Winter things.

It snowed.

We got 2-3 light snows.  Just enough for the kids to run around in, eat, and throw a few snowballs.

Every time it snows, I am more grateful to live here!  Because I know the snow will melt soon :)

We have a gorgeous backyard.

There are 4 undeveloped acres with a small creek running through it backed up to our house.

Most mornings, if we choose to look out, we can see a 'First Vision'-  sunbeams breaking and sparkling through the trees.  

The kids are still learning how to work hard.

(And so am I!)

James, the little engineer/surgeon, made a lego man with joints.

Grandma Cindy had a FANCY tea party for all the girls.  She had fancy snack plates with tea cups, herbal tea and juice, sugar cubes.  She had hats for everyone to wear.  They worked really hard and served lots of fancy foods.  Then the girls made Valentines (even the adult girls had fun making shrinky-dink Valentines).

Kate has fun whenever Adalyn is around!

She picked this goofy hat:

It was very thoughtful of Cici-  the little girls felt very special!

Mark read the Book of Mormon all the way through for the first time!  We were very impressed.  He kept telling me where he was at, but it didn't click what he was doing.  He was reading a chapter a day, without us asking him to (!!!).

He got so much positive attention, and Grandma Cici and Grandpa Mark took him on a date to Burger King (where he picked), he is on track to finish it for the second time soon.  And Noah and Sarah are trying to catch up (they have been reading the scriptures for a long time, also, but random and by topic, not front to back).

Mark gets a kick out of swordfighting with Ammon.  "Hiya-hiya!" is what Ammon calls it.  He is very lucky to have Mark as a big brother.

(He is nice enough to give Ammon a wooden spoon, and himself a toothbrush).

Eva is still gorgeous in February!

I have enjoyed dressing her up, and wrapping her up!  I got her outfits and cozy blankets from consignment sales this past summer.  Most have embroidered edges, and little 'shoes'.

Sarah has been a lifesaver (as usual!).  She does the things I ask her to do, and then notices what else needs to get done and helps some more!  She is great at getting Eva to fall asleep (doesn't usually wear the Moby wrap, but wanted to try it on):

And Eva still loves to 'talk'.  She makes a kind of purring coo in the back of her throat that sends me into raptures!

She will talk and smile at any of the kids, if they sit and talk to her.

Ummm, unless she is hungry.  Or tired.

Noah is excellent at being in tune with the Spirit.  He sometimes says JUST the right thing.  The first time he held Eva, he handed her back to me with a grin and said "She's beautiful, Mom."

I agree.

Eva Faith

Eva Faith was born Jan 10th at 2:41 am, weighing 7lbs 10 oz.   Heavenly Father is spoiling us rotten:  we got another gorgeously healthy one! 

The labor was easy but hard.  I just couldn't wrap my mind around how quickly I progressed "I don't remember labor being this hard last time until the end?!  Why is this so hard?!"  I knew I was in labor, but thought I was in early labor and was trying to get some projects finished and was irritated I had to keep stopping to have a contraction...

Giving birth is always a sacred experience.  The words to Sarah McLachlan's "Ordinary Miracle" were running through my head, and sum up how I feel.  The Savior is always with me when I am laboring.  He is always with me normally, but when I am in labor, I am finally humble enough to notice Him!

I was super-blessed to be surrounded only by wise and loving people!  John, Kim, the midwife and her assistant-  I knew they all cared about me, and that made it easier to relax!   I have had a lot of skilled and compassionate midwives, but this one was EXCELLENT.  I knew she had my best interest in mind, and I learned something new every time I talked to her.  

John took very good care of me, bringing me loads of food (I was ravenous!) and taking over the household  the first few weeks.   (He is always really helpful- taking the kids on errands, cooking meals on the weekend, buying me books and bringing me food.  But I got extra pampered the first week.  Yay!).  Ladies from our ward brought us a few meals which were DELICIOUS and very helpful, and my Dad took the kids for the first 3 days!  So I got to relax and enjoy snuggling with Eva:

She loves to 'talk'! 

Just in case you weren't sure yet that she is gorgeous: