We were so grateful when some friends recently asked if we would be interested in having a date swap. We babysit their kids for their date and vice-versa. Heaven! We decided to tour Austin by kayak. We had such a fun time!
The "smolder"
What a dream boat!
Austin skyline in back
Poor Ben's legs were completely asleep after our adventure. He wanted me to distract the kayak attendant so she wouldn't see him hobble out of the boat!
We saw a whole lotta birds!
We grabbed a burger, fries, lemonade and milkshake and got our kiddos who were disappointed to see us "already." So glad for some time together and some friends who helped make it possible!
Henry is now 2 months old. It seems to get more and more fun to have babies. First, you have so many more people in the house oohing and aahing and loving on the little babe. It is so fun to watch our other growing babies be so enamored and amused by Henry. It has been heaven the moments we have shared gathered around the baby and all laughing at and enjoying him. Most times Ben and I laugh more at our other children laughing then we do at Henry.
Second, we have learned to respect and appreciate the brevity in which these little ones are truly little. Oh how fast they breeze through our arms! Sleepless nights don't last forever. If it were 50 years from now and I was given the gift to come back and live a day from this season of my life, just a regular ole' off-to-school-playin'-cars-makin'-food-holdin'-babies-cleaning-messes type day, oh how I would treasure holding the yummy bundle of Henry, playing Memory or castle or kitties or puppies with Hannah and William, and watching Evelyn herd her siblings through her imagination. I would soak in the creative messes our kids made and I would ask them so many questions about themselves and record in my heart every answer that their sweet little voices gave.
We are so grateful for our sweet little ones!!!
The furrowed brow inherited from mom
We've been trying to get a pic of his smile. He looks extra round in the face here!
Enjoying the outdoors
Fat cheeks make good pillows
There is that sweet smile that melts us all!
This makes me smile
What to do with a dad who's a tease?
Post funny pics of the tease himself, I
suppose! (The girls helped dress him up)
Hannah and Will building castles and garages out of cans
Good little playmates
The boys
Evelyn helped Hannah dress up as a Spanish missionary. She did her hair too.
Just for fun...I can't eat chocolate while I'm nursing. Ben was going to the store and I dreamily asked him to find me a treat with peanut butter and caramel chunky stuff. I knew there was no chance of getting that without chocolate. But miracle of miracles, Ben & Jerry's Clusterfluff fell into our laps. Peanut butter, caramel, AND marshmallow, no chocolate! Hello heaven. Ben got the potato chip one (Late Night Snack), not too bad. Sure do love Ben!
Ben and I teach a class at church called Gospel Essentials. All are invited but specifically it is for those who are building their basic knowledge of the Gospel. Today we were teaching about missionary work, however we have a sick little guy (William) and need to keep him home from Church and so one of us needs to stay home. Because I am nursing Henry, it makes most sense for me to stay. I was really excited about the lesson, so I'll share a few of my thoughts and feelings.
Missionary work is near and dear to my heart. I have tasted of the fruits of the Gospel and they are absolutely delicious and beautiful. Anytime in my life when I have tasted something delicious or been to a beautiful place, the first thing I want to do is share it. I want to give the recipe or give directions to the place I had been so others can experience it for themselves. So today I just want to share a few thoughts about the Gospel so whoever reads can have the directions and the recipe for the best thing in my life.
I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior. It is only through Him that we can return to the presence of a loving and kind Father in Heaven. It is through Jesus Christ that we are made clean from our sins and we learn from Him how to be better.
The Lord has given us the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is the head of the Church and he leads it through revelation to a prophet and apostles. We use the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Both are ancient scripture, just from different continents. We are invited in the Book of Mormon to ask God with a sincere heart if these things are not true, we are promised that "by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
I love that promise. I love how bold it is. I love how true it is. I love that I can share my testimony and say "You can ask God if it's true!" and He will let you know. You may feel a warmth in your bosom, peace to your soul, the answer may come through the mouth of a loved one or even a stranger. But the answer will come. That is why I was baptized in May of 1998. That is why I live the way I live and do the things I do.
I am so grateful for the Savior, Jesus Christ. He is my friend. We have a Father in Heaven who loves us, knows us and watches closely after us. He is anxious to help us, especially if we ask. I have had a life blessed beyond measure and am able to experience such peace and happiness, even amid trials.
Here's a little video of a talk given by one of the Apostles. How could you not love the teachings? Each person tries their best to live by them. What a wonderful thing!
Newborns change so much and so fast that we had to post a few for the grandparents. Henry is 3 1/2 weeks old now, Ben is back to work after short weekend recovery from his surgery, Evelyn and Hannah start school on the 23rd (Hannah is starting PreK) and life is about to take off like crazy. We are going to savor each day and hour of this next week that we have before schedules and homework and more homework and classes, etc!
Sweet Henry D. in the blanket Karla made for him.
Hannah sporting a baby one-piece car seat blanket thing
William is feeling quite proud to be a big bro
We are all in love with this little babe!
Evelyn can ALWAYS be found by Henry's side and is quite maternal with him.
Ben wore this outfit when he was 2. Will is feeling the jive of the 80's and rockin' it in this outfit!
Ben right after his surgery. Ben is a multi-talented man, among his talents is growing tumors in his neck. This is the fourth time he has had masses removed from his neck and the Dr. said it would not be the last. We are very, very aware how fortunate we are that they are benign. While they are pesky little things, we sure are grateful that it is what it is and not more complicated or worse.
We have had a busy month! We have had lots of help from our ward, family and friends. Thank ya'll!
Ben is so good at making our babies dance. You may remember Dancing Hannah or William Staying Alive. Our kids love to listen to the "Rio" soundtrack and this is one of their favorites. Henry had to join in on the fun. Enjoy!
