A Moment Worth Recording.

For some reason I had a thought circling through my head all day yesterday--"Teach your children how to recognize and feel the influence of the Holy Ghost." Little did I know that this very thing would happen later that evening...

It was one of those nights when things are not running as smoothly as you'd like. The little ones are quarreling, the parents are a little bit on edge. 

And we decided to have a family home evening lesson--since Monday we had to go grocery shopping, Tuesday we had to make an unexpected trip to Brigham City, Wednesday I had to go to Young Women's...and so Thursday it had to be. Occasionally, life doesn't throw us perfectly straight balls. It was definitely a curve ball of a week.

So we settled in on the couches for a lesson and there always is some invisible tension during Family Home Evening--because it's so important that it warrants a great deal of opposition. But we persisted and I gave them a lesson I had given to my Beehives a couple weeks ago about our Savior's grace. I wasn't sure if it was too profound a subject for such sweet little minds, but I simplified it to their level and I was amazed at the reverence they switched on as I shared physical symbols and parable-stories about grace. And they actually grasped it. But that wasn't the end.

After I finished the teaching part and bore my testimony, I showed a little Mormon Message--one of my favorites--"Mountains to Climb." And before it started I explained that each of these three families we would be watching had a great trial they were experiencing. But I instructed them to watch as they used the Savior's grace to help them in their hardest times.

And so we huddled around the computer screen and it began.

The boys were watching intently and I narrated the video as we went along to make sure they were understanding. And when it came to the part where the mother in England is yelling for her son to hurry because they are so late, and then she walks in to her son's bedroom and finds him on his knees, I looked back at Easton, who was standing behind me as my eyes started spilling tears and he looked back at me and started to cry. He wasn't quite sure what was happening so he started to wipe his eyes, but little sobs were rising. I wanted to reach out and pull him into my arms but my lap was already full with Tate and Maylie. So as if on cue, Patrick stepped toward Easton and wrapped his arm around him and Easton buried his head in his father's side and sobbed. This of course made me sob all the harder...as I witnessed my sweet oldest boy feel the Spirit in a noticeable way, perhaps for the very first time. 

It touched me deeply. Indeed, it was one of the most special experiences of my life to date. 

And there was a tangible sacredness for the rest of the night.

I thank my Heavenly Father from the bottom of my heart for this valiant son of mine. And this I know: these spiritual experiences with our sweet children are worth everything. 

I love this boy of mine. Truly, truly.

The Little Things.

photo credit via pinterest

Celebration has been my word for this year...of course no one would know that since I haven't been able to find the time to finish my New Year's post...and it's nearly April...I know, sad.

But, really, celebration is a way to live. And I do it--most days. I still have to remind myself because I'm not perfect, and this whole outlook of celebration is not quite an ingrained habit yet.

But these pictures are moments of celebration that I capture with a click of a camera.

They are part of our real life, and though they be but small, nothing is too small to celebrate.

So come, celebrate this month with me as I showcase a few of our moments--worthy of celebration.

 These were taken a special Saturday this month when my mom, sisters, and I had a "princess morning." We all met at the temple (our castle ;) and then went to lunch afterwards and did a little--a lot--of shopping. We didn't meant to be gone all day, but we were because we were having so much fun together. I was worried about my little family at home though. But my sweetheart sent me this picture to reassure me that everything was fine and they were all happy. I'm so grateful he gave me this day away to relax and rejuvenate and celebrate.

Mr. Tate can always be found building something these days, he's so inventive. We built this track together and I had to celebrate with a picture!

 I had to include this one even though it was blurry. It cracks me up every time I see it! Oh Maylie, you look like a little Polish grandma or something! Definitely celebration worthy!!

This one melts me heart. To see these two brothers (who often like to bother and quarrel) reading together...

 On a dress up day...

And one day Tate and I played a sounds game together. Tate was insistent on making a long train with the snapped-together puzzle pieces. And what really amazed me, is he learned most of his sounds from just one time of playing this learning game together!

 This was definitely a night of celebration. I was tired and not feeling the greatest--so my sweet husband sent me the sweetest text instructing me to not make dinner and we would all go out as a family. Which we did--to The Grille and had a lovely dinner. (I haven't had salmon since Portugal!!)

 My new beautiful tablecloths came this month and we have been using them every day since! It has really brightened up our dining room and given our dinners that special aesthetic touch!

 I found a quaint little shop here in our town where I bought flowers for a sister in our ward who was sick and had surgery--and I bought a few little things for my kitchen and for St. Patrick's Day. Come to find out, the lady owner worked as a secretary for my Dad when I was just tiny--what a small little world! I will definitely be back to this cute little place. I think I could buy the whole store!

 And then Maylie-girl. Always my little model.

 Quiet mornings like this (which are usually every morning) you can find Tate and Flashlight together.

 And my silly sweet young women, of course. Always a reason to celebrate!

The End.

When Spring Came.

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  ~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

So to celebrate, we bundled up and went outdoors and rode bikes for the very first time this year.

I couldn't believe how much delight this one activity could bring!  We stayed out for nearly an hour--soaking up sunshine and breathing in the freshness of it all.

And I was amazed at how much my sweeties had grown up over just one year.  They were all older, and more confident, and taller somehow. Especially May. She was all grown-up and independent and all I had to do was follow her cute little trike around, as opposed to last year when I would have to chase her and keep her from wandering into the street every few seconds.

Oh lovely Spring I'm so very glad you're here!!!

Our Sweet St. Patrick's Day

I love this holiday. I love being able to call Patrick "St. Patrick" all day--for he truly is with all of his unending and sweet service he gives to us. I marvel at his tenacity and strength, his courage and endurance. He is such an anchor of steadfastness...

To begin the process of honing our simple, meaningful family traditions this year, I started with St. Patrick's Day. When Easton got home from school I left a leprechaun note for the littles.

And on their treasure hunt they found real coins from all over the world in their little pouches.

We had a real traditional Irish meal of Colcannon and Irish Soda Bread (since I learned that corned beef is an Americanized-Irish meal) and it was quite delicious!!

And I am proud to announce that I did my first ever holiday table setting. It turned out fabulous and I loved decorating it! I plan to do one for all major holidays from now on. And so even though we only did a few traditions, the day was perfect. Not too harried and frazzled, and I thankfully planned ahead.  There is just nothing like a simple family tradition that brings your family close together and gives them sweet memories.