Day 17: Cade's Part in the Program

Today was Cade's church Primary Program. He was up there on the stage looking so big and cute. He stood when he was suppose to stand, tried to sing, and when he said his part he said it with such confidence...

"Im Cade. Jesus loves me."  My mom heart filled with such love and pride and felt he was the absolutely the cutest and best one up there. 

It was so beautiful hearing them sing "I Feel My Saviors Love." I love the words. Its always been one of my favorites. 

1. 1. I feel my Savior's love
   In all the world around me.
   His Spirit warms my soul
   Through ev'rything I see.
2. 2. I feel my Savior's love;
   Its gentleness enfolds me,
   And when I kneel to pray,
   My heart is filled with peace.
3. 3. I feel my Savior's love
   And know that he will bless me.
   I offer him my heart;
   My shepherd he will be.
4. 4. I'll share my Savior's love
   By serving others freely.
   In serving I am blessed.
   In giving I receive.
5. Chorus
   He knows I will follow him,
   Give all my life to him.
   I feel my Savior's love,
   The love he freely gives me.

  I felt like my heart was being filled with light and love as I listened to the kids sing. Am I making myself feel this? Why am I feeling this? It has to mean God is real and His love is something that is so real.  I have come to feel more trust in not knowing and trusting in something greater I cant understand. Trusting in those feelings of light, peace, and love that I cant fully understand. 

I took a picture of Cade outside of church and Ryan wanted one too.. meaning he screamed and cried in the his car seat until I got him out and took one. He wanted a stick in his picture too.  He spilled bubbles on his shirt in nursery and Im kind of glad he did because his little shirtless self is just too cute. 



I hope you had a great Sunday!

Love,
Em

Day 16: Pizza Party Tradition

Friday is our Pizza Party day. I started it because by the time Friday comes around I am tired of making dinner. Pizza is something every one likes to eat and I can pre-make the dough and sometimes the pizza if I have the time.  The boys love having a 'picnic' in the family room and making a hide out. We choose a fun show, a new one if we can, and sit and eat. Levi walks around like a crazy boy trying to steal everyones pizza and drinks ha Since we've had this tradition it has made Friday a celebration day. We made it! It makes a regular day a fun day. Just put the word party on anything and suddenly it sounds fun. Pizza party, cleaning party, organizing party, laundry party...:)...

ahaha this cracks me up. Cade and Ryan both picking their nose at the same time. Very into the show.

Tonight I went to a ladies craft party and made this.....





It was a whole lot of fun. Talking, treats, and painting....and getting a break putting the kids to bed. It was awesome! 

Love, 
Em

Day 15: The Boys Went Hunting

Im loving this writing challenge. Ive written more these last 2 weeks than I have in the last 2 years. Writing small things daily is way more doable in my mind than sitting down and writing a blog documenting a big event or all we did the last month.  I stole the idea from daily vloggers and I think it is something that keeps me more alive in the daily happenings of life. I was kind of questioning myself but I really think you just have to keep doing the things that make you feel like you have life in your veins even if it doesn't make sense!! Create, love, share, whatever your heart wants and needs and I think you are probably going in the right direction. Thats what I think anyways.  

After I posted my favorite things about Levi I remembered a few more things that I didn't want to forget. He is so playful and such a tease. He loves helicopters. We always have helicopters flying around our house and whenever he sees one he always 'kaka'. He also knows where I have my dark chocolate chips in the freezer and begs for them 'kakkakakakak.' I love his little wave. His little wrist turns side and side. He loves to wave goodbye when we goes to bed, to Cade when he leaves for school on the bus, when daddy leaves for work, or random people at the store. He loves to climb on things and he's getting so brave. I love how he shakes his head yes or no to most everything I ask him. Im so in love with that little boy. 17 months is such a fun age. 

Today was just good. So many cute things I could write that my boys said or did. I just love them. Im trying hard to see their nuisances as phases and be patient in teaching them. Today Cade asked if he could pretend to go to army work and walk to the next door neighbor's tree. He kissed and hugged Ryan 'just like daddy' and walked out with his gun. 




 Then Ryan joined him and they hunted for pigs. 

Notice Cade's paper sticking out of his pocket. He's always got some type of 'army work' he's carrying around with him. Either a cut out of an army newspaper or his own drawing of a ship or helicopter. 4 is such an awesome age. For what a hard toddler he was, he sure is turning into such a good kid. All those things 2 years ago he wouldn't do...eat his food, go to bed, follow directions, help out, brush his teeth, use the bathroom, be reasonable hah...he's now doing and its so nice!! He is so fun and he cracks me up with the things he says and does. 

Cade whenever you read this, I love you. Those words almost seem too simple to capture all that is in my heart for you. You are such a special boy and I hope you always feel God's love for you in your life. Never hide your light. You have so much to share. 

