3 Months Old

Cody is 3 months old now! He loves to be held all the time.  He loves when you talk to him, and look right into his bright blue eyes.  He is smiling and cooing.  He has two little dimple in crevices of his smile.  He is rolling over the moment we lay him down.  He is sleeping around 7 to 8 hours most nights.  He is generally happy as long as we hold him, talk to him, and keep him involved with the family.

All his brothers and especially his sister completely adore him, and love to be in charge of taking care of him.

We can't imagine life without him, and we definitely feel complete with him. We still feel completely chaotic and are looking forward to feeling a little bit more "normal".  We also feel a little spoiled for getting the chance to have 5 fabulous kids!

Cutler's Baptism

It was a great day! Cutler was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We are so proud of Cutler and his choice to be baptized.  Cutler told us his favorite scripture story was of David and Goliath.  Cutler sure reminds me of David.  He has so much courage to do what is right, to try new things, and to help others.  He is a kid you can always count on.  His school teachers are always asking him to help befriend other kids because they know he is willing.  Cutler said is most excited to receive the Holy Ghost and to have the spirit with him.  We love you Cutler!!!

 

Mother's Day Visit to Temple Square

Our Family

There is one Mother's Day that I have never forgotten, and it was when my older boys were little boys. We got up that morning and after opening a few gifts and then we made our way out the door to Temple Square.  We had such a good morning milling around the grounds and playing hide and seek with the boys. It seems like it was just yesterday. When this was our little family

Our family in May 2006

Our Children May 2012

Six years later we have been blessed with so much. Our house is bursting at the seams with children running, laughing, screaming, jumping, playing and more. Each one of our children are so different, and yet they all seem to fit together.  Each one of them is alarmingly amazing. They each have qualities in life that I daily learn from. I honestly can say I never thought motherhood would require so much energy and perseverance on a daily basis. It is a 24 hour, no vacation, no holiday type of work. I also never realized how blessed I could feel. I am deeply in love with this family. There are no words that could explain how my heart feels. 

In just a short month of life this little man has changed our life. He is wonderful to have! Cody has these amazing eyes to look into. He seems so calm, but I just know he has an explosion of energy within him.

I am not sure anymore who he looks like.  When I first laid eyes on him, he was a-look-a-like to Carson, but now he is his own person.  But I have to say he looks like an Ingles' baby, just in his own way.

There is no schedule in our day or night for that matter.  We are still just moving through life with no idea when he will need to eat or sleep.  I tell myself enjoy it, the infancy stage passes so quickly and I will miss it!

Cody is currently eating, sleeping whenever he is held, starting to focus when we talk to him, he doesn't seem to mind being passed around, and he doesn't wake up when the kids are screaming and playing extremely loud (in fact he seems to be a peace with the added noise).

We love our Bonus Baby Boy...Cody!!!

Carson 2 yrs.

I wish I had the words to express how I love 2 year olds...especially this one!!! He is a terrific two year old, with the tendency to be terrible at times.

Carson is sunshine, happiness, laughter and joy all squished into this little man.  He has the ability to entertain us for hours.  I could spend all day trying to soak up his personality.  He loves to play with his siblings.  Cole is his buddy, Cutlers is his punching bag, Kiley is his partner in crime, and Cody is the new attraction.  He loves Daddy and is thrilled to spend all day with him. He is willing to be carted all over the place from soccer to baseball to dance, and is so happy when he gets to join in when the others are practicing at home.

For being 2 he isn't hard to take places, especially if it is just him.  He likes to stay right with Rob or I, and is happy to sit on our laps, stay in the cart, or hold our hand.

He is starting to hold conversations now, and the trick is to understand everything he is telling you.  Because when you don't he knows it, and isn't very happy.  He is now trying to do everything on his own, which requires a lot of patience on my part.

Well, I have to say he loves Daddy, but he love me just as much.  He loves to snuggle with me, give me kisses, he tells me he loves me, and if I am not around he always ask where I am.  Like I said he is sunshine!!!

I love these two!!!

