my lot in life (returned)

They say those who do not know history are destined to repeat it.

Sometimes, however, history repeats itself regardless of my remembering.  Wash, rinse, repeat. Feed, change, repeat. The new baby cries, suckles, needs constant attention. Then grows, walks, talks, and suddenly, you realize, history has repeated itself once again.

For a mother,  the not remembering is a blessing and a curse. If we remembered vividly the morning sickness, the fatigue, the frustration we probably would stop after one child.  So we forget. And with it we may also forget the good things too. The things that fill our hearts with happiness and light. I try to write them down, so that maybe I can remember.

What a sweet, blessed history I have with these little souls in my care.

(P.S. This almost makes me okay with the lack of dishwasher-ness that is my life.)
(P.P.S. Almost)

happy new year!

I love the new year.  A clean slate. A chance to evaluate and change.

2012 was a weird year for me. It was good.  We did some great things and went on some awesome trips. The kids grew so much and became even more awesome than before. Dave rocked it in school and he's coming closer to figuring out our life.  It was also an emotional year for me. I felt turmoiled and frustrated often. I can't really explain why.

So now it is time to look forward. President Uchtdorf in the October General Conference said, "I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt important and loved."

That is what I want in 2013. I want to live purposefully. Some of my goals include rethinking my routines so that I can act out of purpose. And I want those I interact with to feel important and loved. Other goals deal with how I speak to and treat my family and others within my circle of influence.

Here's to 2013! Happy New Year.

capturing december: happiness is...

We didn't take one picture on Christmas day. Not one picture of the look on Ana's face when she opened her typewriter from Santa Claus. Not one shot of Jack dumping out his stocking and seeing little presents and candy. We didn't capture Katie opening present after present.

And we are okay with that. Christmas was a wonderful day. We were all happy and relaxed, though very tired, given the fact that Ana was up at 2 a.m. and refused to fall back asleep except for a couple quick dozes.

But my favorite moment was walking through the quiet house the next morning from my bedroom.

Ana was busy typing away on her new delightful toy.

Katie was playing quietly and happily at the (not new, but still) kitchen.

 

And Jack was happily building with his new Lego set at the dining room table.

 

It was a perfect moment. Exactly what you hope a post-Christmas day to be and feel like. The kids were happy and helpful most of the day, too. And we had a nice turkey dinner with our neighbors.

  

Everyone is happy. I felt like Santa did a good job this year. Today the snow is coming down, my family is nice and warm inside. This is happiness.

merry christmas

Wishing you and yours Joy this holiday season.

funny face

Katie makes this funny face lately. She knows it makes us laugh, too, so she keeps doing it. She also has started calling her pacifier a "pah-pi" which is adorable.

capturing december: family

Spent the morning texting most of my siblings. What started as a conversation of our favorite Christmas movies morphed to gun control, Christmas songs, and finished with Christmas memories, which made me cry.

I love my family.

capturing december: green

We love making Holiday Wreaths for our neighbors. Yummy!

joe and marie get a christmas tree

Since we couldn't be there for Grandma's Christmas Party, we decided to make a video to share with the family. The concept was the kids' idea, Dave filmed and helped elaborate.

My kids are awesome.

this month is such a special one

Let me tell you something about my husband. He is not a man of many words. He mostly keeps his eyes open and his mouth shut, which I think is a good combination. I, on the other hand, am a girl of many words. He usually can't get me to stop talking from the time he walks in the door til we go to bed. (He doesn't really try, though. He's a good sport.)  I'm learning, too, that sometimes it is okay not to say everything I am thinking. So, though I could spill forth all sorts of wonderful things about this man that is mine, though I could write paragraphs on his many qualities and essays on our many memories and a book about his wonderful upbringing by his fabulous parents, I think I will just say this:

Happy 30th Birthday, Dave. I can't wait to spend the next 30 by your side.

capturing december: joy

Katie helped me bake bread today. 

I love being a mother to these little children. It brings me so much joy, any time of the year.