit the grocery store--no makeup, sweat, and all! I felt so liberated....I even called to tell Kelly how proud of myself I was--to be in a public place looking so bad--and I'm sure he thought I was high...

Well...the point being that I'm trying to stress less about the not so important stuff...and enjoy the little things more--like a pair of new sneakers--one for me and two for Kenna! What is it about shoes?

I guess we are finally adults...

I love my husband!! What can I say--he is literally the best. When he gets it in his mind to do something, he does it--there is no stopping him. We have had a little problem with our towels lately--they've started to stink--so we've been trying new things to get them clean. Yes--we even tried OXY-CLEAN and guess what--it didn't work any miracles for us. Anyways-not long ago we purchased a new front load washer and dryer set--our old set had given its best efforts and gone the way of all old appliances. When our new set was delivered and finally set up, Kelly and I sat together and just watched the washer and listened to how quiet it was--we were entertained for longer than I would like to admit--and I guess that is when it dawned on me that we are officially adults. When you get excited about new appliances and sit listening to them AND go hunting around the house for more laundry to do--because you want to watch your new washer work, you've finally reached adulthood. Exciting right? A little sad, too... So--Kelly decided to soak all of our towels in detergent in the bath tub and then wash them. Well--they weren't rinsed from the bath tub soaking--and then we added detergent, and let's just say there were some serious suds!!!!! It was hilarious! And Kelly was so awesome that he stayed up late rinsing them out and washing them until the water ran clear...let's just say that it was a late night...but you know, it's moments like these that make me fall in love with Kelly all over again...

My sweetest blessings and biggest challenges...

So I am finally getting around to printing my kids pictures that I had done in November! I am just terrible at getting updated pictures on the wall! Seriously--I just took some of Mackenna's baby pictures out of a frame that is on the wall in my living room--how sad is that? Anyways--Kelly ordered me a bunch of ink and now I'm getting to it! I thought I'd post them, too--just because it is so fun! Speaking of fun--Tessa's little personality is starting to shine--and she seems to be quite the little diva! She squeals and squeals--but can give a crusty look with the best of them (I know my family will say she gets that from me--and thanks alot guys!). She's a good baby--though she's thrown a few good tantrums lately--I guess it wouldn't be right if she didn't fit in with our other kids anyways! She's fun and it's fun to watch the other kids help with her and love her. Her dad is especially smitten with her--except on Tuesday nights when I'm gone--those seem to be the nights she's a little stressed. But we are so glad she came to our family...so far :) !

Two words describe Christopher for me--JOY and nightmare! He can be the funniest, cutest, angel--and then just as suddenly he's a devil with an ear piercing scream! He is so much fun to be around--especially the last two days with the older kids back in school. Maybe he's realizing how good he has it when it's just him and me at home...more treats, etc. He is a sunbeam now--and let's just say that Sunday was an experience! He ran out of the primary room 3 times--and someone came looking for him twice! Luckily I was out in the hall with Tessa and caught him--but Kelly had to be recruited to help him sit through sharing time! He'll probably be "that kid" in primary for awhile! It doesn't help that Carter is sitting on one side yelling (because Carter only has one volume) at him to come and sit by him. I'm sure it will improve with time--or medication (just kidding)!

The last few weeks have been really telling about Carter--he is learning more independence and is showing a strong stubborn streak--which I think is genetic from his father! For the most part he is a good boy--but try telling him it's time to turn off the video games and he puts on a real show! He loves the power rangers right now and has always loved animals--particularly dinosaurs and sharks--Kelly helped him put together some model dinosaurs from Grandpa Skip and Grandma Karen--and he and Christopher haven't stopped roaring! It's great fun to watch them wrestle around and run on all fours! His teacher at school has mentioned that he roars randomly throughout the day--and I'm not sure how to solve that problem...any suggestions? He's a good boy and my good buddy. He's obsessed with Tessa--and can make her smile anytime--and usually can make me smile anytime--which isn't so good when he's supposed to be getting in trouble...

Mackenna is such a strong spirit! I remember once being told that it was good that she was so feisty--that she would need it to grow up in such a crazy world. Now I am realizing that she is feisty because I need it! She is teaching me so much about unconditional love--and accepting others for how they are and not how we think they should be. She's growing up fast--and she wishes it were faster! She's already saving her allowance to buy her own makeup--she's in to deoderant, too--which I guess isn't such a bad thing! She has joined the running club at school and seems to enjoy it--it's fun to watch her because she is definately in her own little world out there. Kenna is a GREAT helper--especially in school--even more so if it involves a trip to the school nurse. She loves to read--and LOVES to paint toenails--she's all about crazy patterns and colors--even with what she wears. I love it--she's got such personality and it will be interesting to see what this next year brings for her. I sure do love Mackenna--for who she is, and also for what she is teaching me about myself. I guess that's why having children is so bitter-sweet! They seem to teach us more about ourselves and who we truly are than we could ever teach them. And that's hard to take--but it's REALLY hard to see them struggle, to teach them, and to be a good example--all the time--but, there is nothing sweeter than those big hugs at bedtime that knock you off the couch--or being told, "Mom--you're great" by your 3 year old at 3 a.m. in the morning. There's nothing better than a "yes" when they hear what's for dinner--or that big smile when you surprise them with graham crackers and frosting. Truly these are my sweetest blessings and biggest challenges--and I'm so glad they are mine!