Dear Bexie,

Today you didn't like the clothes I picked out for you, so you picked your own.  You eventually came up with a red shirt and red shorts.  I tried for one minute to tell you it didn't go well together, but decided quickly that wasn't worth the fight.

Today you wanted chocolate chip pancakes and grapefruit for breakfast.  You got a few chocolate chips and plenty of grapefruit.

Today you and Oscar tried to one-up each other all the way home from preschool.  If his baby knew how to stand up, your baby knew how to laugh.  If he was going shooting with his dad, you had your own bow.  I can't tell if your competitive nature came with you or if you have learned it from your siblings.

Today you needed more peanut butter with your apples.  When I didn't oblige, you helped yourself.

Today you chose picking up scat over cleaning up the garbage in the back yard.  That surprised me.

Today you got upset that there were raisins as part of your snack.  You do not like raisins.  We decided raisins were not something to cry about.

Today you did your homework without any help from me and successfully ignored any suggestions I threw your way.

Today you drove me crazy with the back door.  I believe that somewhere deep inside of your brilliant self you know how to enter the house quietly.  I believe, I believe, I believe.

Today you loved your sister a lot.  You played peek-a-boo and made her laugh herself silly.  You rode your penny board around the house and she followed you everywhere you went.

Today you had rich brown eyes with long lashes that can not hide what you are feeling.  Today you had beautiful cheeks that needed to be kissed a lot.  Today I tickled you and let you pretend to drive.

Today you were awesome.

Love,
Mom

 

Freeze Time: FIVE

Beckham turned five in January.  FIVE.  How did that happen?  Really.  

Wasn't it just last week that we brought him home to meet his still-a-baby sister and big brother?  

He wanted to go bowling for his birthday.  Last year was roller-skating.  He has big ideas.  His first plan was Chuck E Cheese.  I will always do whatever I can to come up with an alternative to that one- but actually bowling was all his idea, and I was ok with that.  

We invited the Haywards and the Camonas... such awesome friends.

Beckham and Ruby

This Miss spent adequate time in front of the hand-blower.  Movie star-like.  Heaven help us.

Dad's still got it.  Like four strikes in a row- got it.  

And then we hit the bumper cars... and I think they were a bigger hit than bowling.

Stella, Seneca, Henry, Chloe, Ruby, Bex, Coop, Kole and Oscar

Such a fun crew!

Home for cake and crazy children running wild in the backyard.  He had a good day.

-  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  

Dearest Bexie,

At age five, you are much too old for me.  You want to be big so badly and I can see it happening all too quickly.  

You are slated to be off to kindergarten next year and while I know you are ready, I am going to be so sad to see you go.  You are my little pal during the day.  I know you are ready for both the academic challenge and the social opportunities, but I am not ready for you to be there- to be old enough to handle all of that.

You will take the skill of making friends with you, and for that I am grateful.  You make friends easily wherever we go.  An hour at the park and you have all the kids on the playground roped into whatever game you and Seneca have created.  You always climb into the car and tell me all about your new friends.  You look forward to any opportunity to be with other people and I understand that desire all too well.  You are chatty and can recount a story with remarkable accuracy.  Your attention to detail has me watching my every step. 

You love to help in the kitchen, more than either of your older siblings.  You want to crack the eggs, measure, stir and cook.  You also want to taste everything along the way.  I'm never very far into creating a meal when you run in with the stool asking how you can help.  You deem yourself a chef and I fully agree.  You also believe that every meal should be accompanied by a treat.  I do not.  You are a treat boy and they are super motivation when on the rare occasion you are presented something you don't want to eat.  

You have done well in Discovery Club this year, excited to tell me all the things you are learning when you get in the car. You have taken off with reading and attempt to sound out anything put in front of you.  You are also very proud of your addition skills.

Bex, you have mastered the whine of the third sibling and are a pro at getting out of assigned jobs.  The flop on the floor, the head thrown back in agony, the "I just can't do it by myself!"  it's enough to have me rolling my eyes and has proven quite pointless, but props for your persistence!  Most of the time, however, you are joy in a body.  You have a smile that lights up your whole face and you are hilarious.  I really can't think of anyone who is more easy-going and pleasant to be with all day long.  You'll get your own lunch, you'll entertain yourself and seem to manage with both quiet time while the kids are at school and celebrating their return every day.  You'll hold the shopping list and tell me what we need next.  You'll entertain your sister, read to and play with her.  You think everything she does is so cute and makes her the smartest baby ever.

