Results Come from Doing

"When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how eloquent the oration."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Two Principles for Any Economy," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 56-57

Home Alone

Ben wanted to visit his family. Azure is not fond of her car seat. A trip to Utah is 12 hours. Add a fussy, sad baby, and a just potty trained 3 year old. Equals more stress then was worth the trip. So Ben bravely decided he was going, and taking the 3 big kids himself. I immediately thought what a great idea that was.

• One I get some peace and quiet.
  
• Second Ben will be so much more grateful for me after having to deal with his kids by himself (which isn't accurate because 3 grandparents and countless Cousins, aunts and Uncles that love to play and do craft with them in Utah).
  
• Thirdly, it put a deadline on much needed repairs to my car.
  

  
   

So here I am in my clean, quiet home blogging. I think Azure misses all the noise; she is always looking around and has not been sleeping very well. She is use to quit a ruckus going on around her. She does like that when I feed her now I am not walking around the house, or yelling orders to big kids. She looks up and smiles!

I have been crafting, which is a very important aspect to me in my life. Crafting and making things is very cathartic and pleasing to me. However, minus drawing transformers and coloring between the lines I never get crafting time. I'll attach links to some things I have done.

Every day of my 'Alone Time' (which really isn't alone time because I have a 2 month with me, but I'll take what I can get). I have a goal to do the following: Prayers, scripture/ensign reading, work out (cardio and toning for at least an hour), do something little for every member of my family, and do something creative!!!!! I have done so good about adhering to my goal. I made everyone's beds. They left me with a filthy house!!!!. I Vacuumed, sorted toy boxes, ironed clothes (I NEVER iron). It's been fun and peaceful. Minus my 5 am wake up calls from service repair guys in Virginia that don't realize the landlord lives in California, and Azure's crying fits at 3 am.

My floor is mopped, my table and chairs polished. . .and they have stayed that way. Hooray!

At church I was able to concentrate and listen to every speaker. This afternoon I listened to some conference talks. I'd like to comment a bit on Patience. Elder Uchtdorf gave an excellent talk on it. "There is an important concept here: Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can — working, hoping and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our heart are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!"

I now feel I have the mental knowledge to know why and how. Not just ignore Jeddy's craziness and hold my breath until bedtime. I need to love him and properly redirect and encourage better behavior. Instead of sending MAdisen to her room when she argues I need to lovingly show her by example how not to. I fear she gets some bad habits from me. I need to engage Benson and be teaching him, not focusing on how I could be doing something more productive..

When life gets back to normal we need a shift from our status quo. I need more crafting Kim time, and the kids need a happier more patient mom!. I think the two will go hand in hand. Mine is crafting, weather its making my own yummy wheat bread, and packaging it with a cute label, or making flowers, scrapbooking, may you get 'your time' in as I am getting mine. Enjoy your Sabbath.

Give your loved ones a big hug. Wish I could hug all mine right now, even if it came with a messy floor.

Breast is best!

Who ever said nursing was best didn't have a three year old that was deciding if he wanted to potty train or not. And definately didnt have boys.
4 times I have gotten Azure all fed, changed and happy only to move on to a Benson disaster involving him pooping all by himself. If you have kids, and have potty trained I am sure you know what I am talking about. If not call me I'll explain it to you.
I found Benson in my craft room with my Ginger scissor cutting away at what ever he could find. Luckily my projects were put away and it was tools, scraps and not too important of things he cut.

Benson poured milk for cereal all by himself, then dumped the bowl out. He changed his mind apparently.

Jeddy often uses this time to chase and torture his brother.

Multiple times Benson has quietly snuck into Madisen's room and tore it up getting in to all her barbies and eating all her candy. He likes to dumb her bins to find all the fun barbie shoes and accessories. Jeddy loves to take Madisen's things and hide them in his special yellow bin.

I really would prefer setting Azure up to an IV and have her feed that way. Then I could keep my eye on Benson better. Or I need to hand cuff him to my side while I nurse. but then he would be kissing and laying on Azure and I . . . .

Maybe I need to lock him in a padded room while I nurse.

Why is it Yellow?

