When you have an oversized head, big brown eyes with long lashes, and the most scrumptious squishable cheeks on the planet, you might think you can get away with anything.
Recently Sophia came upstairs from the basement sporting two long brown streaks on either side of her mouth. She also had a wonderful chocolate aroma wafting around her. I asked her what she'd been doing and she innocently said, "Nuffing." I asked her if she had been in the basement to which she answered in the affirmative. When I asked her what she'd been doing in the basement she said, "Nuffing." I asked her if she'd been in the cold room and she said she had. When I asked her what she'd been doing in the cold room she said, "Nuffing." At this point I had to remind Jacob, who looked ready to burst out laughing, that we couldn't laugh at her or she'd never realize she'd done something wrong. I was wanting to smile and laugh myself to be honest because her chubby chocolate face was just so cute. Finally I asked her what she'd been eating and she said, "Nuffing." I asked her if there was a mess in the cold room to which she finally answered very honestly, "No, there's no mess. I ate them off the floor." I was still holding myself back from laughing at this point. I asked her if she'd been eating chocolate chips in the cold room and she finally confessed that she had. We talked about our family rule about not eating treats without permission and then I moved the chocolate chips to a very high place on the storage shelves.
As we got ready for bed a little later I told her while brushing her teeth, "We need to brush really well tonight. You've got some yucky stuff in your teeth." She didn't say it was "nuffing" this time. This time she simply and honestly said, "That's because I was eating chocolate."
Monday, March 31, 2014
FedEx
The other day my husband taught our family an important lesson. Jerry began by showing us a picture of the FedEx logo on the computer. He asked what we saw. We read the words, described the colors etc. Then he said, "Do you see an arrow?" At first we said no. He asked again, "Do you see an arrow?" We looked again. One by one we eventually began to see the arrow. Then he asked us if we could see the spoon. This time we had a little easier time seeing what he was talking about.
We then discussed what we could learn from this little experience. We talked about how we could apply it to ourselves individually and also how we could apply it to our relationships with others. Sometimes we see only certain things about ourselves, and about our lives. Because we are so focused on those things, we miss other things that are equally as valuable. Sometimes we are so focused on what we don't have (like curly hair, or life without food allergies, or eyes that don't need glasses) that we don't even see and appreciate all that we do have.
This also applies to how we see other people. Are we so focused on one aspect of someone, whether it be his looks (clothes, hair etc.) or a character flaw, that we miss seeing and appreciating the whole person and all the good things about him? Sometimes as a Mom I get focused on one thing or other with regards to one of my children or my spouse. Usually, the thing that I get focused on is not a positive thing. Unfortunately, in doing that I sometimes find myself feeling frustrated with that child/husband, so much so that I don't notice all the good that he says and does and is.
Heavenly Father surely sees the failings in my life and in the lives of all of his children. But I also know that he never loses sight of all the good and positive things. He is an expert at seeing the whole "FedEx" logo and not just focusing on the arrow or the spoon. After this lesson, I have not once seen a FedEx truck without thinking about the new meaning that it has taken on for me. Yes, I definitely look for and see that arrow and spoon each time…I can't help myself…but I also remember to look at myself, my own life, and all the other people in my life with Heavenly Father's eyes…seeing them as he sees them and loving them as he loves them.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Little Things
Little things can make all the difference in the world. Today Sophia was playing outside with her sisters, David was napping and I was having a few quiet minutes to myself. It didn't take long before I heard the cries. They got louder and louder and soon they were right there at the front door. Sophia had fallen on the pavement and Olivia had carried her up to the door. She handed her off to me and ran off to play. I carried Sophie inside to assess the damage. She had torn up one hand and scraped her knee. There wasn't too much blood but I'm sure it was stinging. I needed to clean the dirt out of both scrapes and she was in no mood to cooperate. I casually mentioned, "I've got a lollipop for you when we are done." Instantly the fussing stopped. She was cooperative while I cleaned things up and dabbed on a little Melaleuca oil. We hugged for a few minutes, got out the promised lollipop and within minutes she was ready to go back outside.
It is really that easy to solve a lot of problems, or at least make them a little easier to manage. Something as small as a lollipop can make all the difference. We don't always need to perform great huge acts of sacrifice to make a difference in the lives of our families or friends who are struggling. Sometimes just a smile, or a note, or a phone call…a promise of cookies in the afternoon, or an evening game of "Othello," or a story can brighten up the bleakest day. With my little ones it seems that a lollipop can fix almost anything. With the older children one of my best "fixes" is simply listening and sincerely telling them that I understand.