I could go on, but the point is that I love you like crazy and can't imagine this family without you.  You were a surprise miracle straight from Heaven and He knew just what he was doing.  You have found best friends in your siblings and joy in your musical and athletic endeavors.  I am beyond grateful for your little spirit. It should also be noted that one thing I love very most is that you have not outgrown the desire for mama's kisses, which is a darn good thing because you get about 70 every day.  Your face is soft and your cheeks just need to be kissed every time I see you.  They are usually accompanied with tickles because hearing you laugh is a sound I will never tire of.  

I love you, Beckham.  You may now stop growing.

-Mom

Stella in February

a chilly day at soccer

soccer practice

windblown at football

cheering our favorite soccer players

on dad's birthday enjoying the swing

with her pal Fischer, and sitting up on her own!

My valentine

valentine's day 2013

Go Buffs!

Uncle Dan the Man coaches the women's basketball team at Colorado University and they came to play ASU this weekend.  We grabbed Dan for dinner Saturday evening and he managed to engage in adult conversation and catch up with us while kids climbed all over him.  They love Dan the Man.  A lot.  

The next day we went to cheer on the Buffalos in Tempe.  I was prepared for bored kids, but they totally surprised me.  They were engaged and following the game and cheering both loudly and appropriately.  They had a blast and Dent and I felt like we'd gone back in time as basketball used to take up a lot of our time... he played, officiated and coached... I cheered from the stands and yelled at the refs a lot.  

We had such a good time, wish he came more often... and we really wish Aunt Linny would have come too!!

bexie again.

please bless we can be nice to each other. please bless that we can have oreos again that are cookies stuck together like a sandwich. please bless that we can have pizzas not on the grill next time. please bless we can go on an airplane and a rocket ship, oh, not a rocket ship but an airplane to go to katelyn's house and to grandma's house. and grandma's house. and grandma's house.

it's nice to know what is important to him these days.

dad, brace yourself.

there was a reason beckham was gunning to be grandpa banks' favorite. it was so when he did things grandpa might not approve of, he wouldn't be disowned. he has made several deposits into grandpa's emotional bank account. hopefully the account is at a high enough balance to counter the following:

he pulled out one candyland guy and one card. he put the guy on the card and then took the guy snowboarding all over the family room. there were ramps and jumps and lots of "swooshes." dad, don't be mad. it wasn't me. I took him skiing, remember? I have not mentioned snowboards. promise.

LOVE month

Harrie is at it again. Declaring all sorts of lovey-dovey sentiments. It's LOVE month, you know... the month in which to post daily about all the things and/or people you love. Very important or quite trivial... doesn't matter.

So... Today I love Beckham. I should post a picture, but you all know what he looks like. On Wednesdays I get a few hours to spend just with him and he is the perfect little companion. He keeps track of my errands letting me know where we need to go next and what we are going to accomplish while there. He sings to me whenever we're driving. He is very specific in his snack and meal requests, which is blessing- I never have to wonder what we're having because he's got it all figured out. He loves to read with me and will share his trains. He's perfectly delightful to hang out with.

Who's in?? Come on, feel the love.

Dear Aunt Lindsay,

Thank you for my crocodiles, they are super cool. I sleep with my little stuffed one every night, in fact it's starting to come apart a little because I love it so much. My mom is grossed out by the crocodile eggs hatching on our kitchen counter, but Cooper and I think they are awesome! I accidentally dropped my egg before we put it in the water, so mind is hatching faster than Cooper's. Mom really does think they are gross, but she figures they won't last forever and she likes how excited we get when we come to check out our eggs. Thanks for bringing us such cool stuff from Australia. Maybe could I come with you next time you go? I'm pretty sure I would love to see a real crocodile!

Love,

Beckham

today.

Beckham does not appreciate the peanut component of Monster Munch. He will consume his entire portion of popcorn and leave me a little pile of peanuts.

Seneca believes the best thing about candy corn is using them to stick in her teeth to make fangs. She has a very spooky voice when she threatens to eat me.

I am not sure who invented candy corn, but he and I have very different palates. G.R.O.S.S.

