Marcus's Baby Blessing

He woke-up so happy and my head did not hurt any more so I was grateful for those tender mercies.  Sacrament meeting was lovely and Steve gave a great blessing.

It was a beautiful day so the kids had fun playing outside together and we had a really nice visit with family.  Unfortunately my head began to hurt again and it took into Monday before it cleared up again.

Mom's Ski Day

Steve has been trying to take me skiing any time my parents are in town for the past few weeks (so Mimi can watch Marcus and Andrew), but I have just been too exhausted to go.  Finally we decided Friday was the day.  Carole and Russ were going to visit Stephanie in Salt Lake and my parents were in Mt Green so we bought tickets and were excited.  Then I woke up early Friday morning not feeling quite right.  I was cold and my shoulder and back hurt a little.  By the time morning rolled around I had the chills and the aches and thought for sure I had the flu. To be honest I was a little worried to tell Steve that I wouldn't be able to go skiing because I know how much we were both looking forward to going together--I knew he wouldn't be upset just disappointed, but when he saw how miserable I was he helped me get in the bath to soak while he finished breakfast and juggled the kids (which included getting Ellie to and from ballroom that morning).  After soaking for a bit I noticed my right breast was a little red and knew I had mastitis so we waited around the house for a few more minutes so I could call the nurses line when the office opened at 9am.  She called in a prescription for me that we picked up on our way to Mt Green.  I walked in to my parents house their and dropped on the couch miserable.  My Mom took the baby and Andrew and Steve took my Dad and the girls skiing.  I slept most of the day away with an ice pack on my head (it hurt so bad along with my whole body aching) and an ice pack down my shirt trying to stop the fever source.  I slept most of the day away and was sad I could not ski with everyone.  Steve was sweet and checked on us to make sure things were ok.  I was hoping the antibiotic would kick in really fast like last time, but I was still pretty miserable Saturday and considered cancelling the luncheon after Marcus blessing the next day, but didn't because I was looking forward to hanging out with all of the family!

My Dad took a picture of Steve and the girls on the gondola--they thought that was pretty cool and rode it three times.  We just bought Lila new skis on year-end clearance and they are twin tipped so Steve jokingly told her she could ski backwards if she wanted so she did a couple of times (kind of freaked Grandpa out at first).

   

Did I say how sad I was/am that I missed this and how ready I am for my body to heal from this pregnancy/delivery and be able to do all the things I want to.  Ok now I sound like a whiner . . . I have so much to be grateful for, I'm just being impatient because it is taking a lot longer than any previous time.

They got back and I had managed to put a pork roast, potatoes and carrots in my new Instant Pot for dinner and we just hung and relaxed there for a couple of more hours.  It was nice and I'm so grateful my Mom was there to help and that the girls and Steve could still enjoy some spring skiing.

7 on the 7th

Lila turned 7 today, seriously why do they keep growing so fast.  She has been wanting to go to Chuck E Cheese since her last birthday. So when I asked what she wanted to do I wasn't surprised by her response, "Chuck E Cheese".  Since we went off track yesterday we went at lunch time with family.  Since I didn't think we could light a candle there we sang to her and put candles in her requested French Toast breakfast.

Then she was kind enough to let Andrew and Ellie help her open her present from us, an Easy Bake Oven and a few mixes.

I finished decorating her princess dress cake.

 Then off to Chuck E Cheese for lunch where everyone had fun.

After Chuck E Cheese Grandma Moore took the girls shopping and spoiled them rotten.  They got new stuffed animals, dresses, crafts, and stuff to make jewelry, boy are they in heaven.  For dinner that night we had chicken pillows and strawberry spinach salad and one more cupcake at Lila's request.  We sure do love Lila.  She is a delight with a desire to please everyone (hence the reason she let Andrew & Ellie help her open her present).  She handles a middle child position with her own style and flare. :)

Just Foolin' Around

Lila was the star student this past week since her birthday is coming up so for her class treat we took in donut seeds and donuts we grew in our garden (it happened to be April Fools the day she brought in treats).  Ellie made a cast out of a sock and told everyone she broke her funny bone--she fooled a few people.

