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Lagoon!

We met at Natalie and Jon's in the morning to eat lunch and have a family home evening lesson. Papa taught us about spiritual gifts and encouraged us to help our children know what spiritual gifts they have as well as nudge them gently in the direction of the spiritual gifts we perceive they could develop. It was a simple but profound lesson and it's been on my mind ever since. I felt very inspired during his lesson, that this is one of the primary objectives of a mother's nurturing. And I felt called to pursue this mission actively while my children are little and all throughout their growing up years. I have far to go as I begin this process, but the journey excites me. It's always been my deepest, most poignant desire to help my children discover who they are, love who they are and those around them, grow their talents and gifts, point them to the temple, and return home to Heavenly Father. And this charge to recognize and encourage the development of spiritual gifts fits right in with what I feel my motherhood purpose is. Thank you Dad.

*****

Easton and Natalie and Nana rode most of the rides together--Easton's favorite was the Tidal Wave, the Swings,  and Bombora. (I think they went on the Swings 5 or 6 times in a row). Tate joined me and Patrick for most of the day--riding all the new rides he's grown into now that he's barely 46". He loved the Wild Mouse, the Turn of the Century, and most of all the Bumper Cars and Wicked. When we watched his face during Wicked the first time, both Patrick and I were scared. He looked like he was going to be sick or pass out. But as soon as the ride stopped, he got the biggest grin on his face and said, "Let's do it again!!!" And we did--4 more times that day. Easton decided very diplomatically that he didn't want to do Wicked this year (even though he'd been talking about how it was his favorite ride all year.) But that's okay. Maybe next year all 4 of us can go on it together. Maylie loved the Bumper Cars too and the Merry-go-Round and the boats. She didn't love the LadyBug Drop--she was so scared. So we didn't go on that one again. It was so much fun to go on rides with my children. It always is. I don't know why, but it always strikes a sense of wonder in me to see the childlike wonder of my children. They are mesmerized by everything and their enthusiasm bubbles over into my heart as well. It's so fun to take them on all the rides I loved growing up. It's always so magical.

As it turned out, rain was forecasted for our Lagoon trip too this year. But our sweet boys prayed in faith again and fully knew the Lord would bless the skies. And he did. Again. The weather was perfect for almost the entire day. And then around 8:00 pm the downpour began. We were drenched and huddling under shelter while Easton ran around with Jason (who had a jacket) and went on as many rides as he could. Easton wanted to stay and ride more until Lagoon closed, but the rest of us decided it was a good time to end our evening and barely made it to the car in-between downpours.

What a special day we had! I only wish that it wouldn't have been raining there at the end so we could have bought bounce back passes! Maybe next year.... :)

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 Parable of the Talents.

Easton gave such a sweet lesson last Monday about the parable of the talents. 

After he read us the story from the New Testament reader (all by himself), we each had to name the talents that each member of our family possesses.  Then for our activity we each had to perform or showcase a talent.  Daddy's was a "This is the Church, This is the Steeple" performance, Mommy's was a "Stand in Holy Places" song, Tate's was a puzzle, Easton's was a reading of his latest story, and Maylie's was a performance of "Wheels on the Bus."

I think we'll be doing many more talent shows over the years--Easton and I decided we should try to make it a monthly tradition.  I'm so excited.

I smile to think how much he has grown into his talent lately.  It was only just over a year ago when the pattern emerged of his art things lying around everywhere and cluttering up absolutely every spare inch of our little home.  But before I scolded him I prayed.  And I'm so glad I did because the Lord inspired in me the desire to nurture his budding little talent and use it to bless others.  

So we made for him an art station to corral all of his things and he set to work making hundreds of cards for every family member he could think of.  And the artwork and service hasn't let up yet--for which I'm so happy.  Now he writes and illustrates books almost daily and continues his card writing. He's becoming such a good little author and artist.

But just recently I've been finding his artwork strewn about the house again.  Life is ever changing and evolving with little children, and I love it!  We moved one of our sweet little school desks downstairs to the living room so he can do his artwork and stories while I'm cooking or cleaning.  We left the other desk upstairs so he can always be with the family wherever we are, and so his art is a little more organized. 

He's been at his desk non-stop ever since.

I love you my little artist Easton.

Family Home Evening on Foundation (and pictures of the hole)

On Monday night Patrick gave us the most meaningful family home evening lesson ever.  It was all about building our lives, our testimonies, and our foundations on the rock of our Redeemer (see Helaman 5:12).  He brought us home a rock & sand from our lot and we had our lesson on the front porch.

Then we drove to our lot and picked out a rock for each one of us to remind us of the lesson.

I can't wait for the follow-up lesson when we have the concrete foundation poured and we can truly teach our boys what it means to build on a rock...just like the wise man.

Party.

The snow has been descending so lazily today...like small white confetti swirling down.  I wonder why I've failed to record our family's history on this blog for so long and then I remember.  When life hinges on Patrick passing his physical therapy boards and us finding a good job, there is little time left for blogging.  But late is better than never and a few pictures from our Valentine's party were in order.

My goal this year was to plan at least one party with my family and one with Patrick's.  We'll be having an Easter party here with the Johnsons in April and we organized a brilliantly fun Valentine's Party a few days before Valentine's Day with the Greenes.  We combined the party with the monthly Family Home Evening we do together.

The details? Just good old-fashioned family time: eating, a lesson on love, games, decorating cookies, and writing secret Valentine's.  I hope this can be a tradition for us as the days go on. 

The time we spend with family, these are the times we remember.  This is what really matters.  These times are the roses we will have in the December years of our lives.  And we're so blessed to have such wonderful family to share our lives and our hearts with.

 (Miss Maylie)

(Papa and Maylie)

(Sloppy Joes for dinner, Raspberry frappe and sugar cookies for dessert)

(The Dragon and the Hearts Game)

(Lightning)

(Me? Basketball? I know.  I can't believe it either.)

(And while this picture looks like the ball has landed on my head, it's just an illusion...although that has been known to happen...in just about every game of basketball I've ever played...which is why I shield my head whenever a ball starts coming down.)

(Laughing on the sidelines)

The End.

Family Home Evening Theatrical.