I visited another preschool this week as I was contemplating throwing Bex in the mix and trying to work out what would be best for the two littles. I am not an educator by profession. Not even close, so I'm not sure where my expectations come from, but I am not easily satisfied. I would have never guessed that one of the biggest stressors in my life this year would be related to my children's education. It has kept me awake at night far more than any other issue. While it stresses me out sometimes, I am completely grateful that I do not have bigger things to worry about in my life right now. I know I'm blessed. I really do.

It's a little chilly outside in the mornings these days and my children insist on getting out there as soon as possible. I insist on shoes. They like to pretend I don't. Today I told Seneca and Beckham that they were welcome to play outside if they kept shoes on their feet. As they tried to sneak out the door, I added that if I saw them without something on their feet, the princess skirts would go up high and be gone today. That stopped them both in their tracks. Yes, they were both wearing princess skirts and shoes have not been an issue today.

A month after first beginning potty training, I can say that I don't even think about it anymore. He runs in there when he needs to do his thing and despite my best efforts in trying to get him to sit down, he stands on his little tippy-toes, reaches over the edge of the toilet and gets it in there. That's what dad and Cooper do, after all. There is no more potty laundry, no wet beds, and no more diapers... yipee!!

Cooper has been interested in the basketball court lately and is not satisfied when I say I can see him from the window. He wants his audience giving him full attention, outside next to the court.

I've been working on Halloween costumes this week and I will admit that I am one lucky woman that my children do not have high expectations. The admiration for all of you who make your own every year and have them looking fabulous has grown 100 fold. I must admit that I just don't care that much! What will be, will be and I am completely ok with it.

We have been out of butter all week. Butter! Of all things.

I've decided that running up and down the park lawn passing a soccer ball back and forth with Coop, trying to defend his goals and then helping little bodies across the monkey bars over and over and over constitutes a very admirable workout. I was sweaty! They were sweaty and we all slept well.

Dent has been super busy at work lately. He came home early enough to carve pumpkins with us last night but I'm afraid we'll pay for it for a while as we'll probably all be asleep before he arrives tonight. Late nights are a bummer, but I'll take them over unemployment any day.

tuesday.

I have artists living in my house. In fact, they believe that this house is their art gallery. The actual house, as in the walls. We have spent a lot of time coloring lately and somewhere along the line the crayons and pencils moved from the paper to the walls. We spent some quality time with the Mr. Clean magic eraser today. That thing is a lifesaver.

Seneca may or may not be asleep in her bed right now with ballet slippers on her feet. That's how excited she is to start dance class tomorrow.

She has also thrown some impressive tantrums this week. Gotta give the girl points for stamina. And me too.

Bex has been completely delightful lately. He got his hair cut Sunday and is so dang cute I can't handle it. He does things I think are funny just to get me to laugh at him like pull his jammie pants way up high. He's an awesome eater and goes to bed without a fuss.

Cooper and I have been reading the the first book in the Boxcar Children series at bedtime after scriptures. This is a change-up from Magic Tree House. The chapters are longer, but we're both liking it. I never really read these books, although I think one of my sisters really liked them... Katelyn, maybe?

Adoption certification is final. I feel perfectly content right now that the right little spirit will join our family whenever the time is right. I don't think it will happen quickly, but I'm not in charge.

Shout out to my dad who was a year older Sunday. He's pretty much the coolest old man I know, but don't tell him that. He gets a big head easily.

We made a decision on lights for the entry, dining and living rooms. They're pretty cool and I'm excited to get them up!

Coop had music class today. He came home excited to show me the chords he was learning, except that he doesn't know they are called chords yet... they are "tricks with his fingers." Love it. This program is really cool. We are practicing five days a week, which I thought would be a lot, but it's been fun and I love the things he's learning while thinking he's playing. brilliant.

I said the word, "cool" a lot in this post.

Denten just walked in from his swimming lesson. Better go give him some love. He is my one and only, you know. 'night.

oh, beckham.

He's two-and-a-half. Good thing he’s cute.

He climbed out of his crib 17 times at naptime. Ok, maybe not 17, but enough that it would have driven me crazy, so I left. He doesn't want to stay on the big boy bed, but he doesn't want to sleep in his crib either. I came home to find him sneaking around in Seneca's room... she was sound asleep.

I said, "don't touch the sunscreen, I'll help you in a minute." A few minutes later I hear a scream. He pointed the nozzle right at his face and sprayed... lots of sunscreen right into his eye. Good grief.

I said, "use your walking feet, please." He ran, tripped and smacked his forehead on the pool deck. Bummer. New goose egg for church.

