540 Days

It has been my pleasure to be this little girl's mother for the past 540+ days. Having four children is hard work, but I like myself as a mother much more this fourth time around. I think it's a combination of her cute little personality and the fact that I've learned to slow down, relax a little more with each one and enjoy the ride as it goes by too fast!

Alive and Well

Today makes it 18 days that we've had sickness in our family. Poor little Evy is the only one still with cold symptoms. It all started with her and seems to be ending with her. She seemed to turn a corner today though. I'm so thankful. I was truly getting worried about her (and my sanity).

Today my new lens came in. Thank you to Brent for getting us a smokin' deal! WAY better than the Amazon price! Thank you to Eric for funding my new toy! I LOVE it. I used it to take pics of the kids in the backyard before bedtime. I realized as I was scrolling through the pics that they are visual proof that the kiddos are all on the mend (although Abby never did get sick--lucky girl). It's great to see smiles and pink cheeks again. So, so grateful that a totally healthy family is on the horizon. I will now go find some real wood to go knock on!

Brave Me

I did it. I braved the swimsuit try-on session, and I did it with the two little ones in tow. Poor things. I tried to be as discreet as I could by saying things like, "Look over there. Did you see that__________?" I guess I wasn't 100% discreet as Ezra said (loud enough for all to hear in changing room), "Those big things are weird." I couldn't see myself blush as my skin is darker due to some "base" tanning and an experiment with a spray-on tan.

I would have to say said tan is one reason why trying on swimsuits wasn't as bad as it has been before. Another reason: I've been working out hard (minus the last two weeks or so) for the past seven months. Yes, there are places I would love to shrink and stretch flat again but overall I'm happy with where I am and I'm realistic about where my body should naturally be after having four children. The last reason the session went well is because I discovered Hapari online. Turns out they are a local company down in American Fork. They had raving reviews on their site, and I just had to see for myself. They make some modest swimsuits that SUPPORT and don't look frumpy. Good quality materials. Good design. I'm so glad I supported a local company and can now go to Costa Rica and feel cute and covered up. (My motto is to be comfortable in what I'm wearing around Val or the prophet!) :-) I'll be a returning customer Hapari!

Here is the suit I chose:



I also liked this one:

They had me at orange, but it wasn't as supportive up top as I had hoped.