Unfinished thoughts from February

I found this post that I had started a couple of months ago but, if I'm remembering correctly, it was interupted by the pitter patter of little feet-- or more likely-- the wrestling of little boys. I thought I would have time to come back to it and finish up those thoughts, but that obviously never happened, so for the sake of this journal, I'll just post it how it is:

It's interesting how we can be in the midst of what we consider a great trial and then have even more placed upon our shoulders. How these trials add up and add up until we think we can't handle anymore, and then we are shown that we can. And blessings come.

This pregnancy has been my most difficult yet. Probably the combo of having two other kiddos who need my constant attention, are going through sleep issues, and are busy busy boys, along with my age. I'm not old, but I am older than I was 2 and 4 years ago. I just am.

That being said, I am incredibley grateful to be expecting, as I know there are many many many people who would love to experience any bit of pregnancy (the good and the bad) if it meant they would have a child in the end.

I love that there is new life in me, that we will have a special, brand new, wonderful little spirit join our family who will seem as if they were always a part of us. And I love that I am a part of this miracle of life. And really, I do think it is worth every bit of pain and frustration and sickness and exhaustion.

As I read through this, my first thought, was that things have not changed a lot but they have changed in the ways that matter. We have different things going on now that still make life crazy and busy and full, but we have been continually blessed. And really, two months can make a difference. How wonderful to know that no matter what difficulties we may face today, there is always tomorrow~ to smile, laugh, and take on the world. Or maybe just our home. One day at a time.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

The past 9 days since I last posted have been some of the hardest...but also the sweetest.
Tave has been so sick and we found out that it was an ear infection. He's now on antibotics and finally doing well and sleeping through the night again.
Enter Weston. Weston has had stomach pain which switched to ear pain. Totally unrelated but they each have kept him up many many nights.
Which means that between the two boys, Jeff and I have not slept through the night in over 2 weeks.

It's been a little rough. Oh who am I kidding? It's been a LOT rough.

But we have had some awesome days at home snuggling, cuddling, watching movies, staying in our pjs and just hanging out. Because we've been inside so much, I have been THE entertainment for hours on end.
It has been really good for us. These sicknesses have forced me to take a break and put the cleaning/organizing/and other stuff on hold.

My Christmas shopping may not be done (we were so sad we had to miss the free babysitting from the Beehives due to this sickness!!!) and my cards aren't out yet, but we have truly enjoyed each other and had so much fun.
And I can't say enough about my wonderful hubby- he always takes his turn in the middle of the night, cleans up when I don't want to clean another dish, and lets me run upstairs and take a nap after dinner when I just can't keep going.

With the Christmas tree sparkling, light music in the background, and love and snuggles abounding, we truly are feeling the Spirit of the season.
And there is magic in our home.

Our Gratitude Project

I took a little break from posting. I didn't mean for it to go so long, but it was nice to stay away. To take the time to get other things done and not worry about writing every day.
Despite my lack of posting, we have continued to talk about the things we were grateful for and all of the blessings in our lives. We celebrated our month of gratitude with family during Thanksgiving and we enjoyed every minute with everyone.

I am feeling overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with the many blessings I have. With the love that my Heavenly Father shows me through the people he puts in my life.

I am grateful for my parents. For their love, support, and guidance. For the love that they show my children and the wonderful grandparents they are. I am so grateful that I am their daughter and I grew up in their home. I am the person I am because of them.
I am grateful for my 'other' parents. For how they raised their son so that he could become the man I have fallen in love with. I am grateful for their immediate love and acceptance of me. And I am so thankful for how much they love my boys.
I am grateful for my siblings (ALL 12 of them) For each of their unique personalities and the amazing things they teach me. For the giving, the kindnesses, and the support I receive from them.
I am grateful for friends. For those listening ears and thoughtful times when they know just what I need that day.
I am grateful for my sweet boys. For all that I learn and the mother I am becoming because of them. I can't imagine my life without them.

