You Know Things Are Desperate...

around here when I willingly put a movie on for my babies.

Rhett: Hey Harls, isn't this great! Mom's letting us watch a movie.

Harland: I just want to feel good again.

Rhett: Still, the Pedialyte and rice crackers are pretty good.

Harland: Whoa! Where'd that wheel go?

Rhett: Wait, does a movie mean the pictures move? AWESOME!

Harland: Yeah, that's pretty cool.

Yup, it's the flu.

Saving the awkwardest picture parcel for last!

What a couple of awkward posers!

La Familia

The photographer described us as a family who sing, laugh and love a LOT! 

And I guess that's true.

"Da Bruddas"

as Matt and his brothers would say.

Harland Neil

As much as Rhettles loved the camera, Harland did not so we didn't get many Harland pictures (opposite twins).

But at the end in the second last shot you can see a shy smile as he started to warm up.

Little Harland loves to be a baby. He loves to nestle down in my arms for a bottle and to observe new things from the safety of my arms. He is very thoughtful and calm like Matty. 

And look at that jove-like brow. This boy is going to be an intellectual (there's a little inside joke for Beddy and Karen)!

He has a patience, gentleness and a mildness about him that reminds me a bit of how I imagine baby Jesus. 

Rhett Roy

As Karen aptly put it the "Camera loves Rhett" and he in turn loves the camera.

Our joyful Rhett.

I couldn't have believed a little body could contain so much charisma and passion for living.

So charming, he charms the pants off himself in the mirror and so engaging even self-professed "non-baby people" can't wait to get their hands on that delightfully rounded little body for snuggles and smiles.

Jonas Matthew

When Jonas went to the doctor as a young baby the older woman with a british accent doing the check-up declared in surprise "What a vigorous boy!" as this three-monther with ripped abs and pronounced deltoids swatted and kicked forcefully at her cold examining hands.

And that has become one of the words at the forefront of my mind to describe Jonas. 

He is strong and vigorous physically of course (also dare I add incredibly handsome) but he is a strong and vigorous boy inside as well. Perhaps that strength is what made Heavenly Father want to send him to our family first to be an example to his younger brothers.

He is so warm-hearted and loyal. It has been so special to watch him transform as he grows into his role of older brother.

I think Leah captured all those traits wonderfully in his photos!

Mothers Who Know

Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord’s kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power.

This talk by Julie B. Beck is powerful. I especially liked this part as well:

 Think of the power of our future missionary force if mothers considered their homes as a pre–missionary training center. Then the doctrines of the gospel taught in the MTC would be a review and not a revelation. That is influence; that is power.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2007/10/mothers-who-know?lang=eng&clang=eng

I really felt like I needed this reminder today.

Nephi Gets the Brass Plates

I know Jonas is a very smart boy and a interested learner but I've been caught off guard by how keen he is to learn the scripture stories. Perhaps it is because being a nursery worker three times has taught me it is hard to hold a group of 2 year olds attention for a scripture story longer than two minutes or maybe it is because Jonas didn't seem excited about our nightly scripture study, I underestimated his capacity and enthusiasm for spiritual learning.

Which is quite humbling. I remember someone in the Bonnie Doon stake Primary presidency saying children are able to be understand spiritual concepts years ahead of their comprehension in other areas. And I've been finding that is true. I can tell that the truths resonate with Jonas. And he is hungry to learn more about them everyday.

He likes to hear and talk about Nephi and Lehi obeying God. Everyday, sometimes a couple times a day, he brings me the flannel board to act out a story, or we will sing the Nephi's Courage together or we will talk about the scripture pictures in his children's Book of Mormon for a long time as we lay in his bed.

So while Jonas has been learning about Newphi I've been learning more about Jonas!

Twinners are 7 months!

Matt and I can't believe how often we still get asked whether the twins are identical. They are very distinct individuals in looks and personality which makes bonding with them separately so easy!

Rhett is a charming.

Sometimes I don't know how to relate to this little boy with the magnetic personality that just seems to draw people around him with ease. He is so self-assured and has natural ease about him.

He is very direct if he feels his needs are not getting met.

He looks me eyes and tells me.

He is a clear communicator if his needs are being met too.

He gives all sorts of heart melting smiles and coos.

Rhett is such a precocious baby he has even begun imitating adult speech in an advanced sort of goo-goo gaga way that sends Matt and I are into silent, shaking laughter.

He has boundless energy but without the sense of purpose Jonas had.

Sometimes Rhett doesn't know what he wants to do and he whips his head back and forth and shakes his limbs and wiggles in his torso in a frenzy of undirected energy.

He is such a special boy with a gift of making you feel so loved and he is altogether so lovable and irrepressible we all adore our little Rhettles.

Harland feels like the baby of the family. He loves to be near me all the time right now. He nestles into my shoulder and clings to my shirt with a hand to make sure he is really attached. When I put him down to sleep he makes the most devastated sounds like his beautiful little world has just crumbled down.
People tend to think of Harland as the serious one that doesn't smile but he mostly saves his smiles for Matt and I. He smiles just as much as Rhett at home but he needs to spend a lot of time around people before he feels comfortable and lets down his reserve. When he cracks a smile, he grins from ear to ear and completely transforms his face.
Harland also loves to laugh. And Matty, Jonas and and all like to be silly for a chance to hear that hearty laugh.
Harland has an incredible focus that seems to be his especial gift.
I can read scriptures or stories to him and he will just be still and concentrate on my voice or the pictures.

We love these little boys who have turned our lives upside down on its head!

First People Drawing!

Jonas drew a picture of his Dad and himself as Matt and I were talking after dinner. Jonas has been perfecting his ovals, circles and flourishes for a while but he has never drawn people before!

Photo Preview

I was so excited when Mom and Dad offered to pay for a family photographer for our Christmas present this year.

I didn't want jumped up prices or artificially posed pictures. I didn't want to stress about perfectly coordinated outfits that would pop on camera or moving a busy little family to a location where we couldn't drop everything and feed the babies or lay them down for a nap at a moments notice. I didn't want to stress about weather conditions or Jonas feeling uncomfortable around a stranger.

Most of all I wanted to capture what our family life is like right now, albeit with a clean house and a clean shirt!

Having Leah take family photos of us all going about the normal activities we do everyday in our home was so relaxed and enjoyable.

I can't wait to see how she captured Rhett admiring his pink little toes, Harland nestling down in my arms for a bottle and Matty and Jonas building a train track.

These are moments that make up the tapestry of our life right now.

Jonas summed it up really well at the end with "Had a lot of fun".

Eva would be scandalized!

I asked Jonas to bring me a clean pillowcase from my room.

I got this.

Goings On

I love catching quiet moments like this.

Rhett practicing sharing. 

I've caught him rolling over towards Harland and taking his toy away a few times.

Jonas' worst nightmare.

Nothing brings him to bed faster at night than hearing Matt or I tucking an impostor "Jonas"into his bed with his puppy!

Love those twinkly sapphire blues!

Today we got a jumpstart on the Christmas season by listening to some Bing while making and painting clay ornaments.