8 Things for Tuesday

This is me trying to catch up from a month of not blogging much. So here ya go. Shoving it all into one post ;)

1. Thanksgiving
We went down to my parent's new house for Thanksgiving. All of my siblings were able to be there this year and it fun to see them. The storms held off for the drive down, but driving back was a little scary. We made it safely though. The next day we spend time with Leland's family for his nephew's baptism and spending time with his Mom and sister Katie that came up. It was an exhausting but fun week!

2. Snow!

We got our first snow last Monday. The kids were so excited to play in it! Esther can play in the snow for hours. Adele and Israel lasted about half hour. Then when we were gone we got pounded with more than a foot of snow. We are so grateful for our neighbors who shoveled all of that while we were away. Now it is starting to melt and creating some epic icicles on our roof. One is more than halfway to the ground. 

3. Decorating the Christmas Tree

We almost always put up the tree before Thanksgiving. The kids can hardly wait once they see Christmas decorations going up elsewhere. Decorating for Christmas is one of my favorite memories growing up. I'm glad my kids already love it so much. They all wanted a turn putting the star on the tree. Only Esther could finally get it up there though. (That small star is kind of pathetic, I think we need a new one haha). We continued the tradition of letting them each choose an ornament. We went to Rainbow Gardens with Kylee and her boys and let them choose. I'll let you guess who's is who's. I am still looking for a Baby's First Christmas ornament for Baby Boy, so he doesn't have one yet. 

4. Sundaze

Sundays have been a little crazy since having Baby Boy. There were/are many weeks when I feel like it is not even worth it to go. I know it is though, and last week were miracuously able to make it through sacrament meeting without having to take anyone out.  Having two under 18 months was rough since I am in primary second hour, Leland usually had to take both babies with him. Israel has started nursery now and seems okay about going. 

5. Random Pictures

Israel's man ponytail-contemplating cutting his hair again

Cutie Esther at school pickup

A grass doll Esther made

Our new triple stroller-my favorite thing

Fawn-by Esther

Two kiddos in their favorite outfits-by Esther

Our Thankful Tree

6. Beauty and the Beast Play

A few weeks ago I took the girls to see a local high school production of Beauty and the Beast. The were so good there and were completely enthralled with the play. They got to meet Belle and the Enchantress afterwards. They were, understandably, too afraid to meet the Beast lol. Adele also wanted to meet Babette and Mrs. Potts but they were already gone by the time we waited in line to meet Belle. 

7. Leland

Leland isn't usually in the limelight here on the blog. But he is in the limelight in our family! He works hard for us and I am so grateful for what a great husband and father he is. He helps with the kids so much, and is 100% invovled with all we do around here. I'll save the rest of the sappy stuff for our anniversary post ;)

8. Finding Joy

I've been feeling a little off lately, certainly very tired, but probably also just being in survival mode for too long.  My days taking care of four small children are so exhausting. Even after doing all I possibly can I often feel like I am still lacking in giving them everything they need. I find myself saying "If I can just get through this stage, things will be easier" which is probably true. But I never wanted to be a mom that wished any of it away. I sometimes long for days when having just two children seemed like such a burden, but in hindsight it really was a breeze. I am trying to find joy in the little things. I am trying to simplify and do the things that bring me joy instead of doing what I feel pressured to do. Anyways, this article from this month's Ensign has really helped me. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2019/12/the-hunt-for-happiness?lang=eng

I am trying out some of the suggestions as well as doing something I have resisted doing for years, waking up before the kids! I have heard it is a game changer for self care as a mom and I am finding that to be true. If I can start the day with a few minutes of alone me-time, usually to study my scriptures in peace, it really helps the rest of the day flow smoothly. 

My favorite part of the article is this quote:

Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once taught: “One’s life … cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free.

“… How can you and I really expect to glide naively through life, as if to say, ‘Lord, give me experience, but not grief, not sorrow, not pain, not opposition, not betrayal, and certainly not to be forsaken. Keep from me, Lord, all those experiences which made Thee what Thou art! Then let me come and dwell with Thee and fully share Thy joy!’”⁵

I think a lot of us are seeking for the stress-free life. I've come to realize that the joy-filled life and the stressful life can co-exist at the same time. All of the uncertainty of foster care has certainly brought a lot of stress to my life these past few months.  A part of my struggles is from worrying about the grief, pain and sorrow that will happen if Baby Boy leaves our family. Not knowing is so hard, but I know I can turn to the Lord for peace. Peace in knowing that we will be okay no matter what happens, peace from the guilt of feeling like I'm not enough, peace from all the turmoil in the world, and even peace knowing that all of these experiences are what is molding me and shaping me into the person He wants me to be.