to do this weekend:

• kiss my one month old's cheeks (oh those cheeks! can they be any cuter?)

• and if there's time get a handle on all this laundry (again!)

happy warm weekend!

Lucky

My sweet neighbor Marilyn knocked on my door Friday afternoon. As I opened the door the 3 boys and Kate barreled down the stairs to greet her. She looked at them and then me with Clara in my arms and said, "Natasha, you are so lucky! Look at them. You are so lucky!" It lifted my spirits. I needed that reminder.

After she left I thought how different I would have felt had she come in and said, "You have got your hands full!" or "Five kids! What were you thinking?" I'm sure I would have felt overwhelmed and crazy!

But instead, I felt lucky. And I am!

So when the going gets tough, I'm going to remember: I am lucky!

I'm also going to remember: Positive remarks can make or break someone's day.

Keep it positive. We're all lucky. Don't you think?

4 year old logic

Baden:
It would be a lot better if everyone in the world was a bee.

Me:
Why?

Baden:
Because then whenever they went by a plant they could pollinate it.


Makes perfect sense.
Everyone needs a Baden in the family.

Thankful

that croup isn't contagious.

that my 5th baby likes, no, LOVES the swing.

blue cups

simplifying things around here

loaded in the dishwasher at night
unloaded from the dishwasher in the morning
no longer do we have a bazillion blue cups everywhere

the next best thing to having a drinking fountain installed

Would you believe these two darlings robbed me (and Brian) of sleep last night?
Well, believe it!

Thankfully, joy cometh in the morning.
(I read this talk last week as suggested by my father. When I was done reading I knew why he'd offered up the suggestion. It's helping me through this "transition". So, listen to your fathers.)

Day 10

See?

She really is a bundle.
She just fell asleep on my shoulder, I better go put myself to sleep as well.

11:02 pm

Miss bright eyes doesn't know we are suppose to be asleep at this hour.

Chandler turned 8 on Tuesday!Luckily, Clara and I came home from the hospital so we could join in the celebration.
I love that he got all decked out in his new scout uniform for the festivities.
He wanted to wear the get-up to school, but dad wouldn't let him.
Next Wednesday can't come soon enough for this new Wolf.

But what he's the most excited about is getting baptized on Saturday.
He said "when your 8, you get the best present. The gift of the Holy Ghost."
I couldn't agree more.

head over heals...

Update

I've got myself about 5 more days of pregnancy thanks to a body that's not quite ready. And no, I'm not disappointed. I'm relieved. Now I have time to get a few more things done. Because we all know how much time I'm not going to have after next week. However, I do believe a certain 4 year old is going to be very distraught when I pick him up from preschool.

Time to get to work.

We had to take advantage of this rare opportunity to snap a picture of all three sisters pregnant at the same time.
It is very likely to not occur ever again.


Can you see the HUGE growth spurt I underwent these last two weeks?
The million dollar question is this:
Will I still be barefoot and pregnant tomorrow?
Stay tuned to find out.
Frankly, I'm dying to know myself.

Easter snapshots

After church family picture. Probably our last picture as a family of six. I know it looks really weird how I'm holding on to Carson's pants, but he kept trying to leave.

Customary before church picture. As usual ended up with me frustrated and asking aloud, "why can't we ever get a decent picture of you kids!" This one is the best one, and would be even better if missy would quit untying her bow.

This is my favorite picture of the day because apparently Carter thinks that getting your picture taken with your cousins and Nana & Papa is painful.

We had such a nice day and it was a special treat to have Devin & Kendra and Candace and her boys to spend it with. (Cody spent his Easter on a plane to Japan.)

Can't please 'em all

Monday night I made stuffed shells for dinner. It was no secret that Chandler didn't like them (big surprise). As we were cleaning up the dishes he muttered, "The only thing good about this dinner was the water."

Hey, at least he's honest.

Whoa Baby!

(Proof for those strangers who said a couple months ago, "you must be due any day now," I do get bigger.

2 weeks left for Brian and I to agree on her name.
Have any to throw our way?

Good lesson for Family Home Evening tonight.

Miss Smarty Pants

Trouble I tell ya!

And just when I didn't think I could take the cold weather another day...thank you warm(er) weather. Much nicer for walks along the river.

It's our semi-annual favorite time of the year again.

General Conference.
We all, minus Kate, wrote down our questions and readied to hear the answers.
(some for longer than others)
We have heard some answers come, and the rest will surely be heard during tomorrow's sessions.

This little cozy fest was take during the first 3 minutes of the morning session.
It quickly dispersed and was never seen again.
Good thing we snapped a picture.

This family of 6 is thankful for the wonders of modern technology that allow us to watch and listen to the words of the Prophet and apostles 600+ miles away.
See for yourself, here.

Spring...what?

I'm just trying to figure out where the whole "Break" comes in, cause I'm not seeing it.
I've got three words for next year,"get outta here."
You too???