Not for the Weak Stomach-ed

I am obsessed with holidays. My mother always made them so special. But now, I am the mom, and we're about 2/10. I'm not sure what conspiracy is going on in my house. Perhaps, it's that my expectations are too high. Perhaps, it is the kharma of the universe telling me to stick it. Whatever it might be, our holidays always seem to result in some minor disaster, usually dealing with Treyson John.

This night? The ward (church congregation) Christmas party. Lots of wonderful people. Lots of sick potluck food which 14 people have already sneezed in. Lots of hyperactive children and SANTA. What more could one ask for? My kids were all dressed in their coordinating outfits and I was prepared with video camera AND camera. Mom of the year.

At first, things started out swimmingly. Oakley was red eyed, but happy.

Treyson was spending his time showing his 5 year old girlfriend his booty dance (no, I did NOT teach him this.) Reagan was cute, albeit, a little greasy from the fight she got in with her mashed potatos.

But, alas, disaster struck. Treyson eyed Santa entering the building.

The girls started out, inquisitive, but okay.
And the downhill spiral continued.

The grand finale courtesy of a blonde headed boy???
Yes, I just posted that.
The Roches. Keeping Christmas memories alive.

New Blog Readers

After going public for quite some time (I wanted everyone to be able to see the girls), we are returning to our old ways and being oh, so private again. Most of you don't need to leave emails, I've saved all from last time; however, if you're new, please leave yours. Thanks!

Simple

Treyson's had some strange ailments lately. This tongue issue. Still undiagnosed.
And, a visit to the orthopedic doctor to get his little flat feet checked out.
No worries. Glad nothing is serious.

Oakley manages to get into EVERYTHING.
And, often finds herself bruised and in the WIERDEST positions.

Sad they are so big. So, So sad. Why is it going SO fast the second (third) time around!?
We've been busy doing a WHOLE LOT of "life".
No trips.
No dates.
No days off for any of us.

Trevor's been swamped.
But, we're so excited for Christmas.

Learning patience.
Breaking out the Christmas presents early for mom's sanity
and

baking. a lot more than we should.
(As a result, starting to do Insanity at 6am to burn all those calories! SO out of shape.)

We have a good, simple life.

R

One of the most difficult things for me is finding "alone" time with each individual child. It's hard. When it does happen, I just love it. Reagan is still the "forgotten" child. She plays happily by herself while I chase after Oakley and break up her and Treyson's screaming matches (He screams at her, she screams back. Quite ridiculous.). She is still my constant. When I'm stressed, I pick up Reags and I feel like a mom again. Not a child wrangler. She is the daughter I had never dreamed of (I wanted 10 boys), but made all my dreams come true. If that makes any sense.....(And to give credit where credit is due. Oakley is my daughter who is exactly like me. Stubborn.)

Dear Santa

In case you were wondering what Treyson wants for Christmas:

Visitors

Um. They'll be a year in 3 months. Is that freaky to anyone else?


My littlest brother, Austin, came to visit us from Byu-Idaho for Thanksgiving. My little sister, Katelin, was here as well since her new husband lives a town over. IT was fun to see them for the long weekend. I know it had to be SO boring for Austin from his normal college life, but, maybe now he has some empathy for me! :)

PS Did I mention I am STILL recooperating from ALL NIGHT (we're talking up 36 hours straight minus a 30 min nap) BLack Friday!?!? Hence, why I look a little half dead. I will NEVER do that again - tho I am satisfied with our few GREAT deals; next time, I'll sleep and pay the extra $40.

Gobble

I DO take pictures of Treyson but he HATES them and often runs away screaming. This is the only one I got of him....quite the techy.

R

O

Thanksgiving was wonderful. We drove 2 hours south to Trevor's grandma's and ate our hearts out. Loved it. We have so much to be grateful for. Sometimes, Trevor and I will sit and think about how amazing it is that things have gone SO smoothly the past year. The BIG pregnancy. The twins adventure into this world. Treyson's adjusting. Trevor's continuing business growth. Might sound like little things, but we know they are blessings from above - as is all.

God is good.

Treyson's Gratitude

In hopes of being pinned on Pinterest, we've been doing a few Thanksgiving projects around here. ;)
No seriously, I want my kids to live a grateful life and do better than I do recognizing blessings.

