Cleaning Crew

The last few months I've tried to include the children more in the prepping and cleaning of meals. I was slightly hesitant to do so because I feared the probable response of complaining and whining I usually encounter with new chores. I couldn't have been more wrong!

I merely mentioned the idea and Halen (6), Harris (5), and Brigden(3) all ran to through the home to find their own aprons and then drilled me relentlessly for their individual assignments. It was amazing and really heaven sent. We all prepped and cleaned up dinner and then arranged a schedule for them to have their own turns at upcoming meal times.

I'd like to say I never did hear a complaint on the matter the next few days, but that would be lying! The novelty wore off, of course, but the first night working together sure did produce some beautiful memories for me! I'll just try to focus on those instead of the more recent battles I now encounter at meal time. Hmm? The only question is, "Are those memories worth it?" Well, if not, I know the children being responsible is, so hedge on, I must!

Brigden in July

Brigden was insistent on wearing this pink striped winter hat in mid July just because he wanted to and he wore the gloves as he worked in the dirt next to his daddy in the front yard. He couldn't care less what people thought of how he looked, especially his family, just that he was happy wearing it and that was all that mattered.

The other night we were driving home from a late night activity as a family and Brigden, who frequently gets excited to see the moon, cheered to us all, "Look! Look! The moon is smiling at us!" We looked and sadly couldn't see the same smile that Brigden could, but knew that with his persistent cheering, as he told us again that the moon was smiling at us, it was most likely smiling at him.

This might have been imaginative, but it is really indicative of his cheerful outlook on life. The child is gifted in being a true optimist. He wakes up with a smile on his face and unfortunately goes to bed with one as well. I say unfortunately because sometimes you just want the child to calm down and concentrate on the task at hand, but he really struggles to do so because he finds humor or happiness in everything, even his mother's stern and angry face when necessary. But, seriously, could we find anything worse to complain about than an overly happy child? What a struggle for us as parents, eh? We love Brigden and adore him even more than everyone else that meets him and his dimples! What a golden treasure he is in our family!

4 Month Old Bevan

I love this dress and especially on Bevan. It is such a beautiful infant dress and actually a 0-3 month size, but petite Bevan at 4 months can still wear it.

I just love her bright blue eyes and vibrant smile.

Halen just adores having a baby sister and is such a wonderful help! When I think back on the days of my youth when I wondered what my children would look like, you can bet I never imagined this picture in my future; two beautiful blondes! I'm so grateful to have them and that they have each other!

This is for sure not a picture I imagined as I saw my future. She is my mini Dave! We are literally night and day in looks! So interesting!

Here we are again. She loves to stick out her tongue, just like Dave did. This picture reminds me of my Mom. I'm amazed at how much I look like her, but with my own look of my Dad as well. Bevan has been such a joy to have in our lives! I can't express enough how much we've enjoyed her! We've enjoyed all of them, but I'm learning with each one more and more how to really appreciate them in the moment.