Dinner, lots of first, homework

 Good times around here with our little Sam. What a bundle of yumminess. Is it possible for a baby to get too much love and kisses? He has got it coming from so many different people. The poor kid gets attacked multiple times a day. He better like it because it is not changing any time soon.  

Look how sweet they are. My heart just melts. Seriously, try and tell me there is anything better than this. Watching sibling with one another is so sweet!

Gavin has started to have homework lately. He is really pretty proud that he gets to be like his older siblings. Kate has cheerfully volunteered to help him each day. It has been fun watching the two of them interact and play these roles. Who would have ever thought. These were my babies and now they are so BIG. 

 Emma has been working super hard on her reading.  The last couple years have really pushed her to work hard. I am really proud of her good attitude to keep trying. I love when I get a chance to sit down and read with her with no distractions. (ok, there are always distractions) I have been trying to read a lot more with her.  Just her and I went to the library last week to pick out a few books and then we sat and read them together. Just the two of us. I wanted to freeze time.

 Ethan loves to help out in the kitchen. He was really getting into making the pancakes into all different shapes. I was trying really hard to not get upset with craziness. That's another story. They tasted great and that is what counts, right? 

Sam has been going nuts over his hands. He can not get them in his mouth far enough. He would rather play with them most of the time over any toy.

This last week I took Sam in for his 4 month appointment with the doctor. He weighed 16 lbs. (50-75%). His head and height were in the (75-95%). Doctor Gill gave me the go ahead on starting Sam on solids. She also said he was good to start sitting in his walker and johnny jumper. I was so excited to come home and try all these new things out. He was a good sport about trying them all.

He liked the rice cereal. He did pretty well using a spoon.

Johnny Jumper was a hit. He isn't quite bouncing around, yet but he loves being able to stand and be right in the mix.

His poor little feet do not reach the floor yet. We may give this one a little more time. I think he will like it more once he can walk around and follow the kids. Ethan has already been pushing him around fast. 

I have been dying to get home to visit my family. It has almost been one year since I have been home. That has got to be a new record. I may try to take the kids and drive home in April for our Spring break but that is too far away for me. Only my parents have ever met Sam and he was only days old. He has changed so much!

Thankfully, Lance agreed with me when I suggested that Sam and I take a trip home soon. I just booked a flight home for this next week. I am getting so excited. I felt terrible telling my kids that I was going alone. We always go together. They were understanding and made me promise we would go ASAP.

Back to school, 4 month Sam, new quilt

The kids went back to school last week and my home been so quiet. I absolutely loved having the kids home and playing each day but this girl was craving a little routine and alone time. Oh how the peace and quiet sure feels nice.

Sam turned 4 months yesterday. What a sweet little guy he has become. The older he gets, the happier and more content he becomes. I love watching him grow and get more personality. He loves to play with us. His eyes light up as he smiles, squeals, and even giggles sometimes. His arms start flapping up and down as his whole body wiggles around.

 I feel like I must have died and gone to heaven most days. All the big kids leave for school and it is just me and him left to snuggle and play. I am so grateful for this time together. I love being able to devote all my time and energy to learning him and figuring out what he needs and when he needs it without distractions. It is so rewarding and fulfilling to me. I had forgotten how much joy little babies

 bring into my life. 

The ladies in the house just melt when Sam wimpers and sticks out his bottom lip. Every single one of us run to his aid. Can you say SPOILED? Plus he hardly ever has to lay on the ground. Some one always wants to hold him. 

Yup, that is Sam being carried around by Abby (Baby Bjorn) as she mops the floor. 

 This picture is just a little late but I had to include it. Kate wrote a letter to Santa during school. 

 . . .and Abby made this adorable chevron mug at a pottery place when she visited with her friends.

Getting back into a routine has been great in so many ways but difficult as well. Sometimes I feel like a drill sergeant or a task master. I try to keep calm and use my "nice mommy" voice. I have chore charts printed out and continually ask the kids where they are at in completing their list. Slowly but surely we are getting back in the groove. Here is a glimpse into our after school time.

Yeah for Emma, She got an A+ on her book report!!!!

When we first moved to Vegas almost 13 years ago, we met some life long friends. So many fun couples and neat families. One of my first friends there was Hydee Seever. We both had a couple little kids that we stayed home with plus we lived super close to one another. We would get together for park days and playdates often. It was such a fun time in our lives with our little families just beginning.

Over the many busy years, Hydee and I have kept in touch through email, blogs, and Christmas cards. Hydee is one of those amazing women I have always admired so much. She is such a good friend. Her example of motherhood is one I think about often. She has such patience and faith.   Her and her hubby Adam live in Arizona with 7 beautiful kids (and I mean beautiful, several have this gorgeous, long, red hair and with perfect fair skin, oh my). She is super creative and artsy. Did I mention that she also home schools her kids? Wow! I know that things are not always peachy for her and I love that she keeps it real and would be the first to tell you that life is not always as perfect as it may appear.

When I was thoughtfully considering having another baby, #6,  I emailed Hydee for her thoughts. I explained all my worries and fears. She was the perfect person to talk to.  She was honest with me about the work load that I would have but helped me remember the importance of this decision and what a blessing each child is.  I was thankful for her true friendship that helped push me to reach higher.  She encouraged me and told me I could do it.  She sent me a long email with lots of great articles and quotes from church leaders about the family and the sacred privilege of motherhood.  She told me of the importance of simplifying so that I could handle things that were more important. She even went so far as to order me several of her favorite parenting books and mailed them to me.  I was blown away by her kindness.

A few weeks ago I received another package from Hydee. It was a beautiful handmade quilt from her. I LOVE it. Quilts are one of my favorite things because so much time and thought goes into them. They are so personal and individual. They are made with love.  I adore that every time I pull out this quilt, I think of her. Thank you Hydee for being such a dear friend and example.

I had almost forgotten that when Hydee had her 3rd baby (way back in the day) I made her a very simple baby quilt. She posted pictures on her blog. I got the biggest kick out of seeing the pictures.

Sam absolutely loves his new quilt, also.