Our family has a poem that we have memorized:
Little drops of water
Little grains of sand
Make a mighty ocean
And a pleasant land.
Little words of kindness
Spoken every day
Make a home a heaven
And help us on our way.
We need to give the "little" things in our lives more attention…the little things WE do and say, as well as the little things said or done to us by OTHERS.
It is really that easy to solve a lot of problems, or at least make them a little easier to manage. Something as small as a lollipop can make all the difference. We don't always need to perform great huge acts of sacrifice to make a difference in the lives of our families or friends who are struggling. Sometimes just a smile, or a note, or a phone call…a promise of cookies in the afternoon, or an evening game of "Othello," or a story can brighten up the bleakest day. With my little ones it seems that a lollipop can fix almost anything. With the older children one of my best "fixes" is simply listening and sincerely telling them that I understand.
Our family has a poem that we have memorized:
Little drops of water
Little grains of sand
Make a mighty ocean
And a pleasant land.
Little words of kindness
Spoken every day
Make a home a heaven
And help us on our way.
We need to give the "little" things in our lives more attention…the little things WE do and say, as well as the little things said or done to us by OTHERS.
The Best Two Years
This past Wednesday the girls spent much of the morning dashing in and out of the house to see if the mail was here yet. You see, we've been waiting for Benjamin's mission call. Here where we live, mission calls almost always arrive on Wednesdays, and we had calculated that this would be the Wednesday that his would arrive.
When the mail truck arrived we weren't disappointed. I'll be the first to admit that I ran, not walked, out to the mailbox right along with my girls. Benjamin was still at ballroom class at the high school, so we brought it in the house and texted him right away to let him know that it had arrived.
We had decided that he would wait until Thursday night, later in the evening, so that family and friends could be here. Thank goodness for cell phones and skype. We were able to include family that lives too far away to come to the house.
We let everyone here make their guesses as to where he would be going. Even David got to point on a map and make a guess. Then the time finally arrived. I was standing next to him and the anticipation was killing me. I looked over at the paper he pulled out of the envelope and ahhhh…totally unintentionally, I saw two words. I couldn't believe I had "peeked" before my son had even had a chance to read the letter out loud. He forgave me though!! He even admitted that he saw the name of the mission before he read it out loud.
He will be serving in the Albuquerque, New Mexico mission and will leave before the end of July. I am so proud of him and his desire to serve. By the way, Emily was spot on with her guess. She picked New Mexico.
A year and a half ago our family had just got comfy in the basement ready to watch General Conference on television. President Monson got up to welcome us all to conference, and in that very first address, astounded us with an announcement.
"I am pleased to announce that effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18 instead of age 19. I am not suggesting that all young men will - or should - serve at this earlier age. Rather, based on individual circumstances as well as upon a determination by priesthood leaders, this option is now available." (October 2012 General Conference)
At the time, Kyle was 18 and hadn't even started on getting his mission papers ready. But by the end of the session the Holy Ghost had confirmed to him that he should begin immediately and put his availability date as immediately. He entered the MTC less than a month before his 19th birthday, and celebrated his 19th birthday in England, as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The age change actually affected our family in quite a big way. Our first five children were boys. Because of the two year age gaps between each of the first three boys, we knew that their missions would come one right after the other, but we didn't figure there would be any overlap. With our boys choosing to leave younger that has not shown to be the case. By the time Kyle comes home it will have been four years since he has seen his older brother Brandon. By the time Benjamin comes home it will have been three years since Kyle and Benjamin have seen each other. Kyle missed the birth of David by less than a couple of months and will be almost two years old when Kyle comes home. Summer of 2016 will be quite a reunion year for us. We will all be together on this earth for the very first time. That will be a momentous day…definitely a day for a family picture
But the sacrifices of not being together as a family are small when we think of the blessings that missionary service brings to our sons, our family, and to the lives of those they teach. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and brings peace and joy to our lives. I am grateful for children who want to give two years of their lives to share it with others around the globe.
President Thomas S. Monson has said:
“Every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much. Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary” (“As We Meet Together Again,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 5–6).
When the mail truck arrived we weren't disappointed. I'll be the first to admit that I ran, not walked, out to the mailbox right along with my girls. Benjamin was still at ballroom class at the high school, so we brought it in the house and texted him right away to let him know that it had arrived.
We had decided that he would wait until Thursday night, later in the evening, so that family and friends could be here. Thank goodness for cell phones and skype. We were able to include family that lives too far away to come to the house.
