Sweet & Merciful Gifts

Very humbling/learning moments lately with my sweet Logan.  I don't often share thoughts like this on our blog but since this is very much like my journal, I couldn't resist and frankly, this spiritual piece of life is vital to who I am so here it is:

There have been very tender moments and realizations for me when I spend just moments with Logan.  It took us so long to get our little kiddos here and I swore that I would appreciate them every moment of every day when they came to us. Well, any parents knows that isn't always possible when they're bouncing off the walls, screaming or not sharing and I totally forget to appreciate every moment.  Yet, I've learned that isn't realistic either.
BUT...I think my Heavenly Father knows us so well and knows when we need a "tender mercy" moment or two.

My little Logan is like the brightest little light in my day. I'm sure I had these moments with the triplets but sadly, they were sped up and then "onto the next baby" (kind of a bummer really how time was in fast forward when they were tiny). But with Logan, I have these sweet moments of humility and awe - sometimes the way he looks at me makes me feel like he sees something I don't in myself. I can't believe his gaze at times and always wonder what he is thinking. 

I paused today with his happy, little stare and his tiny hand on my cheek and his head leaned forward so he could touch mine, that his peaceful, awed look will probably be the way that we look at Savior one day - in wonder and amazement and complete love and trust. 

My sweet gift/reminder from Logan today:

Children, whether they are your own or someone else's are the best reminder about the love our Heavenly Father and Savior have for us.  I think that's a reason they come without words...they allow us to really take moments to pause and reflect.  I'm so grateful for those tender moments allowed to me in my life.  Thank you sweet Logan, I love you! 

Sibling Love & Fun Indoors

Our home is chaotic, messy, loud and at times completely disorganized!  But...it is full of high energy, laughter, jumping, playing, dancing and lots of smiles too!

We really are so lucky to have these 4 beautiful children.  They are developing really fun relationships with each other and it is a joy to watch.

But first... a few pics of my sweet Logan in his jumper, his FAVORITE "toy."

"Ooh...here I go mom"

Look at that happy face!!!

The simple joys of kids makes me so happy and reminds me to be more "simple" too

I love this pic - we have one of Jax just like this and I love it!  He as bounced himself asleep!  Such a fun way to fall asleep - me and the kids were watching him bounce and his little eyes fall slowly and then...out he went.

These are a few of my very favorite moments.  Sweet sibling love :)

Austin and Rio were having so much fun together and would just play and then when they walked, they would put their arms around each other or hold hands - so sweet!  My hope is that this will always be the case with these cute kids

I had to include this pic of Rio because she was so incredibly happy this night playing with "the boys" and of course wearing her "Hello Kitty" jams

What a happy girl!

BIG HUG!!  Austin was loving it with all the attention he was getting from Rio

Logan will barely sit down and when people hold him, they often comment that "he won't bend."  He just constantly wants to stand up and look around because he has to be involved with the triplets and whatever they're doing.  He is constantly smiling at them and trying to get them to look at him and my sweet, gentle Austin is usually the first to respond to Logan. 

Logan was so happy that Austin took a few moments to talk with him - love his little smirk

And, yes, my little miss Rio hosting yet another tea party/picnic for her baby, bear-y, and kitty.  And well yes, also Ariel, Rapunzel and fairy on the chair next to her.  She is ever so sweet and I love to watch her creativity and imagination at work - it honestly never stops!

We've had plenty of "snow days" this winter which means either lots of chances to drive each other nuts or have a great time playing.

Mommy often has to put aside "clean" activities and just let them have a great time and be creative.

This day, we got out a super fun Christmas gift from Grandma and Grandpa Anderson and began painting.  They were quite the artists

This cute kit had paints, markers, paper, stickers and just about anything crafty you could want - they had a blast!!

I love this too - how sweet that they are all sharing - it can be a rare event around here some days but usually they are really great to each other.  Good job painting kids!

First Time Bowling!

Well there is a first time for everything and we were ready for our first time bowling!  It was so much fun!  I went with a few friends and their kiddos in the mid-morning on one of the snowiest days we've had.  It was a great day to go nonetheless - there was no one there except us!!

All the kids were fascinated by the lanes - they could have just watched the lanes and not bowled and been fine :)  They were so cute and absolutely loved this new experience

Here I was talking to the kids about how the ramp worked and then...

Austin took the ball and knew what to do!  Woo-hoo!

I love Avery in the background trying to sit on the ramp - she's so cute!

I love this pic of Rio - every time she pushed the ball down the ramp, she would put her hands up to her cheeks and rest her elbows on the ramp and just smile.

Aw...love these 3 so much!  They were so cute with each other trying to help each other get a strike!

Austin - get ready, get set..

and...

GO!!!

Rio's turn!

GO!!!  She was quite the accurate bowler - she'd line up the ramp and did really well

Here we go again Rio... she loved it so much!

Ready sweetie? and GO!!

Oh my Jax...he is so much fun!  Always full of the most incredible energy around - love that cheezer smile of his

I love this pic too - Austin was quick to remind Jax that it wasn't his turn to get a ball - it was Parker's turn and Austin wasn't about to let Jax get his ball :)

YEAH!! I keep saying this but honestly, this was SO much fun to watch them learn something new.  I'm a nerd I know but I had a blast!

Love this too!

Rio watching on, Jax totally thrilled to watch it flying down the lane and Austin with his cute little scrunched up nose and hands on hips and Lucas staring on as well

Yes?  I know how to do this mom - no need to help anymore 

Nicholas, Jax, Austin (yes, his finger is by his nose - what is that fascination?) and Rio cooling down her hands after her tough bowling skills

Reese, Jax, Parker and Austin guarding "their" ball

Silly faces

Oh no...we're stuck!!!

Even Logan got in on some of the action!

Good job Logan - trying to find where to put his little fingers

What a doll you are sweetheart!

Happy kids!  All done bowling and ready for lunch!

My Austin is so dang photogenic!  He looks adorable in every picture - he was so proud of himself being able to twist around in that twisty chair

 Here we are!

*Parker (on the ground), Nicholas, Jax, Austin, Lucas, Rio, Andrew and Avery* (Reese was missing)

 Thanks so much Jax, Austin and Rio for going bowling with me!  I had so much fun watching you learn something new again and being so happy about it! 

Love you so much!

My little "tea party" hostess

Introducing the best "tea party" hostess around.... Rio!

She got a tea set for Christmas and has a at least one tea party a day since.  She is so fun to watch, I could actually learn quite a bit from her about how to host a party.  For example,

*You always have a smile on your face*

*You give your guests "accessories of some kind" to wear when they come so they feel welcome*

*You politely invite your "uninvited guests to do a party someone else*

Ha-ha - Rio is very confident in being able to say, "it's just for my party boys"

For each guest invited, you give them a plate, some fruit and veggies, a necklace, a toy (see the little Hello Kitty by babies leg?), a warm blanket to sit on and of course, some "tea"

Here's another angle of her excellent set-up for her "kitty" this time.  Kitty was given both a necklace and a yellow bracelet that you can see as well as some utensils, a toy and things to eat 

 

I'm telling ya..she's the best hostess around!!!