Fashion Show

When I first found out I was having a girl, I was filled with emotions. I couldn't wait to dress her up in dresses and curls and makeup and glitter and dance to our hearts content. 

Well--those moments didn't last too long. Once KennnaDee was old enough to dress herself, she prefers sneakers to high heels, she prefers jeans to dresses, she'd rather not brush her hair at all than for me to fix it up all cute. 

Sigh...

My girly girl just isn't a girly girl but I'm okay with that. 

UNLESS.... I mention the words "fashion show." THEN my girly girl comes out in dresses, heels and makeup galore. 

I love my girly girl. 

Little boys

There's just something to be said about little boys in underwear and jammie shirts that are a size too small. 

Sorry Nicholas, I just couldn't resist. 

Like mother like daughter

Every face I made. She made. Children watch us ALL the time. They learn from us ALL the time. Even when we think we aren't teaching. Sigh. Parenting. 

Sure love this girl though! 

Somethin special

I'm not quite sure what it is. I'm not quite sure how to explain it. But there's just something about coming home after date night and seeing our oldest three snuggled up in the same bed. It just tugs at my heart knowing they find comfort with in each other. 

Operation Cars

One of Nicos favorite things to do is play games when the older kids are at school. We played Operation Cars. I was told as we try and get the things out, if it buzzes then our turn is over. And so it went, we kept taking turns. I started to get more out than he did. So when it was his turn, he kept getting buzzed and he responded, "ya know, sometimes it just does that. I don't know why. But it doesn't mean I'm out. It just does that," and continued to get the item out. 

I know my pictures aren't great but the only way I can keep my blog updated is if I post from my phone pictures. He was trying SOO hard. LOVE him! 

Scripture study

Right now our family is reading the Book of Mormon together each night. I can not say that every night is a successful spiritual event. I mean, let's get real, more often than not, we have little boys climbing on top of each other or one person complaining that they are hungry or a little boy rolling all over the floor. I could go on with what goes on at scripture study. Needless to say our spiritual, edifying scripture nights don't happen too often but when they do... I embrace them. 

It's the little things

Why do we buy toys and dolls and such for our young ones to play with? Their 

interest and curiosity is much more focused on household goods like Tupperware, dishes, spatulas, or things like... Pulling silverware out of the dishwasher while mommy is loading it. 

How can you not just let her do it? I mean.. I just can't say no to this cute little smile. 

I need a cuddle

One of our favorite things to do is make forts. 

The kids made forts in each of their rooms this past week and have been wanting to sleep in them. We convinced them to have a sleepover on a night that's not a school night. 

Tonight.. We sent them to bed and I told them I would cuddle after Reagan was asleep. 

20 minutes later, we hear the inevitable footsteps trotting down the stairs and into the living room. 

KennaDee says, "Mom- I made a bed in my fort and Nico came in because he wanted to cuddle with me. He fell asleep on my floor."

My little boy just couldn't hold on any longer for cuddle time so he went to his sister. I love that she can give cuddles just as good as mama.

Best 3 words ever

Today my 4 year old calls out from the living room, as he's waiting for his older siblings to play wii, 

"mom?!"

"Yeah bud?" Im thinking he's gonna ask for a snack as he always does or for help in the game but no... 

"I just love you," he says. 

My heart melt. 

A simple act

It's inevitable that our kids will grow up. My worry as a mom is if I'm teaching them enough to become good, caring, genuine, loving people. 

Today was a day when I witnessed just that. 

Our bus comes at 8:33 every morning. Our neighbor friend, also a classmate of KennaDee's, knocks on our door every morning between 8:28 and 8:30. 

Today was raining. KennaDee and Jackson both grabbed their umbrellas. Our neighbor didn't bring one. 

As they started down the driveway, KennaDee looked at her friend, took one step closer to her, and put the umbrella over her. 

An act of kindness. An act of love. An act of consideration. A simple act. 

And there's just something about watching my children walk down the street. 

She's only 9. But it's time.

So I picked up the kids from school today and our conversation started out the same as it always does, "how was school today?" "Good," said simultaneously by both kids. Then the conversation between my oldest and I suddenly took an unexpected turn. 

Somehow KennaDee got on the topic of games she had seen on the iPad and this is how it went:

KennaDee: I saw this comment on the iPad that said a 15 year old girl wanted to have a baby. That is NOT going to be my life. I will not choose to have a baby at 15. No way. I'm gonna wait to have a baby until 2 years after I'm married. Wait- when did you have me mom?

Me: you were born 9 months after we were married. 

KennaDee: oh. I'm gonna wait 9 months after I'm married to have a baby. But... You don't really get a choice do you? The baby just comes? Or can you choose? 

Me: well, yes. You can decide when and if you want to have a baby. 

KennaDee: what? You can? How do you choose? Do you just go get a shot? 

Me: no. You don't get a shot. Well I guess in some cases you don't choose to get pregnant but it happens as a surprise but for the most part you choose. (As I'm not thinking this through, I realize I've just confused her even more.  YAY! Mom of the year award already won this year!) I finally say, as I have 3 other kids in the back seat, this really isn't something we can talk about right now but when it's just you and me I can explain it to you. 

KennaDee: you can't tell me in front of the boys? (She got a sheepish grin as if she gets in on a little secret. and is excited to find out. Haha!! Wonder if she'll be as excited after she finds out how it happens!)

She's only 9. But it's time. To have the talk. The talk about how a girl becomes a young woman. And the talk about the birds and the bees. 

I always thought the second coming would happen before I had to face this. Sigh. 

My Jackson

As I sat here nursing my youngest I couldn't help but to snap a couple pics of my Jackson. 

My kids often have a hard time sitting at the table through a whole meal. They will eat a few bites then feel the need to get up and go do something then come back for more. They don't always do that but occasionally they do. 

Tonight... Every time Jackson returned to the table he popped up on the bench and tucked his feet underneath him. It's a little hard to put into words the thoughts and feelings that went through my mind but how interesting it is that he just plops up there and pulls his feet underneath him. Such a boy little move. This little guy has SOO many characteristics of our Savior that stand out so clearly. He LOVES pleasing others yet he STANDS for what's right. He LOVES helping others and lifting them up when they are in need. He SACRIFICES for the happiness of others. He FORGIVES so quickly. He is OBEDIENT. 

I love my Jackson.