Life has changed . . . A LOT

Well blogging world ... it has been way too long since I have been around these parts of the internet. I am hoping to change that though. After reading back on a few of my previous posts, I was glad that I did post. I had already forgotten about some of the experiences and thoughts and feelings that I had posted about. So I am back. I need to blog. It is mostly for me and maybe one day for my posterity, since I have become so horrible at keeping a journal as well. So here I am to document the goings on in our family as well as a few of the ramblings racing through my head.

I have a lot to catch up on, so everyone will have to bear with me as it will take time to catch up on things and as I may post things out of order. But before I begin the game of catch-up, I should probably at least start with life as it is right now.

Us in general ...

We are still living in our townhouse in Orem. We love our neighbors and the area where we live, but do feel like we are bursting at the seams with a family of 5 + 2 dogs in a tiny 3 bedroom townhouse. However, we will probably be here for awhile longer, so we have accepted the fact that we will just be cozy for a bit. :) And we will try to enjoy it as much as we can.


Life is crazy and busy, but I have decided that it seems to just get crazier and busier every day, so I am not waiting for it to slow down any time soon. Life is a different kind of busy than it has been in the past, but it is still busy. At times I feel like our family is like a 3 ring circus and I cannot comprehend how people function with even bigger families, but I know they do so we will keep on going and try to catch our breath once in awhile and enjoy the moments of peace we do have along with the running, the laughing, the crying, the kicking, and all other things that come with this phase of life.





Dave...

Dave is staying busy and working hard at being an incredible father, a loving husband, a provider for our family, and a business owner. He is still putting forth a lot of time and effort to building his business. A few years ago, things just kind of happened (another post for another day) and we created the business DJI Enterprises. It has molded into becoming a property maintenance company. The bulk of the business is working for HOAs and providing any maintenance services from pressure washing to handyman fixes to snow removal. There is still a lot of building and perfecting to take place, but we feel blessed for the business to be where it is and what it is. We have seen the Lord's hand in bringing it to where it is and us to where we are.

When he is not working (and often times even when he is), Dave is incredible at taking care of our family. He is a fun dad who is very involved with our kids' lives and they love him to pieces. He helps me out so much in so many ways. We are lucky to have him.





Me...

I have now been a stay-at-home mom for almost 18 months. Last year, we finally decided it was time for me to quit my job and come home to take care of our kids and help Dave more in building his business. However, I have been so busy with home life that I have not been able to dedicate the time and  attention I would like to his business. Hopefully, now that Sam is getting a little older, I can start working a little more.

Life being home has been both a blessing and a challenge in many ways. I feel like a crazy person most days trying to mother three young children, but I feel like I am starting to get the hang of things (finally) and maybe one day, I will feel like a I have handle on things.












Isabelle...

Our dear sweet Belle is FIVE years old! And I cannot believe it. She started kindergarten this year and for the most part, she loves it. She is doing really well and just growing up so fast. She is currently in the top reading group in her class, she enjoys doing her homework, but of course also loves playing with friends. She also started a new dance class and is loving every bit of it. We will just have to see if she actually gets on stage for her recital. ;)

Belle is the best big sister anyone could ask for and is an incredible oldest child. She loves her siblings and she helps out with them so much. She loves to play with them and she loves to take care of them. Sometimes I almost feel like I have a little mini-babysitter to help me out once in awhile. She loves to help with most things, but she does dread any type of cleaning. She would almost be the perfect child if I could just get her to keep her bedroom clean all the time.

In addition to being a sweet sister and daughter, she can also be a little miss SASS and a drama queen to boot! That girl can sass with the best of them and dramatize the littlest things to be as if the world were ending. Many days, I feel like I have a pre-teen or teenager in my house with the attitude that comes from her. Sometimes I am amazed at the things she dares say. I don't know what we will do with her when she really is in those oh so dreadful teenage years.

Belle loves loves loves to play with friends. Even though she is a shy person with a lot of anxiety, she is a social butterfly with those she is close to. She gets bored with our family quite easily and is always wanting to play with friends. She also loves to craft and amazes me with her creativity and talent. She is becoming quite the little artist and loves to make creations out of just about anything possible. Almost anything can become a piece of art for her. And she will create that art to give to anyone she loves in her life. She loves to make things for those she loves.

Our little Belle has such a good heart and is such a blessing to our family.

Charlotte...

Ooooohhhhhh Charlotte . . . where do I begin with this girl? She likes to give me a run for my money, but she sure is cute. Sometimes I think God makes the most challenging kids the cutest kids.

Charlotte is two years old and sure is a little spit-fire. I am pretty sure the term "terrible twos" was coined just for her. I never knew such little things could result in such enormous tantrums, but if that girl does not have exactly what she wants, exactly when she wants it, and in the way she wants it, you better take cover. And I mean, literally, take cover. She hits and she throws and that girl has an arm and an unnatural strength for such a little person. But if you are ever sad or having a bad day, that little girl sure can brighten it up. She is our cuddle bug and she gives the best hugs and kisses you could imagine. I love her snuggles. I love her cute little arms wrapped tightly around my neck as she says, "I wuv you."

Our cute and crazy Charlotte has been a bit delayed in her speech (which is one of the reasons for the massive meltdowns) so we have had her in speech therapy for six months. I feel like it has been really good for both of us. She is progressing, but is still quite a bit behind for her age. She is nowhere near where Belle was at her age for expressive or receptive language. Even though she can't out-talk her sister, she sure can out-climb her. Charlotte has great balance and climbing skills and she has little fear. She will try just about anything. I don't know where she came from because I am pretty sure she has more guts than Dave or I have even as adults. As such, we have wondered about some sensory issues going on with her - such as Sensory Processing Disorder. She is definitely sensory seeking and we have now started therapy with an Occupational Therapist. We also go to a sensory class for her every week, and she absolutely loves it. It is hard for me to keep up with her sensory needs, but I am trying and hopefully I will get better at it. I just worry about how we will survive this winter being indoors, but we will try, and hopefully we will make it through alright.

Our Charlotte is a crazy one, but we sure do love her.

Samuel...

Sadly, I have not even officially introduced Sam to the blogging world, but I will get to that soon. Our little Sam is 8 months old and he sure is cute! I feel like he is kind of a mix of both our girls in looks and personality. He becomes more fun each day and has the cutest little laugh. He also has the cutest chubby legs you ever did see and is just so squishable. Sam absolutely loves both of his sisters and they can probably get him giggling better than anyone else can. Of course, Daddy is a close second. He lights up every time he sees his daddy, and it is adorable.

I can't wait to see more of our little Sam as he grows into a little person. Even though is was a very unexpected surprise, we are glad to have him in our family and I honestly cannot imagine not having him here.