August Haps Part 3

Free Concerts at the Splash Pad (Favorite was Caspar Babypants) 

 A hike to Lake Wilderness Trail

 Liv brought her little journal to take some nature notes.

 Loved all the bridges over little brooks and creeks.

 Liv took some pregnancy shots of me.

 My little tigers on tiger mountain.

 Made some jam with the J man. Lots of jam. Blueberry peach, blueberry, raspberry, raspberry peach, just plain peach. Mmmmm. So good. Well, at least Buster thought so. :) We all thought so.

Dressed up with the little girl I watch. She's a doll. They both are. 

And finally after a great, fun, full summer, the first day of school was upon us. Sniff Sniff. 

Breakfast, morning of the first day. Liv wore her friendship bracelet that Jaron made her. He wore his to commemorate her first day. It was so cute. 

 Slow down life.

These last three posts were kind of just thrown up here as quick as possible, so sorry if they are boring and unedited.

Part 2 August Recap

Book Club Fun

A Trip up North to Eagle Falls. It's the prettiest colored river I've ever seen in my life. 

Roney dived off a 40 foot cliff into the water below and had the crowd entertained. I think this place is going to be one of our new summer time traditions. 

August Recap Part 1

Handsomeness. 

Beauty and the Beast Play girls date with Liv and Reece. 

 Finished up swimming lessons. Buster looked forward to his dates with Miss Em in the baby pool everyday.

The showers afterward were almost as fun as the lessons. 

Lots of pretend play. I did not pose this. I came around the corner and said "Hold that pose Liv!". 

Suzuki Camp with my girl ending with a performance in her first orchestra setting reading music for the first time while watching a conductor at the LeMay Car Show. The cars were AWESOME. And I don't even like cars that much. 

 A special visit from Judy. The kids had so much fun. And the parents even got to sneak away for a little anniversary celebration date for both of us. It was so much fun. We ate at a fabulous seafood restaurant in down town Seattle. Best crab dip of my life. And visited the gum wall. See for yourself.

Harvested from the garden. 

Spent our first ever anniversary with the kids instead of on a date. It was fun to have them with us. We went canooing down the cedar to Lake Washington. It was so gorgeous and peaceful. It was a great way to celebrate our anniversary. 

Warning. This is a rant.

Dear Walmart Parking lot Lady,

When I saw you in the parking lot at Walmart today I had four kids in tow, five including the one in my belly. You looked at me like I was rather odd.  There's no doubt about it. I am in fact very odd. 

You offered to take my cart for me, which was very kind of you. But, before you did that you asked me if "ALL these children were ACTUALLY mine". I said proudly that only three of them were. You looked down at my large belly, then, back at me, and exclaimed "And one on the way"?! Then you ACTUALLY had the audacity to say "You've GOTTA stop Momma!" 

I was taken off guard by such an appalling and rude comment from a complete stranger. Without being confrontational, yet not being simply passive either, I replied, "No I don't need to stop, because I love my kids, and I think big families are great".  

Ever since that little moment several hours ago, I have had many thoughts swarming and running around and around in my mind all day that just need a place to land.  So, I'm writing you this letter, with the knowledge that you of course, will never lay eyes on it.

Let me start by saying that I never have, nor ever will judge another couple on their choice of how big of a family to have, or if to have any family at all. That is a very personal decision for every couple to make on their own and with their own time table. There are so many things that go into the choice of having children. There are those who go through long, painful struggles and years of trying to get pregnant. There are those who have the strong desire to have a baby, and are told they never will be able to. Then there are also those who do get pregnant, but are horribly sick and lifeless for the whole nine months of their pregnancy. These women are heroes in my eyes. It takes courage and faith to give all of that time, emotional and physical energy, and resources to having those children.  I also think the choice of when to have children is a very personal choice.

The choice that my husband and I have made to have children has been neither naive, un-intelligent, nor accidental. Rather, it has been prayerful, sacrificial, brave and deliberate.  None of our children have been accidents, though if they were I'm sure we would consider it a blessing at some point down the road. So to answer what I know you are already thinking lady, yes we know how babies are made. And yes, we know how to prevent it.  