We let everyone here make their guesses as to where he would be going. Even David got to point on a map and make a guess. Then the time finally arrived. I was standing next to him and the anticipation was killing me. I looked over at the paper he pulled out of the envelope and ahhhh…totally unintentionally, I saw two words. I couldn't believe I had "peeked" before my son had even had a chance to read the letter out loud. He forgave me though!! He even admitted that he saw the name of the mission before he read it out loud.
He will be serving in the Albuquerque, New Mexico mission and will leave before the end of July. I am so proud of him and his desire to serve. By the way, Emily was spot on with her guess. She picked New Mexico.
A year and a half ago our family had just got comfy in the basement ready to watch General Conference on television. President Monson got up to welcome us all to conference, and in that very first address, astounded us with an announcement.
"I am pleased to announce that effective immediately all worthy and able young men who have graduated from high school or its equivalent, regardless of where they live, will have the option of being recommended for missionary service beginning at the age of 18 instead of age 19. I am not suggesting that all young men will - or should - serve at this earlier age. Rather, based on individual circumstances as well as upon a determination by priesthood leaders, this option is now available." (October 2012 General Conference)
At the time, Kyle was 18 and hadn't even started on getting his mission papers ready. But by the end of the session the Holy Ghost had confirmed to him that he should begin immediately and put his availability date as immediately. He entered the MTC less than a month before his 19th birthday, and celebrated his 19th birthday in England, as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
The age change actually affected our family in quite a big way. Our first five children were boys. Because of the two year age gaps between each of the first three boys, we knew that their missions would come one right after the other, but we didn't figure there would be any overlap. With our boys choosing to leave younger that has not shown to be the case. By the time Kyle comes home it will have been four years since he has seen his older brother Brandon. By the time Benjamin comes home it will have been three years since Kyle and Benjamin have seen each other. Kyle missed the birth of David by less than a couple of months and will be almost two years old when Kyle comes home. Summer of 2016 will be quite a reunion year for us. We will all be together on this earth for the very first time. That will be a momentous day…definitely a day for a family picture
But the sacrifices of not being together as a family are small when we think of the blessings that missionary service brings to our sons, our family, and to the lives of those they teach. The gospel of Jesus Christ is true and brings peace and joy to our lives. I am grateful for children who want to give two years of their lives to share it with others around the globe.
President Thomas S. Monson has said:
“Every worthy, able young man should prepare to serve a mission. Missionary service is a priesthood duty—an obligation the Lord expects of us who have been given so very much. Young men, I admonish you to prepare for service as a missionary” (“As We Meet Together Again,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2010, 5–6).
Thursday, March 20, 2014
The Book-Eating House
Every Thursday a friend of ours comes over to read with Emily. She is a reading tutor for a local school and "practices" with Emily. Emily loves her "reading lessons" and her teacher as well. Each week her teacher leaves her with a couple of books to practice on during the week. This past week we lost her practice book. She's still done plenty of reading but not from her special reading lesson book.
Today was Thursday. We looked and looked through every book shelf for her book. We looked under beds and couches and inside closets. We even started looking in strange places. Be careful when you do that in our house. You might find scary things. Recently I opened what I thought was an empty box in our cold storage room only to find a purple sippy cup full of stinky, who knows how old, almond milk. Sometimes the kids like to play in there and Sophia must have left it behind when the game was over.
Back to the book… Looking for one little paperback book in our house is a little like looking for a needle in a haystack. We have a lot of books! We have a lot of bookshelves! It took a long time to look through them all. But to no avail. No special reading lesson book was found. I finally threw my hands up in the air and said, "I think we have a book-eating house. There is no other explanation. I can't think of where it can be."
When the reading teacher arrived I was prepared so offer my sincere apologies over the lost book. I was completely ready to pay for it. I started to tell her of our efforts to find the book, when she stopped me and told me that SHE had the book. She had mistakenly taken it with her after last week's lesson. It HADN'T been eaten by our house. It HADN'T been lost in our massive collection of books. And it was certainly not hiding in the cold room in an empty box like the purple sippy cup full of stinky, who knows how old, almond milk!
We had a good laugh, Emily had a great reading lesson, and now she has two new books to practice with this week. Hopefully we can keep from "losing" these ones.
Today was Thursday. We looked and looked through every book shelf for her book. We looked under beds and couches and inside closets. We even started looking in strange places. Be careful when you do that in our house. You might find scary things. Recently I opened what I thought was an empty box in our cold storage room only to find a purple sippy cup full of stinky, who knows how old, almond milk. Sometimes the kids like to play in there and Sophia must have left it behind when the game was over.
