{this moment}

When the big kids are out (at a sleepover), you play.
And realize you really are the favorite child, and Daddy can't help but spoil you.

With a few kisses  and the best pouty face ever you have Daddy wrapped around your finger. And you know it. I won't lie it makes me a little crazy, I don't always like it when Daddy gives in and lets you sneak in our bed or when you come over with a little fat lip to ask for a treat and Dad gives you one just because your cute. You sure have your ways little girl. I do think though that times are about to change a bit with a new little one on the way. You, I know, may feel a change in the order of things once baby arrives. But for some reason I think your going to always be "Daddy's little girl" more so then Syd or Bell. You two have this cute winking thing and you are Daddy's biggest snuggler so maybe that is why you always seem to get your way with Daddy (you know the secret)!

{this moment}

We are trying hard now that it is just starting to warm up to start our family walks back up. Of course Connor is now too cool and won't go unless we force him (which we do some days). 

Tonight though it was just Shea and I watching the fading sun.

Just the girls climbing on rocks. 

Just laughter and excited shouts.

Just exploring and stick finding. 

Just spotting glimpses of deer and rabbits. 

Just goosebumps on our arms.

Just a chill in the air and the night breeze. 

Just enjoying these beautiful girls and this beautiful world. 

And them just enjoying it all too. 

{this moment}

As I watch The Great British Baking Show (my total obsession for the last year) Piper sneaks over looks right at me. 2 inches from my face with a big ole' smile. Since I’m sitting on the floor which I don’t normally do she apparently thinks it is totally strange. It was a freezing morning though and my feet were icicles and lets be honest I was way too lazy to go get my socks. So there I sat. And as Piper pondering, staring and smirking at me. She finally decided what to do and plops right down in my lap facing me, making sure to give me a great big hug and leaning her head on my shoulder for a second before she hops back up giving me a kiss goodbye. Then she proceeds to repeat the stare, ponder, smirk, plop, hug, head rest, hop up, kiss; over and over and over again.

Just smelling her and hugging her with that big ole grin and did I mention the whole time she wanted her favorite pink blankie wrapped around her shoulders, it was a precious moment. And it made my heart swell. Taking it all in wishing time could stop so I could live in these moments!

{this moment}

I got to go to Connor's FIELD DAY!
It was actually pretty nice weather and we were outside all day.
I was assigned to the parachute station which had little to no instructions.
But I got a partner and we made it fun.
I got to see Connor's class right from the start which was hard because I had no idea what I was doing right away and was all alone.
So yes I'm pretty sure his teacher thought I was a dumb blonde all year and this just confirmed it.
Ha it was bad.
But then I got a partner and we got the hang of it and then I took the lead for most of it and we had it down.
The only issue was the MUD.
Which the teachers complained about but we couldn't do anything about?!?

I also got to eat lunch with Connor and then we got to have popsicles on the blacktop together, of course it was very busy and I didn't really get an opportunity to snap pictures except some super cute ones on the blacktop of me and Connor and him and his teacher which got deleted...

But honestly it was a fun day and ironically I always wanted to be a helper in FIELD DAY when I was a kid, and now I finally get to! So yay!

I hope to help every year!

{this day}

A day in the life 

With 4 little ones we have a regular routine that saves my sanity every single day. And I love having a schedule to strive for, obviously things are different every day and some days it's all out the window. But I'm a strong believer that a routine keeps peace in our home, because we all know what to expect. Well for the most part. Today went like this...

6 AM

As always I wake to a door shutting and the toilet flushing. Bella's awake. She's the earliest riser. And it's the beginning of the end of my snoozing but I live in the bittersweet moments of shut eye a little longer. Bella comes up dressed and ready for school, minus the bed head. She asks for my phone, and takes it to her bedroom to watch a show. 

Shea's alarm starts going off every 15 minutes around this time as he continually hits snooze. 

7 AM

Finally I shove him out of bed (literally, he tells me to do it or he may never make the train). By this time Piper has probably started to stir or scream. 

Sydney has woken from her claimed spot on the floor (we're trying to get her to stop coming in our bed each night so now she chooses the floor or our closet...). 