We were scheduled to have Activity Days on April 1st so we decided to do our Fools Cafe with all of the girls.  It was fun and crazy! :)

We were supposed to head to Idaho that evening, but I was super exhausted after the activity and I had lined up a couple of plumbers to give us quotes and feedback on our basement so we just decided to chill here for the night and head to Idaho in the morning.  We arrived around Andrew's nap time, but Grandpa was out mowing the lawn and he had to help.  After 20 minutes or so this is how we found him--you tell me, is he sleeping? definitely relaxed.

We watched the afternoon session of conference and then took Marcus to meet Great Grandparents.

Grandma Dorothy (Garner) Merrell said he has the Garner nose. ;)

Andrew snuggled right up to Grandpa Bob.

Ellie danced her ballroom dances around their house. Lila spoke some Chinese and Andrew kept running around with Grandma's squeeze balls to work her hand and telling everyone to squeeze it.

Then to see Grandpa Elwood Olenslager.  Andrew found a car card that shook and rattled as it was trying to start up that he kept playing with--I think he may have even tried to take it home. 

The kids hot tubbed with Grandpa Stan after dinner and then we slept.  Sunday we relaxed and watched more conference.  The girls played in Mimi's shop with her hair stuff in between sessions and with bubbles and a little snow left from their recent storms in the afternoon.  We brought Mimi back to Utah with us.  It is nice to have the van with seating for 8--we may have looked like a clown car climbing in and out 4 adults and 4 kids stuffed in there all weekend, but it was nice to travel together. 

Hoppy Easter

Our Easter weekend started on Thursday.  Steve took a day off --yay, he has been working so hard.  He put together the trampoline we bought for the kids.  After school when their homework was done we convinced them to go outside to do bubbles with Andrew and when they saw the trampoline there was audible gasps. Lila said, "where did that come from?"  We explained we bought it as a spring surprise.  Ellie, "I thought this day would never come." Now they are jumping maniacs.  I even saw Andrew and Lila's heads bouncing Friday morning before school as I was driving back from the grocery store (I went to pick up a few items after dropping Ellie off at ballroom).

Friday night we decorated Easter eggs.  It was great fun after we stopped Andrew from eating the dye tablets and trying to crack the eggs. ;)

The Easter bunny comes to our house on Saturday.  Andrew and Lila were in a hurry to see what he brought.  Ellie wanted to finish reading a chapter in her book.  As soon as Andrew came around the corner he grabbed the Reester bunny that was for Steve and said, "mine." After we said no he moved on to the chocolate bunny by my clothes and repeated, "mine."  Finally he found the little bunny in his basket opened it immediately and started eating (this kid has more of sweet tooth than his older sisters).

After breakfast, Steve gave directions for the Easter egg hunt.  This year the bunny sectioned off the yard so he could make it harder for the older ones and not have them pointing out to the little ones where there are eggs.  It worked out good and they all got done about the same time.

Then the fun sorting, where once again Andrew was shoving in as much candy as he could.

Marcus and I made it to church today for the first time.  It was kind of fun to get us all ready and nurse in time for 9am church--ok we were 5 minutes late.  We'll get better at it.  Tonight we are having a little family dinner of lamb, roasted potatoes, rolls, salad, and carrot cake.

I really enjoyed the post hymn we sang in church today, "I Know that My Redeemer Lives."  It testified that, "He Lives!" and that is what we are celebrating this weekend.

I know that my Redeemer lives.

What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

He lives, he lives, who once was dead.

He lives, my ever-living Head.

He lives to bless me with his love.

He lives to plead for me above.

He lives my hungry soul to feed.

He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart.

He lives, my kind, wise heav'nly Friend.

He lives and loves me to the end.

He lives, and while he lives, I'll sing.

He lives, my Prophet, Priest, and King.

He lives and grants me daily breath.

