Shantel's October Post

This is a post of some of the random things that we did in October that I felt should be documented, but didn't really have a better post to go in. (And let's be honest - it's basically just the random pictures from my phone that haven't been blogged about yet.)

-Building towers and going on adventures (the weather has been beautifulllll!)

-Jenna came down to help me clean and organize our basement to surprise David for his birthday. I can't say enough how grateful I am for her help and for her friendship. I didn't make her work the whole time... as soon as the kids were asleep for the night we just hung out and relaxed and it was wonderful. But, one of the days when we were bringing up empty boxes to recycle we let Camille and Austin play with some styrofoam and they started playing "snow". It was everywhere. Everywhere. But, they were happy and we were working so we just let them play and figured that the damage was done and the cleanup was worth the time they spent playing with it. It probably was worth it, but man, it was a mess! 

-My shopping buddies. Seriously, these kids are wonderful at the store. The hardest thing is just fitting them in the cart AND all the things we need to buy, but as far as shopping with them goes - they're pretty great. I will add though, that I've started using the Walmart Grocery Pickup and even with how good my kids are at the store it has been amazing. I can not say enough good things. You order at your convenience at home (which takes basically the same amount of time as making the grocery list in the first place, you just make it on the computer), sometimes even taking days to compile a list adding things here and there, then you just drive up to the store - let someone else put your groceries into your car while your kids hang out in their carseats and you scroll through instagram - sign your name on their little ipad and then drive away. It's incredible I tell you. I don't know how parents ever grocery shopped without it. 

Actually, my in-laws used to grocery shop on their Friday-night Date-nights. They'd leave the kids at home and let them eat cold sugar-cereal for dinner and go to the grocery store together. (The kids took turns picking which box of cereal everyone got to eat for the night.) It is one of David's favorite childhood memories, and I think it's such a sweet story. I admire how they made grocery shopping and dating each other work for their family. But I am grateful for Walmart Grocery Pickup! 

-We went to a Pumpkin Patch/corn maze to pick out pumpkins. Not surprisingly, Caleb was a champ and was content to hang out in the stroller while we looked for the best pumpkins and then wandered around the cornmaze. Also, Austin loves bounce houses just as much as Lydia ever has - and it's so nice that they can go together, over and over and over.  

-I feel like this October has been the perfect mix of outdoor adventures and stay-home-days. The kids just play so well together, I feel like they are at this perfect age. It doesn't matter what we are doing, they are just pretty happy to do it together. Not that they never fight, or bug each other, but it's definitely more common for them to play together. 

-As far as Shantel-things: This month I helped my friend with some dress alterations for her "Belle" (from Beauty and the Beast) Halloween Costume. I don't sew so much anymore, so it's fun when I get to bust out my skills and help a friend. Also, I've started swapping babysitting time about every other week so I can go to the temple and it has been such a wonderful thing. I'm feeling so grateful that my kids are old enough that I feel comfortable leaving them for three hours, and that I have a neighbor that is willing to swap Temple mornings with me. I can't always use those three hours on Friday morning for the temple, but I've been able to attend the temple so much more frequently and I'm grateful for it.

Other random pictures from the month: 1-Reading a book while David watches some sports is one of my favorite evening activities. (This is not indicative of how we spend our nights. Usually I'm forcing myself to work on Primary projects or RLD design projects and I'm usually wishing that I could just relax instead of working after the kids go to bed. But maybe that makes nights like this even more special.) 2-Watching my children sleep never fails to melt my heart. 3-David is such a wonderful father. He loves these kids so much and he is so patient and kind. Sometimes I just can't get Caleb to sleep, but David will go up and bounce/walk with him until he falls asleep and then will stand and hold in his pacifier to make sure he stays asleep after transferring him to his bed. I caught this shot of him on the baby monitor and it just filled me with gratitude for such a good parter to do this parenting thing with. 4- These boys just got matching jammies and it's the best! Austin loves to match Caleb, and will request that they wear their matching jammies all the time. I kind of love them. 

Biblical Tabernacle Exhibit

Last night David and I got to go on a date. We heard from some friends that BYU was hosting an exhibit that was a full-sized replica of the Tabernacle that the Israelites took with them on their 40 year journey in the wilderness. We didn't have tickets, but we went anyway and were were able to get in on standby. I'm so glad we went because it was really cool. I wish that I had taken more pictures, but at the time we were just soaking everything in and we only snapped a few on our way out. 

