Friends

I feel like I am in such a good place in my life right now.  I am still a very busy mother of 4 kids, a wife, a daughter, a YW leader, but I'm also a friend.  Friends have always been super important to me because my family was never really close growing up.  I relied on friends, a lot.  I don't need a lot of friends, just a few who I could call at any time and know they would be there for me.  I have met so many people and have made friendships from all over.  I struggled making friends when we first moved back to San Diego since I worked and our family grew, but I finally found some.  I am so grateful to all my friends from High School until now, to those who live in other cities and other States.  A huge part of my happiness has been a result from my friendships, thank you friends!

"A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself."  Jim Morrison

Happiness

This picture just makes me happy, world's cutest monkey, and monkeys are already really cute.  Here is an article I read by Kate Bratskeir on 10 things that are proven by science to make us happier:

1- Happy people surround themselves with other happy people.  People are 4 times more likely to be happy in the future with happy people around them.

2- Happy people try to be happy.  When happy people don't feel happy, they cultivate a happy thought and smile about it.

3- Happy people spend money more on others than on themselves.  Givers experience what scientists call the "helper's high."

4- Happy people have deep in-person conversations.

5- Happy people use laughter as a medicine.  A study showed that children laugh 300 times a day versus adults who laugh 15 times a day.

6- Happy people use the power of music.  Researchers found that music can match the anxiety-reducing effects of massage therapy.

7- Happy people exercise and eat a healthful diet.  Eating a poor diet can contribute to depression.

8- Happy people take the time to unplug and go outside.  Uninterrupted screen time brings on depression and anxiety.

9- Happy people get enough sleep.  When people run low on sleep, they are prone to feel a lack of clarity, bad moods, and poor judgement.

10- Happy people are spiritual.

I'm still alive!

I was in dreamland the first three months of my new baby's life and when four months hit, I was tired!!  Everyday I felt exhausted and overwhelmed.  I decided to sleep train him to help with my tiredness.  After a month of literally trying and him still waking up at night crying for hours- yes, hours... my friend lent me her book which has become a dream come true!!  It is called:  The Sleepeasy Solution.  Where have you been all my life and why did I only discover you for my last child?  Either way, it worked on Kori.  He is now sleeping from 7:30pm to 6:30am everyday.

So, speaking of feeling tired, I was reading this awesome blog from one of my favorite author's who wrote my life-changing money book: Kate Northrup.  She talked about how some of us are addicted to busyness.  Basically that we feel validated through being busy and productive.  That is so me.  I was always proud of my productive personality, which is a good thing, but not when we are seeking validation on who we are from it.  Here are some thoughts she said:

-Let us know our worth in simply being.
-Let us know we are enough because we are.
-Let us begin to let down the burden of busy.

This has helped me so much, especially right now when I am feeling the frustrations of not getting anything done because I have a 4 month old who needs my attention constantly.  Why can't I realize that this time goes by so fast and just cherish our time together?  At some point however, we do need to eat dinner and have clean clothes =)  Be present.

Presence

Summer with a newborn

Okay, so honestly it has been better than I thought.  So far, my kids have been really good and super helpful with Kori.  My main dilemma is that three older kids do so much better when we are out and about- they are less likely to get on each other's nerves, but Kori is hard to take all over town.  Kori is awesome at home because he gets to sleep in his nice swing and is not sweaty from traveling in his car seat.  The other dilemma is when I do not get any sleep from the previous night and still have to be super mom all day… however I really cannot complain.  Kori is so sweet and somehow Matt and I have found this crazy patience within ourselves that we did not have for the others.  Anywho- here are some random pics from our summer so far:

Gratitude

"How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain?"
                                                            -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I have felt overwhelmingly grateful to the many people who have given meals, gifts, offered to take my older children, texts, etc since I have had Kori.  I have felt so loved and supported, which is a good thing when you have a baby.  I quickly remembered how much time is devoted to a newborn, but instead of wishing this time to pass and see the rainbow, I am going to embrace the rain and know that this will be my last newborn.  THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!

Honeymoon is over...

The first week with Kori was pure heaven.  I sat and stared at him and wanted to hold him all the time.  I am actually still amazed at my patience level, especially during the night.  However, last night I had a really bad fever, it felt like someone had punched me in the boob, and a week of not getting the best sleep all came crashing down.  I have mastitis and I feel horrible!  It feels like my body was run over by a car, even my teeth hurt.  Today was a rough day, but I am determined to still breast feed and get through the pain.  Luckily Kori is so sweet.  When does the pain go away?

