Brexton

Brexton Moroni was born January 13th at 9:40 a.m. I was so filled with joy and relief when my nine pound nine ounce boy was lying on my chest, skin to skin, looking up at me with little spit bubbles popping all over his mouth. He was here at last. Safe. Healthy. Warm. Mine.

When he was three days old we had to be admitted back into the hospital because his bilirubin levels were too high (in other words, he had really bad jaundice!). It was horrifically emotional for me to be newly postpartum (aka HORMONAL) and sit by watching all the nurses poke my tiny guy again and again looking for a vein to get an i.v. into. I am so thankful that is over.

Thankfully our stay just lasted 36 hours or so and we were able to go home again where a house full of eager arms was anxious to hold their baby brother. Everyday I am so grateful for the help I receive from my Big Kids. Whether it's cleaning the house, making dinner, rocking Brexton or changing his diaper I always have helpers willing to do the job.

Having six kids and homeschooling has definitely been an adjustment of craziness and hectic scheduling but we are all so so happy our little guy is here. Everyday he makes us smile!

Sweet as Honey

We toured the local(ish) honey-making store with our homeschool group. My kids are huge fans of honey and they were in heaven watching the little bees in their glass case and looking for the queen.

We had a little science lesson on queens, drones and worker bees. Everyone got to see how the honey was bottled, taste some flavored golden deliciousness (my favorite was cinnamon honey!) and ask as many questions as their little hearts desired.

We love taking time out of our house and away from our books and schedule to learn about life and experience it hands-on. And, we love spending time with our favorite friends!

Milking Cows and Making Cheese

We joined our homeschool group on a fun fieldtrip to a ranch this week.

Mel was particularly excited as she is our lover of all things farm-like. We loved being in the beautiful mountains, seeing the grassy meadows and nearby ponds and spending time together.

We watched how the ranch milks their cows. All the kids seemed fascinated as they stood around the fence quietly looking on as the milk dripped into the container. We then learned how the milk was pasteurized and sent over through pipes to the neighboring building where cheese is produced!

We enjoyed a picnic with our friends, the kids played games for a couple of hours and then we got to go watch a huge batch of cheese being made. The kids were fascinated to see the process from start to finish.

Fine Finishes in 4-H at the Fair

This year we decided to put the kids in 4-H. I wasn't prepared for the amount of time and energy it would take on some days--but I wasn't expecting it to be so rewarding and fulfilling for the girls, either.

They worked hard for months on their projects. Melody grew a beautiful garden (those are her squash on top that earned first place!), painted some ceramic pieces, learned to sew and grew to love her 4-H group and their service projects.

Hali crocheted a blue ribbon beret (thanks to Grandma's guidance), sewed a skirt that took second place, learned to bake some wonderful cookies and biscuits and realized that there is more to life than basketball!

I was proud of their accomplishments and ribbons they won at the county fair. Hali's beret and Melody's sewing kit both took first place and were sent to the state fair. They each qualified and placed in the local Home Ec Skillathoon (Melody was the high point individual!) and went on to compete at a district level where they both brought home ribbons and Melody came home beaming with her High Point Individual medal she won at district as well!

It was so great to see them progressing in areas they never knew they were skilled at, and learning new things that will help them when they become adults. Definately it was a lot of work, but the payoff was worth it!

I Love to See the Temple

Hali turned 12 a few weeks ago and we thought it would be special and meaningful to take her to the temple to do some baptisms for family members.

The session was unique, especially since it was just her! It was a wonderful feeling to watch my eldest daughter turn her heart to her ancestors and perform a work for them they could no longer do themselves. There was a wonderful spirit of peace and love that filled the room and I know she felt it as well. I'm so blessed she is in my life and grateful to be her mother!

I hope that she will remember the advice and counsel given to her by one of the workers inside. "How wonderful that this is your first visit to the temple. Don't let it be your last."

It's Going to Be Fine

Thanks to the faith of a six-year-old little boy we found out a few weeks ago that Roman's prayed-for little brother is coming down from the universe to join our family in January.

Probably because my faith isn't as strong as a child's and certainly because of the experiences we've been through, it has been a nerve-racking ride up to this point with me wondering and worrying every step of the way. I've been so thankful for the daily prayers of my children for their growing baby sibling and their (growing) mother.

Things are finally beginning to change within me. More than just literally. We invited Melody to the ultrasound with us when we went. She was with me at the ultrasound with River when we found out he was gone and we wanted her to experience the joy of seeing a miracle at work. When we saw our little baby squirming and moving around, the light in her eyes was a memory worth sharing. Watching the little beating heart, the waving hands, the kicking feet--it was priceless. And even though ultrasounds can seem pretty commonplace for a family whose experienced so many, this one was especially remarkable for us.

There he was, our precious prayed-for baby boy. Alive. Awake. Amazing. All of my fear and pain and worry washed away in that moment. Looking at that little life inside of me, I knew right then and there that no matter what happened-- it was going to be just Fine.

Roman's Prayer

Back in March Romy came up to me with the saddest little face. "I wish I had a brother," he lamented. "I'm kind of tired of all these girls!"

I laughed a little and apologized. "Sorry, bud. We tried!"

He thought silently for a minute then added, "Do you think if I prayed really hard for a brother, Heavenly Father would send me one?"

I didn't know what to say.

"Well," he continued, "I'm going to try. Right now." And so he plopped down on his knees right there on the living room rug and bowed his head, scrunched up his eyes and remained there for quite a long time. I didn't know what to do.

"Okay, Mom. I did it. I prayed for a brother." He proudly announced with a glimmer in his eyes. At this point I was still in shock and hadn't said a word. Then, after several seconds, he looked quizzical and asked, "Do you think he's on his way yet?"

"Ummm....uh....I don't think quite yet, son."

He nodded "knowingly" like he totally understood and said, "OH! Because he has to travel ALL the way down the UNIVERSE?"

".....Right. That's why." Then I thought for a second and asked, "Son, do you even know how babies get inside mommy's tummy?"

"Well, yeah!" He said matter-of-factly. "You have to swallow 'em!"

Well, duh! *laughing to myself*

I will let Dad fix that later. :)