We started by looking at a display in the Joseph Smith Building lobby that had interesting diagrams of the portable tabernacle compared to the temple of Solomon. (And compared size wise to the temple of Herod, the Nauvoo Temple, and the Salt Lake Temple.) One of the displays talked about how we don't know exactly how the people worshiped in the tabernacle, but the Psalms may give us an idea: Psalms 132:7 We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool. Psalms 43:4

Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. Psalms 276 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.

It's just cool to think about how the tabernacle was such a source of joy. Sometimes I think of the Israelite religion as being very serious but one of the things that David and I took away is that although culturally things were very different, when you take away the cultural scaffolding the focus was very much the same - to bring peace to life, make changes to self, and draw closer to God. 

We then went on a guided walk-through of Tabernacle replica. which as described in the Bible was a portable Israelite temple, originally constructed at Mount Sinai. The Bible depicts the Tabernacle as sacred space, the primary place of Israelite worship. They taught us about the symbolism of each area and what that might have meant to the Israeli people and what it might mean to us. It was interesting to learn about the symbols that are accepted in the Christian world as pointing to Christ and we liked the idea that even before Christ came to earth, He was woven throughout the very core of the religion. Also interesting to see the symbols that He used when he came - to teach the people and to fulfill all things. For example, in the tabernacle there was a plate of shew bread and a pitcher of wine. This didn't represent the sacrament, obviously - rather it represented the intimacy of sharing a meal with the Lord. Sharing a meal was something very special, you didn't just share a meal with anyone. (You didn't pick up takeout on and eat in the car, you know?) That's one of the reasons that Christ was mocked: for sharing a meal with the publicans and sinners. Who you shared a meal with reflected on you, and the symbol of sharing a meal with the Lord was very important. Christ then took those same symbols when he literally sat sharing a meal with the apostles and turned them into a new set of symbols: the sacrament. 

A few other things we thought were cool: 

-All of the items that couldn't be packed away had big rings on the sides for long poles to slide through enabling the Israelites to carry them as they traveled. 

-The animal sacrifices that were made didn't just consist of piles of animal carcasses burning. The individual would initiate the sacrifice and kill the animal, but then the priests would take the animal to tables and section the animal - some parts being burnt on the alter, others being given to the poor or to the priests, and even some parts being sent home with the individual for their family. We liked the thought that the sacrifice was used to bless so many people, and also that the person offering sacrifice then took their sacrifice home into their lives as well. 

-There was no light in the Holy of Holies - presumably because when the High Priest was in there on the Day of Atonement, the light of the Lord was the only light needed. 

So educational, and definitely increased my understanding of the Israelites and of my God - the God of Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and also of Joseph Smith and Thomas S. Monson.

Dear Austin,

Dear Austin,
You are my sweet little boy and my heart is so full that I get to have you to be mine. I love to listen to you sing songs to Caleb when you think no one else is around, your little three-year-old voice singing things like "You're spec-a to meeee, you're spec-a to meee" or "I love you Caaaalebbbbbb."

You ask almost every day, "Is it Sunday?" and then when we say no, you follow that question up with "Can I watch a Daniel Tiger/Paw Patrol/Super Why?" Smart boy- getting our excuses out of the way before you ask. Ha. You really like to watch TV - and I really like that you still think that those three shows are the only ones out there.

You're been a little afraid at nighttime lately, insisting that we keep the closet light on, and being truly scared when you see a shadow of something you don't recognize. We've watched a lot of Daniel Tiger about what to do when you're scared. And either Dad or I have been laying with you for a while before bedtime. (Because, it's real hard to say no to your sweet voice asking "Will you lay by me?") The other night when I was trying to leave the room fairly quickly, you kept asking me something. I thought you were asking me to lay by you, or to get you something and I kept verbally pushing you off with things like "I can't lay by you, but I will come and check on you in 15 minutes". Finally I realized that I wasn't understanding what you were saying and listened harder. My heart cracked when I realized what you were asking me: "Will you say a prayer that I will be safe?" My sweet boy, I hope that you always remember that saying a prayer will help you with anything you need in your life. Thank you for reminding me of the same thing.

