Anna's Pouting Lip

Lauren sings Latter Day Prophets

I love this little girl!

Today was hot and muggy. :)

Mother's Day

A little over a week ago, I sat in Sacrament Meeting listening to a handful of ward members tell their stories about their mothers. Later that day Jon and I discussed how interesting it was that each of them had difficulty with their mother in some way or another. It was rather disheartening actually. Perhaps that is more the norm when you leave "Happy Valley" or maybe the bishopric was inspired to call those individuals to help them heal. Whatever the case, it got me thinking about how blessed Jon and I have been to have such truly amazing mothers. I love you both. Happy Mother's Day to you and to all of you wonderful women in my life.
Advisory: Not suggested for the not-yet mothers.
I LOVE being a mom. I can't imagine my life without these little sweeties. Life gets pretty crazy around here and there are moments when I shout to Jon, "I'm losing it!" And being the wonderful support that he is, will come running to my aid. Lauren is a great helper. Rissie is a sweetheart. Anna is usually the reason I shout for help. Ha ha! (...as she continues to potty train herself against all my efforts to stop this from happening! Most the time she's pretty good, it's when I find a naked dirty bum then the clean childless diaper that I begin to panic - and go hunting. She is so proud of herself too.) She is a lot of work, but, oh I love that little girl! Kade has been such a good baby, I really can't complain. When his eyes connect they don't turn away. We've had several conversations when his spirit talks to mine for long precious moments.

I don't mind sharing this because I know that any one of you who is reading this knows me and probably has experienced the same thing in some way or another in your own life.
For me, this thing has been having four young kids so close together. I have been aware from the moment we learned we were expecting that this would be a challenge to say the least. I have also felt that this baby was not a mistake or an accident, even though it wasn't planned. That is to say it wasn't planned to come so soon. In that moment, I plead with tears of inadequacy that I would be given help beyond my own abilities. Now that the challenge is here I have to share with you that I am a witness of being strengthened through adversity. Every day sees pandemonium and yet we make it through...most the time without losing it. I need to be more organized, more patient, more efficient, etc., so through necessity - I am. At day's end I recognize things I should have done better, but even then it's a far cry from where I would be without the heaven sent help! My life is better with four. My need to be a better person is less selfish and therefore more worthwhile. I think I have gained a glimpse of what Matthew meant when he said, “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it". I run the risk of sounding self-righteous by saying that, but I don't take credit for this understanding, rather I am merely grateful for it.

I LOVE being a mom - my joy is full!

PICTURES, Kade, Easter, etc.

I was just telling Jenny that I wanted to see some more pictures of her new little Jasper as soon as she was up to it. I've been meaning to post more pictures of Kade but I sometimes feel like I don't even have time to shower or make my bed. Ask me how I am doing with four little kids. No don't, I'll either scream or cry. Ask me another day!

Here's our Little Man Kade.

First 7 weeks

Us
EASTER

I was so excited to have a yard to hide eggs in this year and then it rained. Ah well, they had fun anyway. Lauren found The Big One, then later gave it to me and said, "That's how much I love you, Mom."
Lauren and Rissie liked finding, Anna liked eating and Kade got a bunch stuff that mostly just makes his first Easter official.

Marker Face Anna

Marker Face Rissie

This happened an hour or so before we picked up my mom at the airport. I was doing some last minute cleaning upstairs and left the girls to color with a 5-yr-old (mistake!). Sigh. First Lauren showed up with pink marker make-up all over her face that we made her quickly wash off. It was funny, but not in the middle of getting ready for company! When Rissie showed up with her tribal war paint we grabbed the camera and found Anna painted in her chair. We showed Mom the videos later and I am pretty sure she enjoyed them far more than the polished office. ;)

Those who've seen these have been requesting that I post them - so here ya go! :)

Kade's First Week

What a whirlwind these last two weeks have been. I'm only going to scratch the surface of what I can post and am just going to have to live with it! :)
Monday we had a fun FHE with Grandma Lee that included making a "Welcome to the Family" sign for Baby Brother. Rissie signed her name for the first time.
Tuesday afternoon Jon came home early, so we took Mom on a quick tour of the city. We'd been given a handful of unsolicited referrals of the best places to eat at church. Most of them were for pizza. So in our adventure we found Gino's East and had some great Chicago deep dish pizza. Then went home and watched While You Were Sleeping pointing out all the places we'd seen that day. It's really good that we went while we could, Jon and I went to the hospital the next day.

Proud and Grateful Parents
I always kind of laugh to myself with mom's that get all dolled up for a hospital bed picture. But after not getting ANY pictures of me from Anna's birth I liked, I thought I'd at least splash a little color on my cheeks and lips. It didn't help my hesitance when the nurse came in and said I looked ready for the ball!

Happy Family
The girls meet Kade for the first time! (Isn't my mom pretty?)
The hospital gave us a "Congratulations Dinner". Look how cute. It was actually pretty yummy too.

We absolutely ADORE this little man. Check out his profile - see any similarities. And why is it so cute when a newborn finds his thumb?

Three big sisters can't get enough of their new baby brother!

Baby Kade

Here is our new little boy, Jonathan Kade Jenkins. He weighed 8 lbs 0 oz, and was 21 inches long. He was born at 3:07 am on March 4th, 2010. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy until Becky gets back and can update the blog. Sorry no pictures of Becky this time.... I almost lost my life last time I posted pictures of her in the hospital.