Things I loved about today....

• This morning Anabelle begged me to wear a necklace someone made me that is a picture of Braden and I. She wanted to wear it to school so desperately. She wore it to church yesterday, but considering her track record I could see this necklace never making it home from the playground.  And then I realized that there is a slight possibility that a day may come that she won't actually want to wear a picture of her parents around her neck. So I let her wear it. And she was so excited. I even cut it to fit her perfectly. And then I caught her slipping my seminary Book of Mormon into her backpack. When I questioned her about it she said she could read it during free time. She's a wonderful amazing child with a good heart. Sometimes we don't give her enough credit, especially considering the expectations we heap on her little shoulders as the oldest child.

• Lila begged me to let her wear her soccer clothes to school. She's been asking for weeks and weeks. And today I said yes, because it was a balmy 52 degrees outside. She was thrilled. Plus, I just got an email from her teacher telling me that Lila lights up the room and everyone that works with her is just delighted by her. 

• Maisey's prayer at dinner : " Dear Heavenly Father, thankful for this day. Thankful for our food. Thankful we could be together to sing Let it Go. And Do you Want to Build a Snowman. And 

• Today when I was putting Elise down for a nap I was holding her and rubbing her back. She was snuggled into me, as she has come to do for a minute or two just before naps. All of a sudden I felt these tiny little taps on my back. She was patting my back, as I was patting hers, matching my rhythm. The day they rub you back is always a good day. It melted my heart. Tonight after the others were in bed we played with her and watched her crawl all around the room, chasing Cheerios and doing 360's just to entertain us. Her little personality is emerging and it is so fun. 

January: my twelfth favorite month

Braden is out of town for Ryan's birthday weekend so it's just me and the girlies. I was just doing the Christmas post and reflecting on all that happened in January. I was lucky enough to contract that exciting strain of H1N1 the night before we came home from Washington. It hit me like a truck and sucked the very life out of me for several days after we were home. Then it made its way through the whole family. I was still not completely recovered from that, but I had an exploratory surgery scheduled. I went ahead with it and they found a hernia in my pelvis, which they repaired. The flu symptoms turned into cold symptoms that had the persistence of Helen Keller. It just would not quit. If you haven't ever had lungs full of phlegm and a cut up middle section and pelvis, I really recommend it for a health appreciation day. Anyway, it seems like we spent the bulk of January sick and stuck in the house with cabin fever and a lot of stupid weather. Not that I'm trying to be a Negative Nancy or anything but really, January is the worst month.

However, it really wasn't all bad. There were some shining moments for sure. For one thing, my surgery had several non-medical benefits come out of it. The first being that Braden's commander allowed him to take time off for my recovery. I really appreciated that as I'm not sure how I would have done it without him. This allowed Elise some time with Braden and they did some important bonding. For whatever reason, being out of commission for a few weeks, completely unable to manage my usual household chores gifted me a breakthrough epiphany. My house wasn't as clean, my floors didn't get vacuumed as they usually do, and I had a breakthrough moment when I realized that.......drum roll..........it was okay. For some reason this experience has allowed me not to feel anxiety at the sight of a rice covered floor. Don't get me wrong, I don't like it. But since my surgery I somehow have the ability to prioritize better. I spend way more time playing with the kids, reading to them, doing art projects, and reading scriptures than I did before. I have a hard time doing anything "extra" until the house is clean, just because clutter and an un-vacummed dining room make it hard for me to focus on anything else. I can't easily relax in that environment. Until now. I can deal with it now. Because the truth of it is, there is no clean house with small kids in the house all day. I love to walk from room to room and have it all clean. And sometimes I do. But what I sacrifice on those days can't be a regular occurrence. It's not how I want to raise my family. If every room in my house is clean it means some movies were watched. It means I likely didn't play with anyone, or tickle anyone, or read any books, or stop to have a dance party. And sometimes I have to do that because let's face it- this place can turn into a dump in no time flat. But I'm learning to find a balance where that is the exception rather than the rule. Balance is a tricky thing I've found. It's what I seek for everyday. I want a clean house. And I want to play with my kids and teach them things and watch them explore and just let them be kids. But they also need to learn responsibility so I need to allow them to clean their messes and meet the consequences for failing to do so. This hasn't always been a particular struggle for me, but it's certainly increased since I've had Elise. I need order in order to function. But going to bed at the end of the day with a clean house and kids you've been frustrated at all day for impeding in that process, in no way to end a day. I don't get it right everyday. But I'm winning more than I'm losing lately, and that feels good.