The girls!

We are out numbered at our house, 2 girls to 5 boys...but no worries I was blessed with a girly girl.  Kiley is all girl! She is more than I could ever have hoped for.  People tell me not to spoil her, I secretly laugh to myself and think it isn't possible.

When she was born people would ask me if I was enjoying having a girl, and I would respond, "I just can't get enough of her." Well, good for me...I have been since birth and am still soaking up every little bit of her. Since she will be our ONLY girl, I am so glad I have enjoyed the princesses, her makeup obsession, hairbows and hairdos, dollies, dance and so much more.

I can't believe she is almost 5!!! She keeps telling me she will stop growing up at that point, but I know better and it makes me really sad to think she will grow up on me. I am not sure I will be able to stand her going to kindergarten this year.

Kiley loves so many things, and people.  She has so many friends, and loves them all.  She is very talkative at home and everywhere else.  She is full of imagination and creativity.  She loves to dance, and love her teacher Miss Mo.  She loves her Carson, and Baby Cody, and loves to take care of them. (I love it too! For the most part she is absolutely wonderful with them, and so willing to take care of them.) She loves to dress up, wear make-up, and be beautiful!!!

We love our Kiley!

Cutler is a kid at heart...I know he is a kid, but I am sure he will always have a place for play.  He knows how to work hard, and care for others. But one thing this kid is great at doing is reminding us to have a good time.  He loves to laugh, smile, and rough house.  He can get out of hand in goofing off, and I scold him, but in my heart I really hope that he will remember how to enjoy life.

He has a big sense for adventure. He likes roller coasters, hiking, climbing (on everything, including my walls), riding his bike, scooter, and more.  He tells jokes, teases his little brother (which is why Carson thinks it is funny to hit him).  He has lots of friends, and most of them are on his favorite sport soccer.  Soccer is perfect for him because he gets to run, run, and run some more...which he loves.

Cutler has a contagious smile.  I still remember at a baseball game when he was 2 and some stranger said, "now that is one incredible smile." Yep, I would have to agree!

Cutler has just finished 2nd grade, and he did awesome.  He is always so good at math, and his reading improved by leaps and bounds.  I am also pretty sure that when it came to spelling he rarely missed a word on any of his test.  

We just love this kid!

 9 years ago this incredible kid changed my life, and my journey as a mother began.  I wish I could go back to the very first moments when I held him.  I wish I could experience that profound moment when my life would no longer be just about me, but I would forever be responsible in caring for and raising these children.

It was an easy choice for Rob and I to decide to have children, and we were blessed with Cole.  When Cole ask what kind of baby he was...I say nope he was by the book.  I would read a book about how to care for this or that, and the book would say do this and your baby will respond this way.  And Cole did exactly as the book would say.  Motherhood seemed pretty easy...until I learned that every baby was different, and I basically tossed the books out the door.

Cole is a great kid to have around. He is very aware of his surrounding, and the need to help others.  The other day we were out and about when a boy with down syndrome started talking to him. Cole was so considerate, he treated him no different and responded to all the boy's question.

He is the perfect older brother...he picks on his younger siblings just enough to bug them once in awhile, and then takes care of them whenever there is a need. He is such a help with Carson and Cody.

Cole loves to learn new things...one of his goals for the summer is to learn all the states, and Presidents of the United States. He is very goal oriented, and focused.  He wants to be an engineer when he grows up.  He is very much like his Dad, in that he wants things to be perfect, and that he is good at figuring out how to fix things, or make them work.

Cole has an amazing testimony in the gospel.  He is quiet about it, but if only others could listen to his nightly prayers you would be amazed at the spirit he carries with him.

Cole doing what he does best, being a buddy!

Thanks again to my family for making it so I could have another unforgettable Mother's Day!