He lives, and I shall conquer death.

He lives my mansion to prepare.

He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives! All glory to his name!

He lives, my Savior, still the same.

Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives:

"I know that my Redeemer lives!"

The Rock

We had family home evening today before lunch.  We were talking about the Holy Week and the events that lead up to Easter.  Andrew was really tired because we had been at Mimi & Grandpa's in Mt Green the night before and he didn't get to bed until 10pm.  I was doing my best to engage him in our lesson while also teaching the girls (which can be quite the task when he isn't tired). All of the sudden something bounced off of the forehead of Marcus. I knew that Andrew had thrown something, he throws everything--you ask him to hand you the binkie, your phone, the remote whatever it is it gets thrown to you. Then I realized it was his precious rock he had brought in after playing outside yesterday.  Marcus took a second, but there was a delayed squelch of shock and ouch!  I picked up Andrew who immediately knew it was bad (he didn't mean to hit Marcus, he was just tossing his rock).  I held him and explained this is why Mommy says not to throw things because you can hurt someone or break something.  He hung his head and shed a few tears.  The adults in the room kind of chuckled after everything settled down.  Good times.

Lucky

Girls shirts say, "I'm a lucky girl."  Andrew's says, "Sham Rocker" with a clover shaped like a guitar.  Marcus's says, "I'm your lucky charm."

The girls made another trap this year.  Andrew got into it running around gathering supplies, cutting paper (they didn't use--it was busy work from his sisters), laughing with them. It was fun to watch. This year they even left a note.  

 












Ellie's note says, "you are so smart and kind. I hope you keep coming."  Lila's says, "we want to catch you. please stay. we will take a picture then we will let you go."

I guess their traps are getting better because they had to use magic to escape and left green 'pop-rock' like dust behind.


I made Welsh Breakfast Cakes and somehow they were green and shaped like shamrocks.

Now for some luck with sleeping. ;)

Sweetnees

Lila is always running to see Marcus.  She loves to hold him and last night he snuggled in and they sat like this for almost an hour.  I was getting dinner ready and when I was done I asked Lila if she wanted me to come get Marcus so she could eat.  She said, "Have you eaten mom? Go ahead and eat first."  So thoughtful of her.  This morning we had leftover breakfast and I asked her what she wanted and she said, "Well what do you want so I don't eat it."  She is the sweetest little girl and I love that about her and I'm trying to be patient with her living in the moment personality which on several mornings has her ready to walk out the door with coat, backpack etc, but no socks and shoes . . . I'm not joking here. ;)

Andrew came out with his dress-up police hat on and said, "Halloween."  He gets that you dress-up for Halloween.  The girls explained that it was a police hat and that he should lock up bad guys. Andrew said, "Oh, Wreck-it-Ralph."  I'm glad that is the extent of his bad guys right now. :)

I Smell Chicken

Andrew has a keen sense of smell.  One day I made french bread while he napped and when he woke-up he sniffed and said, "I want a roll. I want a roll."  One evening while I was getting him ready for bed he said, "I want a cookie." it took me a minute but I realized he must have smelled the oreo I stole on my breath.  Tonight as dinner was cooking, once again he sniffed and said, "I smell chicken."  I explained it was really ham and cheese baked sandwiches.  After tasting one he said, "Mom, I like this chicken. Wait, bacon?"  He definitely keeps me on my toes which is hard when I spend about 8 hours a day sitting and nursing Marcus, but fortunately he does not like time-outs and the threat of a time-out with a count to 3 usually reverses any undesired behavior.  It's the times I don't notice what is happening that make me nervous. . .

Marcus is now a month old and we are settling in a bit more.  The girls are very helpful with their chores, making lunches/dinner, holding Marcus, and chasing Andrew.  Time is flying by even though the nights seem so long or short . . . which is it when you're awakened every couple hours by a screaming baby (poor kid must have had an upset stomach last night).

Marcus sporting his mohawk and the rascal somehow managed to get his arm out of his shirt and blanket in the middle of the night.