Rachel made me a beautiful picture for Mother's Day on which she wrote some of my "favorites" and other things about me. After "My mom loves to..." she wrote in big capital letters NAP. True true. Today, after getting through breakfast I announced that I was going to lay down and that I did not want anyone to come and wake me up unless there was an emergency. Far too many times I've been in blissful sleep only to be awakened by the latest "so-and-so hit so-and-so" incident and someone is demanding justice. Well, justice can wait as far as I'm concerned. So, don't wake me unless it's an emergency.
Johnny: "Like, if Adam cuts his head off, that's an emergency, right Mom?"
Adam: "Or if we go outside and start a fire, that's an emergency too, right?"
Rachel: "Or if someone swallows glass, right? That's definitely an emergency!"
A normal, non-pregnant, non-sleep deprived mom might have heard alarm bells in these potential scenarios, but not me. I assured them that all three were valid reasons to wake me up, checked to make sure there were no matches within reach and went off to bed. BTW, nothing even remotely life-threatening happened while I did my favorite thing...napped.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
We are on week 3 of swimming lessons. With baby #4 coming soon and nothing else to do in AZ in the summertime other than swim, it was time to get the boys some more water skills- like learning how to come up for air. Adam says his favorite part of swimming lessons is doing freestyle and Jonathan's is doing backstroke (it used to be doing cannonballs) so we're making progress!
Thursday, April 24, 2008
anniversary
As of yesterday, Dan and I have been married for 9 years. While that may not seem like particularly important news to anyone out there, believe me, it is. When I got married, I genuinely believed that life would get easier from that point on. Yes, there might be troubles and trials, but I would go through them with the man I loved. Bliss was imminent.
I soon learned that being married would be the main trial and trouble I would go through for the next few years. At first, I was certain that the source of said trial and trouble were my husband's weaknesses and shortcomings- he had so many! So, as I felt was my duty, I put significant effort into either pointing those weaknesses out or trying to give him a "weakness makeover" that would produce results more to my liking.
Somewhere along the line, I realized that I had "met the (real) enemy" and it was me. I was in a battle with myself, and Dan's shortcomings, perceived and real, were only the backdrop. Being married has brought out in me, at one time or another, everything that is totally unfit for the Celestial Kingdom. It has taken me awhile to recognize that my battle is with myself- all those ugly, unloving, judgmental and manipulative parts of myself that must be rooted out and destroyed if I am to have the prize that I want with all my heart.
When I recognized that, I was able (over time...lots of time) to let go of my misidentified battle with Dan and more consistently focus on myself. Something wonderful has happened because of it. I am happy- we are happy- happier now at 9 years than ever before. We were happy before, but not consistently. There always seemed to be that inevitable return to battle. Now, we agree on everything and never an unkind word passes between us. Well, not quite. But close.
I'd rather be with him than anyone else on the planet. My concern for him has blossomed into a daily quest to make him happy and comfortable. My desire for his happiness and success more regularly overpowers my desire for my own. I love to honor him in front of our children, to open their eyes to his praiseworthiness. Yes, this is big news for me- for not only is this a very happy anniversary, but it's a grateful acknowledgment that Heavenly Father's plan, His ordination of covenant marriage between a man and a woman, with the two of them working things out over and over and over again through the Savior's power to redeem and improve them, WORKS. It is the way to happiness and joy in this life, and it is the way back to His presence with the person who has become our Prince or Princess Charming to truly live happily ever after. Happy anniversaries to all!
I soon learned that being married would be the main trial and trouble I would go through for the next few years. At first, I was certain that the source of said trial and trouble were my husband's weaknesses and shortcomings- he had so many! So, as I felt was my duty, I put significant effort into either pointing those weaknesses out or trying to give him a "weakness makeover" that would produce results more to my liking.
Somewhere along the line, I realized that I had "met the (real) enemy" and it was me. I was in a battle with myself, and Dan's shortcomings, perceived and real, were only the backdrop. Being married has brought out in me, at one time or another, everything that is totally unfit for the Celestial Kingdom. It has taken me awhile to recognize that my battle is with myself- all those ugly, unloving, judgmental and manipulative parts of myself that must be rooted out and destroyed if I am to have the prize that I want with all my heart.
When I recognized that, I was able (over time...lots of time) to let go of my misidentified battle with Dan and more consistently focus on myself. Something wonderful has happened because of it. I am happy- we are happy- happier now at 9 years than ever before. We were happy before, but not consistently. There always seemed to be that inevitable return to battle. Now, we agree on everything and never an unkind word passes between us. Well, not quite. But close.
I'd rather be with him than anyone else on the planet. My concern for him has blossomed into a daily quest to make him happy and comfortable. My desire for his happiness and success more regularly overpowers my desire for my own. I love to honor him in front of our children, to open their eyes to his praiseworthiness. Yes, this is big news for me- for not only is this a very happy anniversary, but it's a grateful acknowledgment that Heavenly Father's plan, His ordination of covenant marriage between a man and a woman, with the two of them working things out over and over and over again through the Savior's power to redeem and improve them, WORKS. It is the way to happiness and joy in this life, and it is the way back to His presence with the person who has become our Prince or Princess Charming to truly live happily ever after. Happy anniversaries to all!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
tithing
We've been having an ongoing discussion about tithing in our family. It started when Rachel, having lost a tooth was given $3 by the tooth fairy. I excitedly said "Rachel! You get to pay tithing!" Being on the the receiving end of one of her wilting looks, I asked "What's wrong?" She answered with an exasperated "WHY does Heavenly Father always want my money??" As we continued the conversation she said "I think Heavenly Father will understand that I don't want to pay tithing this time " (Perhaps she was feeling the "intense theological question" that Uncle Jared proposed- Is the exchange of money for a body part considered "increase?") I said "Maybe you're right and this is just between you and Heavenly Father honey. Why don't you say a prayer and ask Him if it's okay if you don't pay tithing this time and see what He says?" She looked at me, rolled her eyes, and said "I KNOW what He'll say" as she handed me 30 cents.
The kids can earn money doing various chores etc and one Sunday morning we sat down to settle up and pay tithing. They boys were also equally confused as to why Heavenly Father would want money. "Doesn't He have some?" asked Adam. Rachel stepped in to clear up the situation for her brothers "Well boys," she said in her best teacher voice "Heavenly Father needs our money so be can bless us and give it back to us later." "Ohhh" they said, the light of understanding going on. "When will He give it back?" asked Johnny. "Soon" said Rachel.
'Nuff said- tithing was willingly paid. Someday we'll have to add some details to her explanation- lest they think that their tithing money is simply put on a heavenly ferris wheel and what they send up they just get back later. The "windows of heaven" are much more generous than that.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
ahhhhhhh Conference!
Doesn't General Conference just feel like a huge breath of fresh air? You can breathe it all in, let it fill you up and just bask in the enlarging power it has. With such light filling me up, I feel like I can go on a bit further.
This session I decided that rather than send the kids to the other room to watch movies, we would all bask in Conference together. I printed a 15-page "Conference Packet" designed for kids by some talented person somewhere full of pictures of the prophets to color, current pictures of the apostles and a space to write the subject of their talks, word searches and things I was sure would appeal to my kids. I got crayons/pencils/pens and the emergency M&M's all ready, arranged seating so we could all gather 'round the computer to watch...if ye are prepared ye shall not fear, right?
Weeeeeeell. Preparation might ward off fear, but is no guarantor of results, that's for sure.
I refused to let my excitement/confidence wane as Dan looked at me with raised eyebrows and said "We're ALL going to watch Conference? Together?" "Yes!" I replied with genuine enthusiasm. "We have to watch CONFERENCE?!?" Rachel exclaimed as if I had just explained that we would be eating fish heads for dinner. "But it's BORING!!" she went on. Taking her cue, her brothers chimed in with "Yeah! Boring!"
"No way guys! This is going to be so fun! Look at these special coloring books I have for you!" I said. I hustled them over to their seats and showed them their packets and tried to introduce each page as the opening hymn began. "Mom," said Johnny, his little voice full of annoyance and his head cocked to one side "there's just a bunch of guys in here!"
