"I'm a New Man"...

That's what my funny boy Caleb said after he got a haircut and we highlighted his hair. Yes, you read that right- we put highlights in his hair. Hey a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do, to get her son to get a haircut! SO we came up with a compromise, because I am all about compromising. I said if he got a shorter haircut then I would highlight his hair. So we went to Mimi's house to get her help with the highlighting, since let's face it, if it didnt turn out he wouldnt be mad at me:) Monique did a great job and Caleb was thrilled with the results. Thanks Mimi!
Here is my little man with his new do!

They Are All Mine!

Here is such a sweet picture of Bryn laying on my ever growing tummy. She loves to lay on my belly and feel the baby moving and kicking around inside of me. I am grateful for having such a healthy pregnancy and I shouldnt complain as often as I do but this HAS been so hard the past few weeks especially the past few days as the time is getting closer of the arrival of sweet Carly.
One pain that seems to be growing also are the stares and comments of people and strangers to me and my family. I often hear "Wow, four kids huh. Thats so many." Or "Gee, why did you do that to yourself?" "You seem too young to have so many kids" And the ever more annoying one.. "Are you done?". Really, I didnt know it was anyone's business but me and my husband's! I often feel as though I am on display for people to just say whatever they want to about what me and Mitch have decided to do as a couple and what is best for our family. Why do people feel compelled to be nosey and rude about something thast isnt any of their concern?
As I was reading the new Ensign for February, I came across this article that was exactly what I had been thinking about. I want to share it with those of you who read my blog. I really feel as this lady does about this same subject. I am grateful for each of my little's. They are my whole world and I wouldnt have it any other way!


“Are these all yours?”
It’s a question I hear often, so it didn’t surprise me when I heard it from the lady behind me in line at the grocery store. I looked at my six-year-old and five-year-old daughters standing on either side of my full cart, my toddler happily swinging her legs from the seat in front, and my four-month-old baby strapped to my chest.
“Yes, they are all mine,” I said, smiling.
From the time my husband and I started our family, our choices about how many children to have and when to have them have often come into public question. The decision to have our first child was not a logical one, at least not according to the standards of the world. We were still in our early 20s. Having just recently graduated from college, my husband was searching for a “real job.” We had a meager income and no insurance. Still, the impression was undeniable that spirits eagerly waited to come to our family, so we proceeded with faith.
We were blessed with a healthy pregnancy, a beautiful baby girl, and a stable job with a career track. I was grateful to be able to stay at home with my daughter and the three children who followed. All were brought into our family after strong divine impressions that the time was right, but that didn’t make it easy to explain to others why we would have so many children so close together.
The many inquiries I unfailingly receive often question my judgment: “Why so many?” “Do you not realize how much it costs to raise a child to age 18?” “Can you really give each child the attention and opportunity he or she needs?” And, of course, “Are you done yet?”
I hope we’re not done, even though the years of parenting small children are intense and extremely challenging physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. There are days when children need to be fed, diapers need to be changed, babies need to be soothed, and noses need to be wiped—all at the same time. At such times I question my sanity and wonder if I know what I am doing. On those days the voice of the world seems to laugh in derision, as if to say, “Told you so!”
But how grateful I am during those moments for the teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the value it places on families. Every day I rely on gospel principles taught by prophets past and present to know that my work as a mother—and it is work—is the most important thing I could be doing in my life and is worth every effort. In answer to fervent prayer, I receive divine assistance daily to do what I am asked to do in my home. Through His tender mercies, a loving Father in Heaven allows those days of absolute exhaustion to come punctuated with moments of incandescent joy.
So to the woman at the grocery store and to others who wonder why I would devote my heart and soul to raising children, I proudly reply, “Yes, they are all mine—gratefully, whole-heartedly, and without hesitation!”

Bryn's Blurbs

Lately I have the most talkative three yr old ever. She says some of the cutest things like...
The other night at dinner she said "Mom, You're my best cook."