I said, "your bike does not come in the pool fence, or we're done outside." He proceeds to walk out of the fence, get on the bike and ride right in. We were done. He was not happy.

I said, "you're welcome to help, but don't touch the pan. It's hot. It will burn you." "ok, I won’t." "OWWW!!! It's hot!!" Well, yes, I just told you that.

How many times does he have to learn the hard way that I am very wise and he should just listen to me? Mom? How many?? I'm afraid to know that answer because I remember my mom saying the same things to me over and over and over. And I was much older than two-and-a-half.

more dancing-on-the-dock pics to come.

saturday swimming

beckham went off the diving board today about 50-11 times. that's a lot. I watched kids jump off the board for the better part of an hour, after we had already been swimming for a while. it took seneca a while to warm up the idea, but once she did, she was unstoppable as well. cooper had already gotten out and dried off, but couldn't resist jumping back in after dad started doing cannonballs. one could have gotten dizzy watching them jump, paddle to the side step, climb out and do it again. over and over and over. I finally left them to see what I could round up for dinner knowing I'd have hungry little ones on my hands when they were done. we've been swimming every day this week, giving a short lesson to the two little ones and having coop practice his swim team stuff, but saturday swimming with dad is different, and always a good time!

climbing. (edited)

Beckham came into my bedroom this morning at 6:24. no one had gotten him out of his crib.

he displayed his new trick again today 2 minutes after I had put him down for his nap.

he helped me get the screwdriver.

Beckham is the proud new owner of a doorknob that locks from the outside.


I am open to alternative suggestions if they do not require me losing my mind, because that is not an option right now.

edited: come to find out, daddy helped the little guy figure out how to escape his current sleeping arrangments, you know, "so he wouldn't get hurt," and then daddy left town for the weekend. hmmm. brillant plan.

I feel much better, thank you.

Tonight I asked Cooper to create a train track for his brother. Sometimes he loves this task, sometimes it is tor-ture. As he got started he asked me to come help. I was in the middle of cleaning the kitchen and knew he could do it himself. I told him to keep working, I knew he could do it. Beckham was encouraging the building as he was anxious to play. From the kitchen I heard Cooper say, "I'm trying, Beckham, but I just don't have anything in my imagination!"

I suppose I know how he feels. I feel that way too, sometimes. But it was funny. He's having to stretch his imagination, and that's not so bad.

LOVE month: feasting

Today is the first Sunday of the month, otherwise known as Fast Sunday in my culture. A day where we refrain from eating or drinking for a period of time in favor of turning our thoughts and hearts another direction.

This morning my stomach was growling before I even got out of bed. Actual physical hunger pains. The kind that would normally drive me straight to a bowl of granola, pronto. I visited with my Father in Heaven for a few minutes and began busying myself with other activities as to distract my hungry tummy. As I came downstairs I was just about bowled over by an exuberant little Beckham who had just eaten about 47 pancakes. He's so stinking happy to see me in the morning, it's good for my soul.

I realized as we wrestled and tickled and as I just about ate him up that kissing his face was all the feasting I needed for the day. He's absolutely delicious. He gives enormous hugs and I can squeeze his little squishiness. Kissing his face is like a meal, it fills me right up. And then he laughs and I simply can't take any more. My cup was full.

I wondered if coming so closely after his sister would keep this little guy in a shadow. His sister came to us in a unique way and had a lot of light on her. Being another boy who arrived in the world in a more conventional manner didn't have a lot limelight. My worries, as usual, were for naught. He comes with his own personality, mellow at times and huge as can be at others. He's perfect for me and he fills me up. Today, he's all I needed to feast on.

2

Two years ago:







When Beckham was born, my heart was still full of love for a completely different baby. I wondered how it would make room for another so quickly. Somehow, it worked and it wasn't hard. I fell head over hills for this one immediately and the feeling has lasted. He's got his whiny moments, but his pure joy, uninhibited smile, big curious eyes and hugs that don't hold back make this little one perfect for us. I can't believe it's been TWO years!

There is another post coming shortly wondering how the mother in the house will deal with two two-year-olds for a few months that aren't the same age... because behavior lately has indicated that both of these little ones are fully two years old!

I love this little guy like crazy. Heavenly Father knew exactly what he was doing.

possible titles for this post:

He will most likely dislike me very much one day.

Honey, don't be mad.

