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.