So as I get ready for the day. Shea brings Piper up (if she's screaming) as he leaves and she gets a diaper change and plays with Sydney. 

Connor also wakes and is dressed (or half dressed or still in pajamas) and asks to go on the computer, so after doing his xtra math school assignment on the computer (that's the rule every time he goes on the computer he has to do xtra math first) he plays for 30 mins. Most days Connor just runs down stairs to snag the tv or sometimes I have to wake him, he's the latest sleeper of the kids but not by much. 

7:30 AM

After I'm ready I get a load of wash in (this is essential and I do it religiously because if I get backed up on wash my world quickly all unravels). Then I get Syd and Pipes dressed for the day. And I try to make Syd go potty. I bring yesterday's load down to remind me to fold. 

Now it's off to the breakfast rush. By this time everyone has turned ravenous and if I don't get food out fast it starts looking like an ugly mutiny pretty quick. So pop tarts and dry cereal it is. Pipes gets a bottle of formula and some cereal/puffs (if we went shopping recently she gets a waffle instead). I hear bits and pieces as they play and chase; today it's a princess, a troll and a puppy. 

Now I get Cons lunch prepped and in his backpack, then backpacks get set by the door. Now it's on to hair, so after a little whining Syd and Bella both pull free and while it's less than perfect it'll do. 

8 AM

Now I start making the brush teeth and shoe call which lasts about 15 minutes. I check the weather and make sure we have coats to match the temp and we're off. 8:15 ish. 

8:30 AM

Of course there's always something Connor forgets he needs and we have a long buckle in process so we don't actually pull out of the driveway till now. 

Con gets dropped off first and then we're off to wait for preschool. If I'm smart the tablet is charged and Sydney plays on it while Bella comes up front to work on a workbook for the 15 minutes before Pre-K. 

9 AM

Okay the unbuckling begins and we walk Bella up to school and if we're very lucky; 

Sydney doesn't drag her feet, 

my arm isn't dying with carrying Piper, 

Sydney doesn't pull her hand out of my grasp and bolt screaming "I run so fast", 

Piper doesn't start screaming, 

Sydney doesn't have a tantrum about wanting to go in or play on the playground, 

and we get back to the car without me huffing and puffing. 

But I'm rarely that lucky. So we usually make our way home with someone crying. This is quick errand time; so either I get get gas or mail or go for a short shopping trip. But my favorite days are when I just get to run right home and stuff everyone back in the house and crash. While the girls snack on breakfast leftovers, play and watch TV; I return any texts I've gotten last night or this morn, check up on bills, switch wash to the drier, fold the clothes, do a quick vacuum and my stomach starts reminding me I still need breakfast. 

10 AM

I use my late breakfast time to READ; a book (1 a month year goal, going so well!), an article (I have about 50 parenting or marriage ones open on my phone), the Relief Society lesson (I teach and little by little I gather material, ideas, scriptures, quotes, etc. to use) or if I'm being really smart I read scriptures. 

11 AM

I unload the dishwasher with Syds help and start prepping the girls lunch and getting Piper some lunch which is usually a fruit/veg applesauce pouch, crackers, bits of whatever I'm prepping for the girls and a sippy with water. 

After lunch is prepped and set I offer Sydney to eat now? 

We listen to music as she snacks or plays with Piper as she eats. 

11:45 AM 

My alarm goes off it's, pick-up Bella time! I tell Sydney to go potty and we get shoes and jackets on and we're out of the house, we hurry to buckle up and leave. We get there just in time and make our way to the door. (During winter temps I had some wonderful ladies in the ward who have kids in prek with Bella who helped a ton and walked Bella up and walked her to the car, it made drop off and pick up so much nicer with baby and tot in tow.) But with the warmer weather Sydney likes the walk and I don't mind it. 

12:05 PM

Bella's teachers (she has a bazillion since she goes to prek through the high school program),  always see me walking up and send Bella at full speed out to greet me. 