1 Month Old

Cody 1 Month Old

Time sure does fly when you are having fun!!! Fun is a great way to describe our time with Cody thus far. I am completely enjoying loving him, snuggling him, kissing him (he probably is sick of the number of kisses he gets, but I just can't help myself), dressing him (I may have went a little overboard on the outfits with the help of my sister and some friends). I love bathing him and smothering him in lotion. Then I can't wait to smell that sweet baby smell. I love that I get to sneak away into the back room and feed him with no one bothering me. I love taking a nap with him and hearing him breathe. I have enjoyed looking into his little eyes and wondering who he is going to be. Oh but I can wait to discover who he is.  I need a few more nights to snuggle him before grows up and runs off to play.

And then there is the other four kids with him...they are wonderful with him! Really I am impressed, even Carson is amazing with him. Each of the kids are very gentle, patient, and willing to help him when ever he or I are in need. Cole and Cutler in the morning don't even bother us if we are still asleep, they start getting ready for school and help Kiley and Carson out with breakfast. Kiley is awesome at holding Cody so I can quickly pick up the house, she loves when he falls asleep on her. Carson once a day ask to hold him, loves to touch his hair, and reminds me that he is cute! Cole and Cutler have offered to be up with him at night, but no worries I still take on my responsibility as mother.

The only problem we are having with having a newborn with 4 other kids is that we have to go places. With the number of games, practices, school events, and more we are on the go all the time once the boys get home from school. Sometimes we are gone for several hours at a time and the amount of stuff needed for just the event, and then for everyone else is extreme! Our arms are plump full and then add in a car seat and toddler in hand and we bound to have a disaster.

Well needless to say with 5 we may not always be gracefully surviving, but we are surviving and for the most part we are ENJOYING IT!!!

Counting my blessings

Tonight at baseball, "Heads," was shouted from the field behind us. Then smack, bam, or however you want to write out the sound of the baseball hitting directly into our baby's carseat right where his head had been just minutes before. I am counting my blessings tonight that he was looked after.

It seems the night is coming to a close on Mother's Day.  Today has been filled with much Joy, and Happiness.  I had moments today where I looked at my family and in my heart whispered a prayer of gratitude for the husband and children I have been given.  As the children ran from fountain to fountain at Temple Square I was in awe at the joy the had in simple pleasures.  The laughter amongst them brought a smile to my face. 


However the end of the night I found exhaustion setting in. As Rob starting getting ready for bed envy inside me started to swell. I don't envy that he has to wake up at 2:00 to go to work, but he was climbing into bed and my night was just beginning. I left the room and looked around the house and the mess started to consume me. The children still needed to be snuggled into bed. The task of the week started build pressure on my back. The laundry seemed endless that needed to get done. The list of baseball, soccer, and dance activities seem to go on forever. There were still night time feedings, and who knew if tonight I would be up for 1 hour or 4 but I know I will be up. Needless to say everything was building and I was getting overwhelmed.  


In my effort to pick up the house before Cody would wake I was feeling the weight of life too heavy, too difficult.  Yet, hours earlier I felt lifted and inspired by the very things that now I was on the verge on tears. 


I decided to listen to the conference talk by President Uchtdorf, "Forget Me Not." This talk was given to us for Mother's Day at church, and I thought maybe this will lift my spirits. As I started searching the conference talk I said a little prayer in my heart, "Please help me calm this overwhelming feeling?"this is what I came upon almost instantly:

It Is Better to Look Up

CARL B. COOK

Of the Seventy

---

If we, like President Monson, exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life.

At the end of a particularly tiring day toward the end of my first week as a General Authority, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question “How can I possibly do this?” I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building. As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor.

The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, “What are you looking at down there?” I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson.

I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.” (I’m sure that clever response inspired confidence in my abilities!)

But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!” As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, “Now, remember, it is better to look up.”

As we parted, the words of a scripture came to mind: “Believe in God; believe that he is … ; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth.”¹ As I thought of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s power, my heart found the comfort I had sought in vain from the floor of that descending elevator.

