Charmed Life

It takes me about six weeks after my c-sections to feel human, but it takes me six months to feel like myself again. The last few months are a bit of a blur, but as Henry gets bigger and all things level out, I am stopping to count a few of my blessings in my very charmed life.

I love this patient, sweet man who supports me in all my ups and downs. I also love my new hair, literally a weight is off my shoulders!

My dad is getting ready to go north again, and he will be greatly missed. I am so grateful for my parents help and how much they love my children. My kids have the best grandparents (on both sides)

My niece and nephew went without sugar, of their own choice, for four months. We helped Noah break the streak at Oreganos on his birthday with a pizzookie. I am so proud of their willpower.

On a side note, Lukey got his arm stuck in a metal umbrella stand at the restaurant and someone at another table had to tell me, there goes my "mother of the year" award for 2010, better luck next year! Jeffey has the best "bed head"!

I have started a pretty demanding workout scheduele and thanks to my sister and Leah, have stayed on track for three weeks so far. I took this picture one night. The kids enjoy playing while we do the videos and I hadn't been back to see the damage until I tucked the boys in. I haven't felt this great in sooo long.

Ben/Mario is another one of my favorite things! Between all the boys, I get plenty of comedic relief in any given day.

I am in LOVE!!! I could just eat this tiny boy. His sweet smile makes it all worth it. I love watching his little personality develop.

Life is certainly not perfect, I'm tired a lot and lose my patience too much. Our home is rarely spottless and we don't usually make it anywhere on time, but it sure is a fun ride. When we are all playing "ten tricks" on the trampoline together, I wish time could just stand still.

Easter Fun

I told the boys that their hands would stay blue until they were Dadddy's if they got color on them. Lukey still couldn't resist coloring his tiny fingers!

Our gorgeous finished products, Martha would be proud.

I read about the whisk idea in a magazine....worked great, signifigantly less mess than last year.

All ready for bed to wait for the Easter Bunny to bring yummy treats. Such a fun tradition.

Going to the Zoo, Zoo, Zoo...

We go to the zoo about once a year. Every year (except one, I'm so upset!!), we take a picture by the monkey villiage sign. I thought it would be fun to see how the boys have grown over the years: Benjamin and Jackson in 2006.

Ben and Jackson in 2007.

The same trip in '07, the three little monkeys, what fun friends.

With our cousins in January 2008.

Fun times with Cameron in December of 2008. Hallie started school this year, we missed her!

With Ava and Ella in March 2010.

The sign is getting a little worn. I can't believe how big the boys are. I hope we get to go to the zoo with these cute girls again! These pictures make us miss our fun friends we don't see as much anymore. Thanks for all the great memories.

New Things For Spring

I love spring in Arizona. The weather is fantastic and spring break couldn't come at a better time. We have spent the last two weeks enjoying our little family and learning new things. This is a picture of Lukey down by our "grassy area" as the boys call it. I heard him saying "Leonardo, Donatello are you there?" He is getting so big and just keeps getting cuter!

Jeffey's new adventure is hockey. He loves it. He is doing a free camp with the Coyotes and has improved so much over the last three weeks.

Here he is sitting on his bucket that he used to push around the first week. Now he can skate by himself, get up when he falls and shoot the puck into the net. He loved when Grandma and Papa came to watch and is having fun being the first one to try a new sport to our family.

He loves how big he looks in all his gear.

I love that I can barely see him when he has his helmet on. I think its adorable. Im glad one of the boys appreciates their Canadian roots!

Ben's new adventure is learning to ride his bike. Daddy ran a couple miles the last two weeks beside him, but now he can do it himself.

Thanks to cousin Noah for loaning us the handle till he got the hang of it.

Ben got to be Star of the Week at school the last week before spring break and loved telling everyone about his 24 cousins and fun things he does with his family. He brought Luke and Henry as his special people to interview in class.

Lukey finished his preschool program with the city this month. At the little ceremony he was adorable as he led me around. He found us a spot to sit on the steps and eat our treats (which was his favorite thing!). He said in his cute little way "here's a good spot mommy". I can't get enough of him right now. I love this little age. He is my little buddy and is always ready to give me a hug and kiss. He is such a big boy in his tiny body!

With Ms. Alex. She said he was always good in class and participated. He did a great job singing at the presentation and is learning to write quite a few letters. He is a great little artist and loves to color and draw. He is a joy in our family, and keeps up laughing all the time.

