Aren't Backyards Wonderful?

My blessings.

Realizing Life

"Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it--every, every minute?" 

            -Emily, Our Town by Thorton Wilder

Ever since Amelia was born, I have been in a race against time, it seems. My kids have been growing up so quickly, and my mommy heart just breaks because I can't enjoy it as much as I want to, because it's over so fast. Recently, several events have triggered a near-panicky scramble to enjoy the journey now. 

First off, all of Katie's friends are starting kindergarten, and as I watched my friends put their kids on buses headed for school, I felt a lump rising in my throat. Next fall, it will be Katie's turn. And suddenly, I was so so so grateful she wasn't on that bus this fall. I only have one year with my little girl left before the great school journey begins. Now every time I see the school bus stop at our corner, I almost feel like it's the grim reaper. Seriously. It fills my heart with dread.

The second event is heart breaking. Our friends from BYU-Idaho days lost their little girl in an accident several weeks ago. As I have watched them deal with the almost unbearable amount of grief and sorrow, I have realized how much I take for granted. My little babies will not be here with me forever, so I've got to enjoy them now. All the every day things. Every minute, every minute.

Little Amelia darling is so big now. Yesterday I sat behind a woman holding a precious newborn, and I felt that longing for a soft little bundle. I don't know that I have ever really experienced that. I know most women are baby crazy, but I never really have been. I like babies, but I've never lost my senses about them. Until now. I think it's because I've realized that this phase of child bearing and rearing doesn't last forever, in fact, it will be over before I know it.

And Amelia is such a sweet baby. And I've enjoyed nursing her, and cuddling her, and teaching her new tricks. And most of all, I love just sitting and watching her. All her little movements. I love watching something catch her interest, and seeing those little eyebrows go up. I even enjoy her little temper flares that are ridiculously dramatic for one so little still. I am in love with her, and I am desperately trying my best to soak up every moment I have with her.

And Grace, since when does she say "That's not my kind of thing, Mom" or since when did she get big enough to be in dance? She is such a sweetheart. Such a loving, tender heart. We watched a movie not too long ago about an orphan boy. When the mom left the baby on the doorstep of the orphanage, Gracie bursts into tears, and still does if she remembers anything about that movie. I love hearing her pretend with her dolls and toys. Nothing is cuter than hearing her little voices that she makes up for her dolls. And when she tells me about her imaginary friend, Audrey, I nearly die. She's been telling me that Audrey and her family had to move to the stinky cheese woods. Don't ask me where she got that from because I have no idea.

Katie...I can hardly talk about Katie, because I feel like someone has stolen my little girl away from me and in her place is a big girl who astounds me with her knowledge and her ever thinking little brain. I love that girl of mine. She is smart, and I have never known any human being that tries as hard as she does. She sets her mind on something, and she will accomplish that. I adore that about her. Whether it's reading, tumbling, or riding her bike, she tries over and over and over again until she gets it. She teaches herself all sorts of things because of her persistence. So grateful she has that quality. And soooo grateful I have this next year with her. 

The every day moments are worth everything. I've been whipping out my camera to catch my girls snuggled on the couch together or playing in the backyard. I want to realize life while I am living it. 

Just Ordinary Times

 Katie realized today for the first time that everyone in her primary class is starting kindergarten this week...everyone that is except her. A few tears on both our parts, and we were past it. Thankfully, one of her friends from dance class is starting next year at the same school as well, and they will be in tumbling together this fall. That was a very consoling thought to her. SHe is so anxious to go to school and learn more. 

Grace is hilarious these days. She has an imaginary friend named Audrey. Sometimes Audrey lives in Africa, and sometimes she lives with her Grandma very far away. Most of the time Audrey is so sick, she has to stay at the hospital.

 Amelia feels left out if she isn't in the same room as Katie and Grace while they are playing. She will crawl around after them, following them from room to room. She loves being one of group.

We took a trip to Washington to see Mt. St. Helens National Volcano Monument. It was really neat to see something you've heard about your whole life. BEAUTIFUL place. Katie hated being up so high. I think we traumatized her from our trip to Glacier this summer. 

She's Three

Somebody had a birthday...

this beautiful girlie is lucky she isn't the baby because I would spoil her rotten. I love her so much! She has such a special little spirit. She is one of the most giving, kindhearted little souls you'll ever meet. SHe also has a lot of spunk which comes in handy when dealing with siblings. 

Singing, painting, drawing,

pretending, barbies, baby dolls,

all things princess,

tutus, ballerinas, Curious George, Corduroy, 

German Pancakes, brownies,

cheetos, chips of any variety,

"spicy crackers"

"calling all Gracies, calling all Gracies"

"My Home's in MT"

zippity ay sippity ay

scrub the dishes 

lives in swimsuit with the purple ruffle

3 sillies

 a little carriage ride...

I've got great kids

Motherhood: Spinning Plates

You know, lately, I have been feeling like as a mother I have all these plates spinning (one for each child, one for my marriage, one for church, one for housework, etc....) and most of the time I feel like I can keep two, maybe three plates spinning, but the rest keep falling and breaking. And lately, I have been a monster to my children which is unacceptable.
So last night I looked up this video to watch an actual plate spinner work his magic. This is what I have gleaned from watching a master:
1. he has a plan
2. he has practiced and probably continues to practice. He didn't become a master in a day or even in a week.
3. the plates don't all get attention simultaneously
4. the plates don't get spun once, and expected to stay up on their own. they get a little nudge to keep going repeatedly
5. he keeps them spinning by gentle, controlled movements, not by wildy flailing around or being rough.
6. he keeps a smile on his face
7.he expects wobbling and doesn't get frustrated. just addresses the wobbling object and moves on.

So to keep my plates spinning:
1. I need to take more time to plan out my day, my month, my methods
2. I need to be patient with myself, and keep practicing being a good mom, wife, etc.
3. I can't meet everyone's needs at once.
4. I need to expect to help a child over and over again, to revisit finances often, to nurture my marriage regularly, daily effort to strengthen my testimony, etc.
5. I need to be gentle, kind, loving. Being rough, loud, demanding, or angry doesn't not keep plates spinning
6. A smile makes everything go smoother
7. I shouldn't get frustrated by my faults, my kids faults, or even situations. Just expects bumps in the road, address the problem, and move past the issue. focus on what can be done, not what is happening or what happened.


How do you keep your plates spinning?

Summer Days

Best Friends!

Loves Blueberries 

Good Morning Sunshine

Pioneer Day (Have you ever seen such a cute pioneer in your life?)

First Sippy Cup

Such a happy girl

Teething Times

Baby is teething and will not sleep. THis rough on mom which is threfore rough on the other children because I send them to their rooms for long periods of quiet time so that I can "help" Baby get some much needed sleep.
Usually kids sneak out of said quiet time after they get bored, and they get themselves into trouble like raiding the frozen blueberries or flooding the bathroom.
THen mom has a meltdown, and tries to think happy thoughts so she doesn't go buy cages to lock up her children in.
The End.

A New Beginning

I wash dishes when it is dark
and I am tired
I hang up tutus and
scattered dress-up attire
I gather up scattered socks and underwear
and kiss the brows of those
who left them everywhere

I tuck tired toes and elbows
back underneath
their quilts
and beloved blankies

I wipe away crumbs and
sweep up the dirt
I cry bitter tears for harsh words said
and time ill-spent
I push away fears
of failing them

And then my own mother's words
come back to me
washing over me, so soothingly.
"Each day, each hour, each minute
Is a New Beginning."