our valentine

This year Valentines Day felt extra special with our newest little Valentine.

And my favorite is that she has four brothers and a daddy who will always love her so. (and of course her mommy too)

corbin and the priesthood

When Corbin was so very little, I often thought, it is going to be so crazy when this boy is twelve and is in young mens, and is going to jr. high, and receives the priesthood, and is passing the sacrament. I always wondered what he would look like and what his personality would be like. I knew that time was very far away.

And now, here we are. And like everyone always says, that time went by WAY too fast.

On Sunday, we had grandparents and the bishop come over. We sat in the family room where the men laid their hands on Corbin's head and Justin gave the most beautiful blessing. Just like that, our little boy, who grew right up, had the Priesthood.

We have had some nights, since his 11th birthday, where he stayed up late with us and we talked about growing up. The challenges, the joys, trials he will face, and choices he will need to make. We talked about the Priesthood and what an honor it is. I hope he remembers this, but most of all, I hope he remembers the spirit that we felt and the love we have for him. This boy is so very special to us.

On Sunday, we gave him a special binder and inside we put some excellent Conference talks (ones we discussed leading up to his ordination), his line of authority, and some extremely special letters from his grandparents and great grandparents. Later that night, he wrote about this day and added it to his binder. I hope this will be something he will treasure even more in the years to come.

Sunday was a really, really good day.

Things to remember for the future: take pictures before daddy changes, check everyone's hair before taking pictures, make sure white shirts are clean so he doesn't have to wear a sweater vest to cover the spill, (and make sure it is a vest that is not too small), have him wear a tie and tuck in his shirt. 

That's not asking too much is it.... :)

growing corbin

This morning I have been pouring over old pictures of when Corbin was a toddler. Those were really good and extremely exhausting days. This kid was full of energy and an excitement for life!

He still has an adventurous spirit, but those exhausting, toddler days are long behind us. That little boy has grown into a fine young man. And as much as I wish for him to be little again, I absolutely love these 'pre-teen' days!

remember when

After school is always the craziest time in our home.

It started before the big kids even came home. Rudger and his best buddy were playing upstairs while I was finishing a cleanup project downstairs. (I was finally putting Christmas decorations into their bins...I know...shameful) Right before I came upstairs those two little ones decided it would be a good day to take a container of Nutella and spread it all over the couch, seriously the entire couch. I almost cried, but I didn't. We had a talk and got to washing all the cushion covers.

Real life.

Then it hit me in the early evening. I had dinner started. I was talking Levi through some of his homework. Adeline was tired of laying on the floor so I went to pick her up to try and soothe her. Rudger really wanted to try mom's rollerblades around the house but he just kept falling down and crying. So, while holding Adeline, I held Rudger's hand and we glided around the kitchen table while talking to Levi. Then the song 'Remember When' came on Pandora:

"Remember When the sound of little feet

Was the music we danced to week to week"

This is it. These moments, whether happy or sad or crazy, are our life right now. The life I chose! I know I will long for these days when they are just a memory. Yes, maybe even moments of Nutella being spread across the entire couch.

my valentine

^^ definitely one of my favorite pictures ever (and it makes me long for summer) ^^

Justin says if you set expectations really low, you will never disappoint anyone.

We have never been very big on Valentine's day. Most years he has surprised me with flowers or chocolates, but some years we really don't do a thing.  With Valentine's Day on Sunday this year, I was not expecting a thing.  For the past week I had been feeling overly stressed about many things, number one being, how in the world I was ever going to get on top of house chores. It made me a less then happy mommy and wife. Justin picked up on this pretty quickly. :) Over the weekend, he spent much of his spare time taking care of the things I just wasn't getting accomplished. He even managed to get the boys to clean their room, which I can nag them until I am blue in the face and...nothing. Justin has a different effect on them.

And this was his gift to me this Valentine's Day. He really knows my love language!

Unfortunately for him, he just set the expectations a little higher this year.

february weekend recap 2.12 - 2.14

 :: The valentine boxes were 100% their idea. Corbin did his completely on his own, and Taylor and Daddy were the masterminds behind king bob minion. They were beyond excited ::

:: Levi made a valentine bag at school, I love his teacher! Ruger is all about the candy ::

 :: ready to be babysat so mom could go party with the 6th graders ::

 :: snowshoeing with my valentine :: 

 :: memory is always played on the couch ::

 :: valentine brunch ::

:: chillin in her favorite seat while mom destroys a waffle love copy cat ::

 

:: this picture is taken about 2 1/2 minutes after getting home from church, that's how fast some of the boys change into comfortable clothes ::

 :: boxing night ::

:: a little closer look at the sister, seriously when did she get so grown up ::

This weekend was a much needed weekend (ok, every weekend is, but especially this one). Friday afternoon I had a major headache and, unfortunately, some big friend day plans had to be cancelled, but some very sweet angels came to the rescue and the boys were very happy. Friday night was much better and Corbin ended up hanging out with friends at our home and our neighbor's home. Saturday we loaded up the car and headed up north, dropped off the kids with my adorable niece, and headed to some blue skies with Jenny and Janzen. It was a blast! Sunday we spent a lovely Valentine together and ate delicious truffle brownies and we were all super excited that their was no school and no work the next day!! Monday holidays are the best!

february weekend recap: 2.5 - 2.7

:: she is constantly sucking on her fingers...or else trying to stuff her hold hand into her mouth ::

 :: just a lazy Saturday morning. after Adeline got dressed we went to everyone in the house so that they could get as excited about those shoes as us girls were ::

 :: the thought of building this lego set again, after a certain youngest brother destroyed it, was a bit overwhelming ::

 :: she is always...always...looking for her brothers ::

 :: these boysies always have a creative game going on Saturdays, and it almost always involve legos ::

:: checking out the new home phone at the T-Mobile store, we finally realized it's 2016 and you don't have land lines in 2016 ::

 :: Rudger got a hold of the big camera and I obviously didn't care, and I certainly didn't care about the mess ::

 :: these two ♥♥ ::

:: every fast Sunday we do pictures ::

:: with it being the peak of RSV season, Justin and I trade off with Adeline on Sundays. she did not want to be put down one bit and I needed an extra hand to make some food ::

 :: all ready for the superbowl, these boys LOVE using the stools as personal tables, and Adeline was totally into the game ::

:: he is a good big brother ::

:: we really aren't a football watching family, but when the superbowl comes, we can't help but get excited. Corbin predicted the outcome of the game - the Bronco kicking the Panther back ::

:: it was a very good weekend indeed ::

Also this weekend we watched the new Goosebumps movie, it was kind of fun to watch a show that made the boys want to cuddle up close. We also enjoyed way too many treats. And after the incredibly crazy week we had, it was sooo nice to just be together with no other obligations.

But, I still feel like I am recovering from the messes made over the weekend.