Life as it is

Here we are on January 1, 2018. I've been thinking lately about how I need to get my journal going. I've had a lot of thoughts that I've wanted to save. Right now we are at a time of life that is pretty exhausting. The kids are 8, 5, 3, and 1. Everything is very hands on and tantrums of all ages are at an all time high. The house is a constant project and I feel like I'm constantly feeding and cleaning up after everyone. On the other side there is a lot of Joy. Oliver is a bundle of snuggles and hugs, Pyper is OBSESSED with make-up and princesses, Max is sweet and superhero laced and Ellie gets us with these snippets of humour and personality.
     As a Mom, I feel overwhelmed. I think of all the Mom's out there with more then 4 kids and I'm constantly wondering how they have the capacity to do what they do. I wish I had the capacity to do more with the kids, perhaps it is a time and season thing.  But most of the time I simply feel exhausted. Hopefully, I remember when I'm older to help other Mom's out who are at this stage of life.
     We have thought heavily on the idea of adopting. When I say 'WE' I mean I have. I'm certain if I pushed Mitch hard enough on the point that he would do it. However, I'm not quite at a stage that I feel comfortable with it. By the time I'm 35 we will know for certain if we will be doing it or not. That gives me 4.5 years to decide. The idea of a larger family excites and entices me. But the idea of more kids exhausts me.
    Mitch is working hard lately for our family. He's at DataMaster and is constantly navigating his way through the challenges and blessings of working with family. He's for sure AT CAPACITY and his patience is often thin. We've enjoyed a nice Christmas Break where he has been able to unplug and unwind.
    Random thoughts for today. Hopefully, I will get back to writing in my journal more often.

Coming home

Here is to sleepless nights and lots of snuggles.

 Proud dad putting Oliver in his carseat for the first time.

 I was just in heaven with this little guy.

Oliver Rick Dorius

 The day finally came for me to deliver this baby! The doctor told me to come in as soon as I was having contractions but I was so nervous that they were braxton hicks that I never went in even though I was having pretty tough contractions for a week going up to the delivery. However, on Saturday night still (37 weeks) we decided to take the Frasures boating for their first time. On the drive there the contractions started to become timed and I told Mitch we might be in trouble at the lake. Not wanting to cancel we continued on and I simply took it easy and pretended nothing was wrong. That night I went home and went to bed feeling pretty lousy, almost like I had the flu. The next morning our church was at 12:30. I was asked to give the opening prayer. After the prayer I told Mitch I was going home. So I did. The contractions were so bad I could barely stand it. So I texted Mitch and told him to take the kids to class then to come and help me clean up the house because we needed to go to the hospital.  He did and by the time the kids were back from church Robb was here ready to take them home.

 I took this picture right before we went to the hospital. Pyper and I were such great buddies that I was sad to know that her days of being the youngest were over and that this transition would be hard for her. Oh she is just the cutest little bug around.

We walked into labor and delivery and there was hardly a soul there. Except for these nurses fighting, which was kind of awkward. So Mitch and I just waited and waited for someone to please come help me!

Finally I got all set up on monitors and It was confirmed that I was laboring and TODAY WAS THE DAY!!!

Mitch got all suited up for the C-section. I was very anxious for the delivery. This pregnancy was really hard and full of much anxiety. I was literally shaking as they gave me the spinal block and laid me on the operating table.  As always, the surgery went beautifully.  I watched them pull him out of me through a mirror they held above my head.  Doctor Bitner is so kind and so skilled. After being suctioned  this cute baby gave out the most beautiful cry. They brought him up to my face for a quick hello and Mitch and I were just beaming. Mitch headed off with the baby while I laid there to get sewed up.  Dr. Bitner had to rush off to another delivery but before he left he woke me up (I was going in and out of sleepiness from all the drugs) with a pat of my cheek and told me how well I did. He is honestly so sweet.

Here is cute little Oliver.

                                                                6 pds, 15 ounces, 21 inches long

The proud Dad

 I loved the hospital so so much. I did as much skin to skin contact as I could. I bonded with this baby so much in the hospital. I just could not get enough of him. During surgery Dr. Bitner took a good look at my uterus and suggested we be done having kids for my safety. At the time if felt right so he  tied my tubes.  But oh, how my heart aches to have this opportunity again, and again. Babies are so special.

 Seriously, He is so perfect.

 These pictures were the first time I ever held Oliver.

 Of course everyone wanted to come and meet Oliver. Grandma Sherrill just loves new babies.

 All the siblings were just dying to hold little brother.

 Isin't Ellie just beautiful?

 All the siblings. Max was not really mad, he just occasionally makes crazy faces in pictures. BOYS.

 Max is such a proud big brother. He is really just as sweet as he looks.

 Big sister Pyper

 Dr. Bitner

 Dad soaking up some baby time

 Cute Grandma Murray

 Grandma Kathy.

 Uncle Ryan would come and visit often because he works with Mitch and Grandpa Rick.

Sweet Oliver, you are so loved. We just kiss you and snuggle you as much as we can. Thank you for coming to our family and blessing us with your amazingly sweet spirit.

Summer Time and Cousin Time!

Lagoon Fun

 We were so excited that Spence and Mel moved here this summer. We've been playing so much with them and cousin fun is just so great!

Rattlesnake rapids was so fun for them (their first time). Pyper and I were soaked too at the end and we had similar feelings about riding that ride again anytime soon.

 Last week we went to Lagoona Beach with the Dorius Cousins. They all had a great time!

NEWSIES!

 I had tried and tried to get newsies tickets but they sold out so fast! Carlie and Robb had got them but unfortunatly Carlie got a terrible flu that day so she asked if I would take her daughter Olivia instead. HALLELUAH!

 The show was AMAZING. The dancing was INCREDIBLE! And spending time with Olivia was AWESOME!

Summer Hikes and Air Shows

 I've been trying to take the kids hiking though the summer to keep them busy and get them to enjoy the outdoors. We have had a great time and they love their cute little backpacks I got them!

 Mitch was out camping with the scouts when the airshow came so Dad and I went up on base. Max especially loved the airplanes and the show!

 We've been doing this fun running series that my friend Kristen Guymon puts on. The kids come each week and run a race (distance depends on their age). My kids didn't always come in first but they always did their best which I love!

Kids Running Series

Cherry Hill

 My kids BEG me to go to Cherry Hill. I always tell them no (it's expensive). However, their cousin Kate had a birthday party there that we were not about to miss so off we went. It was at night which cut down on cost and made things even better because the HERO aka DAD could come along. I was laughing so hard when he accidently came out of the slides and went backwards with Pyper. He did all he could to keep her head above water (She has serious ear problems). His face was priceless!

4th of July Getaway

 We enjoyed the 4th of July weekend with the Nielson clan up at my dads cabin. Their kids loved having Indy there and Indy loved all the attention! We boogied on up to Smith and Morehouse for some kayaking (Ellie's favorite).