the time we tried to get nativity photos

I've been cleaning up my picture files and came across these gems from November, when Oliver was just itty-bitty. I had grand visions of getting sweet nativity photos of the 3 of them, but quickly did I learn that if I thought taking pictures of 2 kids was hard, 3 was 100% harder. Who was I kidding to try to pull this off alone while Brandon was at work? One of them was always moving, my camera was on the wrong setting (didn't realize until it was done), Blake was annoyed at the itchy straw, Evelyn kept taking off her headwrap, and Oliver kept trying to bust out of his swaddling clothes. It's hilarious now and I'm sure in 10 years these will be priceless. You win some. You lose some.  

juggling act

My boss at Omniture back in the day gave me some great advice. She said there is no such thing as balance in life. Rather, it's a juggling act. How true that is! I've always been one to think that we can make time for what we want. And sometimes that is the case. But lately I've learned that I can't do it all. That's hard for me. I can't cook healthy meals and keep the house clean and do fun activities with my children and be showered and ready after a good workout and have amazing scripture study and keep in touch with all my friends and family regularly, etc. etc. etc.

If I'm good at cooking and working out, then my house isn't clean. If I'm a good friend or sister, doing activities with my kids might get pushed to another day. If I'm in bed early, I don't get to blog and write down memories.

Life is a juggling act. I can't do it all ALL the time. And that is hard for me to accept. Life with 3 has been humbling that way. But I know that these days won't last forever, and so I'll keep taking one day at at time and try to be the best I can for everyone each day.

peace on earth

It's Christmas night. The children are nestled in their beds and Brandon and I are enjoying the quiet of the night. I wish I had eloquent words to say, but lately, the words for these blog posts just haven't been coming as easily as they normally do. Perhaps that's a sign that those thoughts need to be etched in my heart instead of typed out. 

I'll just say this. I'm grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. I know He lives. I know He was was born for you. And for me. I know that because of Him, we can have peace and true happiness. 

After Evelyn was born (in 2013), I struggled with lots of anxiety and some baby blues that lasted longer than I ever wanted. I was still dealing with it last Christmas and because of it, it wasn't my most favorite of Christmas seasons. 

My hope for 2015 was to find that inner peace that I had always enjoyed. Sometimes it takes not having something to realize it and this was definitely the case for me. 

Because the transition to 2 children was really hard for me, I thought it would be a while before we had another baby. So you can imagine how surprised I was to find out that I was pregnant with #3. 

Well, Heavenly Father is wise and all-knowing. And He knew that having sweet Oliver join our family would be what I needed to have that peace again. I'm grateful for a loving God who gave me this perfect gift. It's been the best gift that I didn't even know I needed this year. 

I can honestly say that my heart has been full of peace (besides when all 3 are screaming at once!) and happiness since Oliver has been born. I've felt more capable, more confident, and more peaceful with myself than I have in a long time. But through this trial, it's been my Savior that has helped me get through. I'm so grateful that  the Prince of Peace was born in Bethlehem that first Christmas. Joy to the world!! 

at the tree farm

It's all about the simple things. Like stopping to smell the pine trees.

One of these Christmases, I want to go up to the mountains and cut down our own Christmas tree. Until that happens, I'll just dream and make my family stop at random tree farms to savor that wonderful pine smell that is so prevalent this time of year. (Oliver was napping and Brandon was working from home this day, hence only an adventure for Blake and Evelyn.)

  

all a girl need is a doughnut

{November 24} So Festive has been a fun hobby and this year, it's grown in ways that have stretched me and allowed me to partner with some fun companies and collaborations. I try to be very selective in the projects I choose because I want them to fit within the scope of the blog and also not take away too much from my family. However, I'm grateful that I have a hobby that brings in a little extra income and that I can do from home with my children nearby.

Little Miss E got to help me with a recent photo shoot while Blake was at gymnastics and Oliver was napping. You can see my post here, but here are some of the outtakes and behind the scenes.

She took my lens cap and kept pretending to take pictures. She knows me too well. :)

hollie + seth

October 23 was a beautiful Fall day. A slight chill in the air, but sunny and blue skies. A perfect day for Hollie and Seth's wedding. It was a whirlwind and busy day with the sealing in the morning, then a luncheon, and then a reception. We're sad that traffic was so bad and we weren't able to get more photos with Hollie and Seth. We're just glad they made it!

Brandon will tell you he's glad to have the wedding over so that he has wife back. :) I'm grateful for all of his support as we've been trying to put all the details together for this over the last few months. Weddings are a lot of work and stress. But it all came together well and hopefully it will be a day that was perfect to Hollie and Seth because that's what matters.

A few of my favorite parts of the day were: 1. Being in the Salt Lake Temple with my dad and every sibling. We've never all been inside together at one time. And it was a slight miracle that it worked out that way since Justin realized he had left his recommend in a different pair of pants. The temple workers were not able to delay the sealing for him, but the sealer had lots to say to Hollie and Seth and Justin literally made it inside right before they were sealed. It was a glimpse of heaven being there with everyone. It made me realize how sad it would be to not have someone in my family make it to the Celestial Kingdom after this life. I hope I can always do my part to make sure the people I love can be there together after this life.

2. I loved the dance party! I so wish we would have had a dance party at our wedding.

3. My kids were troopers. They both got a little cat nap in the car, but that was it. Blake and I had a stomach bug that kept us from enjoying the food of the day and from feeling super great, but overall I could not have asked them to be more helpful and patient. And now the baby can really come! Hear that little one? :)

^best friend cousins doing a cheer all by themselves. 

^ "If you touch the temple, the temple will touch you." 

^these 2 are single. just saying. 

temple square with my little tykes + video

I've been trying to get in as many fun outings with Blake and Evelyn before the baby comes. I have been much more exhausted this time around and while I still have some energy, I'm going to take advantage. 

Last week, I did something I've always wanted to do.  I rented one of my wish-list camera lenses. Taking Hollie and Seth's engagement photos was a great reason to. But since I had the lens all day, I took Blake and Evelyn to Temple Square for a picnic. We ended up spending a good chunk of the day there walking around, looking at all the fountains, touching the Temple, visiting the Christus statue, and watching some videos at the Visitor's Center. Being there was what my soul needed. In fact, it's what we all needed. 

I couldn't decide which of these next two was my favorite. So you get to see both. 

And here's a video. It's called "Happy Together" because these two are the best of friends. I'm so grateful they have each other. And the song. It's the song they request 100x over and over whenever we are driving together. So it totally fits this.