I got pretty sick last week. There was an afternoon I thought I had the mumps (it is going around SU). I don't have mumps and I'm finally feeling better! Yay!!
They love him.
We all love him.
Oh, how we will miss him.
I LOVE school because I could NEVER give my children all that they get by the good people they are continually surrounded by.
Bad picture, lovely girls.
CONFESSION: My mom, my husband, and my little kids cleaned my barn ALL DAY Saturday and I did homework ALL DAY. I barely left my bedroom. I did not allow myself to feel guilty about this, I just focused, and it felt SO good to feel prepared for this next week.
Yes, I let Ellie stay home sick on Friday to catch-up. I think I did the right thing. She feels so much happier with seminary completed and with a clean room. They both had fun at their parties Saturday night.
Guests were sitting right in front of us in our small church meeting today.
When I tried to take the chicken Leah was flinging around, she didn't want to give it to me. I insisted. I whispered, "Give it to me now, please. That's one. Two. Three." She was still arguing. I laughed at myself saying "Three. I said three. I'm serious now."
She said "fine!" Too loud. And gave it to me. Really, I didn't think these little things were too distracting. But, we spend enough time arguing about dumb small toys and I never have to worry about big distractions. I guess my church philosophy is that if I draw my line ahead of what I really do think is too loud for church, they never get there.
My kids are pretty good during church. We have no toys or books, but I do give them a piece of gum or a mint halfway through. Sometimes I give Eve or Ben a pen and a program. The teenagers are harder than toddlers because they tease the toddlers and make them scream.
We take a whole row at church. I ALWAYS wanted that.
I love sitting with my kids and watching Todd on the stand.
Today I taught all the 12-18 youth second hour and then taught 12+ third hour (a Stake PA Just Serve presentation).
Isn't he adorable?
Man, I miss his face.
I miss his JOY. He brings joy.
Oh, I love that kid.
He doesn't feel that far away when I see pictures. Look at those good, good young men. God bless them.
Be kind to the missionaries you see.
Listen to the message they have to share.
I thought this was a funny costume for Todd and I to wear at a couples party. 😂
Kidding.
But, I'm NOT kidding that Halloween is on Tuesday and I still do not have costumes for my kids. I'm thinking
I have already decided that all black will work if I can't find black and white stripes at Walmart tomorrow.
I've got this.
Oh friends. We went to a fireside tonight about journaling and I am committed to journaling again. I do write a private journal at times. But I think I miss this space, to think and record.
I almost sent Ben to bed early tonight because he was running laps in my living room, I sent him to count to ten on the bench, and he did not listen. I dressed him in is green and white pjs and he stood with his hands on his hips pleading not to go to bed. "Please Mom," he said in his calm, sweetest voice, "I will count for you. How many? One? Two? Three? I will do that. No problem mom." I said twenty. He said. "Okay, that's fine mom," and he went down to the bench. Ellie was beside me cracking up.
I love that my kids love little kids.
My mom has been staying with us. I can't even tell you how nice it is to have her folding my laundry, caring for my kids when I'm gone, cooking dinner, and working in my yard. She amazes me. She does so much. There is nobody in the world that tries harder.
It has been such a blessing to have her here. And, it has been hard having her here too. I'm snotty sometimes. I'm also protective and defensive. Her ways are often different than mine.
Honestly, I want to figure out how to live with my mom. I want to learn how to listen without feeling defensive and how to speak without being offensive.
It is good to learn these lessons.
Grad school, grandma, Halloween, missions-- I guess the theme of my life right now is that life is good, even as it stretches us.
I'm not quite sure why I am someone who is always stretching. I do know that there is joy in the journey.
Thanks for listening to my deep thoughts on a Sunday evening.
Good night.
4 comments:
How funny! We do toys but not candy/gum during sacrament meeting. I allow my littles one toy car or action figure at a time. I forgot the church bag this Sunday, though, so I scrounged up a couple of pencils out of my diaper bag and passed out programs to scribble on, then I found a stash of action figures in the bottom of the bag.
Whew! With 5 kids 5 and under, it takes more than a 2 pencils and a few programs to make it through.
My mom lived with us for 3 years some years ago. We had the same struggles you are having, but we did it, and we love one another--as you and your mom do. :)
I'm glad your life is full of joy!
How do you get your kids to not need things during sacrament meeting? I have a 3 year old, a 15 month old, and a 4 month old. I feel like I’m packing the whole house to take to church. And the 15 month old spends half the time in the hallway because he is just so noisy and when things don’t go his way he screams.
Caroline- your children are young, this might be the stage when you do need to pack a lot. Really focus on feeding them a good meal before sacrament meeting (yes, even the baby). Then, try ignoring them a little during sacrament meeting. Really listen to the speaker. If you give them a toy, make it small (a car or an animal or a book) and don't look at them or play with them. Baby in a car seat or on your lap. One kid on each side. You are-- boring and listening, with a loving hug or squeeze but not one hour of undivided attention. I like gum or fruit snacks because they take a long time to eat. I give them after the sacrament IF the kids are quiet. I also did not allow my 3 and 5 year olds to take the sacrament one week because they were talking and not paying attention during the song and prayer. They were shocked. I think this stays in the back of their mind. Church should be a loving place! Love is the most important. But, if your kid can sit and watch a two hour Disney show (some kids can't) they can sit relatively quietly in Church. I AM NOT A MOM WHO JUDGES OTHER MOTHERS IN CHURCH. I HATE talks about reverence. I believe LOVE is more important (times 1000) than reverence. But, kids can sit pretty well if you teach them to. It might take ten years, but they will learn. 😂
But really-- you are at a different stage! I brought half my house when my kids were younger!! It is different when you have a whole row of teenagers!!
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