Ouch!

Emma just punched my arm and said, "Wanna beats donut?"

She meant a hurts donut... and it really did hurt!

The Henscheids!

This is my family!  All 24 of us!

 These are the people I grew up with (except Spencer, of course).

 These are my brothers and sisters!

Mommy, Uncle Bubba (Jared), Auntie Allison, Auntie Heather, and Uncle Aaron.  

My first and favorite best friends!

Suzy Q

Grandma Morales has a first name, and it's Suzanne.  Her dad, Grandpa Miller, wanted a daughter he could call Suzy Q.  

So her middle initial is Q.

So naturally we had to document the first time our kids ever tasted a Suzy Q cake, delivered by a sweet neighbor boy.

 Not to be confused with the first time they tried ding dongs, which were lovingly ditched on our doorstep by some of the sweet youth in our ward!

The FFFF

I've been watching the weather like a hawk- with snow in the forecast tomorrow and windy days that make us feel like we're about to be blown to Oz, it's obvious that our days of mild fall weather are quickly coming to a close.

Last year's adventure was one of my favorite fall memories, and I definitely wanted to make it happen again this year.  We decided Sunday night was the perfect night to observe our Final Family Fall Fling, or FFFF for short.

Time always stands still when you're crunching through the leaves and gathering up acorns, sticks and heart shaped leaves, traversing fallen logs and exploring a tee-pee as the sun slipped behind the trees.

But darkness was fast approaching, so we headed over to make a campfire and eat some dinner.  It was a chilly night, and we were all glad that Daddy was able to make a warm fire so quickly! 

We told adventure stories- the scouting trips Daddy took as a boy, the dead rattlesnake that scared him when it's muscles contracted, and the man we knew that was bit by a rattlesnake at a scout camp the same weekend that Miss Emma was born in the car.

And of course, Daddy loves to tell stories about the reaction between flames and gas.... sheesh, those stories always get the biggest laughs. 

And right when it was pitch black out and we were all stuffed full of hot dogs and smores and really needed to start thinking about heading home... some woodland creatures started making noise right by us!  They weren't exactly howling or gobbling, but they were talking to each other on either side of our campfire and were just a little too close for comfort!  

The kids all clambered up into our arms while we shined our flashlights into the darkness, but... nothing.  Whatever was out there was smart enough to stay hidden, but after that we were definitely ready to head for home!

 We talked the whole way home about what it could have possibly been- coyotes?  Foxes?  Deer?  We may never know, but this year's FFFF was definitely a memorable one!

On Being "Bored"

It occurred to me some time back in the spring that I was about to embark on a new chapter of life.  Uncharted territory that I had never encountered before.  And now that I'm actually in the thick of it, it feels like time to reflect a bit on where I am, how I got here, and what it all means.

I have alone time.

Like, regularly scheduled, everyone is taken care of, I can do whatever I want and not have to explain myself to anyone alone time.

I literally have not experienced this since 2006.

Although Noah is still with me most of the time, he takes a two-hour nap every day and attends five hours a preschool every week.  And he's my baby, which means sometimes I'm all alone.

For the first time as a mother, I have time to sit alone in my house and think.

A few weeks ago I thought about a rebate that we never received, and a quick phone call later, I had $70 coming my way.

I have time to think about service.  Yesterday I dropped into the local clothing donation place and asked if I could help out.  I spent the morning with Mary, Betty, and Linda, sorting clothes and discussing "this new generation" and such.

I have time to work.  I knew this day of open pockets of time was coming so a few months ago, at the suggestion of a friend, I started doing some writing for various podcasters.  I love it!  It fills up my time nicely, I don't have to market myself, my family or anything else in order to get paid, and the flexible hours mean it doesn't infringe on family time, or even the kids waking hours at all (unless I let it).  

I have even more time to exercise... not that I always do, but I have more time and less excuses to fit it in.  I've espeically enjoyed walking with friends (without a stroller!).

I have time to help out friends in need.  I am no longer the mom who has to schedule everything around a babysitter.  I can schedule things around preschool and help other moms who are still in need of day-time babysitters.

I can pop into my kids classroom whenever I want to.  I help regularly in Adam's classroom, and I always find Emma and Leah for a hug while I'm there.  And we have cafeteria lunch dates as often as possible.

I can get ahead on the things that I don't want to waste family time doing- like laundry or meal prepping. 

I can go grocery shopping alone.  I'm really fast when I'm alone!

Overall, it's been pretty amazing.

I'm not going to lie, I like the moments of alone time, mostly because it's not my entire day.  That seems like it could be really hard, if I don't continue to find ways to keep from being "bored".  I'm slowly, reluctantly working my way toward empty-nesthood, but thank heavens that chapter is still years away (only 14, actually! But that feels like a lot.) 

When I'm alone I think about my babies tucked away in their classrooms and I feel joy at the thought of being together again, but the time goes by so fast that I really hardly have time to actually miss them before they're back again. 