Above all- I am so thankful for my incredible husband. He loves me unconditionally and continually puts my needs before his own. I am deeply grateful to my Heavenly Father who knew just the kind of person I would need beside me in this life. I am grateful that we are sealed together for eternity and that we have that long to learn, grow, and become better together. Amd I will be forever grateful that Jeff chose me. I am grateful for the wonderful father he is becoming and how absolutely amazing he is with our boys. I love you, babe.

I am so blessed.

Our Gratitude Project

Jeff: I am grateful for a wife who works so hard to keep our home organized.

Weston: I am thankful that I got to see my grandpa and he gave me a dollar so I can pick out a toy.

Tave: is thankful for hugs from his Grandpa great. He loved seeing him one last time and wouldn't let Grandpa put him down.

Nicole: I am thankful for organization. I am not an organized person. I want to be and really really try to be. Today the boys and I went through all, yes ALL, of their toys! We got rid of a bunch and organized like mad. They were little troopers through my day-long obsession to get it done! And I must say, our hard work paid off. The closets look better and we now have a 'system' to our toys. LOVE it! (someday I will have my dream play room for the kiddos...but until then, I'll work with what I have!)

Our Gratitude Project

Jeff: I am thankful for little boys who make me feel like a better dad than I am. Tonight at bedtime I asked Weston what is favorite part of the day was. He told me "when daddy came home and played with me." Best part of my day.

Weston: "I am thankful for mommy and daddy. and my grandmas and grandpas. I love my grandmas and grandpas. (pause) They live far far far far far away. (another pause) Where do they live?"

Tave: is thankful for getting to play with his aunts and uncles today.

Nicole: I am thankful for how well my boys have been getting along. In the last two days their interactions have turned into playful wrestle matches. They have both enjoyed laughing and playing with each other more than toys. I absolutely love watching this new development!

Our Gratitude Project Day - oh who cares what day, here's what we're grateful for...

Jeff - I am grateful for a little boy who has done awesome potty-training. He is always so excited when I get home so he can run and tell me how many times he went today.

Weston- That I stayed dry in my pants all day today!

Tave- is grateful that West share's his potty-training treats.

Nicole - is SOOOOO grateful that Weston had his first EVER full day of staying dry in underwear!! He did FANTASTIC!!!

Our Gratitude Project...the whole weekend

We had a very busy and full weekend.

We have so much to be thankful for, here are just a few:

Each other.
Mine and Jeff's night away to Park City. We had fun, learned a lot about each other, and just enjoyed the time together.
Family who takes care of our kiddos and us.
How much the boys LOOOVE their grandparents, aunts, uncles, & cousins.
Our sweet boys. It is always so fun to come home after a night away. We all appreciate each other more.
Grandpa's visit. We had a blast over the last few days we spent with him. The boys are VERY thankful for their awesome remote control cars (from Great Grandpa)
The first snow. It is breathtaking every time.
Healthy, happy boys.
Baby showers. An evening with the ladies celebrating new life. Love it.
Bowling. My hubby showed me up, but it was a blast anyways! It's so fun to do things we don't normally do.
Weston's excitement over potty-training.
Making mistakes and learning from them. A crazy thing to be grateful for, but I really am. I love that Jeff and I have grown together and become stronger, better, and more focused on what is important.

Our Gratitude Project Day 9

Jeff: I am thankful for a son who calls me 'the greatest guy in the whole world' just for getting his stuck playdoh out of the container.

Weston: Umm, I am thankful for having a lot of fun with mommy and daddy and playing a lot. I am thankful for my shows. (hmm...does this mean we let him watch too much tv?!)

Tave: Is thankful for a mommy and daddy who dance around the room with him and tickle his tummy to make him laugh.

Nicole: I am thankful for my adorable, sweet Tave. This little man is a whole lot of energy wrapped into a teeny, tiny package. He has SO MUCH personality that comes busting out every minute of the day. He can throw big tantrums, but he loves even bigger. I love what he is teaching me and how we are growing together. I am forever thankful for this bundle of happiness that came our way!