Grateful!

Today I got upset at Vivy for pooping (at church), and yelled at her for not going on the potty! Then I felt bad and remembered the talk given in our stake conference today about having Christ Like Love in our home. The part that whispered back in my mind was: speaking soft, kind and loving words more in the home to our spouse, children, and siblings. I knew immediately that I had fallen short of this and I recommitted myself to speak more loving words to my family. I apologized to my sweet Vivy who went through a lot with her tumor removal, and her frequent yet irregular bowls, and frustration with the right medicine and dosage to get her "pooping properly". I know it has only been 7 months that she has been wearing underwear again, but I forget that there are to be expected set backs in this learning process. I began pondering about how GRATEFUL I am to be a mother and how I have these sweet little ones of who I get to raise each day that teach me so much and bring me such happiness.

#1. Clara - This little toothless grin and big blue eyes is such a sweetheart. She loves to do art, and hates school work. She is beginning to read but pulling teeth might be an easier task with this girl. She just learned how to ride a bike, and she gets very excited to spell things out for me that she has mastered. Her favorite color is light blue, she loves to swim, and she desperately wants a puppy! I can hardly believe that my little helper is already 6 and almost finished with kindergarten. She helps holding her baby sister Avery, gets Dallin out of his crib, and plays pet shop with her sister Vivy.

#2. Vivian - My little Vivy is a non stop chatter box who loves to cuddle and give hugs. She LOVES school, her boots and the color GREEN! She has her favorite green outfit, dress, and bowl! I think St. Patrick's Day may just be her favorite holiday. Vivy loves honey-nut cheerios, pancakes, and wheat bread with jam. She colors lots of pictures through out the day with her favorite letter V on them and roles them up, tapes them shut, and gives them to Jaren and I! I think her pictures are so sweet.

#3. Dallin- is all BOY, and boy am I glad to have the dynamic he adds to this family. He too is a talkative one who repeats everything I say! Some of the funny phrases are, "Oh, dang it!" or "K guys," and "Daddy at Wook." Dallin loves his cars and pushes them around all day long. He loves to be outside and to ride his little tricycle, and "Daddy bike rides". Dallin loves raisins, hot-dogs, turkey rolls, apples, fruit snacks, and ME! He runs where ever he goes and he loves his trains!

#4. Avery- is so little and cute with all of her big smiles! She can already crawl all over the place and she is quite flexible. She loves to suck on her toes, her binky, and nurse of course! This little blue eyed baby girl is very happy, easy going, and tiny tiny. She makes me smile all day long with her giggle and curiosity trying to keep up with her older siblings. She coos and says a-da-da quite well! I am so blessed to have this little bundle of joy. She is so cute that I could eat her!! I love this stage where she is so responsive, crawling, and learning to sit up. I wish I could just hold her all day long...ok so I do :)

#5. Jaren- no he is not a kid haha (although I clean up after him too). But I just have to add how grateful I am for him! He is so thoughtful to me and the children. He'll wake up early, work hard all day, come home and immediately play with the kids so I can have a break! He helps with the dishes, and cooks the dinner if I am busy nursing. He doesn't complain that the house is a mess when he comes home, and I just love love love this handsome guy!! This weekend he took the kids to the park & for pizza while I just sat home and watched t.v. (that was nice!) Did I mention that he even went country dancing with me when he REALLY didn't want to! What a good sport and a great hubby! I love you

Okay grateful post, it is late and now that I have reminisced about all my blessings and things I cherish about my family I will sleep!