Jonesy boy.

The day before i went into labour, Lane took Locke to feed cows and Jones and I went off on a little adventure! which really meant we just walked around all of the corrals. He is the most high-spirited, busy, self-entertained 2 year old! this simple walk was so exciting to him, as most things are! He is so easy to please and good natured. He takes childhood to the next level - a branch is really an airplane. a rock is a race car. a bunch of leaves is a terrifying monster. He can sit for hours with mere trinkets! it is so fun to watch him and his creative imagination! 

I always want to remember how fun he was at this stage - so carefree and excited about every little thing. my little adventurer. 

Up to date!

I've dedicated Sunday to those things that i normally have zero time for - like organizing pictures. After the kids went to bed i was bound and determined to get all the pictures off my phone and computers and onto memory cards so i could start with everything clean and fresh (and not beeping at me that there is no space left for pictures!!, i hate that!) I realized that i have some catching up to do, and so get ready for the barrage - we are going back to the night i had collins - and yes its been that long since i've cleaned off my phone!!

Jones meeting sister collins for the first time. It went as far as a simple kiss, and then he was back to playing with his orange!

Naturally interlocked fingers on her first night. aw...

I was so excited to have her all cleaned up and stick a tiny flower in her hair - a girl! it seemed so surreal, and instantly different from the boys. Even as a newborn we treated her a bit different, just a bit more careful? almost as if we were afraid of holding her wrong and hurting her feelings! 

I couldn't stop taking pictures of her! it was just so exciting to finally meet her!!

When Locke finally got to meet her he just wanted to squish and hold her tiny hands!

 dad swooped in on his Harley a couple days later and the boys had a HOOT pretending and climbing all over it! 

precious baby lips!

Of course within a week we were off to Skye's for the customary newborn pictures - although this time she was 6 months pregnant herself! we were all so nervous when she got up on that little crate for a better angle - but when she gets in the zone she cannot be stopped!!

 

Upstairs the boys were busy playing hard with all their cousins in lehi! 

Productivity as a mother.

It has taken me a full 6 months to bounce back to my full productivity as a mother after having Collins. 6 MONTHS. oh my. It makes me cringe a bit as i go through everything to reorganize my life to the nice state it once was!

Today i was feeling a bit disheartened about it. How do i use my time more effectively? do i wake up earlier? get a babysistter just so i can accomplish my goals? turn on more cartoons? i'm accomplishing more right? so extra cartoons are actually beneficial??!!? I've been struggling. or maybe wrestling with myself (that better explains it) i came across a quote today someone on instagram. An unlikely source of inspiration, i know. but its brilliant. It reads:

"Productivity is not God's highest goal for the season of my life; obedience is. Success in His kingdom is not measured by accomplishments or accolades. Rather, God says,"Whoever desire to become great among you, let him be your servent."...whenever i start to veiw motherhood as mundane, unimpressive, and unexciting, i must remember that it is my great privilege." 

-Leslie Ludy

Sometimes the internet is such a positive place. Other times i find myself comparing myself to those moms who "just finished their 1 hour daily workout" or "attended the temple for the 2nd time that week" Not to the point where im depressed about it, but more like i feel like i'm not pushing myself enough. ACCOMPLISHING enough. I feel like this will be a daily struggle for me, i like to keep busy! to cross off my list at the end of the day thinking " I'm SO winning at this mothering thing!!" Like this life is all about though, its a balance. 

Doing those things that make you happy as a mother. A clean house. Healthy meals. 

And time to just enjoy all the small moments. 

Collins learning to blow spit bubbles. 

Taking time to interpret Jones puppy whines since he won't talk today.

Realizing Locke is actually singing the words to a new primary song. 

I have never felt more exhausted, beaten down, joyus, or fulfilled.