Better late than when she's eight

I'm trying really hard to catch up on the old bliggity blog. I'm fighting past the mental goo and pushing through the physical exhaustion that defines me past 8pm. And tonight I'm doing it without any chocolate. Not because I'm disciplined, but because I already ate it all. This place is really disappointing- hummus and carrots and peppers and pistachios, and not a chip or square of dark chocolate in the whole joint. No wonder I'm exhausted. I'm eating such stupid food. 

But I digress.

For what is almost her half birthday, I bring you, photos and memories of her 7th birthday. Braden was in Uruguay (or as Maisey says it 'you're-a-gay'), so we split up the celebrations. She really really really with all of her heart wanted her own camera. Both sets of grandparents gave her money to contribute to that cause. 

We gave her a Mereda doll, mostly because her accent is killer. She inherited Braden's gift of tongues and can throw down some rock solid impersonations. I actually love for her to watch Brave and then talk like Mereda for a few days after.

I forced her to let me take a picture of her before she left for school as a seven year old. 

After soccer practice she had chocolate muffins with the neighborhood girls.

Her pal, Sarah who lives across the street.

Vania made her a littlest pet shop cake.

I love her smile

This is when bearded Braden came home and we had the neighbors over for some cake and ice cream. She chose to go to the circus for her birthday instead of have a party. But we ended up going to St. George for a rare family gathering the weekend the circus was in town (that conversation was not pretty). So we actually just took her last week. Because we are suuuuper cool parents. I'm sure she appreciated it more as a seven and a half year old anyway.

Anabelle can be such a hoot. She gets things other kids her age completely miss and this allows for a really unique relationship with her. She gets jokes, she makes jokes, she perceives so much of what goes on around her. And I trust her to do good and be good. She is a quick learner- in fact she just (correctly) corrected my grammar last week. She is a great big sister. The other day she commented to me that she was lucky to get to see three little sisters grow up. I told her they were pretty lucky to have a great big sister like her. She laughed it off, waving her arm and scoffing. "Oh it's my pleasure".

We feel blessed to have her as an example for the other little girls who follow her and look to her. 

Elise is 10 months old today

Sweet sweet Lissey Lou. She got her two bottom teeth in, breaking Reynolds girl history for the earliest to teethe. She is right on the verge of crawling, but can't quite do it yet. Pulls herself up on the side of the bath tub. Self feeds with her freakish fine motor skills. I swear she could pick a lock with her fingernails if she needed to. She can remove your earring in just under 2 seconds and scratch your entire face to pieces. And her pinches are no joke either. Even Maisey has come to call her "Grabby Grabberson". Often times when I'm nursing her she plays with my hair gently enough for me to enjoy it. The other times she removes hair by the teensy fistfull. Diaper changes are starting to turn into a wrestling match, just when her diapers are starting to turn into actual human poo, which is really unfortunate timing. She loves to sit in her highchair as she knows that someone (or everyone) will feed her. Which is great for her. Except for yesterday when Lila fed her a small magnet. She loves to be thrown and tossed and twirled, especially by Anabelle and Dad. You will never see her cry, as long as she's on my hip, but she's gets a bit pathetic when I set her down lately. Maybe she feels like I'm throwing her to the wolves once I set her down. It is true. It opens up the possibility of being "hugged" by Lila (read choke out). Her babbling is the cutest. Looking over all these pictures I can't help but notice that she does seem to have a mischievous little grin about her, like she's up to something, or would like to be. She'll fit right in with Lila and Maisey. 

She has sure been a delight.

Anabelle and Elise have a special relationship. Anabelle carries her around and has always been the one that can make her laugh the hardest and most frequently. We have actually run experiments. Any of the rest of us can do the exact same simple thing that Anabelle was doing and Elise stares at us blanky. But as soon as Anabelle steps back in she can't control herself. I count on Anabelle often to take Elise so I can get something done.  Sometimes she puts her in the Jammy container and pushes her around the house.

