My Girls

Don't worry I haven't forgotten I have two very special very handsome little boys, boys that I love with all my heart.  However, they are in school all day everyday and that just leaves me mom with my cute little girls. So I take pictures. Lots of pictures. Don't want to forget. I want to remember every stage, every cute smile, every fun little interaction.  I know it's impossible to document everything but I do my best!

We loved watching the kids slide down the massive slide and jump off the large hay bales.  It was fun seeing them ride the ponies and ride the train.  We all loved being together in the cool crisp air enjoying the sights and sounds of fall.  But one activity we probably could have done without was the the corn maze.  We were pretty lost and it started to feel like a really long time. I was getting pretty nervous lost in a corn maze with a two year old and a 3 month old.  We finally followed a family out that seemed to know what they were doing and luckily before we had any major meltdowns.  In all it was such a fun time together enjoying my favorite time of year with my cute little family.

Sisters

From the moment Marie first laid eyes on her little sister Ava she thought that Ava was hers.  It's hard to explain to her that she can't just hold the baby anytime she wants.  Like when she is sleeping and when she is nursing.  The difference in age between Ava and Marie is more challenging than the space between by boys and Marie, but it's also easier than twins!! I am hoping that the two year difference will cause these cute sisters to someday soon be best friends. I know it is hard on Marie at times to share attention but I'm sure there will always be some of that that they will have to work through. I for one feel like the luckiest mom in the world to have two handsome boys and now two sweet little girls. I couldn't have planned it any better!!

Ava's Blessing Day

I woke up the morning of Ava's blessing day already in tears. So full of the Spirit. Just thinking about it makes me tear up.  I felt so blessed to have such a sweet little baby girl who I knew was going to receive such a special baby blessing from her Father in Heaven through her wonderful father here on earth.  The day was perfect. I was so glad that most of my family was there and I was thankful that Matthew and I both had the opportunity to bear our testimony.  Because school had recently started for my boys I bore my testimony about some tender feelings I had been having recently.  I told how I struggled with the fact that I could not protect my kids from all that they were going to face at school. loneliness, bullying, hearing bad things, seeing sad things, all the things that I know my children will have to face but it hurts me inside to think of them lonely, or sad.  I explained how I was gaining a testimony recently about how maybe I could not protect them from the outside world but I could do my part in the home to make sure they felt loved and safe, and most importantly that they were gaining their own testimony of Jesus Christ so that when times got hard they could know where to turn.

I sometimes feel overwhelmed as a mother about all that I could or should be doing for my children. I question myself and wonder if I could be doing more. I feel exhausted at times and wonder if I am really cut out to be a mother to four little kids.  One thing I have learned is that the older I get the more I try to simplify my life.  I try to cut out the unnecessary as far as stuff, time commitments, and activities for my kids.  I am trying really hard this year to focus on the basics and have faith that the Lord will help out where I fall short.  So this year I will do better to read scriptures with my kids, hold Family Home Evening, and say family prayers.  I know we will not be perfect but I am glad to have a goal to always be doing better in these areas and not worry so much about everything else. I believe the blessings will come, and after watching my Ava blessed  I believe the blessings have already come in ways I never could have imagined.

Bath Time

Now I have a little helper who wants to do everything I am doing when it comes to taking care of little Ava.  Marie is still trying to figure this whole big sister thing out. She loves to hold Ava but I still don't think she loves having to share attention with her.  I have never had a toddler and a newborn at the same time, and it's exhausting......but not quite as exhausting as my twins were!  

First grade here we come!!

I have to admit I was a little teary eyed watching my two little boys headed to school for the first time ALL day.  It helped that they were excited, and I loved the welcoming committee of kids who were at the front doors giving them high fives as they arrived.  Daniel's teacher is Miss. Jensen and Nathan has Miss. Porter.  Here's to hoping for a great year full of learning, fun, and new friends!!

Ava 2 Months Old

She doesn't seem super excited about her little flamingo outfit.......but I am!!!  Girls are so much fun.

A Sunday Stroll

 I'm always excited when Matt suggests we take a walk on Sundays.  It can be kind of a long day cooped up in the house with all the kids.  Peaceful walk by the Logan River is the perfect way to end a perfect Sunday.