Less Is More

Sadly, shamefully, I was so tempted to not go to church today. I had some pretty "good" excuses too but I am so glad I went because I truly feel like the adversary was trying to keep me from hearing what I really needed to today. The kids were extra tired and busy today but I think the things I was meant to hear most were at the times my kids weren't so distracting :)

I've had a whole mixture of thought processes that have led me to this decision lately but I have just felt the need to truly "hibernate" with my family. Poor  but also lucky at times  Stuart has to still venture out to school and face the COLD  mainly literally  world. Life seems to get busy even with two small children who aren't even in school. I have been thinking about how nice it is having them at home with me and being their main influence. AND to not have to venture out in this bitter weather every morning if I choose not to. That I have every ability to limit how chaotic extra stuff can get. I told Stuart a while ago that I don't even know why I feel spread thin. That there have been busier times and life will only get much busier as they get older. Hopefully my thought process makes sense.   Anyways, the lesson we had  today just reassured me of my decision and how lucky I am to even have this option.  How important my role is as a wife and mother to literally help make (or break) our home. It's so easy with young kids to get overwhelmed at times with trying to discipline and give all your effort and attention to mulitiple human beings. To make sure they are not only alive but providing all that they need to thrive. I am just so glad they are still young so that when I fall so much shorter than where I want to be that they are still there to love me and forgive me. Never felt remotely nervous about teenagers until recently. :/  

On a side note, Kohen just got his new movie in the mail the other day. We try to reinforce only church things on Sundays in order to help keep the Sabbath day holy. Today he finally got to watch it. He memorized the first two Articles of Faith a few months ago but number three is probably going to be a little tougher so I ordered this dvd a few weeks ago to help him continue his good work. He really likes it and feels like it's his special movie. Don't tell him, but I don't feel like it was my best purchase. Not awful, but not great.

Tonight after dinner and baths we decided to draw pictures of "church things" which quickly turned into pictures of animals but when I didn't draw a gorilla very well it turned into drawing our dream house ....according to Kohen. It was fun and actually something we've never drawn before. He would tell me about things he wanted and I would draw them. They were all outside things like a dog. A fence so the dog wouldn't run away. A swing...well maybe 6 swings so that everyone has one and some extras. A tree...an apple tree to be specific. Miley voiced her little opinion on this one too and said, "Apple...mmmm" while nodding in approval. A tree house. Clouds, a sun, grass, ...the necessities.  A pool with "a little pool like Gramma and Papa's house with a jump thing" a spa and a diving rock  Then he decided it wouldn't be complete with out family. And according to Kohen's picture, apparently my whole family and my brother's dog and his Nanny and Papa Rupp are all going to live there too. What a great excuse for a very big house :)

 I also talked to Kohen about what would happen if he were on fire and of course told him to Stop, Drop and Roll. Maybe it's different now? So much has changed since my childhood After I showed Kohen, Miley got the biggest grin on her face and decided it looked like fun. Which of course turned into a kissing the baby/wrestling session. 

I LOVE my littles and the little things

I love my kids, quite a lot and quite obviously. And although I am still an avid journal writer, blogger on occasion and definitely a photographer of my kids lives and their small moments woo that was a lot I feel like I am still letting their adorable and priceless moments slip through my fingers. I know I can't record every stinkin cute thing they say or funny thing they do but am I the only one who can't seem to stop my obsession with trying? I feel like I am living in the moment and totally enjoying it but still feel sad at how fast it is going. Like actually sad! I just don't want to forget, you know?!

Anyways, as I was writing in my journal tonight about things I LOVE about the kids and funny things that happened today I thought I'd make it blog post official.

-I love how Kohen calls Miley his best friend and they truly act like it. He is so loving and caring towards her. And Miley is just as affectionate most of the time. They'll hold hands together, play together, always share with each other, hug each other. Seriously, it's melts me watching them act so sweet and loving to each other. I know it's just kids and their natural instinct to be that way but when it's your own kids and when they definitely have their moments of fighting and picking on each other it's nice to see.

-I love how Miley tries to do what Kohen does. Like when they sing together. Adorable!

-They have their little routines and things they like to do together. Like hold hands and walk out to the living room together when they wake up. Or sit by the fireplace and warm up. Or talk to each other. Or cuddle/wrestle. Or play cars and dress up. I remember hearing my mom and other moms talking about how neat it is to see their children not only be siblings but FRIENDS and love each other. I understand and couldn't agree more.

-I love how excited Kohen gets about every holiday. He's at such a fun age! I say that with every age, I know. I have always loved to do corny/cheesy crafts and themed meals with everything but it's even more fun when you have an excited little 3 year old always complimenting you, thanking you and saying things like, "Oh sweet! It's like Balentines(valentines) day"  or  "I love strawberries. Those are my favorite!" with SUCH excitement that it's contagious and addicting.

-I love seeing their personalities develop and interests change. Kohen has hit the stage might have been in denial for a while where he loves BOY things. Big boy things to be specific. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Superheroes, ... And although he still has his sweet innocence and likes younger things like Bubble Guppies and Disney, he can't help but do "sweet ninja moves" every chance he gets or protect us from bad guys. He's always been a thinker. A contemplater. But it still amazes me the things he thinks about and comes up with when I just talk to him. He is still so thirsty to learn a lot too that it's fun to learn things with him and see his curious little mind think.

-I love Miley and how she is truly a smiley Miley one minute, a major tease and fightsy and stubborn the next. I was telling Stuart I need to seriously start reading about this personality type because the two's will sneak up before we know it.
She really is the funniest little tease though! She melts Stuart 100% so I can see I will have to be the strong one here. For a little pip squeak she is full of personality.

Ok, I better stop here. But I couldn't stop obsessing about my my little loves and their little things they do that I love. Plus it's much faster to type than to write it all out by hand :)