{a family thanksgiving}

Up until this Thanksgiving, there has only been one other year that we've spent the holiday with family--my parents--since we moved away for grad school. If we were going to go home, we would save it for Christmas, and it was just too far to justify the expense with such a short travel period.

Then a miracle happened. :) My sister and her family moved to the Midwest after her husband completed his medical residency, and now live only 7 hours away! I was thrilled, because I knew that holidays, especially Thanksgiving, would now be possible to celebrate with family.

This year, not only my sister's cute family, but my parents came to our house for the week of Thanksgiving, and it was wonderful. Just imagine 7 kids--6 of which were age 4 and under--running around and completely enjoying each other. They hadn't been together since they were babies (other than Ryan), and it was so fun to see them playing and getting to know each other.

During the week, we ate a TON, shopped, had a girls' day out to see Tangled and have lunch, played games, watched movies, went to cut down our Christmas tree, and ate some more. My parents helped so much with the kids, I was able to go and do a few things on my own, and even sleep in a little bit. It was fabulous. It was also fun to have them at church with us on Sunday. Memorie and I have always maintained that we don't look alike, but I can't tell you how many people thought she was my dark-haired twin. It was crazy. And fun.

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The timing was perfect...my parents were able to see the girls' preschool pow-wow.


Kate and darling baby Eliza


After helping me make rolls...


Three little cousins, snuggled up watching a movie


Playing games and watching football--Ryan loved having these guys play Monopoly with!

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My parents also got all of us (adults included) new Christmas pajamas, snowman-themed. Everyone matched someone exactly--and the kids loved it. One night we opened them up, tried them on, and attempted to take pictures. :) It was quite the feat to try and get that many little kids sitting still and looking at the camera. We actually don't have one like that, lol. They are darling though, and priceless.

All the girls...


Kate, Emma, and Eliza--the only girl cousins!


All seven. Someone was always on the move, usually Henry B.


Another attempt...(still on the move)


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We missed them as soon as they pulled away, and the house seemed so incredibly quiet. We can't wait to get together again!

{gratitude}

It started out simply, at Ryan's two week checkup, when the doctor noticed a funny smell when she was checking his umbilical cord, which had mostly come off by then. She told me to keep my eye on it, and if I noticed a red ring around the belly button, to call her right away.

A couple of days later, Ryan was really fussy. I couldn't get him to stop crying, and I didn't know what to do. I did notice some reddening around his belly button, but it seemed so slight, I wasn't sure if that's what she meant. So, I held off a little longer, no wanting to be go in and have them tell me it was nothing. If only I could do that over again.

A few hours later, Ryan was really struggling. He was miserable, and I was beside myself. I finally decided I would take him in, but I had another problem. We had only one car, and with Rick traveling from Salt Lake City to Ogden each day (work to school), he had to take it. Somehow I needed to find someone to take us to the doctor's office. My mom lived hours away, and most of my friends were working. My dad was in town on business, but he didn't have a vehicle that would fit Ryan's carseat. We were in a married student ward, but we lived in Centerville, and most of the other members lived in University Housing in Salt Lake City. Finally, I called my friend Angie, who worked at least an hour away. I knew that it would be hard for her to leave her busy job, but I also knew that if she could possibly help me, she would. Sure enough, she was able to come and pick me up, then take me into Salt Lake to the doctor's office. One look at the belly button, and the doctor sent us straight to Primary Children's Hospital.

He was admitted into ICU (even though he was so tiny, he couldn't go into the NICU, because he had already been released from the hospital), and immediately there was a flurry of people--doctors asking me questions, and nurses hooking him up to a million different tubes. I could barely keep my composure, and I was fighting back the tears. I had no way to get in touch with Rick, but I was so grateful that Angie was there with me. She finally had to leave, and I was alone. I was scared, but I knew that they were doing everything that could be done. I felt so young--I was young--with only a two week old baby in a big hospital with no one else around. Up until that point in my life I had never prayed so hard. I knew he was sick, but I didn't realize how serious it was until a doctor (and a friend that was in our ward) told me that if I hadn't taken him in when I had, that it could have been a very different story.

During our stay in ICU, I was able to meet and talk with other patients' families. To the left of Ryan's bed, there was a boy around 10 or 11 years old. As I started conversing with his mother, their story unfolded, and it's one that I have never forgotten. Her son had been diagnosed with a terminal illness, and he was basically living out the rest of his days there in the hospital. She was from Idaho, but Primary Children's served a large area, and his illness required him to be there. So, her husband was back in Idaho working, and taking care of the rest of the kids, while she stayed there with her son. They would come on the weekends that they could afford it, but the cost of these continued trips, and of her living there all week was staggering for them. In addition, her other two living children had been diagnosed with the same illness, and would most likely not live past their teens.

