Daddy comes home TOMORROW!!

Last night after the children went to sleep I went in to check on them one last time before going to bed myself. I love them so much.Mali Su is back in the crib...we are hoping for no more injuries due to falls.
Today church was wonderful (not lonely or stressful like I expected). We arrived 5 minutes early, the boys were so helpful getting us out the door and into church and both girls went straight to class. Brody took Aimi Lark to sit on the first row of sunbeams. Normally this is the part where Aimi Lark starts to get all worked up. She does not like the big group of all the kids in Primary at the beginning. I think the key is to have Brody take her and for us to get there earlier so that there are not as many people in the room. I walked in with Mali Su and she RAN to her nursery room door and excitedly yelled "THIS ONE! THIS ONE!" while pulling on the door handle. I barely opened the heavy door, she squeezed in and didn't look back. I thought to myself "this is going well" as the boys headed to their class (and I reminded them to behave), and I headed with Malachi to Relief Society. Malachi was a bit needy so I took the opportunity after announcements to run and take Mali Su for a potty break. This was her first week at nursery in panties. Malachi hung out with a friend of mine in the hall while I took Mali Su potty and she went straight back to nursery without a fight. I was on cloud nine (don't even really know what that expression means but I know it's good).

I went back to Relief Society with Malachi. The lesson was going great. Our teacher was speaking on free agency(a Latter-day Saint term for the privilege of choice). She then shared a quote about how we should not take away our children's consequences for their actions. This really made me think. I have been thrust into the role (willingly) of caring for and parenting my brothers. Recently Beau started playing Rugby. We got him all set-up with gear, clothing, a bag to hold everything etc. He was told if he lost any of it, that was that, none of it would be replaced unless he got a job and bought it himself. Well after about two weeks his hoodie went missing. My first thought (after being extremely frustrated/hurt/disappointed) was to go out and buy him a new one. "It is too cold out there to practice without a sweater" I told myself. Jake of course just said "OK, you lost it" and that was that. Beau was really mature about it all. I was deep down having this inner battle with myself about feeling like this bad person for not replacing the sweater and sending him to practice in the cold without it. At the time I thought about my friend Christina and her husband Mark and knew they would do just what Jake was doing. They practice real consequences for actions. Such as "you take too long to get ready before school= no time for breakfast." Today's quote at church really resonated with me and made me realize that Beau will learn more by practicing without his sweater than if I go out and buy him a new one. I deep down know this but it is so hard! Jake is so amazing at teaching the children, I struggle with wanting to be more of their "friend" than parent. I love feeling the strength I was given by one small sentence in Relief Society today.

So after Relief Society was over I went to check on and take Mali Su on another potty break. As I walked by the foyer I glanced over and saw Aimi Lark's sunbeam class outside and I snuck over and snapped a picture before continuing where I was headed. I took Mali Su to the bathroom but as we walked out Aimi Lark's class was coming by. Aimi Lark had already seen Malachi and was talking to him. She turned around, saw Mali Su and they did their EXCITED embrace as if they have not seen each other in AGES! Today was a good day. Everyone was happy and most of all I learned something I needed to.

The boys are so good about helping get everyone and everything to the house after church. Today for lunch the boys were so excited to eat Ramen Noodles (literally). The girls wanted what they had so I let them have their first Ramen Noodle experience and just as I thought, THEY LOVED THEM. So I think I'll limit the boys eating of them so the girls don't ask.

We did our favorite activity and watched PLANET EARTH. Mali Su gets way too excited and wants to touch the animals on the screen so we have to keep a close eye on her.The girls started asking for baby food and since Malachi won't eat it I figured, "Why not?" and they chowed down on bananas and applesauce.
The entire house took a nice LONG afternoon nap. I let Aimi Lark lay down in my bed with me. I woke up about 2 hours later, in a panic, I thought it was MORNING. It was nice to sleep that hard...first time since Jake left.

I gave in (to the boys pestering) and after Luke and Kaylene left I made cookies. The girls were so hyper and excited. I showed them how you can see the cookies baking in the oven and they stood there KNOCKING on the oven window, as if to say, "please come out little cookies, we want to eat you."
I wish Malachi's top two teeth had come in together. This second one is giving him a rough time just like the first one did. He was miserable all night.
After the girls had their bath they helped Josh play with the "soft princess' hair."
My 5 days so far without Jake (tomorrow will make 6) have not been bad (honestly). I have the best people living with/visiting me. They are truly such a help. Josh (without having to be asked) will pick up a needy Malachi or even take him off my hip when I am cooking dinner one handed. Kayla is so great about being able to hear the stress in my voice as I tell the children this or that and stepping in and helping simmer down the girls and boys. Beau and Brody have done all I've asked of them without any trouble and stayed on top of their chores (and even helped me with the laundry). Without them these past 6 days could have been so much (lonelier) worse. I am so excited for tomorrow. We will be visiting some family up north and then picking up Jake from the airport. I am so excited. Would it be too much to ask to be able to sleep through the night (all night) so tomorrow morning comes sooner? You know like Christmas where you hurry and go to sleep so the next morning gets there just that much faster? I want my present, my husband.