Much love, 
Em

Day 14: Bumper Bikes

Today was full and satisfying. I feel like Im finally in a place where Im thriving most days not just surviving.  Levi stopped nursing completely last month and we pretty much all sleep through the night. Except Ryan will still come into my room once a night...most nights lately.  One of my favorite things I pulled out last minute to do with him today is this craft...



He was so focused on gluing and choosing which 'treasures' he wanted to put on his paper. I never did school things so consistently with Cade like I have been able to with Ryan and Im just glad that I have the energy, time and desire to do it now. It really feel like Ive accomplished something and I like that. Its so cute to see little Levi get in on it too and he will do the actions to the 'Chicka Chicka Boom Boom' Book and the '5 Little Monkey' song. He loves putting his hands together like the alligator and then slaps his hands together to snatch the monkeys out of the tree. Its so cute. 

One of my boys favorite things to do is play outside with our little neighbors girl and they had so much today riding bikes and chasing each other. I captured a few pictures of their fun time. 







Ryan pushed himself along Flintstone style trying to get on their tail and they all thought it was pretty funny. Im so grateful for good neighbors and friends! 

Love, 
Em

Day 13: New Fall Decor

Flight School is just what they say it is...hard! Hard for the daddies who do it and for the mommies and kids who wait long days for their daddies to come home.  We cant complain really because its just life.  We are so lucky to have a job where we can enjoy life and pay our bills and Brice can go to school to do something he is excited about. They are paying him to go to school basically. But still, life is life and we must work...and we are all learning the meaning of patience. 

I redid my entertainment center with cheap stuff from Target and stuff I had and well here it is....



The two little white pumpkins and banner I got from the dollar section of Target and the clear vase from the Dollar store. Did you know they have clear glass vases there that are worth buying for a dollar?? Im so in love with the change, the subtle fall hints and the price. 

Much love, 
Em

Oh this quote...all hearts!! How true and wise! 

 

Day 12: Dont Sweat the Small Stuff

This is how we do baths each night. When will they get too big to do this?? I hope not anytime soon because three boys in a tub is about the cutest thing there is. 

Last night I I got completely lost in a story on instagram. I found this sweet sweet lady 'alidegraff' who lost her fourth child at 22 months. Her writing was so poetic and moving. My heart just broke and I couldnt stop thinking of her. I woke up thinking of this quote I read on Glennon Doyle Melton's FB page 'Love Warrior' and felt like maybe it was something that she might like to read.

 

I sent it to her and I hope it was ok that I did.  I pray I never have to know such heart ache.

Her story and words completely touched me and I woke up with a completely different attitude. You know what, it doesn't matter. All this stuff that seems big really isnt. Im going to love my babies today. Im so happy they are here with me. Im so grateful!!! Im not going to sweat the small stuff because all I really need and want is all here...them. 

We humans are so complicated. If you think about how complicated the heavens are, all the different dimensions of reality, the things scientist have discovered that is out there that we cant see on such a microscope level, its really mind blowing. Im such a nerd I love this kind of stuff.  There are so many people.. scientist, philosophers, astronomers, historians, physicists all trying to put the pieces together. God is so big and so great we are just scratching the surface of what reality really is. I imagine it is the same for us. We are so deep and complicated but simple at the same time just like life and creation. Think of all the studies, research, writing, blogs, philosophies just on human complexities. So much is out there to help us better understand ourselves and still we are just scratching the surface. The same simple but complicated stuff that makes up our universe also makes up the reality of our spiritual selves. No wonder we run around like a bunch of crazies down here haha we are all just learning. We are all just trying to make sense of this stuff we call life. 

Much love, 
Em

I love quotes. They speak such simple truths. It wakes up my soul to something better. Here is one I found today that was just too beautiful not to share. 

Day 11: Little Levi

Why are my children trying to kill me slowly? I mean really. Its 9 oclock and they have been playing in each others rooms and now Cade has a story to tell me about needing to wash his army clothes for tomorrow. He takes his 'army work' very seriously. It is adorable when its not 9 oclock. 

I was thinking today how Levi all of a sudden seems so much bigger. He is both playing more and fighting more with Ryan. He is starting to throw fits where he arches his back. I absolutely love his smile. And he smiles so easily and quickly. He's sassy, fun, shy, and the cutest thing ever. He smells so good and his cheeks are so addicting.  My favorite thing he says right now is moooowwr...very loud and exaggerated...for more as he signs it, uh oh...the oh is so clear now and his little lips get so small and tight when he says it, haaaa (said with his mouth wide open and eyes big) for hot, nanananannanananana... for anything he wants.  I am completely in love with his white blonde curls and little almonds eyes and when he smiles I totally see Brice in him.  

Love, 
Em