She has super long eyelashes like her grandpa Hatt. We have suvived this far with 4 kids. Azure is a typical newborn that sleeps for 2 to 3 hours then needs loving attention from her mommy, and food. I am not use to sleeping for only 2 to 3 hours so this has been very tiring for me. I am so tired!!! But I look at how adorable she and my other kids are and realize in 15 or 20 years I'll have an empty house and get to nap everyday. And I'll miss beng woken up by Jeddy and asked to draw a T-rex, or wake up to find Benson with poop all over him as he smiles proudly telling me he pooped in the potty and is a big boy!
Dad and his girls, they are both ready for bed. Azure's pj's are my favorite . . . all my kids wore them. I think Ben wore them as a kid also. They are like thermal underwear . . .they are so long and skinny . . . . Like all my kids. So they fit perfectly and I just think they are so cute.

Bedtime for our kids is 7pm. We have not made it to bed before 8 for a month. HA ha. Last night Ben was playing with his birthday gift a new camcorder. So we sang karaoke basically from Madisen's ipod and took turns doing performances until 8:40 pm. Since Azure we really have cut out a lot of things. Now that softball and t-ball are over we have so much more time at home as a family. That has really been a blessing. We go on walks through the neighborhood at the beach, and play games. It has been a very busy year, school and calendar. Ben is working full time and commuting long hours some days. All the kids have this and that. Plus Jeddy has lots, and lots of medical things, Dr's visit's, blood testing, allergy shots, etc. But is it all quieting down. We can just be a family most nights. It is such a blessing.
Hello . . . so cute! We had to make a late run to target on Saturday night to get a white Sunday shirt for Jeddy. Madisen, Jeddy and I, got distracted in the baby section and came home with a bundle of cute little outfits. Jeddy and I picked this elephant out fit. I spent the rest of sat night making headbands to match her outfits. Girls are so fun.

The boys favorite thing about Azure is she has yellow POOP. For every diaper I get an onslought of questions. Is it yellow, is it still runny, is she done?, why, why why. They love when she makes noises and fills her diaper. I always get a loud report. Mom, Azure filled her diaper. . . .Is it going to be yellow?
We went to all of church as a big happy family on Sunday . . . stake conference. The two big kids sang in a choir for it. I have to say other then seeing my kids sing and be deeply moved by the spirit with that it was pretty pointless to be there. Oh well brownie points in heaven right.

Azure came to 3rd hour, Primary with me Last Sunday. It is so much easier to get the bigger kids ready and send them with Ben. Then calmly get me and Azure ready while they are gone, and then we leisurely walk in an hour or too late.. I love Sundays because Ben helps with Azure on Saturday nights and I get naps!!!!! He has been really good to entertain the kids, he even had them all on his birthday. I got a nap and alone time On his Birthday while he took the 3 olders mini golfing and shopping. Start times and schedules are pretty pointless with a newborn. I am either really early or late. Nursing doesn't allow me to be on time . . .at least not yet.

My Mom was out for the first 2 weeks. She had the kids while I was in the hospital. It was nice to have them at home and not shuttled around from friend to friend. I was able to get a few naps in those two weeks. With some of my help but mostly on her own my made left us with:

• 4 meals of My Dad's yummy Corn Chowder,
  
• 3 Meals of my Favorite Taco soup,
  
• 5 Chicken pot pies that are worth their weight in gold.
  
• 4 batches of homemade tomato sauce,
  
• 2 pie crust,
  
• pizza dough,
  
• homemade rolls,
• 2 chicken enchiladas.
• I think i am missing something?!?!?!
  

So the next few months I have an arsenal of frozen yummy food to pull out for meals. What a relief.

The next two weeks I was spoiled by friends, neighbors and ward members with at least 3 meals a week. So I really have not had to prepare a dinner, with all the left overs!!!!! That is such a blessing. Because trying to prepare and get a meal cooked while doing homework with Madisen, and entertain the boys, (or just keep them from hurting each other) is too much normally. So to then add a hungry little baby is pretty stressful. Like I said, I have not had to do many times yet. And school is almost out . . .so no more schedules other then what we set for ourselves. hooray.

well I have 2 kids sleeping, so I better take advantage of nap time before they wake up.

enjoy the pictures of our cutie.

