These Little Moments

There are moments when I think my brain is going to explode from all the noise and chaos in my house with so many little people all needing something at once. There are also moments when I just cry and cry and cry because it all seems impossible with no way for me to keep up with it all or because I didn't do something I really needed to for one of them. But there are also moments that take my breath away--usually after the fact when I'm remembering them. Haha. Either way, it all comes out in the wash and I'm glad that days don't last forever and that bedtime does come. 

And crazy to think that we only have about 5 weeks to go to meet the newest little Bench. I am so dang excited to know if it's a boy or a girl. Here's a few moments from this crazy Bench household where there is a lot of lego building, eating, and making messes going on. As well as hugs and kisses. 

How many boys will fit on one chair in the kitchen?? At least 4, assuming there's food involved. 

I can't keep up with this kid. He decimated the pancakes while we were finishing up homeschool. The picture doesn't do the mess justice. He also got himself some milk while my back was turned for a minute to frost the cinnamon rolls. 

When you miss your mom and your family and all the get togethers...You make your mom's cinnamon rolls. You eat one, remember all the family events, all the love put into them, all the feels...and then you hurry and give the rest away before you eat too many. 

This day was a great day. My 8yr can now successfully make pancakes all. by. himself!!!  And they are so so so good. I cook them for him, but that's only for a matter of time. He even told me that he could be in charge of breakfast from now on. He even cleans up the mess he made while making them...eventually. All the cooking lessons and deep breaths while little people help me cook finally paid off. I can't wait to see what else he does. 

It happened. One of my boys finally caught a snake. I'm just glad Chris was working from home to save me (and the snake). And can I just say it's a good thing I grew up on a ranch. Not much phases me...and I think I'm going to need that characteristic a great deal as these kids grow up. 

So stinking cute this little smile. He does this whenever I tell him to smile so I can take a picture. 

First day of preschool. He said, "I'm a little scared, and a lot excited." Me too kiddo. Me too. So far he's loved it. 

When mom is helping brothers with schoolwork and you need a drink...

You take matters into your own hands and get one. 

Park day. 

Definitely his dad's smile. 

We made a car from a box. They drove them around for a while. So fun. 

Ha hahaha. Sorry Liam. You were so darn cute that I had to take a quick picture before I cleaned you up. Green smoothies don't stay in the cup when you move it up and down saying "woohoo." I do love that you love my green smoothies!!!

Primary at home. Thank goodness for the coloring pages at the end of the lessons. And I am so grateful for a living prophet to help us get ready for the crazy times ahead. We had testimony meeting today and James bore his testimony on fasting and prayer and how Heavenly Father helped him, Seth bore his about Joseph Smith and how he knows that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are two separate beings, and Matthew was brave and let his dad help him bear his testimony too. Helped me see that even though this year has been full of crazy times and challenges, it's been filled with wonderful things like family time, new ideas on how to beat boredom, and beautiful teaching opportunities as well. 

Pulling weeds to help their brother earn money to pay for something he broke. All because they wanted to help him, and probably because he's a good leader and knows how to get them to help him. (Or how to persuade them to help him). I just hope he learned a valuable lesson that week.