Back to the book… Looking for one little paperback book in our house is a little like looking for a needle in a haystack. We have a lot of books! We have a lot of bookshelves! It took a long time to look through them all. But to no avail. No special reading lesson book was found. I finally threw my hands up in the air and said, "I think we have a book-eating house. There is no other explanation. I can't think of where it can be."
When the reading teacher arrived I was prepared so offer my sincere apologies over the lost book. I was completely ready to pay for it. I started to tell her of our efforts to find the book, when she stopped me and told me that SHE had the book. She had mistakenly taken it with her after last week's lesson. It HADN'T been eaten by our house. It HADN'T been lost in our massive collection of books. And it was certainly not hiding in the cold room in an empty box like the purple sippy cup full of stinky, who knows how old, almond milk!
We had a good laugh, Emily had a great reading lesson, and now she has two new books to practice with this week. Hopefully we can keep from "losing" these ones.
Monday, March 3, 2014
The Hiding Place
About once a year I reread one of my favorite books. It is called The Hiding Place and is the personal account of Corrie Ten Boom. She and her family became prisoners during WW2 as a result of their efforts to hide and help Jews. She lived in horrible circumstances in the prison camps and lost both her sister and her father. I don't enjoy reading about the atrocities of the Holocaust, but Corrie Ten Boom's spirit, faith and amazing attitude amidst her great trials are an inspiration to me. That is what keeps me reading this book again and again.
The camps were dirty, and cold, the food scarce and rotten, the beds crowded and dirty, the work hard, sleep hard to come by, and treatment by the guards brutal. But, she found a way to be grateful for the smallest of blessings. At one point she was moved into a new barracks and discovered that it was infested with fleas. She realized that she could actually be grateful for the fleas, as they kept the guards from coming into the barracks and checking on the prisoners. While they were in their room, the prisoners were free to talk and pray and read the scriptures, without worries that the guards would make them stop.
In a talk entitled Remembrance and Gratitude, from October 1989 General Conference, Henry B. Eyring quoted a poem called, "How Different." It points out the difference between the person who complains when even one thing in life is not "just so" and the person who finds the one bright spot in a life that is fraught with difficulty and trial. Corrie Ten Boom was the second type of person. Here is the poem.
Some murmur when the sky is clear
And wholly bright to view,
If one small speck of dark appear
In their great heaven of blue:
And some with thankful love are filled,
If but one streak of light,
One ray of God’s good mercy, gild
The darkness of their night.
I needed this reminder today. I have so much to be grateful for. I have 9 beautiful children. I have a husband who loves me, honors his priesthood, and lifts me up and carries me when I feel I cannot walk any further. I have the gospel in my life. I have a temple within easy distance of my home where I can go and feel wrapped in the love of my Heavenly Father. I know of the Savior, and of his love for me. "Counting my Blessings" is not difficult as there are so many. But I think I want to improve on being grateful for the "fleas" in my life, being grateful for the little things that at first glance, don't even really seem like blessings.
The camps were dirty, and cold, the food scarce and rotten, the beds crowded and dirty, the work hard, sleep hard to come by, and treatment by the guards brutal. But, she found a way to be grateful for the smallest of blessings. At one point she was moved into a new barracks and discovered that it was infested with fleas. She realized that she could actually be grateful for the fleas, as they kept the guards from coming into the barracks and checking on the prisoners. While they were in their room, the prisoners were free to talk and pray and read the scriptures, without worries that the guards would make them stop.
In a talk entitled Remembrance and Gratitude, from October 1989 General Conference, Henry B. Eyring quoted a poem called, "How Different." It points out the difference between the person who complains when even one thing in life is not "just so" and the person who finds the one bright spot in a life that is fraught with difficulty and trial. Corrie Ten Boom was the second type of person. Here is the poem.
Some murmur when the sky is clear
And wholly bright to view,
If one small speck of dark appear
In their great heaven of blue:
And some with thankful love are filled,
If but one streak of light,
One ray of God’s good mercy, gild
The darkness of their night.
I needed this reminder today. I have so much to be grateful for. I have 9 beautiful children. I have a husband who loves me, honors his priesthood, and lifts me up and carries me when I feel I cannot walk any further. I have the gospel in my life. I have a temple within easy distance of my home where I can go and feel wrapped in the love of my Heavenly Father. I know of the Savior, and of his love for me. "Counting my Blessings" is not difficult as there are so many. But I think I want to improve on being grateful for the "fleas" in my life, being grateful for the little things that at first glance, don't even really seem like blessings.
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