I don't have almost four children because I particularly love having little bums to wipe or mouths to feed. I didn't have children because I wanted more stretch marks and cellulite and to kiss goodbye my beautiful pre-pregnancy body.  I didn't do it, because I absolutely love little children. I do love children, but still, that is not why I had children.  I didn't even do it because I felt like life without children would be meaningless or dull, though I'm sure those things would have come to pass. 

We (the husb and I) decided to have children, because we believe in families. We did it because it is a commandment that has been given to us. We did it because we have a testimony that when we are fulfilling God's commandments, no matter how hard, or challenging they may be, He helps provide a way to accomplish it, and he blesses us for doing it.  We did it because we believe it is the work and glory of God and we want to be a part of that sacred work. Lastly, we did it because we know that parenthood is not just a privilege. It is a calling.

As quoted in her blog from Elder Neil L. Andersen's most recent address I love what this Mother said in regards to having kids. She said, "It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for". I love that. I believe that. I believe God gave us everything we have so that we can raise up families and be tools in "bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39) 

When I first moved to Washington I had one child. People in the stores were so nice to me. They told me how beautiful Olivia was. When I had Warner, that didn't change. People always said "Oh, you have your boy and your girl, that is just perfect". Once I had three, the compliments started to slow, and were replaced with occasional huffs and puffs and stink eyes.  Ok that's not entirely true, there are still really sweet people out there that are helpful and kind and complimentary, but the stink eyes definitely increased with the number of children I've had.  And now that I'm pregnant, people look at me like I'm just plain crazy. But here's the thing. I'm not crazy. I'm brave, and tired, and blessed and intentional. 

Am I challenged beyond sometimes what I feel I can handle? Yes. Do I feel all the normal feelings of a stay at home Mom, at times inadequate, lonely, frumpy, and impatient? Of course. But none of those feelings even come close to the overall joy I feel that I am a Mom. Nor do any of those feelings get in the way of the greater good that I see at the end of the tunnel. It's a worthy goal I seek. One that I'm not ashamed to admit. 

I wish people would not look on those who choose to have big families with contempt or pity, but instead with admiration, hope and encouragement.

Walmart Lady, after I told you that I thought big families were great, you still didn't back down. You said "But it's just too expensive to have that many children". To which, I replied, that expense is relative. Maybe my choice to have more kids means they won't all wear the nicest clothes, or drive the nicest cars, or have the experience of  vacationing in Hawaii every year, or be pro tennis players, soccer players, or concert pianists.  To me, those things are seemingly insignificant compared to the blessings of growing up in a house with other siblings who help you learn to serve, to work, to get along, to sacrifice, and to go without. Besides, I think you can have your cake and eat it to when your following the commandments. Whose to say that big families won't be blessed with those luxuries eventually too. 

With that I saw a change in your face. You started to smile. You even took a step back, let out a soft laugh and said "Ah yes. I agree. I'm with you. I'm all for the simple life". To which I didn't say,  "Trust me, it's anything but simple", but instead said "Thanks for taking my cart back for me, have a nice day".

I hope that you consider these words that I've shared with you today, before telling another mother that she needs to stop having children.   

Good day to you.

Sincerely,

Jessica

Whew. I feel better now.   I hope not one single mother or woman walks away from reading this post feeling judged, because I sincerely mean it when I say this, I don't ever judge another person for their family choices. When I say I think big families are great, it is not because I think small families are not. I think it is brave and wonderful to have any children at all, and big or small is such a relative term to every individual family. And every circumstance and situation is unique and different.  

I'll leave you with a few quotes that I love from that talk I mentioned before.

Mark 9:36-37

 36 And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

"It is a crowning privilege of a husband and wife who are able to bear children to provide mortal bodies for these spirit children of God. We believe in families, and we believe in children."- Elder Quinton L. Cook 

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

"My favorite part about today was book club and being with my friends". -Liv

"My favowit pawt about today was killing two ants. And my worst part was when one of the ants almost bit me. What! Did he think I was wood or something?" (snort snort). -Warner 

Long Beach Camp out with the Pettibones

Two night camp out with three kids= a lot of work.