I love you, Austin. I pray for you every day. Both in gratitude for you, and that you will have the things you need in your life to learn and grow and to develop a testimony of our Savior. I pray that I can be the mom that you deserve, and that I can be better every day.

Love,
Your mom

Gardner Village 2017

We made our annual visit to Gardner Village with Melissa and Zachary Peaden. It was a beautiful day. I mean, the weather couldn't have been more amazing. We enjoyed strolling around and finding all the witches, then eating cookies at the Naborhood Bakery. This is truly one of my favorite fall traditions. 

I love how well Lydia and Zachary get along, and Austin is old enough now to just join in their fun wherever they go. #cousinsmakethebestfriends 

Caleb was a champ and just hung out the whole time - toward the end he fell asleep, the sweet boy. Also, I didn't get a picture of it, but Lydia picked a stuffed unicorn plush as a special prize because she just learned how to buckle herself into her carseat. (I've been telling her for months that if she learned to buckle herself in I would buy her a prize and a treat. She finally figured it out, and rather than waiting to go to the store - she picked something here.) 

I'm glad for this activity that connects me to Melissa, and helps keep our sister-in-law bond strong. I'm always impressed with her strength and positive attitude, even though things in her life are beyond difficult. It makes me want to be kinder, more positive, and a better person. I'm grateful for her influence and her friendship.

David's 33rd Birthday

They say that good things come in threes, and this year that certainly proved to be the case! Austin turned 3, Shantel turned 30, and this handsome fellow here, turned 33!

 This may be my favorite picture of David right now. It so perfectly captures him as the loving husband and father that he is. I'm grateful for how much energy and effort he puts into being the kind, loving, gentle, fun, helpful, present patriarch of our family. The kids adore him, and I do, too. 

David is my calm, my steady rock. He is the bright spot in my day, and you'd think my whole world revolves around him, because basically... it does. I love to work along side him while completing a project, and I love to giggle with him in the middle of the night when we are both up with one child or another and one of our kids has said/done something ridiculous and we're both so tired that we can't help but laugh. (Okay, there are times that I love laughing with him more than when we are both in a sleep deprived state - but I love that I can laugh with him then.) It's clear that I think David is the bees-knees. I could write a thousand words about how great I think he is. But I'm telling you, I'm not the only one who knows that it's true. We started David's birthday month off with a fancy awards banquet with the Utah Association of CPAs where David was awarded as the "Rising Star" of the young CPA's in Utah. He's incredible. He works so hard in his career and others see his goodness and effort (and incredible intelligence, and engaging personality) and recognize how great he is.

To prepare for his actual birthday with our little family, I enlisted my sisters to come help me clean our our basement and organize, clean, and arrange a space for David's ping-pong table (that I gave to him for his birthday last year that we've only played a handful of times because there wasn't really a space for it downstairs.) It was a huge surprise for him, and I'm so grateful to my sisters, because I wouldn't have been able to pull it off without them. 

(candy kisses placed by Lydia and Austin leading him to the "birthday surprise")

Our birthday budget is pretty small, but the love in our hearts huge enough to make up for it. Happy Birthday David, my darling. We are so glad to have a special day to celebrate you and tell you how much you mean to us. We hope you know how loved you are. 

Caleb Samuel: 6-7 Months

We had these family pictures taken when Caleb was just over 6 months old, but I posted most of them in his six month blog post. However, I just can't get over how cute this baby is so I needed to post a few more for this month's blog post, too. I have to say, we are getting into my very favorite baby-age and every single day is a joy with this little guy. 

Stats: I have no idea how much he weighs. I'm going to have to weigh him this next month because he is getting heavy! I still don't feel like he's chunky, although he's definitely got some sweet baby-fat on him. He's in nine month clothes, and even some 12 month onsies. Size two diapers, but probably should be in size three - I just am squeezing him into the ones we have. Still no teeth, very little hair. 

Some things to remember: 

-Caleb is the perfect baby for our family. It's hard to imagine someone coming and fitting into our family as perfectly as he does. We all love him so much, and he brings so much happiness to us. 

-He's getting so alert and involved. It's so amazing to watch him watch people or things. He tenses his whole body when he's excited about what he sees and rocks back and forth like he wants to join in the party. I can tell when he sees David walk into a room just by how his body tenses up because he's so excited to see his dad. 

