Celebrating Smallness

I was exploring the vast realms of the blog world today and feeling a bit small about my own. And then I looked at this...

Sweet Reflections...thanks Kylee.

Last fall, I experienced the best sense of community I have known in years. On Wednesdays I was invited to gather with a group at Matt's cousin Lindsey's house. We would share snacks and watch Project Runway. In that group I got to know Kylee, she is an absolutely stunning young lady with so much class. She is the type that always makes me aware of how loud-mouthed I am, Kenley really brough it out of me too! I have dearly missed this time with sweet friends in the last months, hurry up Lifetime and air the next season! I have been following Kylee's blog and always find it restful. She has a great talent with words and the images they provoke. (her blog is wheelturning.blogspot.com) These following thoughts were prompted by her.


Grubby little hands with my heart buried deep inside.

Collin is at that place in life where nothing is resistible for his tiny hands. They are always marked by the grit and grime of his adventures and latest indulgences. Mud pies, dog fuzz, strawberry juice...the good stuff of our days.

Pancakes with a friend.

Aden has a true pleasure in a mid-morning plate full of pancakes. As he requests his 6th one, he smiles through syrup and butter and says, "I love you." Does it get better than this?

Running free.

Kaleb has long lived in the shadow of an over-achiever brother. On a Saturday front yard race, he was first to finish. He swaggered with pride and a readiness to perform this feat again. He is at a season when his body can do more than he is aware of, where growing strength and youthful clumsiness start to balance again. Happy discovering little man.

Ready.

Ready to debate, ready to reason, ready to challenge. I delight in this Ivy League Professor trapped in a 9 year old body.

What I love about Canada...

First off, the most adorable nephews a girl could want live there! We miss Koen & Kace everyday! They sent a package to our boys last week that had another Canadian treasure inside, Kinder Eggs, this is a chocolate egg shell with a toy inside. The boys love these and our house is now scattered with these little toys.

Scrapbook Much?

With all these cute boys, I take a ton of photos. I got into scrap-booking when Parker was born, so 9 years later it is old news. I got a fresh wind this afternoon and cranked out a few pages, minus the journaling that will go with them. (You know, so in 30 years when I want to pull them out I will know what year it was.) I was so proud, I decided to post it here.

Collin is Terrific Two!

On Tuesday, Collin turned 2. We spent the whole day out and about as a family. Collin got to enjoy the zoo for the first time ever. None of us had seen the new Africa section, so that was fun. Just as we were leaving there was a downpour so we sought shelter at the Flying M for Caramel Mocha's, yes, all the boys got one. (Don't judge me!)
When it let up outside, we played at Camel's Back Park. Collin has a great birthday because everything outside is new again this time of year. We joined Grandpa and Grandma at Smoky Mountain for dinner as well. Whew! Turning 2 really can take it's toll! We napped most of Wednesday :) Happy Birthday my baby boy!

Fever!

These are the pics from Collin's big day.





I officially have the bug...Baby Fever has hit me! We are not having any more kiddos so I am needing a quick fix for the overwhelming feelings that are consuming my days. It seems that most of my peers have a new little one joining their families. Case in point, my friend Julie was in town from Alaska last week. A mutual friend of ours, Heidi, came over to see Julie and catch up. Heidi has a precious little guy Mel, and a daughter a little older than Collin, Mari. I fell so hard for this little girl! She loves to dress up and totally rocked my tutu! (Don't ask why I have a tutu.) I need one of these! (A little girl.) I cannot wait until we can get together again for another dress up date or tea party. I have done pretty well with my 4 boys but man!, I have it bad for a little girl right now!

In like a Lion...

Okay, so these are not the greatest pics but I wanted to show all the hair dos that have been happening around here lately. Aden cut his hair for the first time in over a year! He looks so handsome but I am still working on a good picture. Collin looks like a totally different kid, and with all that hair out of his face, there is more room on pudding on it!

I have been having really bad Facebook withdrawal, I had no idea how much I was connecting to others throughout the day through it! Last time I posted on the blog I did not get any comments, and I realized how much I rely on feedback! Facebook was a big source of that feedback for me and I am still looking for ways to find that in life. I love staying home with the boys but it can be a very isolating experience! Feedback? :)

More Archuleta happenings..

I got a few good pics from Collin's dedication.
Collin got a haircut, the first ever!

The boys actually all worked together to build this "school" out of Legos.

I finished the picture wall in my room, after two years.

Heart Breaker

More of the photo shoot, as promised. Are they not SO good?! The locations were the most run down parts of Old Nampa but boy do they ever make good backdrops. I think it means more to me too, that the location is near our home.

What a weekend!

So first off, on Friday, a very talented friend of mine took some photos of Parker. He is 9 and I have been frustrated with getting a good picture to capture him at this stage in life. Mandy did a spectacular job! I love all of the pics and Parker had an okay time posing too. I will post more soon!

In other big news, we had Collin dedicated at church on Sunday. He is almost 2 but it's never too late, right? I wrote poem for each of my boys for their dedication, I thought I would share the one for Collin on the blog.



Baby, My Baby, and baby to me you will always be.
You are My Savior's love song, as He sings to me.


Jesus, He made you piece by piece.
He trusted you to me, for Catch and Release.


Your dad was my prince in our very first chapter.
You boys call me Queen and you have become my happily ever after.


Collin you are sweet and you make each day sweet.
You can be naughty too, but with your big grin, naughty is a treat.


You are still a mystery, who will you be?
Pregnant with you, I marveled at another chance to fall in love for me.


You were wanted and celebrated with such joy.
Another little man in our house full of boys.


Blood ,sweat, and tears are all a daily occurrence.
God knew this when he filled you with courage.


You've got fight and a passion for life.
I pray for a strong heart too, to slow down when you feel it's right.


You're like a tornado we don't want to stifle, just direct and let go.
We pray you'd use your energy to destroy the Status Quo.


This life takes determination, don't kill your desires, even when the hard road lies ahead.
Saying when you're wrong, making it right, and living so you're out of breath until bed.


We are your safe place to fall, God has designed this family.
To heal us, to teach us, and to know we are accepted completely.


You are our beloved son, in which we are well pleased.
We will trust you to God for all you will need.


Draw near to him, in our broken world, He is the only Healer.
He makes beauty from our ashes and is strong to deliver.


As your parents we will be loving but sure to disappoint too.
Our son you'll be forever, we want to be better for you!


That is the best thing about babies, they change and redeem.
Baby, My Baby, and baby to me you will always be.