Sydney loves running to greet her and they even grab hands and act all cute and friendly for about 30 seconds. Till Sydney wants to run and Bella starts forcing her to hold hands and then they start fighting as we finally get to the car, Bella can't wait to tell me about school and wants to start dumping all her stuff in my lap, we try to refrain from that till we get home and in the house though. While I drive Bella talks about her day: 

B: Noah got in trouble. Today we played hideyournationM: Hibernation?
B: We went in the halls and dressed up as our teachers and then hid in the corner. I'm starving we had black cranberries...
M: Blackberries?
B: ... and pretzels for snack and I hate them. Mom you should have told me you liked them, I gave mine to Hollis (her best friend at church and school). Next time I get them I'll tell my teacher to save some for you to have and bring you them.

We get home! 

12:30 -1 PM

LUNCH is set and if Piper is awake I give her a bottle to top her off and then it's off to nap and Sydney is quick to follow. The goal is 12:30 PM or before 1 PM. While we wait for NAP we listen to the primary mix I have saved on YouTube in an attempt for my kids to actually know some, the girls love it! And I love hearing them sing bits and pieces randomly throughout the day. 

1 PM

After post lunch clean up it's Bella's free time and mine! Bella watches TV, plays on the computer/tablet, reads, or plays puzzles, and half the time she falls asleep because lets face it she is wiped. I try to record things for the blog, and eat/netflix and then...

3 PM 

My alarm goes off and after I hit snooze once or twice, I may have snuck in a nap too if I am lucky, we're off to pick up Con! On the way we call Shea or Amberlee, if no one answers we rock out! On bad days I put a show on in the car and get there really early for pick up. Connor jumps, gallops, races, or slumps to the car; and he fills me in on his day. But only through quick worded responses as I have to pull everything out of him and half of the time it is made up...

If it's Friday we head to the park for 30+ minutes. If not I hear lots of whining about it not being Friday. And usually a few "this is the worst day ever" thrown in. But usually by the time we come home and park time for the week is threatened everyone is content playing out back or in the basement for a bit. Usually 10-20 mins before after school battles begin. 

4 PM 

Connor WASHES HIS HANDS and watches one show while he has a snack (my aim is for it to be healthy -which he's usually game for- but let's be honest if he's not in the mood and he has no lunch leftover -that's after school snack #1- then I'm fine if it's a fruit roll up). Then we start on the dreaded HOMEWORK with Connor. Its a battle most nights but in fairness it's a lot; red reading folder and yellow (reading intervention) folder, xtra math (if he didn't do it in the morn), sight words (every other day), and writing (the part he HATES). Bella works on an independent workbook. Usually it's letter writing practice, or scissor/paste pages. She loves every second and rarely ever asks for help or complains. 

5 PM

Dinner prep begins. I'm usually still struggling through homework as dinner starts. It's bewitching hour at it's fullest so I'm totally at my wits end. But I try to keep it together. Connor and Bella go in the basement to practice basketball (Shea has worked with them and taught them basics and encourages them to practice every weekday and if they do so Saturday they go to the school and practice at the big hoops and get sodas). They LOVE it, mostly. It's great for me because it encourages them to play in the basement together and Sydney usually goes down too and they all usually end up just playing. 

If he hasn't already Connor has to take out trash and recycling (his chore). 

5:30 - 6 PM

Dinner is served! Sometimes Shea is home but mostly he's not. After dinner kids get into pjs and we watch a show as a family, sometimes we have treats (usually popcorn, fruit or junk) if the night has gone well and dinner was eaten. Piper gets a bottle to top her off. 

7:30 - 8 PM

It's brush teeth time. And we say family prayer and read scriptures/recite articles of faith. And Piper and Syd go down. Syd gets a story and I always have to remember to have her go potty (she's wearing undies to bed now). She whimpers a bit but usually goes down with not too much of a fight. 

