We also watch this clip a lot. The girls LOVE it. One Sunday, a while back, they watched it about thirteen times in a row. Mike helped me put it and some other clips on a DVD for the Primary kids to watch after their presentation on Sunday for a celebration of sorts.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Looking Through Windows
We also watch this clip a lot. The girls LOVE it. One Sunday, a while back, they watched it about thirteen times in a row. Mike helped me put it and some other clips on a DVD for the Primary kids to watch after their presentation on Sunday for a celebration of sorts.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
You Win Some, You Lose Some
Fail: Tried to take pictures of the girls in these cute coordinating summer dresses we had before it gets too cold. Couldn't find a sash. A missing sash is what held us up last time. Boo. Why do they even make dresses with detached sashes for little girls? (I have this sneaking suspicion it was being used as a dog leash one Sunday after church. Grrr.)
Success: Brought pumpkin cookies to a playdate today. They were a big hit, even with the picky kids.
Success: Finally finished switching out winter and summer clothes. It took me a week, which is actually pretty good for me. I always get distracted, then am waiting to put in some more stuff out of the wash, weather gets unpredictable, etc., etc.
Fail: Looked for Emily's little winter hat longer than I should have. Still didn't find it.
Success: When Mike got home before his class, the lasagna was ready.
Fail: The squash and garlic bread weren't.
Fail: After a little incident, Kate needed some washing up in the tub. I had something else rinsing out in the sink and as I was washing her up, I accidentally overflowed the sink. This soaked the floor, a rug, and the cabinet below the sink.
Major Fail: I called my mom for moral support while cleaning up the sink situation. Several minutes into my phone call, I realized Kate had gotten out of the tub. I found her quickly. Outside. Still naked. And she'd emptied the contents of a pot of dirt on the steps. I hope none of the neighbors noticed. You can't make this stuff up, folks. But sometimes, I kind of wish I was. : /
Success: Dinner was a bit cold at this point, but still yummy. Though Emily had gotten tired of being put off throughout the previous runaround and started to fuss a bit towards the end.
Success: Despite our rather inconsistent efforts at preschool lately, Maggie keeps surprising me with how much she knows. This evening, she asked me, "Mom, what does F-A-T-E spell?" She had spelled out the letters with some toothpicks and accidentally spelled a word. She also "borrowed" some stationary and wrote her friend Molly a letter. I asked her if she needed help writing Molly's name, but she explained she had already written it herself.
Success: Baths went without a hitch (well, almost, Kate did have a little head bonk) and pajamas were donned quickly. The girls helped clean up their toys and Maggie impressed me by putting away the books quite neatly. We even had time for a round of Pretty, Pretty Princess!
Success: A cricket found it's way into Maggie's bed, so I bravely got it into a cup, took it outside, and sent it on it's merry way.
Coming soon, some overdue updates and pictures of these cute, sweet girls who make it all worth it.
Success: Brought pumpkin cookies to a playdate today. They were a big hit, even with the picky kids.
Success: Finally finished switching out winter and summer clothes. It took me a week, which is actually pretty good for me. I always get distracted, then am waiting to put in some more stuff out of the wash, weather gets unpredictable, etc., etc.
Fail: Looked for Emily's little winter hat longer than I should have. Still didn't find it.
Success: When Mike got home before his class, the lasagna was ready.
Fail: The squash and garlic bread weren't.
Fail: After a little incident, Kate needed some washing up in the tub. I had something else rinsing out in the sink and as I was washing her up, I accidentally overflowed the sink. This soaked the floor, a rug, and the cabinet below the sink.
Major Fail: I called my mom for moral support while cleaning up the sink situation. Several minutes into my phone call, I realized Kate had gotten out of the tub. I found her quickly. Outside. Still naked. And she'd emptied the contents of a pot of dirt on the steps. I hope none of the neighbors noticed. You can't make this stuff up, folks. But sometimes, I kind of wish I was. : /
Success: Dinner was a bit cold at this point, but still yummy. Though Emily had gotten tired of being put off throughout the previous runaround and started to fuss a bit towards the end.
Success: Despite our rather inconsistent efforts at preschool lately, Maggie keeps surprising me with how much she knows. This evening, she asked me, "Mom, what does F-A-T-E spell?" She had spelled out the letters with some toothpicks and accidentally spelled a word. She also "borrowed" some stationary and wrote her friend Molly a letter. I asked her if she needed help writing Molly's name, but she explained she had already written it herself.
Success: Baths went without a hitch (well, almost, Kate did have a little head bonk) and pajamas were donned quickly. The girls helped clean up their toys and Maggie impressed me by putting away the books quite neatly. We even had time for a round of Pretty, Pretty Princess!
