All too Familiar

But Let's Embrace It. :)

Happy Valentine's Day Date.

The Beloved called me around noon on Valentine's Day letting me know he would be making a romantic candle lit dinner for two upon his return.

Ooh La la.

I like. Even love probably.

The kids had McDonald's, dressed in their PJs and I rented Free Birds to babysit them downstairs. 

The Beloved made outstanding stuffed peppers, prepared a green salad and we cheated a bit with the carbs on some extremely desirable french bread. We're being healthy. It's weird and great.

Our meal was the perfect gift.

And... we only had one party crasher.

Moo could sense we were having sugar free chocolate covered bananas and strawberries (that were surprisingly delicious) and had to sneak a bite - or maybe seven.

Thanks Dear for your thoughtfulness and hard work in the kitchen. There is nothing sexier.

Love you. 

The morning after. :)

Little C's 11. What the World.

Little C ice skating FAST at his b-day celebration.

He invited two of his pals to go ice skating with us and accepted the accompaniment of two little brothers.

Little C was off skating his brains out. He LOVES to ice skate - but this doesn't allow time for him to be captured in many photos. This was Lou's first time ice skating and he was a champ. He fell numerous times but got back up and tried again.

Ruckus on the other hand - HATED ice skating. :)... at first.

But eventually began to enjoy himself.

Even paused for an "USie"
(I'm so annoyed by the word selfie that of course I know the other terms of annoying picture taking descriptions - like USie is taking a selfie of you and someone else - also if you take a picture of someone while they're taking a selfie it is called a themie -  my knowledge is vast.)

Hanging with his buds.

The Beloved, who refuses to participate in any activity where something other than shoes have to be attached to his feet, stayed home with Moo and The Baby. :) In his defense,  he does desperately struggle to keep "The One" off the ground when engaging in sports aforementioned. :)

 Ha - "The One"  - it still makes me laugh.

I had a really fun evening with my older boys. We ice skated for about an hour and then had deliciously hot chocolate afterward.

Little C and his friends sat at a different table than Lou, Ruckus, and I while we sipped our hot drinks. Ahhh, It begins. How does he not recognize how amazingly cool I am? :)

Little C,

The other night we made a tally of how many times you disagreed with us during Family Home Evening. I think we arrived to the number 8 within the first five minutes. You are the disputer my friend. A funny, sarcastic, never ending disputer. I see a future in the law business. Aunt Angie told me the other day they call your close cousin H, who has similar qualities in this department, "The Contrary". Ha. I love it. You guys will probably disagree with this naming of Cousin H and make up a word similar to the silliness of the word "irregardless" except have it be "irrecontrary" - meaning contrary of being contrary. 

What? I don't know. I'll stop teasing you now. :)

Anyway - 

although you love to disagree (which is truly is a trait you somehow developed from The Beloved, who loves to play devils advocate A Lot.) you also are quite obedient despite your verbal retorts. You are my go-to guy. 100%.

I don't know what I'd do without my eleven year old pal. You've mastered making macaroni and cheese for your hungry, younger siblings when I'm busy with a task. You can babysit, mow the lawn, shovel the walks, warm up the car on a cold day, and OCD clean when you put your mind to it. When I was pregnant with your sister you were even willing to ride your bike to the gas station to get my sleepy, overly large self all of the items sprawled out on my cravings list.

You're so cool.

  These trips were short lived though after you came home telling me about all your various friends you were making at the gas station. 

Alert, alert! Scary! Danger! What was my prego self thinking? 

NO craving needs to be met that badly. 