Kori Jensen

 He is here!  I thought I might be the first person to be pregnant forever.  My doctor set up an induction date two days after my due date.  I really did not want to be induced, I wanted him to come on his own, but I also wanted him to come before the kids got out of school so we wouldn't be trapped in the house.  Monday for Memorial Day we went to our usual ward party, I sat by the pool the entire time- Kalli left the pool only twice in five hours.  Anywho- that night I started getting stronger Braxton Hicks, but ignored them because I have had them for the past two weeks.  They started getting a little closer, at 11PM I told Matt we should go to the hospital now since I came so fast with Kalli.  Checked in at midnight, epidural at 3:15am, doctor broke water at 7:30am, Kori came at 8:40 am.  My induction was scheduled that morning for 9 am.  Kori is perfect.  Matt and I felt instantly connected to him- he looked just like Keia when he came out, but the next day he looked like Mattix.  He was awesome in the hospital and I'm loving having a newborn for the first time.  I love all my kids of course, just not newborns- it feels like a whole new experience and the kids love him.  I feel so grateful for another healthy child- I still can't believe I am a mother of 4!!!  Welcome Kori, we love you!!!

Mothers

Yes, I am still prego.  This kid really likes me, maybe it has been all the sugar I have been feeding him! Anywho, as I wait patiently (okay trying to be patient), I found these inspiring quotes about motherhood- by far the best job I have ever had.  Being a mom is enough for me at this point in my life- later I will pursue other things.  However, I am hoping being a mother of 4 doesn't bring out my crazy=)

"Motherhood is near divinity, it is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind."  
Howard W. Hunter

"Everyday with all the little things you do in your home, in what may seem mundane, routine, and unexciting, you are actually teaching the Gospel."

"The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation."
James E. Faust

"Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children.  What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply, and in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."
M. Russel Ballard

Still with child..

I am due this week and am still with child.  I was reading natural ways to induce labor and some women swear by putting a pineapple upside down for a while, then eating it can induce labor.  This is what I will be doing tomorrow.

True Strength

Seven.

Mattix turned 7!  He is completely all boy now.  He use to be cool playing with the girls because he wanted someone to play with, but unless it involves a ball, then he is not interested.  He would rather be throwing the baseball, shooting baskets, kicking the soccer ball, bowling etc.  Mattix also loves to go surfing with Matt, which is his father's dream.  It is so fun having a boy, even though he can be really loud and gets super silly!  I am so excited for this kid to have a little brother who is going to look up to him.  Mattix will be a great example, he always remembers for us to pray, he does kind things and thinks of others, he is our most willing kid to help us.  However, I don't think he will outgrow his sensitivity, therefore one comment or action can set him into tears or get really angry.  I can't even count how many parenting books I have read to help cope with his moods, but I will take that over a kid who is not sensitive to others.  When Mattix is on, he is on.  I love you dear boy, I love how you tell me every detail of your day at school, I love how OCD clean you are like me and help keep the girls in line- reminding them to wash their hands or wipe the sink after they brush their teeth- your room is NEVER dirty- ahhhh dream child.  I hope to keep watching you grow and spend many more birthdays together.

Kalli turns 4!

Ms. Kalli turned 4 on Earth Day.  It was the year for the girls to have parties.  Since I am 9 months with child, I decided to not entertain 3-4 year olds in my home.  We had her "Sophia the First" party at the park.  I figured as long as the kids got cupcakes and a piñata, they feel like it was a great party.  Kalli had fun playing with her friends at the park and I got to hang out with the moms.  It was a nice morning.  My friend thought to take pictures at her party (not me), so when she sends me them, then I will post some.
What do I say about Kalli- by far my easiest child, yet likes to push the boundaries.  She has always seemed older than her age and now it seems her whole life is going to change now that she is 4.  Days leading up to her birthday she kept telling me that she will only do something once she is 4.  Kalli is definitely one of the kids now and not the little toddler.  She loves to play anything girly with Keia and is my buddy during the day.  I love going to lunch with her and she is so easy to run errands with.  I am curious to see her as a big sister and no longer the youngest.  Kalli you are so sweet and I am so glad that we still have one more year together before you go to school.  I can't get enough of your silly faces and big brown eyes.  You like to get sassy and stubborn, but it is not very often.  I do think you may be the rebel in the family.  I love you and look forward to many more birthdays to celebrate with you!

Happy Easter

                                                Happiest Easter love the Huffman House!!