Success: A cricket found it's way into Maggie's bed, so I bravely got it into a cup, took it outside, and sent it on it's merry way.
Coming soon, some overdue updates and pictures of these cute, sweet girls who make it all worth it.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Conference Comes Again
I have posted before about how much I love "Conference," that is the General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, held every six months. (You can watch it here.) Conference always seems to come when I need a boost. The words of our modern prophets and apostles fill me with renewed determination to do right and live righteously. Each new Conference brings to my recollection good feelings and thoughts from Conferences past. I think of times when my mind and heart felt peace or glimmers of understanding of God's plan for me. I remember delicious eats made and eaten with family or friends during or around Conference. And I always recall going to Conference. Whether as a child with my family, eating BLT sandwiches between sessions. (Thanks, Mom!) Or as a teen at home on the couch, after we got the satellite. Or at the church when my dad had to set it up, nodding off towards the end from perpetual seminary tiredness. Or in college with friends at the dorms or our apartments. Or, best of all, at the Conference Center in person. It is a feeling like none other to be gathered with that many Saints who all believe in Christ and the restoration of His priesthood upon the earth.
Here is a picture of Mike and me at Conference when we were engaged. Six years ago!
Ain't it a beauty? I guess the guy that took it thought we wanted mostly the temple in the picture. I maybe should have asked a
woman. (Doesn't it seem that guys always think you want the background and girls are about the portraits?) Anyway, I still love it. It was a special day because I had been wishing we could go to Conference and then out of nowhere, Mike found tickets and made it happen. He's always been pretty good at that wish-granting thing.
This year, we watched at home on Saturday and planned to watch with Mike's family on Sunday. Unfortunately, Emily woke up with a fever (we hope from her newest tooth), so as a precaution I stayed home with her. At first I was a little disappointed, but it was nice to have a little alone time with my precious baby. And I baked and ate some yummy cinnamon rolls and pumpkin cookies and had no problem with any scorching this time! (If you remember, I wasn't so lucky in the spring.)
Without further ado, a few thoughts I wanted to record...
- Aaaaah! So excited about the new mission age options...and, yes, a bit jealous I wasn't born about seven years later. I wanted to go on a mission sooo bad when I was eighteen-nineteen. For those of you who may not have tuned in, President Monson announced that prospective missionaries can now be recommended at eighteen for young men and nineteen for young women, rather than the former age requirements of nineteen and twenty-one respectively. I can't wait to serve a mission with Mike someday.
- What a tender talk Elder Bowen gave. What a heart-wrenching experience to lose a child and how brave to share his process of coming to terms with the guilt, pain and anger. I loved his conclusion: We are lucky to have the capacity to feel sorrow at the passing of a loved one. How awful it would be if we could not.
- President Uchtdorf has a wonderful way with words. I loved his run-down of the various regrets people experience at the end of their lives (not spending time with loved ones, not being their best selves, and not letting themselves be content) and the perfect prevention: We can avoid the regrets of tomorrow by following our Savior today!
- I couldn't agree with Elder Perry more: Strong families are the best protection and foundation for stability and success. I hope to make mine as strong as I can.
- Elder Ballard encouraged us to pray for opportunities to serve others. I know I am grateful for the times I do. Serving helps me forget I am drowning in housework and cute children's demands! :)
- Elder Anderson is right. We all have trials of faith, even though we may not see others. But these times of pain or difficulty bring us increased faith.
- Loved Elder Oaks standing up for the rights of children which are too often overlooked in our society. I feel so passionately about this. If we want to better society, one of the best ways to do it is to better invest in our children. Protect them from evil. Teach them truth. And give them the attention they crave. Not give in to every demand, but try to figure out what they really need. Children deserve to be raised in a loving, supportive environment by a father and mother who love them and each other. Obviously, we don't live in a perfect world and this can't always be the case. But that doesn't mean that it shouldn't remain the ideal.
- President Eyring made me reflect: What "pavillions" are obstructing my communication with my Heavenly Father and preventing me from getting answers and heavenly assistance I need and want? My attitude? My stubborness? My timetable?
- And I loved reflecting on the experience of the eleven disciples after Jesus' death with both Elder Holland and Elder Hales.
- Elder Scott renewed my desire to do some family history work of my own.
- I just want to be perfectly converted. To love and care for all those around me more perfectly and choose more wisely. To have my heart changed, and when necessary changed again, through Christ and his infinite atonement. Thanks Elder Bednar, Elder Hales and more for your reminders.
Yes, Conference was inspiring. And I still have to peek at the Priesthood session to see what gems they got. I sure appreciated the counsel we received as Relief Society sisters. (Loved the quote you shared, Rebecca.)
