Baby O' Mine

I came out of our excercise room this morning and this is what I saw. I guess someone's been watching as his older siblings have been getting ready to go back to school in a few weeks. I mean, come on, jeeze, could this kid be any cuter?? Not that I'm biased, or anything...

Opportunity knocks.

There are days when I feel like my life is passing by so quickly, and I haven't contributed much, if anything, to the world around me. I mindlessly multi-task, cutting the crust off a PB&J, attempting to answer a barrage of questions about life's mysteries from one child, mediating sibling tiffs between two others, all while the fourth clings to my leg making a whining noise that resonates and agitates, pushing me that much closer to insanity. Today I felt encouraged while reading a couple of articles in this month's Ensign. If nothing else, I have the most lofty responsibility of helping build the character and laying the foundation for the future lives of four little souls with which I have been entrusted. Reminding me that the legacy that I am creating with my life, is directly affected by how I react in those moments of near insanity. When I go to bed at night, do I feel guilty for how hard I was on the kids that day, or do I sleep easy knowing I was as patient and loving as I am capable of being? Honestly, most of the time I feel like I fall short of what is expected of me, but I resolve to wake up the next day and do better. When I try to keep in perspective what I want my children to feel - loved, respected, encouraged, trusted - then it's a little easier to be the mom I want to be. Note I said easier, not easy.

So, any of you mothers who may feel this way at times, you're not alone! And if you have any tips on how to curb whining in 5 and 6 year olds, pleeeeaaaasssee... I'm all ears! My knowledge base is tapped and dry.

Family Trip Number...?

Earlier this week we received a visit from one of Chris' cousins and her husband as they were traveling through on their way up to Island Park. They let us know they would be blessing their new baby on Sunday and invited us up to Chris' aunt's cabin for the family gathering. A trip to the mountains, surrounded by beautiful scenery, scouting wildlife, and visiting with family we haven't seen in awhile - we decided we were up for the adventure.
So on Friday we packed up the kids, hitched up the trailer and headed up to Island Park, taking the Mesa Falls scenic byway en route. Once we were there, we set up our "camp", next to Donna and Duane's cabin, spent some time with the cousins and their kids, and explored a few of the area highlights - Henry's Lake, Big Springs, West Yellowstone, Montana, and Island Park Reservoir. We ended our trip today (Sunday), by attending church for the baby's blessing and then making the long drive home. We're all tired, but it was so fun to visit another area of Idaho we'd yet to discover!

Welcome to the "Bake-ry"!

Today's specials include cocoa-chocolate cake, brownies with frosting, and cupcakes with pink frosting and sprinkles. My favorite thing about these pictures? The kids are all playing nicely together - it's a home-baked miracle!

My sleeping beauties.

Don't you just love a good afternoon nap? Unfortunately, it never seems to be me that gets to partake in the actual sleeping aspect, but I do enjoy a moment's peace as a couple of the kids do.

Sophie's been tagged!

From the mind of a 5 year old...(The original post only asked the questions about the mom, but I though it would be amusing to see what her answers would be about her dad, too.)

1. What is something your mom/dad always says to you?

Sophie: I love you and I love you.

2. What makes your mom/dad happy?

Sophie: Giving her hugs and saying I love him.

3. What makes mom/dad sad?

Sophie: Not being nice. Not giving him hugs.

4. How does your mom/dad make you laugh?

Sophie: Knock-knock jokes. Telling jokes.

5. What was your mom/dad like as a child?

Sophie: Cute and cute.

6. How old is your mom/dad?

Sophie: I forgot. 33? 31.

7. How tall is your mom/dad?

Sophie: 2 feet. Ha ha ha... (apparently this question was very amusing to her.) Dad's as big as a baby giraffe.

8. What is your mom/dad's favorite thing to do?

Sophie: Mom- stuff on the computer. Dad-work.

9. What does your mom/dad do when you're not around?

Sophie: Mom-excercise. Dad-take a shower with mom. (I know as my own web-master, I probably should have saved myself some embarrassment and censored this one, but it was just too funny!)

10. If your mom/dad becomes famous, what would it be for?

Sophie: Being pretty and being handsome.

11. What is your mom/dad really good at?

Sophie: Cooking and excercising. Being a police man.

12. What is your mom/dad not so good at?

Sophie: Mom-fixing the t.v. Dad-cooking.

13. What does mom/dad do for a job?

Sophie: Excercise and look after her kids. Take bad guys to jail.

14. What is your mom/dad's favorite food?

Sophie: Lettuce and chicken. Chicken.

15. What makes you proud of your mom/dad?

Sophie: Being nice.

16. If your mom/dad was a cartoon character, who would they be?

Sophie: Minnie mouse. Mickey mouse.

17. What do you and your mom/dad do together?

Sophie: Hug and do puzzles. Go on dates to the theater.

18. How are you and your mom/dad the same?

Sophie: Being girls. By loving each other.

19. How are you and mom/dad different?

Sophie: By jumping on the trampoline, because I do and she doesn't. I'm a kid he's a grown-up.

20. How do you know your mom/dad loves you?

Sophie: Because they say I love you and give me hugs and kisses.

Now we tag: Kylee, Megan (Young) and Anwen.

Remember when...

Memory Lane

Here are the directions:
1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn’t matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!
2. Next, post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.It’s actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don’t want to play on your blog, or if you don’t have a blog, I’ll leave my memory of you in my comments.So let’s have it! Don’t be shy! What do you remember? Anything funny, embarrassing, silly…