Since then I have pondered this experience and the role of prophets. I was burdened and my head was down. As the prophet spoke, I looked to him. He redirected my focus to look up to God, where I could be healed and strengthened through Christ’s Atonement. That is what prophets do for us. They lead us to God.²

I testify that President Monson is not only a prophet, seer, and revelator; he is also a wonderful example of living the principle of looking up. Of all people, he could feel weighed down by his responsibilities. Instead, he exercises great faith and is filled with optimism, wisdom, and love for others. His attitude is one of “can do” and “will do.” He trusts the Lord and relies on Him for strength, and the Lord blesses him.

Experience has taught me that if we, like President Monson, exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life. We will not feel incapable of doing what we are called to do or need to do. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy.³ We will come to realize that most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance—and if it is, the Lord will help us. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction.

Why is it a challenge to consistently look up in our lives? Perhaps we lack the faith that such a simple act can solve our problems. For example, when the children of Israel were bitten by poisonous serpents, Moses was commanded to raise up a brass serpent on a pole. The brass serpent represented Christ. Those who looked up at the serpent, as admonished by the prophet, were healed.⁴ But many others failed to look up, and they perished.⁵

Alma agreed that the reason the Israelites did not look to the serpent was that they did not believe doing so would heal them. Alma’s words are relevant to us today:

“O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful … ?

“If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for [our] sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead.”⁶

President Monson’s encouragement to look up is a metaphor for remembering Christ. As we remember Him and trust in His power, we receive strength through His Atonement. It is the means whereby we can be relieved of our anxieties, our burdens, and our suffering. It is the means whereby we can be forgiven and healed from the pain of our sins. It is the means whereby we can receive the faith and strength to endure all things.⁷

Recently Sister Cook and I attended a women’s conference in South Africa. After we listened to some inspiring messages on applying the Atonement in our lives, the stake Relief Society president invited everyone outside. We were each given a helium balloon. She explained that our balloon represented whatever burden, trial, or hardship was holding us back in our lives. On the count of three, we released our balloons, or our “burdens.” As we looked up and watched our burdens float away, there was an audible “Ahhhh.” That simple act of releasing our balloons provided a marvelous reminder of the indescribable joy that comes from looking up and thinking of Christ.

Unlike releasing a helium balloon, spiritually looking up is not a one-time experience. We learn from the sacrament prayer that we are to always remember Him and to keep His commandments, that we may have His Spirit to be with us every day to guide us.⁸

When the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness, the Lord guided their journey each day as they looked to Him for direction. In Exodus we read, “And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light.”⁹ His leading was constant, and I give you my humble witness that the Lord can do the same for us.

So how will He lead us today? Through prophets, apostles, and priesthood leaders and through feelings that come after we pour out our hearts and souls to Heavenly Father in prayer. He leads us as we forsake the things of the world, repent, and change. He leads us as we keep His commandments and try to be more like Him. And He leads us through the Holy Ghost.¹⁰

In order to be guided in life’s journey and have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, we must have a “hearing ear” and a “seeing eye,” both directed upward.¹¹ We must act on the direction we receive. We must look up and step up. And as we do, I know we will cheer up, for God wants us to be happy.

We are Heavenly Father’s children. He wants to be a part of our lives, to bless us, and to help us. He will heal our wounds, dry our tears, and help us along our path to return to His presence. As we look to Him, He will lead us.

The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?

By day and by night his presence is near. …

He is my joy and my song.

By day and by night he leads … me along. ¹²

I bear testimony that sins are forgiven and burdens are lightened as we look to Christ. “Let us remember him, … and not hang down our heads,”¹³for, as President Monson said, “It is better to look up.”

I testify that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

My simple plea was answered. I knew as I listened to Elder Cook's word that the Lord had responded to my prayer, and had reminded me that he was here to help me. Immediately my mind was calm, I was able to move forward with the tasks ahead, and no longer did the endless evening seem daunting. My bed no longer called my name, but my children that were all clamoring for my attention seemed like a perfect way to end Mother's Day. 

Joy

Each night I look into your sweet little blue eye, and I can't believe what a gift I have been given. I wish I could stall time just long enough to soak up every little bit of you.  I never imagined I could feel so blessed, so lucky, and so deeply grateful.