I thought I was mom of the year when the FIRST thing Treyson said he was grateful for was Heavenly Father. Score. The kid gets it.
Then he followed it up with TV and French Fries (which I classified as all food).
essentials. clearly.
Then, he went to preschool coop. He told Stacey, he was grateful for "doors" and "monsters". She asked him if he was grateful for mommy.

His response? "I don't have a mommy."
Lovely.
Glad I am making such a strong impact in his life.
Do love that little turkey.
(Look it's Ruby! We're grateful for her. She hangs on our fridge so we can remember her every day.)


PS We'll be alone for the holiday. COME OVER!

Snow

We had our first snow of the season a few days ago. Treyson was amazed. He's finally old enough to really "get" things and I love it. The flakes were HUGE and it was magical.
On another note, these girls are becoming busy. busy. busy.

Random Story.
Trevor's cousin's wife, whom I adore, had a 9 lb. 1 oz baby girl.

Sans epidural.

In her bathroom.

At HOME.

(Not planned).

Hootie (Trev's cousin.) DELIVERED the BEAUTIFUL, healthy baby girl.

I thought things like that only happened on "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant".

Pretty cool, huh?

New babies make me swoon.

Stop it.

I do not approve of this growing thing.

If he starts growing chest hair, I will die.

Feeling a little sentimental today.

Do you ever go thru old baby pictures and cry your brains out?

These are the productive things I do during naptime.

love my baby.

Yes, still a baby.

Cure for All Boredom

R - You have all of a sudden BLOOMED. (I think it was MiMi's visit!) You are still the sweet, content one; but now, you have this sense of humor. You imitate EVERYTHING and never stop smiling. You wave. It's the sweetest, and you can play peekaboo. Sometimes you get this really soft, raspy voice and say "Babababa" over and over. It melts people. You want your mom to hold you every second and honestly, she loves it. You are getting those two little top buck teeth and they're already funny to me. You still don't crawl much, but I know you CAN. Perhaps this is a life lesson to me, if you don't exercise, you will be fat - because fat you are.
O - You are secretly a 8 year old child in a 8 month body. You are curious. Pensive. ALWAYS getting into something. You are tougher than nails -esp. when your older brother gets furious at you for touching his toys. The same brother whom you look exactly like - with a bow. You play hard. You sleep hard. You eat with the most determination I have ever seen. We laugh at that. Every. Single. piece. gets in your little mouth. You would rather be put down and left to play independently. I often wonder WHAT is going on in that little, smart head of yours.
T - Oh my little man. The neglect continues, but you take it so well. Sometimes, I'm hard on you. Especially since hitting O when she gets into your toys is your new pasttime. You have to go to timeout for "two minutes" and ever so conveniently, decide to "accidentally" POOP YOUR PANTS every single time. Anything to get out of time out (and drive mom batty). I'm hard on you sometimes. I'm sorry. You have so much love and often repeat the words "I love you so so much". You love to imagine. You love to line up all your animals and put them thru the chute. You think everything with a spire or tower is a temple. You want to be with your dad every second. You are so special. Heavenly Father made YOU the big brother because He knew only you could handle the load.
If you want to never be bored, have 3 kids. These little gems keep me going each day - even if it usually means not showering till 11pm.

We aren't doing anything special right now. Trevor works long hours. We try to get through the day sans Prozac and pooping our Lightening McQueen underewear. We don't go many places.

Some days are fabulous and I want to bottle them up and never forget. Other days, I want to end faster than you can say "CAILLOU IS THE MOST ANNOYING SHOW ON TV".

I'm trying so hard to not take anything for granted. Life is really good right now. Not always easy, but good. How could it not be with these children? Seriously, WHO made these kids?

MiMi Visits

I'm not one for telling everyone how great my husband is. Maybe I'm mean, but I feel like it's something you should tell him to his FACE, not on your blog or during testimony meeting in church. But, my husband flew in my mom as a surprise. And that alone, makes him the greatest person in the universe.

She came. She left. It was the greatest visit. We went shopping with two carts at every thrift store and 80% off Halloween sale we could find. She bathed babies while I wasted time on Pinterest. We made a burlap ruffled table runner. She babysat while Trev and I went on a REAL date. We ate out. She made us a 5 course meal. She cleaned. She made Treyson feel special.

Moms are the greatest. They rescue. They lift. They love your kids as much as you do. They understand.

I have huge shoes to fill.

And yes, I know she is stunning.