-Caleb visiting with Great-Grandma Peaden (Grandma Joyce). She was all smiles to be able to hold him and he was really good for her. I'm so grateful that my kids live close to and know their grandparents (and have been blessed with so many great-grandparents). 

-Caleb's #1 Fan? Austin Scott. These boys are well on their way to people thinking that they are twins. It's hard to know whether Caleb looks more like Austin or Lydia because to me he has his own distinct look, but when I look back at baby pictures I think they all look very similar. More than similar facial features - the gap in the size of these two is quickly shrinking. Austin was wearing 12 month things just last year, and Caleb is almost in that box of baby clothes. Looking at this picture makes me laugh because Caleb is almost as big as Austin is! These brothers are so lucky to have each other and I hope that they always love each other like they do now. 

-Lydia loves her littlest brother, too. She's a great older sister and whenever Caleb starts crying, she does whatever she can to help. Including "reading" him her new favorite, recently memorized, book. Whenever she starts reading to him, he quiets right down and keeps him occupied until I can come help him. Caleb is fairly reserved with his smiles and laughs, but he loves Lydia and she can squeeze out a smile almost every time.  

 

 -He loves to be right in the middle of where his siblings are playing. 

-He's sitting up so well! This is the best baby-age, when they can start sitting up steadily. He is so much more independent and loves to watch what is going on around him. I can set him on the counter while I'm getting ready, or making dinner. Or he can sit on the floor and bat at toys or watch the kids play. He's so happy about it, and so am I! 

-Out to eat for Austin's birthday. Caleb is a champ and is happy just to be along with us. He's super laid back and as long as I kept feeding him little bits of beet and peach he was happy to sit in his carseat the whole time. 

-There is something sweet about a baby falling asleep in their carseat. And, look at that sweet bow tie. Also, this is the same carseat that we had with Lydia. When we were carseat shopping we decided we should probably get a gender neutral carseat. Here we are on boy #2 and I'm thinking it was a really good choice! 

-This is our life. Caleb and I cuddling while the kids climb all over us. And Caleb trying to eat my face. 

-Caleb started eating real food this month. Like, real-real food. About 5.5 months we started feeding him some pureed fruits and veggies because he just seemed ready. At 7 months he is eating pretty much everything. It's hard to keep up with him food wise because he always wants more. He handles finger foods like a champ, so mostly I stick to small peas and diced carrots with a good helping of cheerios. I'm trying to do other things like frozen pureed squash, beans, soft apples, etc... Carbs are just so easy to give but I can tell his little stomach isn't used to so much bread and so I'm trying to find good healthy baby food options that he is happy feeding himself.

(I asked David what he remembered most about Caleb this month and he said "That he eats A ALOT." Which is true. Especially a lot for a six month old.)

--Sitting up means the top seat in the shopping cart! 

-Oh my. Caleb has started sticking his whole pacifier in his mouth and chomping on it instead of sucking on the nipple part. It's hilarious. He still takes his pacifier well when he is almost asleep or very tired, but not during the day - even when he's upset. He'll just grab it, pull it out, then chew on it sideways like so: 

Other things:

-He's not being the best sleeper anymore. I really can't complain because those newborn months were pure heaven. But I was hoping that by this age he'd be sleeping through the night and we've regressed to waking up 3-4 times. But I'm a pansy and can't handle the sleep training thing yet. Soon though, because we've got to get more sleep between the two of us.

-His smiles are fairly elusive and his laughs are extremely rare. You have to work to get him to smile (unless you are Lydia or David) and if he graces you with a laugh you should feel extremely lucky. But when he does smile and laugh, his whole face lights up and it's worth every second spent waiting. 

-He knows his name and it's darling to watch him turn when you're talking to him. 

-He goes to bed a bit later than either of our other babies did. Usually about 8:30 or 9:00, but then he's down for the night (until we start our 4 wake-ups about 1ish). It's kind of nice to have some time with just he, David, and I after the other kids are in bed. 

-I think he says mama, especially when he's really upset and he sees me - he really does sound like he's saying mama mama. I know it's not a real word, not really, but he doesn't say it for anyone but me and I kind of love it. 

This boy is such a wonderful part of our lives and we looooove him. Happy seven months sweet boy.