Easter

Jesus Christ was the promised Redeemer of the world, the Savior of mankind, the son of the living God.  He was with the Father before He came to earth in mortality, the Creator of the earth upon which we stand.
In His mortal ministry He walked the dusty roads of Palestine, healed the sick, raised the dead, taught His gospel, gave His life on Calvary's Hill, and rose on the third day, a perfected, resurrected being, breaking the bands of death for us all, thus becoming "the first fruits of them that slept."
The Savior paid the price for all of our sins.  The prophet Isaiah saw the gift beyond the price of the Atonement of Jesus Christ:
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4-5)
We testify that Jesus Christ was resurrected and that He lives today as our Savior and Redeemer.

President Thomas S. Monson
President Henry B. Eyring
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

7 weeks

Keia

                                                                           Mattix

Kalli

I have a little over 7 weeks left before we meet our new little boy.  Name is still undecided, but getting closer.  This kid loves to go wild at 10 PM every night.  I just watch my stomach go totally crazy like he is in a concert, maybe he's reacting to me laughing at Jimmy Fallon every night. 

 I have mixed emotions about having another baby, but overall I feel really excited.  I think about the happiness my kids add to my life and we are going to add to that, but I also think about raising another child in this world when I can't even get myself to go on Facebook.  I am a little behind the times.  I am excited for another chance, hopefully some of my parenting skills have improved.  Here is my list of what I am looking forward to with the new babe, and what I am NOT looking forward to:

Can't wait:

*having him sleep on my chest, love that

*the innocence and excitement of the first five years of life

*baby hair- love the smell and softness- so many kisses on the head

*first smile

*first words and mispronunciations- we let Keia say Keanut Butter until first grade.

*little bodies

*tubbies & blowing bubbles

*being called Mommy

Please Skip:

*potty training!!!

*not sleeping through the night

*teething

*poopy diapers

*tantrums

*fighting with siblings

*18 month olds who are very mobile but cannot communicate

I am Rockstar, I've got my rock moves..

Keia Huffman will be turning 9 this weekend!  We actually had a birthday party for her this year.  She has not had a birthday party since she was 3.  We literally talk her into doing something else every single year (Disneyland, girls date, etc).  This year she really wanted a party and I knew it was time.  Keia decided that she wanted a "rockstar" party.  I kept the invites real small, but the girls had a great time.  Everyone got their VIP passes and had to pass off things that eventually led to a silly string war.  Anywho- Keia at 9 is still a really obedient child, but likes to feel like she is making her own decisions. She is very perceptive and observant of others, especially their feelings.  Keia can be very persuasive and persistent to get what she wants.  She is content being more of a tomboy and only having 1 or 2 close friends.  Keia is super affectionate, we both love to snuggle- so that is a good combo.  I love this girl a lot and am so glad she is our oldest.  I've still got a few more years before we have a teenager, so I'm going to take advantage of every moment!!  Love you Keia.

Guilt.

Okay, so I wish someone would have informed me of the massive amount of GUILT you feel as a mother.  You either feel guilty that you are not doing enough, guilty that you did too much... the list could go on.  My guilt lately has been over my hormonal MOODS.  They come out of nowhere, its not like they will be triggered by anything upsetting.  I will literally wake up in a MOOD.  I just feel so bad for my poor kids because I will snap at them for no good reason.  Sometimes I will just smell their breath and it will stink and it will send me into a mood.  I do not like to complain at all about my pregnancy because I feel extremely blessed to be able to be prego, however, I do wish that there was a far away island that I could go to when I am in one of my moods.  That way, my family does not have to suffer from my roller coaster of emotions and I get to be all alone.  Hormones and guilt, not a good combo.

Money: A Love Story

I finished this book a couple of months of ago and it was life changing for me.  I have a little obsession with "self-help" books.  I like to take an area lacking in my life and read a book about it.  I have read a couple of financial books, but this one really got to the root of my relationship with money.  I literally did every exercise in the book and could not believe the insights into myself that came.  I am not even the breadwinner in our fam, but I believe it is really important to be a team when it comes to our family finances.  Two heads are better than one.  Loooooved it!!

Quote of the Day

Keia:  "Okay, Kalli you can come to my birthday party."

Kalli: "Yaaay!"

Keia: "But seriously Kalli, you cannot distract my friends with your cuteness, I'm serious!"

Kalli: "Okay, I won't."

7 Months and growing...

My Father

This is my father: Pietro Campo.  I have to admit, it has been hard watching my parents get older.  My dad is a very hard worker and I have learned a lot from him.  He definitely was not the perfect dad (who is), but through his many flaws, I always knew he loved me.  Even when he did not know how to show love, I knew.  I am hoping my own kids will look past my many flaws and settle in the fact that I love them.  I am learning so much about just loving others and trying to stop having my own expectations on how they should be behaving.  I love you dad and am grateful for what you have taught me.