But! A lot of preparation and work for a good reason= a lot of fun and totally worth it. 

We had such a great time camping out at Cape Disappointment which as it turned out did not disappoint. I'm not sure why it is named that. Maybe it's to keep people from coming, so those that do can enjoy it without a crowd. 

Liv and Warner in their sleeping arrangements. We don't have a tent big enough to hold all five of us, so B and J and I were in the three man tent, and W and L in the tadpole.  At least they were cozy and warm.

Two of my favorite gals, Jannah and Emmy Pettibone. Outside their mansion tent.

Remember how I said the hard work paid off. Part of that hard work was the food prep, but man, waking up to hot chocolate, and breakfast burritos with fresh fruit made us all feel like royalty.

Cute Cally and Liv really reconnected on this trip. They played so well together. All the kids did actually, which was so fun. 

On the first day there, it was a little cold to go to the beach so we took the kids on a hike. It was a two mile hike, round trip, and they all did it. I was impressed. We stopped to observe slugs, and bugs, and flowers, and berries along the way. 

 Olivia and the lighthouse. Nearly there.

 After I took the last two pictures, Buster climbed up on this bench and said "Howbout me?" Then he held up his hands and said "Cheeeeeese!!" He doesn't want to be left out of the photos that's for sure! And why would he?

Here he is holding up his hands again. I think it's his version of the peace sign. Here they are enjoying some mallows. Emmy and Buster were quite the pals on this trip. 

 This picture was taken at an old WWII artillery/bunker. There used to be a big gun in that hole. Warner was checking it out.

 Warner holding his bum.

 View of a private bay on our hike.

 Liv hasn't changed. She has always loved to pic little bouquet's of wild flowers. It's her favorite part of hiking. Treasures. Treasures. Treasures.

 All the kids, accept Buster, who of course doesn't want to be photographed when I do want him to be photographed. From left to right Cally, Olivia, Warner, Hayden, Emmy, and Ryan. This is an old bunker from WWII.

 Cape not-Disappointment.

 We found the perfect little cubby hold for our chubs.

 Once again, Buster wanted his turn in the tree having his picture taken, only this time he was a little nervous to raise his hands all the way up in the air, so he only partly raised them. "Cheeese!!"

 It was about 90 degrees in Seattle, so we figured it would be just right at the beach. Nope. It was like 60 degrees. But that's ok, luckily our kids don't really know any different, and we still had fun at the beach.

 This beach, known as Wikiki beach, is one of our most favorite little coves.  When there is a really big swell on the outside, you get perfect little head high curly waves in a windless cove and while you sit on your board you get to look around and behold all the beauty.

 Smor'n it up.

 J was really enjoying that giant mallow.

 Yea an odd sight. A kid in a hoody, legging, shorts and a long sleeved shirt playing in freezing cold ocean water. I look at that and think he's pretty brave, and maybe slightly crazy. Other's look at it and think, who the heck is this kids Mother?

 My man. Doesn't he look slick next to that black and white beauty?

 I think so.

 I saved the best for the last. There was this little moment on our last day there when the sun finally came out, and Buster and I were running around on the beach. He was so happy. He would just plop his whole body down on the beach and role around face down and everything. He acted like a little puppy. It was so fun to watch.

Ahh. What a fun trip. It made me happy to think about it again and do this post. Everything went so smoothly. The kids slept good, and they were in heaven. All they need is the outdoors to run and dig and explore and they are entertained. I love that about kids. I'm glad they enjoy it. The only freaky part was when we heard this totally scary animal fight right outside our tent. It turned out it was this huge raccoon trying to ransack and claim some territory in the garbage that had been left out of one of our neighbors. Talk about breaking a sweat and having your heart race. It made me really want a mansion tent like the Pettibones that I knew the kids were not the one's being gobbled up by a possessed raccoon.