Azure Mourie McEvoy

Born May 7, 2010
8 lbs, 6 ozs

Nesting. . .getting ready for #4

I never go early, at least not naturally. Madisen- induced for toxemia day before due date, Jeddy- due date, and then induced 4 days early for mere convenience with Benson.
I get so eager the last month, I almost loose my mind. So I leave packing the bags and setting up the crib etc, until 3 weeks to go. Which is this week. I have 18 days to go. YEAH!!
I have been spending the last several months buying diapers, wipes, shampoo, lotion, powder, oil, and baby wash at rock bottom prices. So I have 6 of all the ointment stuff. 2000 wipes, and just under 800 diapers ranging from newborn to size 3. I have even gotten formula for half price and several cereal and jars of food for free! And loads of free samples on everything. I am stocked and ready to hibernate. The best buy (not because of the deal but because of the stress it eliminated) was the car seat. I researched on consumer reports the safest and best car seat. Then I hunted one down on Craigs-list. I paid more then I should have but it was close, and in perfect! Perfect condition! I had 3 infected ears on 2 boys and didn't care to keep searching. So it was worth the extra cost to get it done. And I keep reminding Ben I saved us over $100 by not going to the store and buying it.
On Sunday I woke up at three AM with dire pain and really uncomfortable, cramp like not muscle tightening. I am pretty sure it was not braxton hicks contractions. But have never had them so I do not really know for sure. I woke Ben up at 4 am to help me find some Tylenol, I told him "I don't know where to look I cant find any in our bathroom." So he searched the hall closet, kitchen, kids bathroom, I think even went to the car. He came back empty handed. He went in our bathroom and found them immediately. I sent him on a wild goose chase. Obviously not on purpose, because I was really needing the pain killers and I don't enjoy jokes at 4 am.

So with that little warning I have been pretty ready to get things going this week. So are the kids. They get to pick out a boy outfit and a girl outfit to take to the hospital. For FHE we usually have the kids help clean all the equipment. So we hand out cleaning wipes and they wipe the tub, swing and etc out. They also get to load the Dishwasher with all the bottles, and help put diapers in the changing basket. They always love getting to be involved. We also go over the rules at that FHE such as no poking the babies eyes out, Do not teach the baby to fly and etc. With each child the rules get longer and longer and more detailed. Really, who knew you needed to teach your son not to pull out his baby brothers hair? Or Yes, Babies will always cry when you poke their eye!?!?! SO DON'T DO IT!

Ben was finally home long enough to get the bins down from the attic. So I have baby girl clothes, and baby boy clothes to sort. Sheets, blankets, bottles, pump, monitor, swing, bouncy and bibs galore to get situated. Now I just need to clean it, set up the crib, pack the hospital bag for me and baby and put some clothes away and we are good to go.

A new and interesting part of my nesting this time around includes eating a 6 qt bowl of caramel popcorn all by my self yesterday and having not 1 but 2 bowls of ice cream today. I am pretty sure neither the baby or I need fattening before the big day. Yet, I seem determined to throw out all knowledge of nutritional eating and gorge on what I fancy! Hmmmm. The best side to that is Benson strategically relocated my pregnancy workout DVD to and unknown place a few weeks ago, and the ones I rent from the library do not work on my broken DVD player. So my workouts have downgraded to: getting the mail, going up my stairs, and parking further away from the door when grocery shopping. Not the best combo! I really feel like a run along the beach, but with out my LARGE belly attached.

Ben was so cute when He opened the bin of girl clothes he pulled out a darling white dress with eyelets bordering the bottom, and said "Kim we might need to go to number 5 if this one comes out a boy!". I also got teary eyed looking through the bin of baby girl clothes. My baby girl is now 8 1/2. So many memories. Unlike Ben having been pregnant, and delt with the nausea and sickness I am pretty sure #5 will be a dog we buy, not another child!

Wish us luck!
We're almost there!

And if anyone was wondering, no we have no names, not a short list or a long list. My goal is to have the child named before we leave the hospital! So any good ideas are welcomed!

