Halloween Festivities

 Go!

 Fight!

 Win!

 

 Go Team!

Words

Sometimes the right words come at just the right time. Tender mercy? For sure. Thanks to an amazing friend for this status update on facebook. (This was totally worth breaking my no-computer-before-noon rule.) It's nice to be reminded, when I feel that my life is completely out of my control, my attitude isn't.

The next time you're feeling defeated, take heart in the fact that defeat is in your control and only temporary. You giving up is the only way for it to become permanent.

 

Another Trip to the Potrait Studio

The best $$ ever spent

 

 

Who needs Fisher Price or Little Tykes? All it takes is some latex and helium and my girls are happy.

(Let it be known that William has had his fair share of punching matches with this bouquet of balloons, as well.)

What I’ll Miss

Right now I am in the trenches of motherhood. There are days of stress and frustration. I’ve cried. I’ve yelled. I’ve vented. And I’ve received my fair share of advice from seasoned mothers (most of which I am eternally grateful for!). Every once in a while,however, I am hit with cliché words of wisdom. My favorite?

Cherish each moment. You are going to miss this one day.

Sometimes when I hear this I can’t help but roll my eyes. Seriously? Puddles of pee, screaming baby at 2am, crumb covered floors, pencil on the piano, three year old tantrums, four year old sass, sleepless nights, non-stop days … That’s not what I’m going to miss. Not one bit.

It’s the moments that fill in the cracks between the chaos that I will miss; the quiet moments when my kids can just be. They are comfortable in their home, knowing they are safe and loved. They are content to be together and enjoy the world they have been brought into. They are all under my wing, safe from the rush of the world outside.

When I sit and think about these moments I realize that  their frequency is so much more up to me than it is them. As their mother, it is my attitude that dictates the day we have. It is my spirit that will in turn affect theirs.
I love these moments and yet sometimes it is so hard to be the catalyst for them. It takes work and planning. It takes thought and prayer. It requires me to “…be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long suffering; being temperate in all things…”   If I allow myself, I can easily become discouraged; so, so very easily.

Yet if I take a deep breathe and step outside of the mess I realize that a few minutes of prayer, an hour of scripture study, or the right song can lift my mood and bless me with the strength I need. If I want the Holy Ghost to be in my home, I must invite him into my life daily.

A simple concept. I wonder at times why it is so hard for me to remember. I want to remember, I need to remember, I vow to remember.

Because in the years to come I want to miss these precious moments, not because they didn’t happen, but because they did.

Her Royal Highness Turns 3

I have three rules for birthday parties. 1) No parties until 4-years-old. 2) Friend parties will only happen on even number birthdays. 3) The number of guests will directly correlate with the age of the birthday child.

I broke all three rules this year on behalf of Marie. She’s been suffering from some middle child syndrome (already?!) and I thought that a play-date on the morning of her birthday would give her some much needed all-about-Marie time. 

  We filled our time with finger nail painting, a small photo shoot, dancing, games, a small snack, and opening presents. The girls were all darling and so much fun to be with. Can I just say that again? Spending the morning with these sweet little girls was so much fun! I couldn’t believe the difference between a party with 6 girls and a party with 5 boys (William’s party back in January).

At the end of the time we sent them home with their own tiaras, lip gloss, a princess wand, and lots of gratitude. Marie couldn’t have asked for a better party. Such a pretty, pretty princess!  The evening of her birthday we celebrated as a family. She opened a couple more presents from us and one more from Grandma P. I think it is safe to say that she is getting pretty good at the princess pose, wouldn’t you agree? Oh my goodness. She is a girl through and through! She is in love with all her new dress-up clothes and her Cinderella tea set.Love it!

Dear Marie,

Was this really you just one year ago? It is incredible to me how much you have grown up this year. Your baby chub is all but gone now and your tastes and preferences have become those of a little girl, not a toddler. This has been a big year for you. Potty training, becoming a big sister, and giving up your That were your most significant milestones. You have proven to be a wonderful big sister, you love to help bathe Anne and are always quick to put in her pacifier when she is fussing. I hope that you two grow to be best friends as the years go on.
Marie, you are our nurturer. You have an instinct to know when someone is sad and are always quick to offer a hug. It is precious for me to see you swaddle your baby dolls and rock them and I love it when you come out of your room and quietly announce, “Shhhh ….. my baby is sleeping.” I also love it when you sing around the house with two of your favorite songs, “I Am a Child of God” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”
Our challenge with you is that you are desperate to be independent which doesn’t come without frustration from all of us. Don’t grow up too quickly, OK sweetheart? Mommy loves her little princess and adores all the hugs and love you have to offer. I love to be able to cuddle with you in my lap while I tickle your back. Your adorable smile makes my every day. Your tender voice charms me and everybody that hears it. You are my everything.
Always know that you are loved beyond comprehension. Always, always, always. Happy Birthday, Princess Marie!

Mommy