Moments in motherhood

So I have been trying my best to stay positive and happy about my life. I really have an incredible life and nothing to be sad about. And yet there is this big black cloud over head that makes me sad. A little post partum depression. Not enough to go to the Dr. and get meds, but enough that a few days/weeks out of the month I am weepy, grumpy, impatient, sad, for silly reasons. Lack of sleep has something to do with it. Chubby baby isn't the best night sleeper. He still nurses at night and is up at least 3 times or more needing a binky. Plus the older kids come in with nightmares, sickness, etc. Some nights I am lucky to get 5 hours-and then it's broken up sleep. Last night I got a solid 3 hour stretch and I felt like a champ. 

Anyways, pity party for me...but I want to keep it real for my children and remember the true life of a young mother. 

Yesterday I left in a grumpy mood to ward park day, and came home refreshed and rejuivinated. The sun on my skin, talking with sweet ward friends, watching the boys play and have fun instead of being at my feet clamouring for Emmett's attention. I am grateful that the Lord gives us so much....sunshine, laughter, good friends, the church organization, healthly children. I know that I will come out of my funk and start taking better care of myself and be a better mom to my children.

I had the kids this weekend while Doug was at a scout campout. At breakfast I told the girls that if we got our Saturday chores done we could go to the park. I was doing the dishes and didn't know where the girls were...I found them cleaning the basement without even asking. What sweeties.

After the park I loaded the kids in the car. I annoucned to my children, "Okay 1,2, 3, 4, 5..all 5 kids are here we can go." Oliva said, "No Mom we have 6 kids in the car...your'e a kid" I told her Nope! I am an adult and a Mommy...her answer.."Well you are Heavenly Father's kid aren't you?" I love her perspective on things. She is sweet and caring. You are right Oliva....I am God's Daughter...what a sweet reminder.

Mitters is teething and LOVES kissing and chewing...precious baby....

Doug took the kids camping with some friends overnight for Presidents Day...They love getting dirty, fishing and camping with their dad...

Here were are giving Emmett his first feeding of rice cereal...all the kids were very excited! As you can tell...dying to be next to the baby...poor buddy...hope he survives.

Audree taking a picture

 Not quite sure....he loves it now...

Makes me claustrophobic just looking at this...

We had a lovely valentines day as a family. Fancy candlelight dinner and school celebrations. It's a fun holiday for us to celebrate with the kiddos. 

Lately-

This is such a beautiful time of year here in Arizona..we try to spend as much time as we can together outside. With these little buddies I am trying to come up with better things to do during the day so I don't loose my patience as much. They still love to touch, pet, and handle Emmett all day long, and sometimes they are a little too rough. So I have made a plan and we get out a barrel of new toys or do something that we haven't done in a while. On this day it was bubbles...outside and in bowls with straws...defiantly a fun 30 minutes of fun.

We have also been enjoying our goats so much lately. They are quite the friendly things..they love staying close to us and running around with the kids..it's hilarious.  They are turning out to be such a fun pet. Also Doug took the kids on a quick 4 wheeler ride one day...the goats ran around baaaing and chasing them. Fun times at our house...

Here's their new enclosure so the coyotes don't get them...

 Mr. Mitt showing us his new tricks...those thighs...I can't stand it!

The Boys had a preschool field trip this week to the Fire station. It was fun! This station had a slide and firepole. It was steep and awesome! 

Here are the kids helping us clean the leaves...they got trip to the dollar store after this...Doug and I want to teach them to work hard! They did great...

Well...how can I leave out my Mr. Mitters...He just turned 5 months old. He is getting over another ear infection...sad....and still gets up to nurse at night. I must admit, I'm feeling a little looney tunes with the lack of sleep. Hoping this changes soon.
He rolls from his back to front and then gets stuck....he is always smiling and such a delight. At the pediatrician the other day he weighed 19.9 lbs. He is such a joy and blessing...we adore him.

I want to soak up every minute with him. Lots of sitting on the couch snuggling, playing, protecting him from the brothers. Here's a middle of the night snuggle...

Girls turn 7!!

I can't believe that Audree and Olivia are growing up so fast!! They are the best girls and I'm so grateful for them. We had a super birthday for them this year with a friend party and they got to name the new family pets!

 Best Friends

 7 Things I love about Olivia

Observant, Kind, Gentle to Animals, Helpful, Always reading her scriptures, Sensitive, Loving

 7 Things I love about Audree-

Gentle, Helpful, Smart, Loving, Obdient, Patient, Little Nurse(always wanting to help when kids get hurt)

 I was able to go to the girls school for lunch and take them Chick Fil A...they were so excited! Sweet things we sat at our own table with some of their friends. I have felt very detached from their school this year because of the new baby. I love going there.

And a funny story-I walked in and the cafeteria worker said-"Hey I know who your daughter is! She looks just like you!"

The most exciting part of their birthday is that Doug and I decided we needed a pet. Not a dog or a cat, but Goats....BAHA! I think we are slightly redneck. But with all this land I want to fill it up with farm animals. The girls got to name the Nigerian Goat's. Snowflake and Buttercup...they are slowly warming up to us and Olivia gets dressed and ready for the day first thing in the morning to go get them out. 

We invited a few girls over from church for an afternoon party. You forget how wild a group of little kids can be together. They were sweet and giggly.

We had a MESSY craft...I should have thought that one through...

We played pin the cherry on the cupcake

Our friends

We had a dance party to One Direction...

 We frosted cookies and cupcakes

And opened presents from our very generous sweet friends.

I can't imagine life without our girls...it was a perfect day to celebrate them and their lives.

They really are darling.

On the home front the boys are helpful all day with Mr. Mitt- yesterday Emmett got bonked in the head by a careless boy, he had a knife touch his leg when I wasn't looking, and he was screamed at very loudly in the face by these rascals. Most days its all I can do to not throw them across the room. And I end alot of days in tears. Heaven help me make it through this hard 3 year old stage.