Christmas 2014

This was one of my favorite Christmas' because it was simple and peaceful. Because of Jackson we did not over do it this holiday season and stayed mostly at home. We did go out to see the live nativity, Santa, Christmas lights, and the Hillsboro party. I did all present shopping before Jackson was born and even then did it online. I loved not running around buying presents this December and instead focusing on the true meaning of Christmas. The girls loved doing our nativity advent calendar I made last year and reading Christmas stories every night. This was an extra special Christmas because Scarlett was understands both Santa and the birth of Christ. She knows that true meaning of the season is to celebrate Christ. I love being able to enjoy the magic of Christmas with my children!

We celebrated Christmas Eve with the Strobelts at Tiffany's house. We had prime rib dinner and opened up new jammies with all the cousins.  The girls were very excited to wear their new Elsa and Anna dresses! My favorite part of the evening was watching a short film on the first Christmas and going around telling what we want to give Jesus. Scarlett wants to give more hugs and I wanted to be more humble. 

Christmas morning we celebrated with just our little family. I always imagined spending Christmas morning with siblings/grandparents and having a bunch of cousins everywhere. Though that would be fun/crazy I really enjoy keeping it simple. Our kids can open presents slowly and then they can play with each other and us. We turn on Christmas music and a fake fire on our TV to bring an inviting feeling. It is so wonderful to see their faces light up as we open presents. It was a magical morning. 

Scarlett and Alice got: Frozen castle and sled, duplo blocks, princess clip dolls, candy, scooters, dolls for their doll house and a soccer goal. 

Jill got: a curling rod (I have been wanting one for ages and never even told Nick...he is intune!) and and new Iphone 6! Nick was sweet to get me the new phone since he loves new technology. We will have to get him one soon.

Nick got: awesome running shoes, new work out clothes, and a Chipotle gift card (his favorite).

We had Christmas dinner at my parents house and opened up presents with them. To be honest the evening was a blur as I was exhausted from getting up all night with Jack. Nick and I put the kids down early and watched Star Wars while drinking hot chocolate. Overall, it was a great day!!

 All Strobelt cousins in there new Christmas jammies

Alice was the first to unwrap and present. She screamed with joy "it's an Anna toy" when she saw what it was. Such a priceless moment!

Thoughts on Christmas

This is my second time having a newborn around Christmas. I love it, really I do. I look at sweet Jack and can not help but think of the birth of our Savior. I have been thinking of Mary quite frequently this holiday season, especially her extreme faith and courage. The courage it took to look at her newborn son and know the immense pain and struggles he would face in his mortal life.  As a mother it is difficult to ponder the trials your children will bear and I wonder if she instead thought of all the joy her son would bring. I look at Jack and can not help but ponder all the wonderful things he will do in this life. Yes, he will have pain but to dwell on that would only detract from his overwhelming sweetness. I hope Mary had wonderful moments with her new son that brought her happiness and peace.

Why was Jesus born in a manager?  An outdoor bed of straw is no woman's first choice to experience birth. The pains and discomfort of labor are real and I am sure Mary prayed very fervently that one of the inns had a room for her. Did Heavenly Father hear her prayers? I have no doubt that he heard every one and I am sure he wanted the woman giving birth to his son to have every comfort during such a painful and scary time as birth. I have come to know this Christmas that Jesus's birth in the manager was a planned event meant to teach us all humility. The King of Kings was born in the most simple and humble of circumstances. I hope I can always remember that keeping Christmas simple is not a bad thing. In fact, it is the way it should be celebrated. I find myself worrying over doing every fun christmas activity and making/keeping all these fun traditions. It can all be very stressful for me. But then I think of Mary and how she went through labor and birth in a barn/cave/manager or whatever exactly it was (but it wasn't on a nice comfortable bed) so that we could understand the importance of being humble. I need to learn that when it comes to celebrating Jesus's birth less is more!

Sad that she did not get to hold Jack

Scarlett 5 Years Old

Scarlett made me a mother and for that she will always hold a special place in my heart. This little girl has so many admirable qualities and is a great example to every member the family. I have loved watching her grow and learn this year. These past couple of months she has learned to write all her  letters (upper and lower case), her first name, her numbers, and started sounding out words. Lately we have been reading very easy books called Bob books. She can sound out and read all the words. When she finishes each book her smile is fantastic and I can feel confidence. Scarlett loves preschool and choosing the right. If she has good manners at school and is kind she gets to move her "clip" up to purple. Every day she jumps in the car and says "mom, i moved my clip up to purple today!'.  I love that she understand right from wrong and takes joy in choosing the right choice. 

