{6} months

I can't believe that it has been six whole months. I can't imagine our crazy little family without you.  You are an angel. 

-  You are sleeping great at night. Although recently you've learned to roll over onto your tummy but the problem is... you can't get back over. You get frustrated and fussing ensues.  I think you are just trying to adjust to not being swaddled. I think you'll be happier when you can get around a bit more.

-You are still a great nurser but you are becoming easily distracted. Too much excitement around you to concentrate I guess.  You are finally taking rice cereal well. I tried to introduce a couple other things and you were not happy.  We'll keep trying but I'm not to anxious about it.

- I can't believe that you are a redhead.  It is going to be interesting to see if it is close to what your big sister's, or if it will be more strawberry blond.  We get comments about it just like we did with Anna.

-Your sister's and brother still adore you.  They are always wanting to hold you or tickle you trying to coax out a smile. Usually you oblige. You are fiercely loved!

- You are still "chunky" which I love. You have chubby little wrists and legs.   You have blue, blue eyes and long, long eyelashes. 

-You are more and more aware of what is going on around you.  You want to be in your bumbo on the counter if we are in the kitchen. You definitely know my voice and turn to hear it. If you don't see me in a room you are content, but if you see me and I don't pick you up you start to fuss. I don't mind that you are a bit high maintenance that way.

I want to freeze you just as you are, but I am more excited to watch you grow and see who you will become. How lucky we are to have our little Lila Lou!

10

10 years ago today Aaron and I were married for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple. 

Early in our marriage I thought I had a few things figured out.  I thought that we would have 5 kids, two years apart and I would be done having our babies by 30. Aaron was going to teach seminary and I was going to finish my degree and stay at home. For the most part many of the things I had envisioned have become a reality.

There are of coarse things that you can't control, or anticipate.  Sometimes you have to make tough decisions.  We have moved several times across the United States, mostly for Aaron's schooling or job.  We have lived in really crummy apartments, and very tight budgets.  Aaron worked delivering furniture, installing sprinklers and landscaping, doing maintenance on apartments and working long, long hours with his school, passing his CPA exam and going to work everyday for our family.  We have been blessed with 4 beautiful children who have tested our patience more than we ever could have thought. I hate to admit, that on more than one occasion I have looked at Aaron and said,

"Really.... this is what we wanted?"

and when I think about it (after the kids are in bed and it is quiet again) I realize that this is what we wanted.  10 years later we still have student loan debt.  We don't have that trip to Hawaii planned that we were going to take this year to celebrate.  Aaron is still driving the Chevy cavalier that he bought when he got off his mission.  Some day soon I hope he gets to buy the truck of his dreams. He sure deserves it.

What I wanted 10 years ago was to have a companion that was going to be by my side, through whatever happened along the way. We have had great moments and tremendous blessings. We have learned together that you don't always agree and that is ok. We have learned that my love language is words of affirmation and Aaron's is time.

I don't know what the next 10 years will hold, but I am excited because I know Aaron will be right there beside me.

I love you!

patience

Wait for it.....

wait for it.....

Wait for it.....

There!

cheap thrills

 

There are no words

Oh how she makes us smile

buddies

{reading on my bed}

Carter is my shadow.  I love that I am home with him everyday.  He follows me everywhere I go. Truly, everywhere.  Up and down the stairs, on the counter when I do my makeup asking several times, "Are you done yet."  If I am cleaning the bathrooms he is by my side "helping."  On the computer he has to sit right next to me in the chair. I think his favorite place to be is on the kitchen counter while I cook. I cherish this time that he wants to be with me all.the.time. I love to watch him learn and sound so grown up and he is learning so many new words. He loves his sisters and wants to be so big. The problem is that I want to freeze him.  He is my little man. How blessed I am that I get to be his mother.

 

giving thanks

Getting ready for prayer

Reading our lists of thanksgivings

 Anna made place cards for everyone

A little brother is always good for a tickle

{Thanksgiving entertainment}

Anna has been taking piano from my mom for a little while. We've had to take a couple breaks because I haven't been on the ball... or very sick with her baby sister.  I also have to say that it hasn't always been easy. A lot of times it is a real struggle to get practice in before school but I am proud of her. I hope one day she'll thank me!

My mom made up these litle programs, including a place for her autograph at the bottom.

when I turn my back

Oh the joys of being the youngest... and completely helpless

{boo}

 

I think Brooklyn has a small obsession with leaves

It was to warm for Lila's bear costume

 

We had an unseasonably warm Halloween this year. I think when the truck-or-treat started it was about 60 degrees. The basket my mom is holding she made when we where all young, and brings back so many memories.

handy man

"No, I fix it!"

 

The ever predictable two's have hit in full force with our little man.  He is very independent and wants to do just about everything by.him.self.  Lately he'll bring me things that don't seem to be working (flashlights, toys, walkie-talkies) and say in a very matter of fact voice, "Daddy fix it." Today he stumbled upon Aaron's mini screw driver set and went to town.  He's learned from the best!

{amen}

I need to hear this more often than I want to admit

 

Here

 

My job is so, so important

U-tard

 

Our road trip to Utah started out with a blessing right off the bat. My sweet in-laws offered to let the girls ride in their car, so Aaron and I were able to spend a quiet peaceful ride while Lila slept and Carter asked for dumb dumbs over and over. We found out later that the girls asked just about every 20 minutes or so if they were there yet. Oh the joy of road trips! 

 



Of coarse I had to get a picture of my handsome man.  He is always so calm and collected.... until we get lost finding the on-ramp in Salt Lake and we both are positive we know how to remedy the situation. It didn't help that we were all starving. Luckily we found it before any real yelling ensued and a stop at in-and-out brought everyone back to their happy place. Anyhow......

 It didn't take the girls long to get comfortable in their room

It was a bit chilly up Ogden Canyon but we made the most of it

Carter and Grandpa Tonks

 

On Saturday afternoon Aaron and I decided to take the kids on a small hike, to take in the beautiful Fall colors and fresh air.  Someone was not very happy about it.

 

and boy did she let us know about . Our fire cracker spent the entire "hike" trying to convince us what a horrible idea it was and how unhappy she was about it. You would have thought we were crossing the plains for heaven's sake! 

 

 Brooklyn on the other hand was just so excited about all the leaves. Upon arriving, she collected a bouquet of beautiful leaves and carried them the whole time

I laughed out loud when I saw this picture later, because I hadn't realized that up in the corner I captured Anna once again showing her disgust for this family activity.

finally toward the end we did have a bit of cheering up as we starting to look for heart rocks for Nana. It has become a sort of family mantra, "you find what you are looking for."

 

 

Finally a smile! 

After our outing, Jenn and Eric showed up and the party really went into full swing.  Playing with cousins is always such a highlight. We played games, ate yummy food,  and made a fun Halloween craft for the kids to take home.

 

 

Miss Lila

 

 

Their scariest faces with their new Halloween lanterns.

 

Our last day in Utah we decided to take the kids down to Salt Lake to visit temple square. 

I was so glad that we were able to meet up with my 89 year old Grandpa Wood who lives very close to the temple. We had such a wonderful visit and I regret that we are not able to visit more often with him.  He was able to meet Lila, whose middle name is after my Grandma Wood who is no longer with us.

 

 

Oh how we try to get a decent picture

Thanks Gary and Lynette for making our little getaway possible!