She's staring at you pleasantly, taking in your jewelry, glasses, hat.... plotting...planning....so the very moment you come with lunging distance of her she'll have all your goods removed, leave a small chunk of flesh on your upper lip exposed, and you won't even know what happened.

a long weekend girl party

Braden went to Washington for four days for Ryan's 40th. He and Cody are on their way home now so I only have to worry for a few more hours. I reminded him before he left that I felt more nervous about sending him on a weekend trip with this brothers than I was about sending him to the middle east for half a year for a deployment. I asked him to respect my fear by summoning all the caution and wisdom he felt possible. I am so glad he was able to go, I know that is his dream come true. Meanwhile, back at the ranch...Maisey and Elise have been sick. Lila hasn't been well since we all had the flu so I guess I should count her too. Anabelle and I have sore throats, but at least our eyeballs aren't ooozing with green goo from the bacteria swamp. And still, we had a really nice weekend together. We literally went nowhere. We had no schedule and no friends could come over (yes! my favorite!). We just stayed home and played together. It was really actually super fantastic. Anabelle played with the girls like she used to, she didn't act annoyed by them as she has taken to in the last few months (which breaks my heart). They played school, we made a fierce pile of Valentine's using no less than two full bottles of glue, we turned our dining room into a tacky red light district in honor of said holiday thanks to some red Christmas lights. It was looking sketchy in there so I kept making and putting up more decorations and each time I did the girls would oooooh and ahhhhh, and say breathlessly, "It's beauuuutiful!".  I came in to find the room dark except for the red lights over the table and they were all dancing on the table, delighted at their "dance floor". I didn't share in their excitement, although admittedly, it was a funny sight. Anabelle and I read her longest book yet and finished it in two days. It was about Helen Kellar and she loved it. At first she sighed heavily and asked if it would get more interesting but a few pages in and she was hooked. She is a hero to Anabelle now, which is what I was looking for. I completely expect her to have a work hard, winning attitude when she wakes up in the morning. We watched Frozen (three times), painted nails, painted pictures, made a potato head village, did math flash cards, and ate girl food. And cookies. 

I really feel so blessed to have had these last few days. The days were long and full of endless messes, and the nights were short and full of sick kids in my bed or a baby crying. But, I loved to just be at home with my babies. I loved that we didn't do hair or get out of jammies and our doorbell didn't ring 8 times for someone to come play. I got to just be in my element playing with my girls. I feel truly blessed.

Frozen! Don't ask. I didn't. Mt neighbor just dropped it off. I figure since I'm totally buying it the second it comes out it's OK if we watch it now. Don't judge, I had sick kids by myself for four days. 

She lost her third tooth. And apparently has no intention of leaving it for the tooth fairy. She seems to have forgotten about it. Awesome because I was going to have to take money from her own piggy bank after she went to sleep. 

Elise is right on the verge of crawling. Anabelle is trying to entice her. 

Christmas in Washington, twenty thirteen

Sugar cookies!

Braden being an ass

Elise was a very active baby Jesus- spitting and blowing bubbles and babbling

We went to see Frozen on Christmas Eve and we all loved it.. Lila has never watched a full length movie like that. She walked out of the theater singing the songs and explaining the plot. We were so excited about that we sent Santa to Fred Meyer to buy her an Elsa doll The other girls got Anna dolls.

Lila got completely outfitted for soccer between us and Grandma Reynolds. She literally wears the soccer gear every day. Some times with a princess dress. The first thing she does when she comes home from school is changer her socks and shoes into her cleats and soccer socks.

Braden made his Mom this picture frame

Camo crocs from Grandma

Ryan and Mia losing at Cash Cab. To Thys and I. Everyone lost to us. Several times. Because we are the masters at knowing weird (mostly) useless information. Shout out to the 16 year old who knew all the legitimate information and I would occasionally chime in with some pop culture answer that occured before his time.

Braden doing what he does- falling asleep where ever he wants. Then he puffs. Then the puffs turn into snores. This time he got some sleep accessories, compliments of Ryan.

Peek-a-boo with Mia

Lunch lady land. When I look at this picture all I can think about it is "Sloppy Joes, slopp sloppy Joes"

Maisey running through Grandpa's fields. She didn't know we were watching or listening to her but she was singing a song she made up that was all about being obedient and not getting spanked, as I recall. It was golden.

I adore this picture. 

I think Braden was pretending during our whole ride that this was our real life- that we had horses, that we lived in the country, that we lived by his parents. This picture was important to him, and pictures are never important to him. 

Anabelle & Josie made up their own version of "Let it Go" from Frozen.

Gingerbread houses. All the littles picked a big. And Maisey picked me, even with all the other cooler options around. I hope she always picks me.

And Lila picked Thys. Thys taught her primary class while we were there and he said she listened and answered questions correctly. We always wonder what she's like when she's on her own. Quirky little creature that I adore.

jalapeno poppers

Ryan running his greasy sausage fingers through Bradens hair