The Santa Socks

There are a few indicators in my house that we hit a little rough patch. One of those is a pair of Santa Claus dress socks showing up in the laundry. We don't really know where they came from, but they sit in the bottom of Brian's drawer and wait for a particularly long week, when sorting socks is last on my list and Brian is too busy helping me stay afloat to get to laundry either. (I love that he never says anything, just quietly puts them on, kisses me goodbye and goes off to work)

Today I found them on top of the dirty clothes basket in my closet. It definitely has been a "Santa Socks" week. We had a few bumps in the road that last few days which helped me realize some important things that I always want to remember. I had a very early stage miscarriage this week. I was only six weeks along and it really had minimal physical impact, other than leaving me really tired. It definitely wasn't a fun experience, but we are fine and learned a couple children ago that as much as you would like to plan your life, thankfully, Heavenly Father is control and knows exactly what we need to progress. It is hard to be too sad, when I have four beautiful babies that I can go squeeze whenever I need a hug. The experience was a gentle reminder of how grateful I am for the boys that I am blessed with and just what a miracle it is to have Jefferson.
I am also filled with gratitude for my friends and family that continue to show their support and love for our little family through all the ups and downs.

To add to the roller coaster, poor Henry is sick with strep and Hand-Foot-Mouth Disease, we watched my sisters kids this weekend and we lost Jeffey for 15 minutes this morning when he didn't know the rest of us WEREN'T playing hide and go seek!

However, we all made it through the week in one piece, and thanks to my sweet mom all the laundry baskets are empty and the sock drawers are full. I am ready to push the "reset" button and start a brand new week, and as much as I learn from these times, I hope it is a little while before the Santa Socks are in the laundry again.

Friends Weekend 2010

Probably 60-80% of the kids at the pool were ours. It's amazing to me how many little ones we all have now.

Fun time with some great girls. I'm always sad that we don't get the picture when everyone is still there. I love that we have such a fun weekend to look forward to every year. Great friends make life so much better!

My Life in Pictures

We took some great family pictures in Utah. Not only did my brother in law marry a great girl, she also has a very talented sister who has a fun family as well! We are not models by any means, but I love every picture of my family I can get. These are no exception. Thanks Kristal.
These leaves were incredible!

I think I say it every post, but how did my first born turn into a little man?
My all time favorite picture of my Jeffey. Love it!
This picture pretty much sums up Oaks. He told me today when he killed a cricket first try, "Total score for me". Who is this kid?!
My sweet baby. I love this chubby little angel who is chalked full of personality. He loves to scrunch up his nose and sniff at you, its hillarious.
Brian and I struggle to be photographed to say the least. But I love how much fun we have together and this picture captures that part of our marriage.
This picture captures my other favorite thing about Brian. He is always more than willing to grab all the boys and take them on some adventure and let me have a minute. They love their daddy.
This little crew completes my life right now. I can't imagine my days without all of them. They love eachother and they adore H right now. What a lucky little baby!

Big Changes!

How did I go from this....

to this?! My life has changed so much in the last few weeks. Going from having three babies to three independent little men has given me alot of time to myself that I didn't have for five years. Yes, I have another baby, but just one! He is such a sweet happy soul that gets my undivided atttention two days a week. I am so grateful that my boys came the way that they did, and as fast as they did. It has been a blessing to have them so close and such good friends. When we leave we take the party with us and my boys always have a friend wherever they go. Jeff has someone that has his back on the playground. Luke had two brothers that were in the school before him and a teacher that already knows our family. Ben always had a buddy. Those first few years were hard with little sleep, never enough energy and never time to get the house clean, be on time for anything or be a reliable friend, but they were worth it.

However, for the time being I am enjoying just how grown-up the boys are! I started running (if you can call jogging for almost two miles running, but I'll take it), and love being alone with music and my thoughts. My goal is to run a 5K soon and not have to walk.

I also figured out how people keep their homes clean. It is amazing what happens when you clean up and two of the four are at school and it can stay clean. I am getting better at staying on top of the housework and I love when the boys come home and I can have a snack ready, spend one on one time with each boy and still have energy left to take on some fun projects.

I love the joy and satisfaction that comes from being a mom. It is such a priveledge to watch these little boys grow up. Any sacrifice that motherhood requires has always paid me back ten fold. I can't wait to see what life brings next!

Perfect Day

I woke up this morning and played with H while the boys watched cartoons. Then Hen went to bed, I sewed an apron and then cuddled up with the older three on the bed and told them stories of when they were little. After Henry woke up, we packed up, met our friends and our Daddy at the pool and went swimming. Now H is back asleep, the boys are quietly playing and I'm going to have a sun-induced nap. I really don't think it gets any better! Just wanted to make sure I remember today.

School Days

Two weeks ago, my three little babies started school. Ben played it cool, but still wanted me to walk him to his class, of course I obliged. He is getting so big and I can't believe he is in first grade. He loves seeing all his buddies again, but says that it is so much harder this year. He told me today that his teacher always uses his paper as an example in art. Ben is such a good example to his brothers and friends. What a handsome little man.

Jefferson started Kindergarten. He has Ben's teacher from last year and we were so happy. He has three of his best buddies as well as his cousin in his class. He is catching on to the rigorous pace of all day, everyday school. He has stayed on his best behavoir and we are so proud of what a grown up boy he is becoming. His teacher told me she loves to watch the sparkle in his eye when he laughs...that is also my favorite thing about my Jeffey!

The next day it was Lukey's turn. He was very anxious for his turn. Equiped with his turtle back pack and lunch box he marched right into his class. The only tears were mine as he put all his stuff away and started the opening activity. I helped him go potty and then he told me he was good and good-bye. I miss having him at home on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but I don't think he misses us much. He is always beaming when we pick him up. His teacher told me that he is such a little man and that he never stops talking. We second that, the house is eerie quiet when he is gone. I'm glad I still get to have him home to be my other baby the rest of the week.

One of my favorite thing about our school this year is that we get to see our cousins and friends. My boys are surrounded by such great people all day long, it makes it a little easier to leave them there all day. Luke loves his Avery, she watches out for him and loves to play pretend. I love this picture!