And when they get back I can hardly wait to hug and squeeze and squish them, and hear all about the challenges and adventures of their days.

And like all things motherhood, I look back on the years that I was in the thick of all-kids, all-the-time, and I wonder, 

"How did the time go by so fast?"  

But, fast or not, I can't go back and do any of it over again.  All I can do is embrace the stage of motherhood that I'm suddenly in, and work to make this one just as meaningful as the last one was.

Snuggling my sweet baby niece Juniper, while my actual baby stands nearby.  Time flies!

Noah, Noah, Noah-isms

While watching me put on makeup. 

"You look pretty, Mommy.  I like your eyes."

*****

After all the kids dispersed for an afternoon of playing-

"Looks like it's just me and you..."

*****

At the grocery store.

N- Can I have a donut?

M- Ummm.... maybe.

N- Maybe! I know what maybe means.

M- What?

N- It means you're thinking about it.... Can you please think yes?

*****

Mommy, what else is in your bum besides poop?

*****

N- Mommy, there's a grasshopper in the window downstairs and it's naked.  

M- How can you tell it's naked?

Because it's light green.  Only the alive grasshoppers are dark green.

*****

At his annual doctor visit, the pediatrician was prompting Noah to explain who could help him if he was lost in a store.  

N- Mommy can help me. 

Dr- And what if you can't find Mommy?  Who can help you then?

N- Jesus will help me.

Bless his sweet little believing heart!

*****

While looking at himself as a baby- 

Awww!  I'm so cuuuuute!!

*****

N- What's a hokie?

M- A hokie?

N- Yea, like a hokie sandwich?

M- Oh!  A hoagie sandwich! 

*****

Jason- Hi Noah!

N- Hi Daddy!... Why did you tell me to hide?

*****

N- Daddy, I got a fool shot!

J- You mean a flu shot?

*****

In the car with his preschool buddy- 

Friend- Sometimes my sister doesn't like to play house with me.

N- Well, then, I will come to your house and play house with you!

Noah is 4!

Which hardly seems like a baby anymore... 

We had so much fun celebrating Noah's birthday earlier this month.  He wanted three things for his birthday- Legos, a trip to the zoo, and a rainbow cake.  And he got them all! 

His birthday fell on Columbus Day this year, so the big kids were home from school and happy to help celebrate.  Noah opened his presents right away, and set right to work with putting together his new dinosaur puzzle, which he called "a very nice present, Mom".  

After breakfast we were off to the zoo!  It was a perfectly beautiful day and we were so excited to have all of Noah's favorite street friends and their families join us.  

After a loop around the zoo and a ride on the train, we shared lunch and cupcakes and very thoughtful gifts with our friends. 

 And headed home for naps, and more Legos, which I'm 99% sure Noah asked for just so he could spend some quality time with his best big brother.  

Before long it was time for more partying!

 Noah wanted a rainbow cake, and we needed up with a really big one!  Thankfully two families came over to help us enjoy it!

Happy birthday sweet little Noah!  This baby boy of ours is quickly turning into a full-fledged boy, and we love him so much!

 Noah loves staying home, wearing his favorite shirt, shorts, undies, and/or tie, reading books, playing board games (anything from Cariboo to Candy Land to Busy Town), and most of all, puzzles!  The states puzzle is his absolute favorite.  

He holds his own just fine in the family, and has picked up on some mannerisms that I don't especially love from the big kids, like saying, "whatever" or "too bad!".  He knows his letters and the numbers on the clock remarkably well.

If he doesn't want to do something, like get dressed, help set the table, or go to church, he'll say he's "just too tired".  

Noah still hates loud noises, and don't even think about scaring him.  He's got pretty sensitive nerves.

He loves to cozy up next to me and say, "So!  What do you want to talk about?"  His favorite topics are Disney World and the Mall of America.

Noah likes a scratch back every night, but only if my nails aren't too long.  Then he says, "that's enough!"

He loves to sing, especially silly songs.

Noah is a tender-hearted boy.  He isn't crazy, doesn't run around or climb the walls (too often), and speaks sweetly to everyone (most of the time). 

He's starting to resist naptime, but I'm not about to give up on the blessed quiet hours of the afternoon.  Sometimes he just sits at the top of the stairs and quietly waits for me to call him down, sometimes he saunters into the room like he's been asleep for hours, when really it's only been about 20 minutes, and announces that he's done sleeping.

Noah goes to preschool twice a week and that is just the right amount for right now.  He loves the snacks, the friends, and the crafts.

We still do secrets every day.  Sometimes we go to the jumping place, sometimes we eat a treat, lots of times we play a board game or assemble a puzzle.

We love this little Mister!  Our family is a happier one because Noah is in it!

A Fun Run

Our school stopped doing traditional (and painful) fundraisers a few years ago, thankfully.  Now we send in money once a year and the kids participate in a Jag Jog Fun Run.  And both years, I've missed it and the chance to see my favorite students running by our house in the middle of the day.  Thankfully I've got sweet neighbors who sent me these!