At that moment, something changed in me. Her story has truly never left me, and touched me in a way that I struggle to fully explain. Still, when I'm in the midst of trials and hardship, or even when I'm having a difficult day with my kids, I remember that strong, faithful mother, and her strength and courage. It doesn't lessen my struggles, or minimize my feelings , but recalling this experience always incurs immense feelings of gratitude--knowing that there are always so many things I have to be grateful for--and buoys me up, giving me the strength to keep going.

That sweet mother taught me an incredible lesson that day, with her patience and gentleness, and ultimately her faith and gratitude. This Thanksgiving season I am overwhelmed with all the good things in my life. I am indeed blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you--have a wonderful day!

{my boys}

After posting about my girls, I couldn't leave out my handsome boys! I absolutely love having boys. For a long time I wanted all boys--five of them--my own basketball team. Ryan has been the light of my life since he was born--so much fun, and all boy.

When I found out I was having girls, I was totally taken by surprise. I guess I just assumed my plan would come to be. :) I'm grateful for that surprise, because I wouldn't have it any other way. When we knew we were having twins again, I was really hoping for another boy, and I got two of them! They are a joy--they are both as darling as you can get, and their little personalities just get more fun every day.

They have formed quite the duo. Henry's the brawn--he'll go barreling through any door (I do not know what possessed me to put lever door handles in my house. They are only 15 months, and I have to lock all the doors--inside and out.), open any drawer or cupboard, and climb just about anything. Jack just comes right behind him, and then together they can create some pretty crazy messes. They're just lucky they're so cute. :)

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Jack Jack



His little personality was completely captured in these pictures. LOVE them.

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Henry


Henry has always had the biggest and most infectious grin. You absolutely cannot help but smiling when you see it.

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Ryan


What a good boy. For most kids, going from being the only child for almost 8 years, to being the older brother of 4 little ones, would be a gigantic and rather difficult adjustment, but he has assumed the position so naturally, and so well.

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Jack & Henry


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{eggs}

Since Rick was gone last night, it was all about a fast and easy dinner. Breakfast food always fits the bill, so I decided on cinnamon toast and scrambled eggs.

Would you like to hazard a guess as to how many eggs I used? Really, if I didn't make it myself, I wouldn't have believed it.

16.

Yes, you heard right.

That is CRAZY. I started with 10 eggs, thinking it would be more than plenty, but those were gone before I could turn around. As I was making the next batch, I was talking to a close friend who has 7 children, and I scheduled an appointment with her as soon as possible to discuss making meals for a large family.

I feel so unprepared. I didn't have the experience of adding one child at a time, so there has been no "easing into it". In three years I went from 1 child to 5 children, and I'm still stuck on cooking for just a few. There have actually been a couple times in the last few weeks that Rick has come home to no dinner. Not because I didn't make it, but because it was all gone! I obviously need to start figuring out the amounts needed to feed our family. It doesn't help that my babies eat way more than my girls--seriously, it's almost ridiculous. Henry looks like he eats a lot, but don't let Jack fool you--he may be little, but man, can he pack it in!

One other thing that needs to be adjusted? The grocery budget.

Someone might need a second job.

{my girls}

I am in love with the pictures that were taken of my girls during our recent family photo shoot. Our fabulous photographer managed to capture not only their darling smiles, but their little personalities and a glimpse into their relationship with each other.

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This one is my absolute favorite. I feel like we're getting to see some special secret between them.

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Sometimes they will disappear for hours--to their room, or to the basement to play. I'll peek my head around the corner, and my heart beats a little faster when I see them together, totally enraptured in each other, and what they're doing.

I hope they always have that closeness, regardless of other friends, interests, and activities, and as their mother, I hope that I can be the best facilitator of that that I can.

{leverage}

Each one of my children has a very large bag of candy (or two) in the cabinet, labeled with their name. My general rule after Halloween night is 1 piece a day--at lunch. That strategy has continued to work well, however, I've discovered that it has provided me with even more leverage than I thought, and it works for all kinds of things!

• If you say a "bad" word, you owe 1 piece of Halloween candy of your choosing. Say another one, and it's my choice.

• Fighting or arguing? Another piece.

• Disobeying, or not listening? Another piece. Or two.
  

• Potty training? Works like a charm.

• Need to get out the door fast? Try a little Halloween candy.

Let me tell you, I have never seen them move or obey so quickly.

I might have to have it around more often. :)

{halloween}

What a whirlwind week. Each day and night was packed full, and I felt like we were going 100 miles an hour. I have to admit that I love being busy. When I'm in the throes of the craziness, I try to tell myself I won't ever do all of it again, but I don't believe it. :) There are just so many things that I want to enjoy with my kids, that it's worth all those moments of chaos along the way.

Parties at school & with friends, our ward trunk-or-treat, and an outing to Whiting Forest were the highlights of our Halloween season, and I can't wait for next year!

P.S. Ryan was a farmer. He was already off with his friends by the time I got the camera out, and the kids ready, so I missed getting his picture. He looked darling, but don't tell him I said so. :)