Life Lately

Life lately has been pretty relaxed. School, colds, rain, leaves, and prepping for our Christmas trip. 

Oh yeah, and we're having a baby in May. Which seems like old news, but I haven't really talked about the impending baby much. Livvy is very excited and just yesterday I told her we were going to the doctor (midwife) for the baby and she asked "Oh, is the doctor going to get the baby out?" She can't wait to meet her baby sister (yes, she is absolutely set on having a sister and if I tell her "or baby brother" she says "oh, two babies!?!? A baby sister and a baby brother!", sweet girl!)

Jude is in for a rude awakening. That baby (yes, he is still very much a baby) loves to snuggle and is so clingy! He freaks out whenever I have another kid on my lap...luckily we still have 5 more months to work on that. 

Jude (at 15 months!) is starting to walk more and more and the past two days I've been working in the kitchen and he has come walking in all by himself! Big deal for a kid that has been so terrified to let go of my hand and walk by himself! He is a sweet boy and is learning so much right now. He understands more than he can speak, but he is trying to talk all the time. 

Livvy has been home from school, because of a cold and I have loved soaking her in during Jude's naps. She loves to cook/bake with me and very dutifully stirs, grates and pours whatever I need. She has such a sweet little spirit and is always helping me with Jude. They have become the very best of friends and I have loved watching them find ways to make each other laugh and play.

We find out if we're having a boy or a girl on December 10th and the more I think about it, the more I know I will be SO happy either way. Whether I get another spirited girl like Livvy or a mild, cuddly boy like Jude, I will be so blessed to have another baby to love.

Jousting!

On our anniversary (5 years!) Lincoln surprised me (kids in tow) with an outing to a jousting festival at Hever Castle.

It was really hot and humid and we were in direct sunlight...so we kind of melted while we waited for the knights to come!

The blue knight called all the kids to come to the arena and parade around with "knight" things.

Livvy was really excited....or just really hot!

She was given a head...I didn't even realize that was what she was holding till after! Yuck! Luckily she didn't have any worries about parading it around!

After the parading around the knights rode in on their gorgeous horses all decked out in their armor!

Then some impromptu fighting occurred and we reassured Livvy they they were only pretending. 

Finally the jousting tournament began! It was actually really cool to watch and I was so impressed with the horses and riders! They must have been melting under all that armor! 

Lincoln was so excited to capture this shot of the jousters in action!

Leeds Castle, Again.

A few Saturdays ago we went back to one of our favorite castles and spent the day walking, playing and eating ice cream. It was wonderful weather and a wonderful day.

Irony

I can't wait for Jude's nap time in the morning, but I miss him while he sleeps. 

I can't wait for Lincoln to take Livvy on a daddy daughter date, but I find myself thinking about her all day long and missing her cute little voice that keeps me company.

I can't wait for a day to myself, but when it comes, I find myself just wanting to putter around the house with the kids and Lincoln. 

I can't wait to get the kids sleeping in their own room, together, but I know I'll miss Livvy rushing in  to snuggle next to me in the middle of the night. 

I can't wait to go out with Lincoln without the kids, but when we do they come with us in the stories we tell and the laughs that we share. 

I can't wait for Livvy to start preschool this fall, but I am scarred to not be apart of her mornings, 4 days a week. 

I can't wait for Jude to walk, but I want him to stop growing up. 

...

Lately I've been thinking about motherhood. About what it really means. About how hard, rewarding, crazy, and tiring it is. Mostly, I'm relieved that I miss my kids when they are asleep or out for the day. If I'm being honest, some days, like yesterday, when the stinky diapers, fussing baby and whining toddler wouldn't stop, I wonder "what is the point?!?"

But, then I remember this quote and I'm reassured that there is in fact a very important point to it all. 

"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for." Elder Neal L. Anderson

I am truly blessed to spend my time with my sweet, sometimes exasperating kids. 

Italy: The end.

I cannot believe we toured Italy for 10 days.I cannot believe we spent so much time in such a beautiful country. 

  I cannot believe I was able to see my family.

I cannot believe we spent so many carefree days in the sun and luxury of a gorgeous hotel. 

I cannot believe my kids got to be loved by such amazing grandparents. 

Thank you to Mom, Dad, and Dallison for such a perfect trip! 

The newest sight in Italy

His eyes are blue.

His hair is blonde. 

And he will smile for you if you are really nice. 

The entire time we were in Italy people were gawking at my little charmer. Once we hit Rome it got ridiculous. At one bus stop literally about 6 different excited Asian tourists took a picture of (or sometimes with) Jude. Usually they didn't ask or talk to me but just kind of scooted next to me (the baby carrier) and had their friend snap a shot of them with the white haired wonder. It was hilarious. Maybe we should have charged a euro or two for a picture with the blonde haired gem. We could have made some serious money. 

Italy: I love Roma!

The last day in Italy we Rick Steve's Heart of Rome walk. It was by far the best day in Rome. We came into the city in the late afternoon and spent the evening wandering the cobblestone alley ways of the ancient city.

Our last gelato stop of the trip...I miss it soooooo much! 

We had a beautiful night and soaked up all the Italian beauty (and calories) we could. 

Rome was the perfect end to a perfect trip. 

Italy: Rome, Ancient Ruins

  Our next day in Rome we were all set to see the major ancient sites.

It was really hot and I was really cranky after walking two kids through the bustling city.

 I tried to be happy to see the Coliseum, which I was. But after we saw it I was done. Hot, tired and hungry don't make for a good mix.

Thankfully some other people were like me and thought the heat and touring craziness were comical.

 

 

 It was pretty neat to see all the places the Romans walked and fought. Lincoln the tourist loved seeing all of the sites and after the light-weights headed back home snapped pictures of the rest of the main spots.

Italy: Rome, Vatican City

After we left Venice we headed to Rome and the first day we saw the sites in the Vatican city. 

St. Peter's Cathedral was so beautiful. It was so incredibly big and breath taking.  

While the ladies (plus Jude) got lunch, the boys hiked up the dome and saw the ancient city.

Then it was back to the bus and to the comfort of a very-American feeling Marriott hotel, including an Executive Lounge with Fantas and cookies and tons of snacks.