If you can only watch or listen to five minutes, I highly, highly recommend Elder Holland's talk. It was so, so powerful. His telling of the resurrected Lord's appearance to Peter and his fellow fishermen disciples is perfectly eloquent. And I love the message.
Here is a picture of Mike and me at Conference when we were engaged. Six years ago!
This year, we watched at home on Saturday and planned to watch with Mike's family on Sunday. Unfortunately, Emily woke up with a fever (we hope from her newest tooth), so as a precaution I stayed home with her. At first I was a little disappointed, but it was nice to have a little alone time with my precious baby. And I baked and ate some yummy cinnamon rolls and pumpkin cookies and had no problem with any scorching this time! (If you remember, I wasn't so lucky in the spring.)
Without further ado, a few thoughts I wanted to record...
- Aaaaah! So excited about the new mission age options...and, yes, a bit jealous I wasn't born about seven years later. I wanted to go on a mission sooo bad when I was eighteen-nineteen. For those of you who may not have tuned in, President Monson announced that prospective missionaries can now be recommended at eighteen for young men and nineteen for young women, rather than the former age requirements of nineteen and twenty-one respectively. I can't wait to serve a mission with Mike someday.
- What a tender talk Elder Bowen gave. What a heart-wrenching experience to lose a child and how brave to share his process of coming to terms with the guilt, pain and anger. I loved his conclusion: We are lucky to have the capacity to feel sorrow at the passing of a loved one. How awful it would be if we could not.
- President Uchtdorf has a wonderful way with words. I loved his run-down of the various regrets people experience at the end of their lives (not spending time with loved ones, not being their best selves, and not letting themselves be content) and the perfect prevention: We can avoid the regrets of tomorrow by following our Savior today!
- I couldn't agree with Elder Perry more: Strong families are the best protection and foundation for stability and success. I hope to make mine as strong as I can.
- Elder Ballard encouraged us to pray for opportunities to serve others. I know I am grateful for the times I do. Serving helps me forget I am drowning in housework and cute children's demands! :)
- Elder Anderson is right. We all have trials of faith, even though we may not see others. But these times of pain or difficulty bring us increased faith.
- Loved Elder Oaks standing up for the rights of children which are too often overlooked in our society. I feel so passionately about this. If we want to better society, one of the best ways to do it is to better invest in our children. Protect them from evil. Teach them truth. And give them the attention they crave. Not give in to every demand, but try to figure out what they really need. Children deserve to be raised in a loving, supportive environment by a father and mother who love them and each other. Obviously, we don't live in a perfect world and this can't always be the case. But that doesn't mean that it shouldn't remain the ideal.
- President Eyring made me reflect: What "pavillions" are obstructing my communication with my Heavenly Father and preventing me from getting answers and heavenly assistance I need and want? My attitude? My stubborness? My timetable?
- And I loved reflecting on the experience of the eleven disciples after Jesus' death with both Elder Holland and Elder Hales.
- Elder Scott renewed my desire to do some family history work of my own.
- I just want to be perfectly converted. To love and care for all those around me more perfectly and choose more wisely. To have my heart changed, and when necessary changed again, through Christ and his infinite atonement. Thanks Elder Bednar, Elder Hales and more for your reminders.
Yes, Conference was inspiring. And I still have to peek at the Priesthood session to see what gems they got. I sure appreciated the counsel we received as Relief Society sisters. (Loved the quote you shared, Rebecca.)
If you can only watch or listen to five minutes, I highly, highly recommend Elder Holland's talk. It was so, so powerful. His telling of the resurrected Lord's appearance to Peter and his fellow fishermen disciples is perfectly eloquent. And I love the message.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
My Gorgeous Sister (One of Them)
Yesterday when I was rambling on about my weird issues, I should have been singing this girl praises. As you may or may not know, this is Catherine, my as-of-yesterday twenty-one-year-old sister. Also known as Kitkat-1-0-3-L-I or, for short, Cat.Catherine is the awesomest. She is smart (without-trying). Funny (she can always make me laugh). And beautiful (as you can see). In fact, when I was in high school, a church member in the ward (congregation) where we grew up once told me how Catherine would surely be the prettiest Wanlass sister (kind of a funny thing to tell me--I think we're all pretty good-looking, kind of a toss-up in my opinion--but true story). My favorite thing about Catherine is how much she cares about others. She is such a loving, compassionate, superb human being. Phone calls with her got me through some rather lonely mornings of being a new stay-at-home mother. And she was a terrific Relief Society president her freshman year at college. She is a natural leader. She also is good about putting up with my teasing and always talking to her in text lingo.
