May Vacation

Grandma Dooley came and stayed with us when Kendrik was born. We were able to go to the natural playscape and see all the animals. There they have Buffalos and Elk. We love that place because it is like a secret escape away from the city. All of the grass in this picture was killed by flash flood and the animals had to be moved and all that is left here is mud because the standing water was on it for so long. Can't wait for it to grow back out. 

Grandpa Kirk and Little Kendrik

Demitri found this massage machine and laid on it for a good while and sighing exclaimed, "Aw this is the life!"

When Kendrik was like a month old we made the trip out to Yellowstone to visit family, and spend an amazing week at a cabin in Yellowstone. There the kids were able to roam and play with cousins. We even had an Easter Egg Hunt since Holly missed Easter being away on her mission. That was a lot of fun for both kids and adults. I was terrible at finding the Eggs but I will for sure do better next year!

Looking at all the animals.

Paisley loved the four wheeler. We also had a razor to drive through creeks and snow drifts. That was a lot of fun and very messy! 

Blessing Day

Kendrik's Blessing Day:

What a special day this was. It was a great honor to watch Shane give our son a name and a blessing in church today. Shane did a beautiful blessing and gave our son the name Kendrik Everet. 

I love the name Kendrik, and I thought it combined my initials KND and Shane's middle name Kirk nicely. The name Everet comes from my Grandad. When picking out his name I got to sit with Shane and share a few stories and personality traits that I thought represented my Grandad and then he was able to review and ponder those thoughts as he prepared for the blessing. A few qualities that I thought were important was the ability to work hard, and to have faith that bares perspective, wisdom, and love.

Shane had told Demitri he could go up there with him and sit on the front row quietly to watch. Demitri took that as up like where the speakers and choir sit rather than the audience's first row. Oh yes imperfectly perfect!

Kendrik's Birth

This pregnancy had been relatively normal with lots of contractions from around 20 weeks on, but rarely consistent so I didn't have the constant wonder of, "am I in labor now?"

I decided to be induced on April 13th five days prior to my due date, because 13 is my lucky number! (Sound reasoning right?!!) but really-
-birthday: Friday 13th
-engaged: 13th
-married: Friday 13th
- Kendrik's Birth: Friday the 13th (also my half birthday)

On April 13th I once again was braver than I wanted to be... but ready to get it over with Shane and I made the awkward drive to the hospital. It just didn't feel right driving there knowing they were going to cause pain where as in other hospital visits we went there to try to manage the pain I was already feeling. Choosing to be in pain is surreal. Being induced I had heard was more painful, but I think it is simply they take their time and draw it out longer.

We came in at 6 am, and spent a lot of time relaxing and watching Netflix while my mom watched the other three kids. My blood pressure dropped at one point and I felt so hot and relaxed like I was going to go to sleep, but don't worry they fixed that and I was back to telling Shane what to do with the fans. (on, off, on, off...sorry) At 12:45 I was dilated to a six and pretty relaxed; epidural was working wonders. Around 1 the on call doctor came in (He was my favorite doctor! So lucky!). He came in to double check and immediately the doctor said, "There is the head. Get everyone in here." Haha like I said the epidural was working. Anyways it didn't take long before Kendrik was out in all his beautiful glory. Shane was so in love with Kendrik and watched him while they did his stats. He took his time bringing him over to me and kept saying things like, "oh would you look at that yawn!" -Yeah I wish I could. haha

Mom brought the kids in later that night. The kids were a little much so they didn't stay long but I love introducing a new baby to the siblings. Demitri climbed right up in bed and cuddled with me a while.

Daphney and Mom came to visit on Sunday and Daphney and I were able to play skipbo and hang out with the new baby. Church had been canceled because of the amount of SNOW!

Welcome Kendrik!

Parent of Four

So before I actually had 4 kids I watched Jim Gaffigin's comedy about what it feels like to be a parent of four kids:

"Just imagine you are drowning and someone hands you a baby."

I thought that must be a exaggeration in order to get more of a joke in his comedy routine. Having babies is such a joy on any occasion that having a baby while drowning is probably just more fun right?!

HAHA- I have since learned no one has described this situation more adequately than this quote.

* The only thing I would add is that while you are drowning and exhausted everyone stares at you with their "I am so glad I am not you, but your family is so adorable face".


So I will be honest I have felt this way, out of shear exhaustion of trying to give my kids every experience and attention that parents of one give their children. I was trying so hard to train my kids to act like normal kids in society that are obedient and well mannered.

However this Sunday in church, I was sitting there watching my kids

 * NOTE -They were not the PERFECT picture of well trained and attended to children.

There sat Daphney in a laced mint dressed that was too big but it fits her length and desire to be BIG. She sat guarding the hymn books so she could be in control of handing them out when needed. And yes I accepted her hymnal without letting her know I had two others already beside me. 

Next up in the front row was Demitri who looked like an angry fairy twirling during the sacrament song and changing rows during the sacrament prayer because he needed a better view of the sacrament table or maybe so he would be first to get the bread and water. 

On my lap I held Paisley in over-sized dress-up princess shoes and giant sparkly dress that scatters glitter everywhere. (We can't ever find her other shoes or convince her to keep them on so this floppy hard plastic pair it is.) On her lap sat the blanket she had to have. 