This past year she has grown in understanding gospel principles. She knows not to lie, steal, and be mean and loves making "Jesus super happy". We have been reading the scriptures nightly and learning the stories of the Book of Mormom. I love hearing her ask questions about versus we read and then see her contemplate our answers. When Jackson was born she had lots of questions about where he came from. I told her that Jack came from heaven and used to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus. She then said "So Jackson is our family's special gift. Jesus gave him to us". I look at Jack now and always think about how he is such a wonderful gift to our family. 

This past fall she loved playing soccer with her friends. She came really far this season and by the end was confident in kicking the ball and almost scored a couple goals. Yesterday she learned to ride a 2 wheel bike and I was shocked at how quickly she picked it up. She road up and down our street with the biggest smile I have ever seen. Her cousin Wesley found out she could ride a bike and insisted that he learn too. They both look so cute riding together!

Scarlett is a sweet and tender little girl. She takes joy in making others around her happy and in doing the right thing. I can tell she will be patient with her younger siblings and already is with Alice. She whispers in my ear daily that she loves my and that I am the best mom. When Alice and Jack take naps I get to snuggle with her on the coach and practice her reading. I love this special time with just her.  I hope she always keeps her positive out look on life and her love of all things good!  

Eating her birthday breakfast of Dad's eggs and toast...her favorite.

We celebrated with friends at Mcdonalds. She had Tinkerbell cupcakes, My Little Pony Balloons, and Frozen treats. All her favorites into one crazy party. 

She is such a big hearted big sister. Jack and Alice will forever be blessed because of her.

 5 year old Interview

Favorite color- magenta

Favorite book- Sticker book and Bob Books

Favroite Song- I am a child of God

Favorite TV show- My Little Pony

Favorite Activity- Coloring pictures (she is very creative and spends hours coloring at our kitchen table each day)

Favorite Toy- Her markers,crayons, and color pencils.  She loves caring small toys in her hand everywhere

Favorite Food- Cereal and can pore it herself

Favorite Resturante- cafe rio and requested we go there for her birthday dinner

Best Friend- Alice

What she wants to be when she grows up- "make dinner, sit at the computer, and get kids food" aka a mom:)

If she could go anywhere in the world where would it be- Grandmas House

We gave her a new princess bike for her birthday and she learned to ride it a couple days later. I was shocked how quickly she found her balance and took off. She can even start and stop all by her self too. I love seeing her beautiful smile while she rides and rides. If it was up to her she would be on her bike all day and night.

Jackson 1 month

Little Jack is such a sweet addition to our family. He brings out the best in everyone, even Alice. I find myself being more patient when he is in my arms. Scarlett is her most helpful self when Jack is awake and in need of attention. Alice is surprisingly sweet and tender when she is snuggling next to him. And Nick... well, he is usually on his best behavior. 

He is a very calm and peaceful little boy. When is baby needs are met he never cries and is content looking around at all the craziness of our household. He takes a 3 hour afternoon nap and is in bed by 8:30. Both of those help me have some time to gather myself and get stuff done (aka nap). His nights can be good or bad with good nights happening more and more often. It's crazy to think that I have gone a month with sleeping only 2 hour intervals. What does a straight 6 hours even feel like?! 

I love that he is such a good eater and loves to fall asleep while nursing. He seems most content when he is sleeping right next to me and I love it. I even got a little smile out of him yesterday. He is a wonderful baby and we all love "baby brother" (what the girls always call him)

3 weeks In

I am three weeks into having three kids and so far we are surviving. I have learned very quickly that the name of the game is patience! Unfortunately, that is not my strong point. Fortunately, my sweet children are very forgiving. I have to be patient with a crying baby, needy children, tired husband, and stressed self. I keep telling myself over and over to just go easy on everyone around me especially me! I just wish I was born with more patience. It's a work in progress as is every redeemable character trait. 

Having a newborn is an interesting life event. On one hand I want so badly to enjoy this tiny baby and hold him all the time. On the other hand I want so badly for this super demanding phase to be over. I want him to just sleep soundly on my shoulder but I also want to have a peaceful moment without kids (even cute ones that sleep on you). What I do know is that I love him and I love seeing my little girls mother him. Scarlett sits at his bouncer and repeatedly puts his pacifier back in his mouth. Alice has to kiss his head and give him a hug every time she runs past. I love hearing Scarlett tell me how she wants to be a mother one day and have a baby just like Jack. There are moments when I feel bad for my girls as they have been neglected and forced to fend for themselves. But then I see how much they love each other and their brother and I remember that having siblings is always worth the sacrifice! 

I got close to 400 pictures. Most looked like this. I laughed for days after looking through them all!

I know in my heart that I am living the best days of my life. At this moment Jack is nestled in my arms and Scarlett/Alice are running around in princess attire...life is pretty good!