He still likes his trucks.

Big sisters have great influence.





need a run-down? that would be a very loved, used and smooshed tutu, about 4 pair of girls panties and mom's shoes.

I've got stuff to blog about, really I do. Just spent the weekend child-free in Santa Fe and my photog husband captured a pic of my new 'do. But for now, I'm basically trying to keep my head from exploding, literally. The pressure in there is unreal. Head colds are highly underestimated. If it weren't for energy work to keep this thing manageable, I'd be down and out for sure. Thing is, that moms don't get to be down and out! Especially when it's December and there are way more things to do than time to do them in!

The drizzle of unhealthy that was trickling through our house has upped its game. Coop is holding strong, Seneca is sporting an ugly cough, but poor little Beckham, well, he's got the worst of it. After a lousy week last week, he was looking forward to a weekend with his Auntie Linny. Instead of laughing his head off while she tickled the living daylights out of him, he was as hoarse as could be, as in pathetic, make-my-heart-break-when-he-said-"mommy,"-hoarse.

He and his daddy visited nighttime pediatrics last night and got priority over the others waiting due to the super high fever and bark-like cough. After multiple injections of multiple medications he finally came home with a smile on his face and a dual-diagnoses including croup and influenza A. Come on, already.


There are parties to plan and to host and to attend. There is major baking to do. And shopping. And wrapping. and virtually no time to simply sit and be sick, and yet, that's what we're doing. The little guy took three impressive naps today (no, I didn't get one) and it's a good thing because when he was awake, he was not his jolly self. I hope we're on the mend because if I haven't mentioned it already, we have no time to be sick!! I will, however, concede that one of the perks of a sick child is the cuddle factor. He fell asleep on me today in the rocking chair. I'm pretty sure that hasn't happened since he was a newborn. Love those moments.

When my head can handle looking at this here screen for more than 5 minutes without wanting to scream, I'll find pics, and updates, and real stuff to blog about. Until then, pray for my head, and beckham's lungs. oh, heck. pray for the whole lot of us. I'll pray for you back, I promise.

recording.

I want to remember:

Cooper is learning Christmas songs. The latest version:
"You better watch out, you better not cry. You better not pout, I'm telling you why.. Cooper is coming to town!" I laughed and asked him if he was bringing me a present. He quickly went and hid my slippers in his shirt and brought them to me, singing again. We are doing Christmas for a secret someone and all we really know about him is that he is a dad. Cooper's input on a gift included new tools, a bike, a watch or a new car. He's also brainstorming what he's going to give Seneca and Beckham for Christmas. The discussion is ongoing and changes hourly.

Seneca has been waking up at night and when she does, she requests that we go sit in the rocking chair together. I have had mixed feelings about it because I'm not going to let her think that we're taking a field trip every time she wakes up, but I love that she'll just sit and cuddle with me. Sometimes she'll request a song, sometimes she wants to pray again, but mostly we just sit and rock and man, I love her. She is a verbal little girl, call her on the phone and you'll see. She'll give you the run-down on just about anything. I think she's beautiful and I wonder if I would think that if she were not my own daughter. You know how parents always think their own kids are always cute? I'm grateful that despite the fact that she didn't grow in me, it is nothing but natural for me to love her as if she did.

Beckham is trying so hard to be big. He does his very best to keep up with his older siblings in every aspect. He and Seneca are quite the team, communicating flawlessly with each other. Most of the time I understand what they are saying to each other, but even when I don't, they get it completely. When I'm driving, Bex will try very hard to dictate which direction I go each time I approach an intersection. If I happen to go a different direction than the one his little finger is pointing to and his "iss way, mom!" well then, look out. He can throw an impressive fit when not getting his way. Sometimes I wonder where I would end up if I really went the way he wanted every time. He's the best eater in the house and can pack it away. He screams loudly and he gives awesome kisses. He has big brown flirty eyes that make you work for his affection and I'm a sucker. And he's still competing for best cheeks ever.

Gratitude month may be over, but it did its job. I'm noticing things throughout my days that I'm grateful for. even when these little ones drive me crazy, I'm grateful that I can enjoy being their mother.

Friday

1. a visit from kari ann. girls night out, reminders about what the important things are.

2. a completely quiet house with (almost) everyone asleep for two full hours.

3. peppermint joe joe's from trader joe's.

4. retracted.

5. lunch at the park with dad present. the fact that these people belong with me.