When he grows a foot or two

The last several weeks have been very, very exhausting, busy and tiring for me.
Let me just list some of the bigger things I had to accomplish, along with keeping a clean house, laundry, feeding my family 3 times a day, homework, my softball games, field trips, helping at Madisen and Jeddy's classes, play dates, conducting primary, doing sharing time, filling in for primary teachers, and being a mommy.

• Madisen Birthday, gifts, favorite meals for breakfast and dinner
  
• End of soccer season team party, get and put together trophies, food, pictures, coaches gifts
• halloween, we made costumes this year, carving pumpkins, pumpkin patch etc
  
• Her Party the following week, we made pizza, lemonade, cookies, frosting, and their own party hats.
• Thanksgiving with my sister's family and mom. It was a yummy meal, turkey, mashed pot with gravy, stuffing, pink salad, pomegranate salad, sweet potato's, sparkling grape juice, wassail, rolls, green bean casserole (not your usual kind), finished off with 2 apple pie, 1 pumpkin and vanilla ice cream to help it all go down. Needless to say it was a meal to be thankful for, but allot of work. Thank goodness my mom was over pies, and that my sister Britt helped out so much.
• Madisen's baptism- in our stake the family is in charge of everything, program printing, finding people, getting pianist, getting clothes etc.
• Her baptism luncheon, I made lentil and chicken noodle soup, well My sister and I did. 2 big jelly rolls of Texas sheet cake, veggie platter and fruit platter I had friends bring rolls and bread. set up tables, washing and returning R.S. table clothes
  
• Primary activity, I was in charge of the activity and craft, we made wood blocks that were covered with pretty scrapbook paper and said 'JOY', the little kids painted ornaments. I had to cut and saw 90 3 x 4 in blocks of wood. get all supplies, cut paper to size, cricet punch 100 letters, and bag them for each child
  
• Jeddy's birthday shopping with out him is so hard, so last night at 10pm I finally went out after Ben was done with mutual. shopping for and preparing his favorite meals
  
• His party is this Saturday, homemade invitations, gift bags, menu planning and buying etc.

I give this information because I feel is shows you what my kids have had to endure through. Last week Jeddy was asking me, begging me to play baseball with him. I looked him in the eye and explained "sweetie, mom has 15 table clothes, 6 sheet sets, 12 towel's, to launder, 2 meals of dishes to clean, 3 bathrooms that are in dire need of attention and no one but me to do it. Can you play catch, or T-ball with Benson, maybe today and tonight I can hurry through all this and tomorrow we can play . . .I'm sorry".

Instead of being sad, or complaining or even not understanding, he went out side. I thought he was going to play. I went to the garage started laundry. I heard what I thought was Benson playing in the kitchen sink, so I yelled to him to go play with Jeddy. As I walked in the house I saw cute little Jeddy had pulled up a chair, rolled up his sleeves, and was doing my huge sink full of dishes. He went in the back to drop off his toys. I gave him a big hug. He finished the sink and started the dishwasher all by himself, then went out back to play.

I couldn't help but think what a wonderful boy. I know I cannot take credit for how thoughtful and helpful he is. It is his nature, he is a sweet boy. If this could be taught, this is the one lesson I would teach the young Men in the Church. Never let your wife work harder then you in a day.
I know Jeddy is going to be the husband that is doing the dishes while his wife mops the floor (not watching espn). He is going to be folding the clothes or cleaning the bathroom while she puts the kids in the bath.

I think there is a disconnect that men quit working when they get home from work. Ben I have to say is fabulous with entertaining the kids and keeping them from making messes and bugging me so I can get a meal on the table.

I just have to say I know Jeddy is going to be a very aware and thoughtful guy. I was very impressed that he didn't even come running to say, mommy look what i did. He did it with out praise. He did get a big treat when Benson went down for a nap!!!

Anyway in honor of him on his special day (he is 5), I ask all you readers what is the best quality you think someone should grow up to have? What is your son, husband great at? I am so proud of my boy and I want everyone to feel the love and happiness I feel for him because of his truly wonderful qualities with the boys, men in their lives.