Sad

Yesterday a friend of mine passed away unexpectedly in her sleep leaving behind her husband and four young children. Cami Southwick was energetic, creative and caring. We used to laugh that her 3rd child, Olivia, was part mine since I passed on my pumped breast milk to feed baby Olivia due to allergies to formula. Her husband would make daily milk runs to collect the milk I had pumped that day. We laughed about the cow themed goody basket she made me for my 4 week milk donations. Her son, Jacob, calls Maycie his girlfriend. My kids know her as the primary singing teacher.

It was a shock to hear of her death. I didn't realize how upset I was until today when I tried to explain it to the children. My heart aches for her children and husband. Her young, needy children who, for the most part, will not remember their mother and for her incredible husband who now has to shoulder the load of parenthood alone.

I wish I could be more poetic about how I feel, but other than the need to express my grief, I'm rather speechless. Cami will be missed.

Life is short and precious. Tell those you love how you feel.

Organized Chaos and Grandparent Fun

August 14th - 17th

Moving day is upon us and all the chaos that goes with it.

Tomorrow is the big day and thanks to Rob's mom, most of my packing is done.

Every move I've made in the last 9 years I have either been very pregnant or had a new baby. This move is no different. Someday I hope to break that tradition.

Rob and I have bought and sold 4 homes in our marriage and we've lived as many rentals. We've often said that homes have souls or spirits to them. Most have had good souls. A couple...not so good. This home definitely had a good soul. Mostly because we built this home and helped create that soul. We've lived in this home 4 1/2 years. We've had two children in this home and many memories. For the older 3 children this will be the first home they remember. Though our family is ready for a change it is like saying good-bye to and old friend.

So, farewell 12126 Palomar Drive. You've been good to us and we'll cherish the memories created within your walls.

The Garden.

Rob spend many hard hours laboring in our garden and in return it yielded a generous crop each summer. I will especially miss the tomatoes and sugar snap peas.

The Backyard.

My bedroom.

We just completed this room and I love it. At least I get to take the furniture with me.

Alex's Room.

The Girls' Room.

The Kitchen.

This was probably my favorite room in the house. It had plenty of space and whenever we had gatherings everyone congregated in here. Truly the heart of the home.

The Living Room.

The Dining Room.

The Family Room.

And this is the front of the new rental house.

An empty vessel waiting for us to create more memories.

Enjoying a drop in temperature.

Addilyn is my little entrepreneur. She is always scheming up some idea to make a little money. Only 50 cents for a makeover. Grandma is the first to get her bargain makeover.

Isaac enjoying some Grandma time.

Day trip to the mountains and Lake Lure.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch al fresco by the river with Grandma and Grandpa Mann.

Then we spent some time at the Lake.

And finished the day with an ice cream cone.

Isaac turned 4 months old this week.

17 lbs 14 oz. 88%

25 1/4 inches 45%

This guy isn't missing any meals, but isn't he so cute. I love the little curly cue hair on the top of his head and he is such a good baby. He's always smiling and loves to snuggle. I sometimes just have this urge to bite him, he's so scrumptious.

A Fresh Start

I give up. Well.... not exactly. For the last year or so my blog and updating it has been on the forefront of my mind but on the back burner of my life and with so much to catch up on, the blog often seemed insurmountable, thus discouraging me further. So, a fresh start seems the best way to appease my conscience, at least until we're settled in our new house and the kids are back in the school routine. Then I might take on the task of catching up. I hope to do an update a week. With life so busy and kids changing and going in every which direction, once a week seems like a good goal. So here goes. Wish me luck, for I feel this method is the best way to journal and scrapbook my wonderfully chaotic life.

Week of August 8th - 13th

This past week was mostly about Addilyn, with a few other highlights.

One of the best parts of having a fourth child is to see how the older children respond to the baby. Isaac is doted on by all his siblings. This time, it's Maycie's turn to have and after bath snuggle with Isaac.

Liesl braved the drive from Chicago to be here for Addilyn's baptism. She's trying to catch a few more z's since Topher is such an early riser.

Addilyn's 8th Birthday!

The traditional breakfast in bed. She even shared with cousin Whitney.

For the party we took the girls to a movie followed by lunch at Cici's pizza. After we went back to the house to for manicures, cake and ice cream. It was by far my favorite birthday party yet.

I'm not even going to admit how late I stayed up sculpting this horse out of fondant. The finished product did not do justice to the hours I put into it. Addilyn thought it was great and that's all that counts.

I've got a brand new pair of roller skates. I've got a brand new key. (Can you hear the song?)

This gift was much anticipated. Around and around the house she went getting up each time she fell. Practice makes perfect.

Amalie and Addilyn.

Lauren and Addilyn.

Addilyn, Maycie and Whitney always seem to come up with the most creative sleeping arrangements. All three of them were on the top bunk. Maycie slept in a mesh bin, Addilyn in a plastic bin and Whitney on the over sized bear.

The quinceanera.

In addition to planning Addilyn's birthday party, baptism and having house guests I also committed to altering a dozen dresses for a friend's 15th birthday party. Don't know what a quinceanera is? Look it up. I think this party was fancier than my wedding reception.

This is the birthday girl's little sister. I also ended up making a doll size dress to match this dress. I was in tears by the end of the project. A dozen alterations plus a doll dress. Why do I take on these things? I'm just like my mother. Liesl made me promise to ask her permission before I commit to another project.

Liesl and I at the party. By the look on our happy faces you'd never guess that we had just had a disturbing visit from DCFS. The experience is still a little too raw to discuss the details.

Ty and Maycie really buddied up this trip.

Pure and Precious.

That's how my Addilyn looks to me. I can't believe my oldest is baptized. As a mother I constantly question, did I teach her all she needs to know for this stage in her life. The answer is usually a regretful "no", but I've tried and I will continue to try. I don't think we ever feel like we've adequately prepared our children for life, but we hope and pray we've done enough.

Addilyn, I'm so proud of the choices you've made thus far in your life. You try so hard to be a good example to your younger sister and brothers. You have an incredibly kind heart. You truly love and value all Heavenly Father's creations. Your spirit is older and wiser beyond your years. I pray for you nightly and will continue to pray that you will find joy in life as you strive to live Heavenly Father's commandments. Now that you have the gift of the Holy Ghost he will guide you in your choices. He will give you comfort in times of sadness or need. Trust in Him. Find quiet moments to ponder and pray so that you may recognize that still small voice. Study your scriptures and find in them righteous examples to model you life after. I know Heavenly Father is proud of your choice to be baptized and has great plans for you. I love you dearly and unconditionally and I will always be near to lead and guide you. I look forward to the next time you wear a dress of white as you enter the temple of the Lord to receive further blessings.

Love,

Your Mother.

At the Baptism.

What a week. We ended up being 30 minutes late to our own baptism. I was still trying to recover from all the sewing and had not given this important event the attention I wanted to give it. After realizing we were going to be late and that stressing about it wasn't going help, I had to make a conscience decision to calm down, slow my walk and focus on what was really important, my daughter's ordinance. It turned out to be a beautiful evening and the spirit was there.

She was so excited for her new scriptures.
The Program.

Grandma and Grandpa Mann made it to the baptism.

Emma Worth, Addilyn, Whitney and Kate Worth.

Addilyn had just bonked her mouth on Whitney's head and therefor was a little teary eyed in this picture.