Even though I'm not big on New Years resolutions, this January did turn out to be quite a…resetting, I guess you could say. I didn't set out to make any big goals or changes, but I tuned in to some things about my mental and physical health that I have been unintentionally ignoring for a long time. This year (and from now on) I am facing these challenges more directly. I am resolving to take better care of myself in many areas. To be more open with the people I trust when I need help. To be more intentional.
So there's that.
And now on a lighter note, I'm sharing our January in iPhone pictures, since I didn't blog at all!
We hosted a fun Ward Leadership party at our home the beginning of the month. We had a delicious catered dinner and a hilarious white elephant gift exchange. One of the highlights of the night was sitting across from the Richey's to capture this amazing series of pictures as Troy ate his BBQ-Cheddar-Flavored-Crickets. Rauchelle's expression is priceless in every picture:
Hudson started Sunbeams! He has the same teacher both the older boys had, and she is wonderful. He had a hard time the first few weeks but now goes with no problem. I wanted to get a picture of his first day, but--shocker--he wouldn't pose for a picture for me wearing his
I Am A Child of God crown. Of course Sister is always up for being in the spotlight.
Avery has started doing this thing where if she is feeling shy, she just covers her eyes with her hands. "If I can't see you, you can't see me!"We were at the park one day after school and some girls offered to push her on the swing. She was not feeling it.
Boston had an assignment to build a volcano. I immediately delegated that to Jamie, the resident Creative. They waited until the weekend before it was due to make it, but they had fun doing it, and it turned out cute! He had fun erupting it at school.
Avery had a
very brief stint with potty training. It seemed like a good idea when we heard her bestie, Alice, was doing it. So we threw some Minnie Mouse undies in the cart one night at Target and gave it a go.
After a few hours and several accidents, we called it quits! But she enjoyed the underwear while they lasted. See you in a few more months, Minnie.
And here we have Hudson cozied up on the floor in front of the space heater, sound asleep. He slept there for 2 hours!
I was walking the boys into school one morning and noticed a piece of Cade's artwork was matted and hung on the wall in the main hall. Not sure how it got chosen, but he was so proud he wanted me to take a picture!
We've had some nice springy weather and some fun play dates at the park with our friends. This is Alice, one of Avery's best buddies. (Especially now that Avery no longer hits Alice and pulls her hair whenever they play!)
We had a little sickness go around for a few weeks. Avery, Hudson, and Cade each took turns with fevers, runny noses, and diarrhea. Cade's turned into an ear infection. It wasn't too terrible, and it made for lots of snuggle time!
And Hudson took more naps than usual! This picture was at about 10:00 am. He was in the middle of playing, but announced he was tired and wanted to lay down. Then he passed right out on the couch for a few hours.
Some friends of ours gave the kids a Gingerbread Train they picked up on clearance on a whim. Boston and Cade built the structure, while Hudson and Avery did most of the decorating (and eating). I love Avery sticking out her tongue in concentration...
We have started getting produce baskets from a local co-op again, and I love getting the kids involved with it. Hudson was my orange-juicing-partner one morning. (Too bad no one actually liked the juice except me! Too much pulp.)
This is a terrible picture, but all the kids were happy to help prepare the corn for Sunday dinner. Even Avery and Hudson got in on the action.
We got a coconut in one of the baskets, which was a new experience for the kids. It brought back memories of the coconuts on Guam when I was little!
Being indoors so much during the winter can really give me the blues, so we've tried to spend time outside on the milder days. The trampoline is always fun, especially when there are no older brothers to bounce you off! We even enjoyed a picnic lunch out there one day.
And the highlight of my LIFE so far: Avery in pigtails.
Her hair is tricky because it is super fine, and still just short baby hairs in the front, while the back gets longer and longer. I have trimmed it several times, thinking the front would eventually catch up and we could hopefully avoid a mullet. But then I decided to try piggy tails and my life is complete. I seriously have so much fun doing her hair.
She doesn't particularly like getting it done, but she always feels pretty and wants to show the boys right away.
Last week Nelwyn wanted to take Hudson and Avery for a sleep-over in Plano. When she asked, I thought, "Is that a trick question? Duh, yes." While I looked forward to some blissful alone-time, Cade ended up being home sick that day. We went to the pediatrician (double ear infection), and then he came out to lunch with my friend and me. That evening, Boston and Daddy had church so we snuck away to Braums for a date.
When the little ones got home the next day, Avery was thoroughly worn out, you know, FROM BEING UP FOR THE DAY AT 3:30AM. She pretty much slept the entire morning. I don't know if Mawmaw and Grandpa will offer to have another sleep-over anytime soon!
I realize this post is already heavy on selfless, but whatev. I am really having fun with make-up lately. I love watching tutorials and learning new tips and tricks. One morning I put the little ones in the bath, where they played happily while I spent an hour getting ready. It was nice to have time to pamper myself!
I'm also experimenting a little with false eyelashes. So fun and makes me feel instantly fancier. I pretty much have only worn them to church because, well, the carpool lane is not worth the effort.
Later that day with my girlie girl:
Avie shares my love of make up. Every day she wants "up on counter" while I get ready, and she wants everything on her own face too. She knows the rules: "jus a widdle bit of yipstick" and only one squirt of "wotion." Oh man, this girl is good for my heart.