Lastly there was Kendrik, a chunky little stud in a vest still in his car seat.

Yes not PERFECT-

But I was overwhelmed by a feeling of gratitude that my children were blessed to have a mother that can't possibly micromanage them and force them to be boring children that are always doing what they are supposed to or expected to be. They have wiggle room to really experience life while they are toddlers and while mistakes are easily corrected, but also room to form their own personalities that are strong and spirited unrestrained by rules of reality and adulthood.

Yes I might miss watching parts of their soccer game because I am pulling my two-year-old's head out of the conveniently located porta potty or peeling a kid off the tall chain linked fence all the while comforting my colichy newborn. Yes if I had one child my son would have been told not to have 100+ rocks stuffed in his pockets during his game because that is noisy and weighs down your pants. He wouldn't have had his Spiderman mask to take out and wear during half time. My lucky kids!

As I sat there in church and saw my kids I decided not to try so hard to fit in or to force my kids to be like they are "supposed to be" BUT to enjoy them as they are.

I no longer felt like I was drowning. We were PERFECT in our IMPERFECTION.

I am reading this memoir called the "On Kitten Creek". In it the author talks about how she missed God's blessing of peace because she was living in fear of a life out of control.

Who needs to fear chaos in life when you have made God a partner in your parenting. I know that he will bless us to see clearly the things that have eternal consequences and then let everything else fall out of importance. There is even purpose in the chaos.

Chaotic Four is the PERFECT # for NOW!

Yes when you have siblings your parents don't notice you pack a two-foot-tall piggy bank on the family vacation. Giant gorilla in the back window? That is normal! 

Walmart

So the other day I went to Walmart and of coarse I went after the kids were in bed because I am getting smarter. But being an exhausted prego woman I thought I had earned the right to wear my pajama pants (It is either sweats or skirts these days).

I walked in the door and the greeter starts making a big deal about how I should have let her know it was pj day so she could have worn hers. I roll my eyes [Whatever lady] and I just keep going trying to maintain dignity.

I enjoyed the rest of my shopping til I was waiting in the long line at the self check out and heard her yelling across the store from her spot at the door...

"Hey, hey, you! Don't feel bad that you are in your pajamas. You are not the only one. I just saw another and I told her all about you!"

At this point the hoard of people in self check out are all staring at me. Thank you very much!

-If I were to get a job outside of the home I would definitely choose a lab worker at the hospital. I love sitting in there and feeling so normal no matter what I look like. Everyone there looks tired, and in their slippers, and without makeup. It is so REAL and INSPIRING!
#Living without Fluff! #Walmart is too classy for me!

Counting Down Days/Hours till my Hospital Resort

What does 

           39 Weeks Pregnant... with #4...

                                            look like in reality?

Today we went to Daphney's soccer practice and I was so excited because I wanted to not only be there but WATCH it since I will miss her first game due to the baby being born. 

PS. She has had a rough little while as in weeks and has been pretty grumpy, but at practice she was having so much fun and participated in all of practice without complaining about needing a break to rest or drink water (her two favorite parts last season). 

I however spent my time waddling/jogging after Paisley as she dodged players and coaches on other fields who were trying to catch and remove her. I finally had to sit and hold her down because honestly I am a slow chaser. This is when she decided she wouldn't wear her shirt and little boys started making a big deal about the distracting half naked baby. The whole practice ended with her thrashing on the ground half naked and refusing to head to the car and if that wasn't attention grabbing enough the other two were yelling from across the field, "Unlock the car!" I of coarse would have done so just to stop the stares of other parents... had we been close enough to the car, but sadly Paisley and I still had that far to make it. 

We get home and the kids are starving because apparently the dinner I made before soccer practice was not worth trying. So they made their own disgusting Miracle Whip sandwiches while I cleaned up syrup that had spilled in the fridge. Then I heard Paisley yelling I need more sugar! [Correction] Miracle Whip/ 1/2 cup of sugar sandwiches...  I turn around to catch Demitri drinking out of the milk carton.

I hear my mom's voice in my head as she reminded me this morning to take it easy today. Bahaha! Just doing the basics of parenting is not taking it easy.

I can't wait to find out what mom of four looks like!

Fun Stories Update

1.) So, I have been working for four months now, and how do I help you understand working mom life: 

Well my daughter ate a bowl of shredded cheese for breakfast, AND I was so proud she ate it at the table and with a spoon. 

Life is not picture perfect, but we are all learning and loving and pulling together.

So I am perfectly satisfied! 

2.) Daphney was laying on the couch during Conference and says to Shane, "Dad look at my feet don't they look like a butterfly? - Well I mean a butterfly without any wings though?"

 -What is a butterfly without any wings?! Yes just like that dear! :D

3.) The kids got lots of candy =wrappers at the local Easter egg hunt. During conference the kids ate them and I told Demitri to make sure and be careful not to make a mess because we would have to clean those all up. To which he proudly said, "I know mom that is why I am shoving them under the couch see?! 

-Oh yes what a beautiful stash of wrappers. Thanks for your consideration kid.:D