{this moment}

After months and weeks waiting for TROLLS to come out for purchase Connor and Bella excitedly dumped all their coins and together they had just enough! We had a family movie night and the movie was a roaring success. It was funny and had lots of fun familiar songs and everyone loved dancing and laughing to it. Shea loved the high five jokes and Sydney loved watching Poppy blow up and Connor loved watching them get their color gone and Bella loved the "I love you" part and I loved watching my littles all chase and dance to the movie as it ended and credits followed. Piper even joined in with hands high and big full faced grins and belly laughs. It was hilarious and Shea and I of course didn't have a camera rolling but she'd stare straight up at the sky with a big ole' slap happy grin from ear to ear and hands held high and run after Syd only to stumble and fall into a fit of giggles everytime.
It was one of those moments I wanted to last forever. And the movie had been watched at least daily for two weeks. And I love hearing them say their favorite parts and sing their favorite songs and shout and point excitedly to their favorite parts. The girls have obsessed over Poppy and want to be just like her singing and dancing all the time, the very next day even Sydney picked a pink dress to wear and asked for "Poppy hair". I don't think our family has all loved a show quite like this one. Maybe it was the wait that made the movie so good or the songs that just made us all want to get up and dance or the cute little trolls that made the girls want to dye their hair pink or the theme of finding happiness; whatever it was, it makes me genuinely happy to watch it every single time just knowing the happiness it brings all my little trolls!

{this moment}

Listening to my girls (Sydney and Bella) play. They love their play kitchen and use it constantly. They have been playing for over an hour happily in the basement. I love hearing them call each others names as they direct each other in their little restaurant. "Bella it's done." "Sydney it's hot let's put it in the oven to bake." "Sir what's your name and what don't you like?" "Sir here." "Sydney the dishes are everywhere." "Bella he wants more." "Ice,ice." "Bella she doesn't have a chair the baby needs a chair for eat." "Welcome everyone to ye fashion of dinner by yumyumyumyum owned by me and my sister." It brings back my own memories of playing with my brother Ryan and imagining games and loving every it of our stories we/I created. I have the happiest memories of my childhood and feel so lucky for that and as a parent these tiny moments listening to my children play make me think that maybe one day a long time from now they can think back on their happy childhood too, the one both Shea and I try so hard to give them.

{this moment}

I can hear Piper stirring and I try desperately to cling on to the last precious moments before ...

And my day begins minutes before 6 AM with Piper's hungry determined cries. The morning light is so bright I give into the fact that there wont be much more in the way of sleeping for me, but I still close my eyes hoping against hope I'm wrong. It's only minutes later before I can hear Sydney drop from her crib, she has awoken and escaped. Shea's alarm goes off and as he hits snooze I anxiously listen to Sydney play in her room, loudly, probably on purpose in attempts to wake her brother and sister. Before long it seems she's failed and she makes her way down the steps as if they were a slide. Piper had just barely fallen back to sleep but Sydney's invasive snuggles (she is literally sitting on our pillows as she tries to roughly nuzzle our heads with her) fix that right away. Shea gets up to get ready for work as Piper smiles at her big sister who is giving her the best early morning attention she could ask for. I know it's only a matter of time before the rest of the crew is up so I relish these two girls in the morning light; holding hands, exchanging smiles, staring at each other with wide eyed adoration. Just us three. And as I put Piper down in her bassinet, Sydney follows and stands by Piper's side as I get ready. 

It is this moment, while Sydney uses my night stand as a stool and leans over the bassinet to tell Piper repeatedly "I'm your best friend Piper, your my best friend Piper", that starts my day off with a smile and a warm heart and an overwhelming prayer of thanks for this life as a Mother.

{this moment}

While watching my girls play.

Sydney places a blanket and lays a baby down and Bella goes and gets her another and another, as Sydney says "thank you Bella thank you Bella your welcome Bella" after each one. And then when the blanket is coveted in dolls Bella says "ready?" As she starts to fold the baby's up in it to tuck them in. But Sydney stops her and says "wait" as she proceeds to lay on top of all the babies and be tucked in as well. And then they fall into fits of laughter as they hug each other and roll around.

Until Sydney suddenly pops up and says "oh no baby!" And rushes to pick up all the babies she's been sitting on.

Then Bella starts singing to the babies "good night good night".

I love my girls.

Sometimes the best part about being a Mom is just watching them play.

{this moment}

"look mom we're like a family, take a picture" -Connor

And even though the morning has been rough,
and I'm feeling sick and the day looks bleak and gloomy outside;
I'm reminded that no matter what, this right here,
will always be worth more than anything in the world could try to give me.

Even when this moment passes all too quickly.

{this moment}

Where Shea comes home and I curl up in bed and decide I'm done.
I'm checking out for the day.