But thank you so very much for your kindness while I let it last.
You usually tell me what's going on in your life. Please continue doing this. I love hearing about what is going on in your fifth grade psyche.
You did have a girlfriend for a bit but then The Beloved and I decided we were being undependable in our belief re: not dating until you're sixteen. We thought it was kind of cute at first, you having a little girlfriend, and since you can't technically go out on a date at this age - no harm, no foul. But the truth is, there is no exception to the standard, so we had a little chat with you about not dating until you're sixteen - what that means - and how we're sorry for the lack of discouragement previously shown. You responded beyond your years; understanding perfectly.
But, I still felt bad.
Then next day you obediently broke up with your girlfriend. You explained you really did like her, a lot - but you can't have a girlfriend. You said you were way too immature for a relationship (your own very wise words).
I was super proud.
She's been horrible to you ever since. 
It breaks my heart and ticks me off.
We've discussed how girls are crazy and she's responding this way because her feelings are hurt.  Sometimes it's hard to be strong but I've been overly impressed by your endurance.
We tease you that you're suffering from MMS and MMR.
MMS - Multiple Made-UP Sicknesses
MMR - Multiple Made-Up Randomness
You are a bit of a worrier and hypochondriac so if anyone is sick or injured you probably will be to.  If your friend brakes a bone, you're sure you will to. You questioned me for about half an hour the other day about breast cancer. Can you get it? No Little C. No Little C. No Little C. Over and over again. I felt a little dishonest knowing once in awhile a man does develop this kind of cancer so I shared this info with you - focusing on the rarity of it - which brought on another half hour of questioning. Funny guy.
MMR - you are random, random, random. Asking questions completely out of the blue with zero relevancy.
Example -
"Mom, if the only way to save my life was to eat my poo, would you?"
"Yes."
"Really! You would eat my poop?!"
"If it meant saving your life, yes. Wouldn't you eat my poop to save my life?"
"Yes."
So... there you go. We've agreed to eat each other's poo in a life or death situation, though we both dry heaved a bit at the thought. What a bond we share my boy. :)
Tween Little C is fun.
You sit with the adults now being chatting whilst humoring us with your wit and sarcasm. 
It's so enjoyable getting to know "growing up" Little C. 
I love, love your guts buddy.
Please forgive me for my teasing.
I adore you immensely. You are such a blessing in my life.
Love,
Mama

Remembered More...

TRULY SUCH A DELIGHTFUL READ.

UPON FINISHING THIS BOOK I HAD SUCH A DESIRE TO BE A BETTER SPOUSE. I ALSO GAINED A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ATONEMENT. ALTHOUGH IT IS A FICTIONAL STORY -THERE ARE SO MANY ENLIGHTENING LIFE LESSONS TO BE DISCOVERED.

... This one was left out of my series loves.

Some of my Favorite Reads -

LOVE THIS SERIES.

IT'S A GOODIE.

A LITTLE MUSHY, MAKE YOU WANT TO BARF - BUT STILL WORTH EVERY OUNCE OF THROW UP IN YOUR MOUTH.

SPIN OFF SERIES OF VAMPIRE ACADEMY. THE FOURTH BOOK WAS A LITTLE RISQUE BUT DEFINITELY NOT AS CRUDE AS VAMPIRE ACADEMY. I'M A FAN OF BLOODLINES FOR SURE.

FOUR STARS.

COMPLETELY DUG IT.

SUPER CREATIVE AND FUN.

THE BEST ENDING OF A SERIES E.V.E.R.

ENTERTAINING.

YOU CAN READ THESE WITH YOUR KIDDOS. ME AND ARTEMIS FOWL ARE TIGHT.

TRULY THE BEST SERIES EVER. T.H.E. B.E.S.T.

Series I am embarking on now -

I just finished Etiquette and Espionage and am moving on to the sequel. 

p.s. sometimes I have to get out a dictionary to figure out what the heck they're talking about but it's worth it.

Cover looks freakier than Miss Peregrine's really is. I enjoyed the first book. I just got Hollow City on my Kindle so it's on the list to read. 

You decide if you like this one.... it sucks you in quick.

Share your read loves with me!

The Naming.

OF. THE. BOOTY.

Ruckus has named his bum -

Ivy.

Oh my word.

This kid was born hilarious.

The other night before dinner I called the kids to the table and they were being  OH SO VERY  CRAZY; running around trying to smack each other on the rear and then Ruckus kept screaming -

"Don't touch Ivy!" 

(who the heck is Ivy, I thought)

His brothers were delighted with the creation of Ivy which encouraged them even more in the continuous abuse department. Ruckus embraced it fully and I've almost never heard such glorious laughter.

I finally calmed them down (booties now forgotten), The Beloved arrived at the table, dinner began, and I informed him that his four year old had named his hind end.... Ivy.

Not that we needed proof of The Beloved being all male - but he completely jumped on board with the boys.

Naming his own bum - The One.

Little C's - Bartholomew, and Lou's  - Douglas.