I love that the kids get to get outside for a day of fun, and I really love only having to send in one check every year to help support our school!

A Happy Place

Our fourth bedroom became the family library back during the big bedroom switch earlier this year.

  And now I can usually find at least one person in it at any given time who is exploring another world, and we all pile in here every night to read scriptures and pray and debate over who's turn it is to sit in the big pink chair because Mom always gets the rocker and Dad always gets the floor.  And we occasionally dissolve into fits of giggles and (let's be honest) sometimes just give up on the effort and just shoo everyone into bed.

 "N is for Noah" still needs to be updated...  

 But it's a light and bright room that serves our family well and brings lots of happiness when we are in there together.

Even the view out the window is a colorful one!

On Being Honest

This is another story that never made it to the blog until now.

School mornings are rough.  Everyone has to be up and out the door by 7:35, and some days that seems like a monumental feat.  Despite the ability to tell time, no one in our family is much of an up-and-at-'em personality.  Needless to say, tempers can flare when the clock is ticking down. 

On a separate but related note, my sweet little Leah has the standard kid-skill (or curse) of being able to tell a fib with a completely straight face, until she breaks down into giggles or tears, depending on the situation.  More than once I've been absolutely sure that she's telling a fib (I'm looking at you April Fools Joke of 2015!) and still to this day I could not tell you if I believe her when she says she's not lying about that dumb pitcher of "orange juice". 

This event was not unlike that day.

In the early morning rush to get out the door, I noticed that Leah's hoodie was filthy dirty around the sleeves.  It had clearly been used as a napkin on someone's mouth, so I dropped it into the laundry basket. 

When it was time to send everyone out the door, I told Leah to go upstairs to get a jacket.  She came down with the same jacket I had just dropped in the wash, and I told her such and that she couldn't wear a dirty jacket to school. 

She immediately denied my accusation.  She had not just pulled it out of dirty clothes basket.

Well, what a silly thing to lie about, I told her.

Who likes being called a liar?  She started to cry and denied it again.  It was past time to get out the door so I told her to just go to school in her dirty jacket and think long and hard about the importance of telling the truth.  (Or something kind of nurturing like that, I'm sure, but remember, this happened almost a year ago.)

Angrily I stomped upstairs to start the laundry and get on with the day.  When I reached into the laundry basket, the first thing I pulled out was... the dirty jacket!

I was shocked!

How on earth did it get back into the laundry basket after Leah took it out?  I was sincerely stumped, but there was one thing I had to do, and it couldn't wait until school was over.

I hopped into the car with my two little babies, drove over to the school and marched in with the jacket.  When the ladies in the front office told me they would deliver the jacket to Leah, I explained that that wouldn't do.  I had called her a liar and I needed to set it straight.  I had to deliver the jacket myself.  (Stellar mom, I'm sure they were thinking!)

When I walked into the classroom I saw a mixture of surprise and a bit of dread on Leah's face.  The poor thing probably thought I was there to pick another fight, but I just said, "I have to show you something!  I found this in the laundry basket!" 

We hurried to her locker together and low and behold, there were two jackets.  Exactly the same.
 

Neither of us had lied!

What a fascinating and relieving revelation.  To this day I have no idea where the second jacket came from.  We laughed about it and hugged and I apologized profusely for my unfounded anger and pointed out to her that, just like her, I thought I was acting in truth.  It had been a huge and bewildering misunderstanding that could have easily been solved.  If we had gone upstairs together we would have seen that the jacket I put in the laundry basket was, indeed, still there when Leah grabbed a jacket to go to school.  

Looking back on this milestone in motherhood, I recognize a few things from this event.

1- The morning rush is a huge temper trigger for me.  Any and all preparations made to avoid chaos in the mornings is 100% worth the time spent.

2- It is always worth it to set things straight.  I apologize to my children, and often.  I want them to know that I make mistakes too, just like they do, and that the biggest mistake of all is not trying to fix things when they are broken.  You can't restore trust, love, or peace if you don't even try.  I hope our kids will remember that I tried.

3- Whether or not a child chooses to tell a fib, it's essential that they know that I trust them.  I believe that holding them to a standard will increase the likelihood that they live up to the virtue.  Trust is a huge thing that is also quite difficult to restore once it's broken.  I think both of us were so relieved to know that, on that day, we could both trust each other a little bit more.

And I still don't know where that second jacket came from.  That part remains a mystery.

Heaven Help Us!

 It's a good thing the teacher puts a note under the kindergartners words, otherwise we'd be in big trouble around here!

The Lunch Bunch

"Fair" continues to be a hot topic of debate around here.  We'll never achieve it, but long walks to the school so we can have lunch with the big kids certainly helps!

 I said smile... sheesh. 

 And I always, always love getting a glimpse of school life.  There are important things going on over there!