Thankful For My Girls!

 

These girls are my everything! I honestly don't know what would do or be without them in my life. They are the first to have made me a mother. Sierra, Lexie, and Chelsea. All five years apart and counting my blessings everyday that they were born with that age gap. In hindsight it was good for my mental health. That five year age gap has been a blessing and continues to be a blessing. I love them all unconditionally and there is nothing in the world that I would do for them. So thankful for all their differences and for who they are. I sure do learn a lot from them and pray that I will always be open minded and supportive in all the decisions they make with their lives. Motherhood is truly the best and I'm so glad that I decided to have four instead of just one kid! 

Falling Leaves - Live From Our Backyard In New Jersey!

Fall is quickly coming to an end. We have been raking the leaves in our backyard and instead of throwing them in a bag for pick up the kids put them in a pile and have leaf fights and jump in it! This moment truly reminded me of their first leaf war years ago when we first moved to Jersey. It's a good thing these are fresh leaves that have fallen off from our tree in our backyard and not from a park. It brings me so much joy to see them get along and have fun with whatever they do as siblings. They are five years apart and these three are literally "three's a crowd." If I could write a sitcom I would call it "three's company-siblings of New Jersey." Sure Noah can be a pest sometimes to these girls when they want "girl time" but for the most part they will include him in any outing whether it's going to the library, bookstore, skating, going for a walk, or to the movies. These kids are always together 95 percent of the time (except when Lexie is in college) and that makes my mama heart so happy seeing that they all get along no matter the age difference. I captured a few photos (mostly blurry) of them tossing leaves up in the air and it probably took five takes for me to get the perfect shot of them throwing the leaves up in the air, but alas I got it! When photos don't look clear and precise it's ok. It's always the blurry, random ones that are the happiest! You can watch this little reel of them on my instagram and on my TikTok here. 

Peace & Love: It All Starts In The Home.

It's amazing to see the different personalities in each of my daughters, and Noah. Although they are all different they have so many similarities. One similarity is that they all have the capacity to be filled with love, joy, and compassion. And for the most part they are. I hope that I have been the best example I can be, for them to continue to strive to keep those attributes because in this day and age its so important to live it. 

Last Sunday in Relief Society we were taught about what it means to be at peace. How to feel it, and how to look for it. I know that living a gospel centered life focused on Christ has helped me through my darkest moments. I see the happiness that lies in my children's eyes when they turn to God for support, and guidance. I find that when they are amidst some kind of difficulty they will seek Him. Of course there are times when they'll call, or come to us to vent for support, but for the most part they realize that turning to God for guidance is never a failure, because He is always there to listen. And if they know that, they will feel it, develop a strong testimony of it, and always use that tool as a solace. In spite of all the turmoil that life throws at us I always find ways to feel at peace, and to center myself around goodness. Teaching my children true principles of the gospel, and how Christ taught us about "peace" saves me an extra lesson on teaching my kids "how not to be." Yet, I still advise them how to behave around others, and how to treat each others whether it's family or friends. Even strangers. Being kind, finding peace, and being "peaceful" truly is a choice, and we are the ones to decide if we want to be peaceful, or miserable. 

This year we are studying the life of Howard W. Hunter, and in one of his lessons he said...

"The world in which we live, whether close to home or far away, needs he gospel of Jesus Christ. It provides the only way the world will ever know peace. We need a more peaceful world, growing out of more peaceful families, neighborhoods and communities to secure, and cultivate peace, "we must love others, even our enemies, as well as our friends." We need to extend the hand of friendship. We need to be kinder, more gentle, more forgiving, and slower to anger." 

As much as these kids will bicker, pick, disagree, annoy, they always find a way to make amends, and to be at peace with each other as siblings. If they've ever disagreed with friends, they try really hard to not involve contention. One thing I notice about my girls is that they don't like to be drawn to drama, nor do they enjoy it. It's something that they try to stay away from. For the most part they have been pretty lucky in finding ways to escape the petty world of drama, and surviving the conflicts that they've experienced with friends. And always find ways to make amends. I know that they are guided by a loving Heavenly Father, and so far my two oldest daughters "get it." They always, always make the choice to find time to put God in their lives, and when they are at peace with themselves, and with each other, their days look like this...

And it makes me so happy! Sure am going to miss these moments, and once Sierra comes home from her mission there will be more memories to make! 

And so I'll end this post with a scripture...

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27

I hope that we can all find peace among the calamities of life, and that we will pass this on to our children. What a wonderful guide we have to find that peace. We find it in the scriptures, and kneeling in prayer. May we all someday reach that level of of peace, so that others can feel of our genuine love at heart. 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

because it's friday on the first of february.

A while back while waiting in the car for Jon to come out of the house because he forgot his phone Chelsea opened up a book, and began reading aloud to Noah. She loves to read, and you can see the happiness, patience, and love expressed to her brother depicted in this video.

Noah also loves books with pictures of animals in it. I think the sounds he was making made the story more fun for her to read!

Chelsea & Noah have their moments when one is not satisfied with the other. More than I'd like. 

I love these moments where these two are getting along without any screaming, or Noah pulling her hair because Chelsea is leaning on to his seat teasing him because she is not sitting in a carseat. 

She is the only one that will get bored when we go for long drives in the car. I always tell her to bring a book, or etch a sketch to keep her busy until we reach our destination, but sometimes her little mind forgets. Luckily I keep some books in the car, a couple of hide and seek bags for emergencies, and on this day she was so sweet as to have read him this story. 

It's times like these when you see the sibling love, & then accepting the fact that it's a part of life when siblings don't get along.

I remember my sister and I getting along quite well while we were young kids, but once we hit our teens all hell would break loose. Well, sometimes. 

Now that we are older we are the best of friends. We'll call up one another when advice is needed. We'll talk about the latest fashion. Sometimes she'll compliment me on my style, and vice versa. She is my only sister, and no matter the distance that separates us I do my best to keep in touch with her via facebook, calling, snail mail, and her favorite...texting.  

All we can do as parents is continue to tell them to be kind to one another, and simply love one another. I also remind them to stop behaving in a way they wouldn't want to be treated because in the end, when they are older they are ALL going to need each other. 

They will be calling each other for get-togethers, girl/boy problems, and advice. There will be tears on the other end of the phone when one is not having a good day, month, or year! 

I know it because my sister and I have been through plenty of those. Still do.

Loving your siblings is important, and I want my three girls to be there for Noah when he has some little girl break his heart (maybe he'll be the heartbreaker), or needs any sisterly advice. 

Same goes for the girls.

But seriously...aren't they just the cutest in the video? 

I love them both so much!

I love all our kids so much!