Or when she said "Do you know why kids are allergic to dogs? Because they are scared of them."

When her and Aubrie are playing its always "Pretend that..." She ends it in things like "you're my mom" or that "we are babies" or my favorite that "you're my boyfriend" she tells her daddy that one!

One day last week we were going into the store and she grabs my hand and says "I love my mom. And I love my daddy, and sister and brother and baby sister and my grandparents" So sweet!

My favorite word she says she "Actually" Because she says it like "AKKshully" She really emphasizes the first part of the word and even has a little bit of rasp come from the back of her throat when she says it.

Just some cute things I want to remember of my baby.

Pop Goes the Perfect Popcorn...

Caleb had his science fair at school yesterday. He got 2nd Place with his project about "Which brand of Popcorn pops the most kernels"? He found that Orville Redenbacher's and Popsecret brands leave the least amount of kernels in the bag after they have popped, only 17 left behind versus The Safeway brand, that left the most behind 65. He gets to move onto district which he is really excited about participating in. Way to go Caleb:)

Frosty the GIANT Snowman

This past week Farmington got more snow in one week than I think we have ever seen. The kids barely even went to school due to MLK day on Monday, then Tuesday and Wednesday were delayed snow days and then Thursday and Friday they completely cancelled school! Talk about alot of kids in the house. Luckily, Mitch was off for most of those days and he played with the kids. They went sledding and the girls and him built this massive snowman in our backyard. Fun!

Update on our crazy life...

This morning Brynley insisted on going outside in the snow just in her pj's and boots. I knew she would only last a few minutes and so I didnt protest, just seeing an opportunity for a cute photo.
Sorry I havent updated my blog in a few weeks. Pregnancy=Procrastination. And on top of that Mitch and I both have been really sick. With strep and sinus infections.
So a quick update...Last tuesday Brynley had her adenoids out. I was so nervous about it and everything went well. Her Doctor had said it was a good thing we did it because her adenoids were pus infected and definately the cause for all her sinus infections and colds. After her surgery, she was asking for me right away and so we went back only to find our sweetie not so sweet. Coming out of anesthesia for little ones is crazy! She was thrashing around and crying uncontrollably. She didnt even seem like herself. But after we got her calmed down and some fluid in her they let her come home. She puked twice and after that was a new kid. She ate 5 popsicles, 1 bowl of ice cream, homemade mac and cheese, chicken noodle soup and lots of water! She never eats like that. She was pleasantly happy and from there on out never showed any side effects from the surgery. Oh except for her nasty smelling breath! The dr. said it would be the worst smelling breath ever and he was right. It supposed to only last two weeks so I am hoping it goes away soon!
Caleb has been working on his science fair project for next monday's science fair. He also came home on friday with his report card and got straight A's again. Since third grade he has only made 1 B and all A's since. I am so dang proud of him! He is such a good student and really takes it seriously. I mean how many 10 yr olds do you know that already talk about what college and career they want to pursue?
Aubrie also got a great report card. They dont do A's and B's yet in kindergarten but she excells in all of her subjects and loves school so much. Such a thoughtful little gal she is. This morning she wanted to share some of the banana bread I had made with her teachers. She is always thinking of others:)
Mitch and I finished baby Carly's room last week and we are slowly but surely getting things ready for her arrival. Yay!

Wishful thinking...

Where I wish I was at... warm, tropical, Hawaii- Need I say more...

One year older...

Happy Birthday to my little Brynley Boo! She turns three today and I feel like I cant even remember where those three years have gone! She is our spunky, wild child and we wouldnt have it any other way. She tries to keep up with her brother and sister and often says some of the cutest, cleverest things to ever come out of a child's mouth:) I love that she is the complete opposite of Aubrie and I can often see myself in her! She has waited all year long to have her birthday and so she was so thrilled this monring to wake up and hear us singing Happy Birthday to her! yay Brynley!