I explained that the "guys" were the apostles and then the first talk was underway. Things started off just fine- everyone found and circled President Monson as the new prophet. "New prophet?" asked Johnny, "what happened to the last one?" I even helped them circle the other two members of the First Presidency before we began to lose it.
Picture me in between three kids who are all shuffling papers ("Mom, I can't find the right page!"), crayons ("HEY! I wanted the blue crayon!"), pens/pencils ("Mom, Adam drew on his leg!"), and trying to really make the M&M's a last resort ("Mom, when do we get M&M's? When? When? When? Now Mom? Now? Now?) all while "basking" in Conference. I was elbowed, kneed and had my hair inadvertently pulled twice. Where was the ref?
They refused to leave my orbit to go to Dad- (who was kind of enjoying the scene anyway). By the end of the third talk, I had taken away most of the papers and crayons and had kids sitting as "reverently" as could be possible. At the end of each talk, three hands rammed their way my direction for the M&M's I promised if they would just sit still during each talk. The session passed in a steady series of task(sitting still), reward (M&M's), task, reward. Pavlov was right.
They passed the afternoon session watching "The Prince of Egypt" (that's doctrinally correct, right?) as I sat in blissful silence, taking it all in. It occurred to me that we'll probably have to give up a session or two each year to help them "listen" to Conference. Sigh...good thing it's another 6 months until I have to think about it again.
This session I decided that rather than send the kids to the other room to watch movies, we would all bask in Conference together. I printed a 15-page "Conference Packet" designed for kids by some talented person somewhere full of pictures of the prophets to color, current pictures of the apostles and a space to write the subject of their talks, word searches and things I was sure would appeal to my kids. I got crayons/pencils/pens and the emergency M&M's all ready, arranged seating so we could all gather 'round the computer to watch...if ye are prepared ye shall not fear, right?
Weeeeeeell. Preparation might ward off fear, but is no guarantor of results, that's for sure.
I refused to let my excitement/confidence wane as Dan looked at me with raised eyebrows and said "We're ALL going to watch Conference? Together?" "Yes!" I replied with genuine enthusiasm. "We have to watch CONFERENCE?!?" Rachel exclaimed as if I had just explained that we would be eating fish heads for dinner. "But it's BORING!!" she went on. Taking her cue, her brothers chimed in with "Yeah! Boring!"
"No way guys! This is going to be so fun! Look at these special coloring books I have for you!" I said. I hustled them over to their seats and showed them their packets and tried to introduce each page as the opening hymn began. "Mom," said Johnny, his little voice full of annoyance and his head cocked to one side "there's just a bunch of guys in here!"
I explained that the "guys" were the apostles and then the first talk was underway. Things started off just fine- everyone found and circled President Monson as the new prophet. "New prophet?" asked Johnny, "what happened to the last one?" I even helped them circle the other two members of the First Presidency before we began to lose it.
Picture me in between three kids who are all shuffling papers ("Mom, I can't find the right page!"), crayons ("HEY! I wanted the blue crayon!"), pens/pencils ("Mom, Adam drew on his leg!"), and trying to really make the M&M's a last resort ("Mom, when do we get M&M's? When? When? When? Now Mom? Now? Now?) all while "basking" in Conference. I was elbowed, kneed and had my hair inadvertently pulled twice. Where was the ref?
They refused to leave my orbit to go to Dad- (who was kind of enjoying the scene anyway). By the end of the third talk, I had taken away most of the papers and crayons and had kids sitting as "reverently" as could be possible. At the end of each talk, three hands rammed their way my direction for the M&M's I promised if they would just sit still during each talk. The session passed in a steady series of task(sitting still), reward (M&M's), task, reward. Pavlov was right.
They passed the afternoon session watching "The Prince of Egypt" (that's doctrinally correct, right?) as I sat in blissful silence, taking it all in. It occurred to me that we'll probably have to give up a session or two each year to help them "listen" to Conference. Sigh...good thing it's another 6 months until I have to think about it again.
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