Princesses and Fairies

Avez celebrated turning the big 4 this week.  She tried turning 6 but we had to explain you can't negotiate your age.  At her age there is no need to stay 25 forever.  We had "Happy 4th Birthday" balloons.  All three munchkins loved playing with them.  She requested Chic-Fil-A for her birthday dinner.  And of course there was another party going on there that she became a part of. Her birthday fell on a Sunday so we decided to have a few friends over on Sat for cake and ice cream.  Avez was in heaven.  She wore a princess dress and so did several of her friends.  Then there was a Sleeping Beauty cake.  Everyone had a great time and Avez was so happy to be 4.  The festivities continued on into Sunday when she got to have everyone sing to her in Primary and told everyone she could that it was her birthday.  After church she was able to open presents from family.  She had a great Birthday. 

 Aley got into the festivities as well.  She thought the balloons were amazing and loved trying to keep up with the big girls.

 This is her Sleeping Beauty cake.  She wanted "pink, blue and green, just like the one the fairies made".  But she didn't want the one that slid down the broom.

 She was so happy about her cake.  This is her way of not blinking.

 If she doesn't hold her eyes as wide as possible this is the result every time.

 Avez made an announcement that no one was to blow out the candles but her.

 All the girls in attendance.  Several are as into princesses and dress up as Avez.  They all traded dresses numerous times.

 Avez also spread napkins all over the table.  The cake and ice cream was a hit.  Thanks to all the help getting everyone served!

 Maams and Andie made an appearance via iChat.  And proof that boys were there.

 Ava got 2 pairs of fairy wings.  That way she can share with friends.

Bubba got into it all, even putting on a few necklaces.

 Princess Jasmin was a hit.  Except she "can't go anywhere until her tummy is covered".

I think one of the most loved items was her high heels.  She was so happy and wears them all day.

I Can't Becomes I Can

I attended an amazing Relief Society Quarterly activity on goal setting and filling your lamps tonight.  It fit in with the beginning of a new year and starting fresh with new goals.  Three women shared how they find time for personal, physical and spiritual goals.  Each one had wonderful thoughts and ideas that made me want to emulate them and how they lived their lives.  The 10 Virgins were brought up as well and I found myself siding more with the 5 unprepared and foolish virgins.

On the way home a thought came into my head or a song.  I turned off the radio to really take a moment to key in and focus on what the Spirit was trying to tell me.  The song "I Can't Do Everything" popped into my head and I began remembering the words: 

 I can't do everything, I know because I've tried.
I told myself I could, then found out I lied.
I believed with all my heart, that I should do it all.
But I can't do everything and when I try, I fall.
I can't please everyone, I know because I've tried.
I needed the love so much, sometimes I compromised.
But the more I live and learn, the more I clearly see,
that I can't please anyone, until I'm pleased with me.

So here I am asking with all my heart
for the feeling I have been dreaming of
just fill the empty spaces that keep us apart
and help me find myself in your love.
Because I can't do anything without some help from above
and I can't please anyone, until I know I'm loved.
And I believe I'm loved.

As this happened I began to realize how I was trying to do everything in my life and accomplishing nothing.  Not only am I failing miserably but I am drowning and getting to the point where just making it to the mailbox seems a major achievement for the day.  I am trying to keep a perfectly clean house and failing.  Trying to raise and teach my kids and failing.  Trying to be a perfect wife and failing.  Trying to think about exercise and never making it off the couch.  The list goes on and on.  I realized that just like in the song I am trying to do everything on my own with no help from anyone.  Not my husband or friends, and especially not the Savior.  I've been shutting him out and that needs to stop.  Because I really can't do anything without His help and help from those around me.

I loved the "what if" principle that one sister spoke of.  What if I just read one verse.  Or what if I just do one wall of crayon removal.  Or what if I just exercise for 5 minutes.  Those "what if's" can add up into something amazing and if I include my Savior in those "what if's" I can change myself into a person who resembles Him and those women I was admiring tonight.  I would turn from being a foolish virgin into one of the wise ones with a lamp full of oil watching and waiting for the Bridegroom prepared.  It was an epiphany.  So if any of you read this that were there tonight, THANK YOU.

No Sleep!

I don't know why Bubba is so determined to push my every button. He has been getting especially needy at night. Not at bedtime, but at midnight and around 3-4am. I thought when Aley started sleeping through the night (almost a year ago) that after the kiddies were in bed I could relax and enjoy a good night's rest. Lately, Bubba has been trying to change this arrangement.

He has woken up in the middle of the night and cried because he can't find his baba (bottle), which he uses as a pacifier. Or he will come upstairs and try to climb into bed with me and Kellen. The first night I was so tired I didn't really know what was going on until I had a little heater snuggled up to my side. That wouldn't have been bad by itself, but then he just kept wiggling and I couldn't get any sleep from 4am on. That was night one. Night two started as a repeat of night one but before he could climb into bed I heard him coming up the stairs and intercepted and helped him get back into his own bed and find his baba.

This occurred for another night or two. Forgive me for not being more exact but at that time of night my memory isn't working and all I want is sleep. But I do know that one of those nights he woke up Ava also and she came up into our bed. This would be fine if we had a big bed. But we have a queen size bed and it can feel crowded with just Kellen and me. Imagine adding 2 more growing and wiggly bodies.

Then last night was the worst. He woke at midnight and couldn't find the ever allusive baba. I helped him back downstairs and got him settled back down with his blankies and his baba. I thought that would have solved the problem for the night. Not so lucky. The cries began again at 3am and his steps were heard. Kellen started the "get Bubba back in bed" operation. But mommy had to come and help and when I tried to leave the room he would start freaking. I didn't want Avez to wake up so I laid by him for about 20 minutes till I was sure he was asleep. Then I was finally able to get back into my own bed and sleep.

I didn't think that my nights would end up like this and it is starting to affect my days. I hope he sleeps better tonight!

Aley's 1st Birthday!

My baby turned 1 year old! I can't believe how fast time has flown by. I can still remember bringing her home and worrying what Bubba and Avez would try to do to her and how Kellen and I would handle being outnumbered. Despite all the drama and accidents that took place in Aley's first year we have come a long way. She is just as adventurous as her big brother and sister. She explores and tries to she how her world around her works. She walks and is even trying to talk. Pretty soon she my have more to say than Bubba!

After a few minutes of Avez "helping" her open presents she figured out how to do it on her own.

This was the standard look for the day. I couldn't get her to crack a smile for the life of me.

Daddy helped hold the cake. Notice the hands trying to get at it from below!

Bubba was very helpful in blowing out the candle.

She loved eating her cake.

In fact she couldn't eat it fast enough. Even with both hands full and chocolate getting everywhere.

She even tried to lick the plate.

Everyone had a great and fun filled night of cake. But the bathtub suffered the most with a bath full of chocolate covered kids. Happy Birthday Aley!!! Hope this year is even better than your 1st.