Darn that Nursery!!

Thanks to nursery I've been cleaning up vomit and diarrhea all week!!!

Maybe that's why my brother Vard sent me this thought tonight:

"All the honor and glory that can come to men or women by the development of their talents, the homage and the praise they may receive from an applauding world, worshipping at their shrine of genius, is but a dim thing whose luster shall fade in comparison to the high honor, the eternal glory, the ever-enduring happiness that shall come to the woman who fulfills the first great duty and mission that devolves upon her to become the mother of the sons and daughters of God."
(Hinckley, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, 203-4).

Thanks Vard.

NURSERY!!!

James and I have been looking forward to, and counting down to, this day for a long time!

The drop off was smooth.  The report was positive. 

Then I realized...half of my kids are in nursery.  That's pretty crazy.

Our primary program was today.  The other half of my kids did a fabulous job sharing their testimonies through word and song. 

Talmage had the opportunity to help narrate and he did a great job.

Here's what else is going on around here:

 Grandma and Grandpa got all the grandkids water boots for Christmas.  Leave it to Bryant to figure out some creative joke with them.  It was pretty funny.

Little boots are so cute!

 Rex and Lyle are finally starting to take an interest in books.  Before naps, I'll tell them it's time for stories.  They both run to the couch and crawl up on each side of me.  They will listen for a few minutes before nap time.  I consider it a huge breakthrough!

Rex and Lyle have also taken to a family favorite... hot cocoa:

 

Rex stirred an unflushed toilet with his cast on Thursday...yuck!! 

Then, he did it again tonight. 

So glad it's coming off tomorrow!!

Thanks to my Mom and Sisters for making a "day off" possible.  And thanks to Lizza for lunch.  It was SO nice.

Feeling okay?

I don't know what got into my kids but they were all reverant and respectful during the entire 2 hour primary program practice today.  I was SO proud of them. 

It was a breath of fresh air for this mother.

Reflections

Some days cause us to think a little deeper than other days.  Today was one of those days.

Eigtheen months ago, while in the NICU with Rex and Lyle at Kadlec, I received a phone call with the news that Clara Woodward had been diagnosed with cancer.  She was the same age as Hyrum.  In the ensueing weeks, Natasha and I connected as we faced extremely challenging times in our lives.  Talmage was good friend's with Clara's oldest brother, and the kids had all played together on occasion.  Our families were experiencing "not normal" at the same time. Clara became part of our daily family prayers.

Today was Clara's funeral.  It was simple, beautiful, and powerful. 

As I held Hyrum on my lap, he sucked on my sweater, squirmed, picked his nose, and asked if it was time to go home yet.  I couldn't help but be grateful as my heart ached knowing Natasha and Brian would have loved to have Clara doing the same thing on their laps.

It's just been one of those days.  I'm grateful.  We need those every once in awhile.

The Day After

Yesterday my kids wore red, white, and blue to school.

Yesterday the people of our state elected President Obama.  They also voted to legalize marijuana and gay marriage. 

This morning in family scripture study we read Helaman 5:1-3 and verse 12.  We also read from the For the Strength of Youth pamphlet about agency and accountability and how sometimes standing for right means standing alone.

For Sale

Bryant made me laugh this evening when our of the blue he chanted,

"parents for sale, buy one get one free!"

My favorite moment of the day came when I handed Hyrum a warm loaf of bread wrapped in a linen cloth as we were headed over to Stacey's.  His eyes lit up and he smiled big and he said, "Now it will keep me warm."