this kid

I love this boy. He is a genuinely good kid.

First, life has been crazy, to say the least, with five kids. So many schedules to keep up with and way too much nagging to get things accomplished. A couple of weeks ago, Justin and I were talking and I realized that Taylor was never getting nagged. I asked him once and it was taken care of. Homework and piano got done without constantly reminding him. When it was time to go to bed, he went right away (probably has something to do with his love of reading Harry Potter and he was excited to get back to his book, he's on #4), but still.

Sadly, it took me sitting down and reflecting on the last couple of weeks to realize, 'goodness, Taylor is making life easy right now!'. He definitely needed a reward. So Justin took him on a special outing and Taylor was in heaven! 

Second, the other day Taylor and I were talking, I don't even remember what it was about, but I told him I needed help from everyone so that I would have more time to play with them. He said, 'you never play with us.' :'(   Even though I am the mom and I shouldn't be their entertainer, it still broke my heart.  The next day, Taylor and I happened to be outside and so I told him we ought to go jump on the trampoline. So we did. While we were jumping I asked him what were the hardest and best parts of his day. He said, 'This is the best part!' 

It really doesn't take a lot to make someone's day. When you think of something kind to do for someone, just stop what you're doing and do it. It can make that person feel like the most special person on earth. That's what I have learned from Taylor recently!

a birthday party

On Saturday, we celebrated my mom's 70th....70th!...birthday. We celebrated with good food, daisies, horses, and her family (all things she loves). We played a game to see who knows mom the best. I think she has lived a very happy life.

I love my mom for how genuine she is. She has some of the best advice and is so kind. She has been the best companion for dad, she has laughed and loved with him for many years. I love how much my mom loves the gospel and how firm her faith is. She is a wonderful grandma, the grandkids are incredibly lucky that she takes them on horse riding adventures and gives them popsicles and cookies! I am so grateful for this mom of mine and seriously, she does NOT look like she is 70!

 :: half of the grandkids ::

 :: mom's best friend came to celebrate, this horse she gave her...I have a feeling is going to be the new favorite toy at Grandma's house ::

 :: way too much gorgeousness (and perfectly matching) going on here!! thanks sister for the amazing work you did! ::

Happiest Birthday Mom!!! I hope I look as good as you in 40 years :)

this growing up thing

 

^^ lots of heart eyes! And Adeline, she looks so tiny ^^

Getting older, it's just part of being a human. The teenage years are upon us...puberty, getting stronger, voice changing, becoming more involved outside our home, mood swings, emotions. These things are bound to happen. I have told myself for a long time that I would be totally awesome during this phase. I would give our kids the right amount of love and space they need. Let them figure themselves out while being there for them along that journey. I'm thinking I may not be as awesome as I originally thought, but Corbin is making this a pretty fantastic process...so far...

One of my favorite attributes of his that has become more dominant in these later years is his kind heart. I think he has always had this, but I let his excitable-full-of-energy self overshadow this kindness.

The other day, I had spent a majority of the day cleaning and getting our home ready to have guests spend the night. Washing sheets, vacuuming, going through closets and getting rid of things. After the boys got home from school, Rudger, for some reason, was extremely upset with Levi. He ran into the room they share and shut the door. After a while I went to go check in on him. I could hardly open the door. He had grabbed everything he could possibly think of to barricade the door. Books, clothes, the desk, sheets off their bed, pillows, toys...everything. When I realized what he had done, I reacted in a bad way. I had to just walk away. I was so angry and exhausted. (it was a bad time to have Justin walk in the door from work) :)   After having some time to myself, I went back to check on Rudger and help him clean it all up. When I walked into his room, Corbin was just finishing putting the last of the books on his shelf. 

I cried tears of gratitude. I think this growing up thing is not bad at all.

(now I can't help but...kind of...laugh to myself over what Rudger did to try and keep Levi out)

weekend recap 3.11-3.13

 :: she is just the happiest and most drooly baby ::

:: swimming practice at a hotel swimming pool ::

:: the kids lined up to do this ::

 :: together again ::

(and this if just from two families...and one child was missing in this picture)

 :: making brownies and playing cars on a Sunday evening ::

This is the weekend our kids had been waiting for...for weeks and weeks. They hadn't seen their cousins for over a year and the anticipation was almost unbearable. We made the most of the two days we had with them as they were driving through to move to another state.

The kids played and played all Friday afternoon and evening and well into the night. (reminder to never...ever let the kids stay up until 1:00 in the morning again. It was an extra special occasion, but, seriously, never again) We had a big family dinner and then lots of laughs over youtube videos. (this one was perfect with this years presidential election)

Saturday morning we had breakfast and said goodbye to the cousins for the morning and early afternoon. During that time we went for a run/bike ride as a family (Corbin stayed home to get some much needed sleep), then we went on our Saturday adventure to Ensign Peak. Later in the day we met up with cousins and Grandma and Grandpa. We went out to eat and then swam at their hotel. Then sadly, we said our goodbyes realizing it might be quite a while before we see them.

Sunday was a much needed day of rest.

weekend recap 3.4-3.6

 :: working on our Friday stretches (I really didn't have him doing the stretches) ::

 :: we made it to the weekend ::

 :: hotdog roast with friends ::

 :: an impromptu sleepover with cousins ::

 :: yay for spring flowers ::

 :: I am thrilled he does all the pruning ::

 :: Saturday's weather was out of this world amazing ::

 :: family bike ride down the old farm road ::

 :: "they're giving me an obese bum" ~ levi (while brothers stuff sand down the back side of his shirt) ::

:: each boy had their turn being buried in the sand ::

 :: Fast Sunday pictures ::

:: it was a very happy weekend ::

Corbin has been begging to have our neighbor friends over to do a hotdog roast, so Friday night we made it happen and it was a blast. The kids ran around playing capture the flag while the parents sat around the fire laughing at stories of our kids. We lucked out when my sister stopped by for a minute and we begged her to let her kids stay and play, then they ended up spending the night and we were beyond thrilled!! Saturday we worked in the yard. (poor yard had zero attention in the fall time...we were too busy loving our new baby). Then we decided that every Saturday we would go on a 'Saturday adventure'. I am looking forward to this big time! Our first Saturday adventure was a bike ride to a nearby park where we buried ourselves in the sand. It was pure happiness. We also had some much needed haircuts.

Sunday was extra special. It was the first time Corbin passed the Sacrament to our ward congregation. It was so tender to us. I could tell he was focusing really hard to be sure he didn't make any mistakes. I love watching this boy grow up. Also, it was the first time we were all at church together for a long time. It made me so happy to have all of us there together.  

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.... :)