And Shea takes over.
Bathes kids.
Takes them all on a walk.
Gives them pizza and soda for dinner.
Makes a fort for movie watching and treat eating.
Vacuums.
Then puts them to bed with scriptures and prayer.
And never disturbs me.

But in between each the kids run up and tell me everything,
and then run back down.
And during each I hear songs and silly laughter and playing.
And I smile.

Then Shea comes up and beams from ear to ear with...
"Bella told me I'm the best Dad she ever heard of!"

And that's when I know I sure picked the right man.

this moment

While writing to Santa Connor made sure his top item he wanted from Santa was "remote conroll racecars" and after asking him if there was anything else, repeatedly, he finally whispered in my ear "a picture of my family". He acted embarrassed but I was grinning ear to ear and promptly wrote it down. Well Bella must have over heard because moments later after announcing she wanted "pink" and "present", she whispered in my ear too exactly the same way but asked for "a picture of me".
So there you have it Connor wants a picture of his family and Bella wants a picture of herself!
We will see what Santa brings!

this moment

Usually our house is noisy and hectic, someone is usually crying and someone is usually laughing 80% of the time. Toys are always about and laundry always needs folding, but the moments where I can sit back and relax come (just not always as quick as I want them too). 

This moment when a dirty mess deemed bath time imminent a grouchy Mama took her wee one up all the way to Mommy and Daddy's tub and with just a bit of water and a few bubbles this little girl lit up reminding me that although some days are long and stressful the tiny short moments of peaceful blissness make me ache for nothing less then a whole lot more of this Mama's life. 

this moment

While trying to get everyone ready for bed one night Sydney was having one of her fits of exhaustion.She was so ready for a bottle and bed, but Dad and Mom were busy. I dressed Bella and handed Sydney to her and asked her to hold her and most times she declines but I didn't give her much of a choice. As Sydney wailed Bella started to rub her little head and whisper to her and eventually I heard Sydney calming and Bella's quite tune. It wasn't much of a song just a quiet hum with some tired mumbles mixed in. But for these two little sisters it was a welcome moment of sweet nurturing love. I peeked every now and then to see Bella, kiss her, sing and "shh" her; it was heart melting. When I came back ready to feed and rock Sydney I found them staring at each other, Sydney lingering on Bella's rhythmic hum. That look in Sydney's eyes of complete adoration of her big sister is stilled in my memory, I hope it lasts forever.

{this moment}

As I lay in bed now, home from the hospital, and enjoying a home filled with baby Sydney loving, I'm thinking of a perfect moment last night.

It was late and Shea was tired and after another game of Phase 10 (our traditional hospital game) he snuggled up next to me in my bed. I asked him to stay beside me and sleep next to me, I needed comfort after a restless night the night before (still caught up in my thoughts of the traumatic labor experience). He lovingly held me close all night, and when Sydney stirred silently in her bassinet I scooped her up and relished the moments of us as three, close in the nights stillness.

I may have let a few tears escape me as I held onto the moment caught up in the warmth of pure love and peace, before doctors and nurses broke the quiet and began the day.

I kind of love the hospital stay after baby is born. And those moments with baby Sydney and Shea and I were precious and beautiful and will be kept forever in my mind.

{this moment}

When I just started a much needed midday snooze and I heard toddlers stirring in the next room, just waking from their nap.

With bed head in tow, sleepy whimpering and voices mumbling "momma", I started to leave the warm snuggles of my hubby and rise.

Instead Shea gathered both little ones up and promised them a rousing game of "hippos" --Hungry Hungry Hippos.

The giggles and laughter filled screams echoed through our little home.

My much needed snooze was cut short by my overwhelming desire to join them.

And 12+ games of "hippos" later, we started in on our 3rd box of Thin Mints- Girl Scout Cookies.

There was no camera to capture this moment but it was one I will remember for the wide smiles, cookie crumbles, and pure silliness.

This Moment

Love this moment . . .

Waking up to littles cuddling on the couch.

Love this moment . . .
After church impromptu photo shoot, directed by Connor. 

Love this moment . . .
Surrounded by pillows, blankets, cookies, and popcorn. Family Movie night. With the best snuggles around.

Loved this Sunday.