Henry is also learning all sorts of new tricks. At five months he weighs what Jeff did at a year, wears the same size diaper Lukey wore when he potty-trained at two and is a great sleeper. He is rolling all over the place and babbling and smiling. The boys love him and he is constantly smothered with attention.

What a fun little family.

Super Mario Turns Six

My baby is six! These treat bags for his party pretty much sum up his interests at present. Everything is about Mario these days. Ben loves the Wii and Legos. He has grown up soooo much this year. Ben is an accomplished reader, great student and enjoys school. He loves his buddies the most and plays ball with them at recess. He is a great big brother to our crew. He is extremely obedient and very helpful. He gets up happy each morning and ready to start the day. Benjamin is especiallly tender with little Henry. I find him some mornings standing next to the baby's crib talking to him, while we get up. He is getting really good at drawing and loves to make pictures. He just gave a very grown up talk in church with confidence. We love watching him grow and mature into a handsome boy. He is a great example to his brothers and friends.

He enjoyed all his lego gifts from friends and family.

Our traditional trip to Toys R' Us. Wearing the crown is still cool!

Blowing out the candles at our family party with cousins. We also had a Star Wars cake at Grandpa and Grandma Jones' house. Birthday week is great.

My miserable attempt at a Mario cake in an hour. Ben wrote his name and helped me. He loved it, which is what matters in the end.

We had our friends over for a little party and played baseball at the end of our street in the "grassy area" with daddy. Ben loves his friends.

Everyone got to decorate their own cupcake with candies.

Some of our favorite friends. (Lukey's face is classic!)

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy. We love you bud.

Words to Survive By....

People ask me often how it is to have four children. It is hard. Harder than I could have imagined. I'm not in a deep dark depression, but days are very long and I never seem to have enough time and energy to get even the basics done. At any given time there is someone who needs something. It has been a balancing act to get everyone the attention and time they need, especially poor Brian who never complains! He has spent two of the last three weeks out of commission with appendix surgery and complications. I feel like if my life was a marathon, this would be the uphill portion. This is the part of the race that makes or breaks you.
I have spent the last week trying to get my home more organized so that keeping it tidy is easier. There is such a peace that resides when the counters are clear and the laundry is folded. I do feel like I am learning great things that will make me a better person. So if my dear, neglected husband can hang in there and my boys look past the mood swings, I think we will come out the other side a strong family. My sister found this quote the other day and it has become my words to live by:

"Recognize that they joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction."

Elder M. Russell Ballard

So here are a few of my moments this month:

Laundry is way more fun when it isn't folded, especially when it is four loads at a time! The boys constantly remind me to enjoy the journey, even if everything is perfect or the way I planned.

The flowers my boys got me for Valentines. I love that Brian is already teaching them this very important skill.

I loved this morning. Ben and Jeffey waiting for my sister to pick them up for school. I'm so glad they have eachother. They are all such good friends. They think having brothers is great.

The two "Waynes". Jeff and Papa doing yard work. I really wouldn't make if far without family. One of the best memories of the week.

There are some days when I wonder if our kids are too close together, if they get enough individual attention, and enough of me. Then I come out of my bedroom from getting ready and find this. The boys had made forts with the couch cusions. One for Ben, one for Jeff, one for Luke and the little red one is for Baby Henry. Yep, I got a little teary eyed. It made me realize that is isn't as much about me as I think sometimes. They have eachother and we were able to give that to them. My joy comes from watching them take care of their brothers wherever we go. In these moments, I wouldn't change a thing.

Crochet Weight Loss Program

I got fat sitting on a couch eating junk late at night when I was pregnant, uncomfortable with insomnia. So, I'm getting skinny sitting on the same couch exhausted from taking care of a new baby and a lot of other kids with a crochet hook in my hand. I can't put food in my mouth and I am thrilled with what YouTube has taught me! Here are the latest products of my weight loss program:
Good thing I have an adorable niece with a cute little bald head that needs a hat. (even though you know I tried it on Henry!)

I love this "Slinky Flower" pattern. It is so full.

This scalloped edge was from a dishcloth tutorial, it took about ten minutes to finish. Seriously try these.

Here is the reason for the weight gain wearing a beanie with a visor. I also found some ninja turtle patterns, you know Lukey will be all over those.

So, while the temperature rises I continue to make knit hats, praying for a few more rainy days.

Ten pounds down, seventeen more to go!