They were laughing so hard that luckily me, Moo, and the Baby were left out of this assigning.

Which was a relief because I truly don't need my bum to become a proper noun.

Before I Had Kids -

I was still deficient in my punctuality but for different reasons-

it was never because I woke up to a bed filled with macaroni and cheese needing to be cleaned - brought in by my four year old in the middle of the night so he could cuddle and eat his dinner left overs at the same time - while The Beloved and I snoozed away unknowingly. 

Or.... after a quick work out I was never interrupted by a cute baby having an extreme blow out, where it not only blows up the back, but also up the tummy and down the legs as well - while she smiles on proudly.

and then after I hurriedly give her darling chunky self a bath and take a moment to cuddle while warming her in a towel  - she graces me with a warm flow of pee all down my front.

And when my children have kids and they give me their extreme reasons for tardiness I will believe them because I have been there, done that.

And I will laugh a bit.

Many Sides of Moo

He is desperately devoted to his Little Sister and calls her "His Baby".

Grown quite attached to the rocking horse and carries it around like a stuffed animal; even cuddles with it at night.

Watches TV with his sunglasses on but can't see so he lifts them up a bit to get better light.

Refused to wear pants one cold evening and finally settled for his sister's leg warmers. :)

We Love the Mooster!

Baby's Blessing

Wearing the dress Buckabu worked so hard to get here.
Beautiful.

Moo and The Baby aren't loving the sibling photo shoot.

Do you see our sweet two year old, photo bombing niece? :)

Grandma and Grandpa holding the newest grand-babies  in the family. 

Precious feet.

We had such a wonderful show of support for the baby's blessing. 

Grandpa, Great Uncle Monte, Uncle Jordon, Uncle Joe, Uncle Dave, Great Uncle Brett, Cousin Timothy and The Beloved were standing in the circle to help in the blessing of this little girl. I'll share the parts I remember -

The Beloved gave a beautiful prayer mentioning her sweet, sweet spirit numerous times.  How her spirit will bless and soften our home, how her family will protect her sweet spirit, she will have opportunities to serve the Lord, get married, and be a wonderful mother like her own (Wow, I better step up my game so this blessing can be fulfilled :).

  Aunt Shanny and her family had to depart before the blessing took place but she took such loving care in getting The Baby dressed for her big day. It was a special moment. Before they got on the road she also cleaned my house so it would look stunning upon our return - and also so I wouldn't be quite so embarrassed for our company to enjoy lunch with us afterward. (The blessing occurred the weekend after Thanksgiving so we still had a plethora of fam staying at our abode. Things can get a bit messy.)

Speaking of lunch - The Beloved's cousins and our dear friends stepped up to the plate laying out the food, serving it, and then cleaning up afterward so The Beloved and I could just sit around and chat, take pictures and enjoy family. They're wonderful friends!

Service is amazing isn't it? I am blessed by it daily and feel so fortunate to be surrounded by family and friends who are in tune with the Lord and who follow through with the various promptings they receive to bless so many other people's lives.

I want to be like them when I grow up.

I want to share a few snippets I remember from the boys' blessings.

Little C was blessed by my Dad and the only line I remember is that he will be raised in a good and loving home.

Why is this significant?

Because at the time he wasn't being raised in one and I thought, how can this possibly come true? So sad.

I was still married to his dad and in our home their was a lot of chaos, arguing, and the spirit was rarely present.

Now look at where we are!

Little C - you are being raised in a good and loving home.

We love, love, love you!

You are such a gift.

Lou's blessing spoke of the incredible relationship he will have with his older brother and that he will be a blessing in Little C's life. It also spoke of him marrying in the temple and that he will marry a woman like his mother. (Good luck buddy :)

Ruckus' mentioned how his talents will bring many to the gospel.

Hmmm... I often look at him with his many talents and try to imagine what exactly that might mean. His outgoing personality, creativity, art skills...? We shall see.

Moo's focused on missionary work quite a bit. That he will be a leader in righteousness. Wow. Pretty powerful my friend.

What amazing men I am surrounded by! 

First, by my spouse who I learn numerous things from always and from these cool, little guys I get to call my own.

I know all of my children will bless the world somehow.

I have faith in their goodness and in the gospel.

I love the peace and security it brings.