At the end of August, she and her boyfriend Christian (pictured below) came out to visit us for a week, which was so, so extremely fantastic of them. At their own expense, they drove all the way here from Utah, arriving hours after we arrived back from a ten-day vacation to see my parents and two youngest siblings out on the East Coast.
They know how to have a good time. I was so, so happy to see my sister (the phone just doesn't cut it). And it was great to finally meet Catherine's boyfriend. I enjoyed picking his brain a bit about photography. He has style, is fun to talk to and obviously cares deeply about Catherine. So I can't withhold approval. He's great.
Here's a run-down of what we were up to with them quoted from my weekly family e-mail update:
"...We got home and got the kids to bed, then set up beds for Catherine and her boyfriend Christian who rolled in about 12am. It was really fun to meet him and WONDERFUL to see Cat. We enjoyed lots of fun with them and Rachel [who had come back with us] and Mom when she arrived the next week: Hitting the Spring Hill pool (Saturday). Church (Sunday). Playing bananagrams (Sunday). Bopping around the house (all the time). Eating homemade Cafe Rio (Monday). Home evening (Monday). Going to the track and a local park (Tuesday). Eating Gates' barbeque (Tuesday night) while my sister-in-law fed and watched the girls---Rachel loved seeing my niece Emma again. Laughing hilariously in the car on the way to and from BBQ (also Tuesday, "Did someone say __Tuesday_[ or insert word of choice]_"). Enjoying a local farmstead (Wednesday). Chocolate-dipped cones at McDonald's (Wednesday). Hanging with Mom (Thursday). Eating Cat's and Christian's marvelous spicy cajun chicken pasta (Thursday). Sharing Cat's goofy childhood antics with Christian (as much as possible)...
And did I mention they kept my kiddos happy and occupied on a nearly constant basis for the full week? It was a dream to have them here.
I hope your birthday was all it should be, my dear Catherine. Here are those pictures of you. I wish I had one of you pretending to be a puppy, tied up to a chair or trying to lick my hand. (Her favorite childhood pasttime, you know. It extended nearly to middle school.)
Thanks for being not just my sister, but one of my very bestest friends. I'm very lucky to have you in my life.
That's What I Get
Remember how I was all "look at me and my perspective" a couple days ago?
When life is looking too rosy for a while, I've begun to expect a day or two where I remember it can't be all the time. One of those periods started yesterday. I totally spaced it on a much-anticipated birthday party and spent the couple hours after that realization with a knot in my stomach. I called the birthday girl's mom and we are going to do a playdate or something soon, but I still felt so bad for Mag, especially since I just made her miss two other birthdays that were on Sunday when we're in church. I threw out the invite and am hoping she doesn't remember. Is that bad or what?
Anyway, that feeling in the pit of my stomach sent the perfectionist in me into a tailspin remembering all the things I want to get done.
Things like birthday packages to send. Blog posts to write. Digital pictures to edit and organize. And back-up online. And print. (Six years worth.) Photography skills to master. Baby calendars to complete. Decorating and house projects to finish. Paint jobs that need another coat. Sewing projects to start. Boxes to go through in the basement. Personal history projects. Family history.
Not to mention I need to repack the Goodwill boxes the girls got into and a huge bin of baby girl clothing I knocked over when hurriedly pulling out fall things for Emily. And reorganize my recipe binder whose contents remain scattered on the coffee table since an unfortunate knock off the counter sent them flying.
I want to learn Spanish and French and play the piano better and serve everyone I know by acting on every kind impulse I have. And I have a lot of them. I want to better master the scriptures and spend more time in prayer and meditation. Not to mention I want to spend every minute with my loved ones and be present to listen and care for and love them.
I just want it all done now!
And instead of doing anything about it, I sit here blogging about it.
Traditionally, these type of feelings are followed by ones that everyone else has it so much more together than I do. Which is ridiculous. And untrue.
But anyway, lest I be portraying a false image that I know it all and I've got it all together, there you have it folks. I don't. And I know I don't. Right now I feel like the only thing I do well is dinner. And that gets eaten fast and leaves dishes.
That's why I write when I've got the perspective I'm looking for. I've. got. time.
I can take those projects on a bit at a time and enjoy the moment as well. I need to remember that feeling when Anxious Sarah starts to kick in.
But since she's here and I need to tame her a bit, I invited my sister-in-law over tomorrow. We are going to try to get together once in a while and take turns watching kids while the other gets something done. I tend to jump too much from thing to thing, which is in part why I have trouble keeping my home uncluttered (and why I may at times have twenty tabs open on my web browser simultaneously). Here's hoping I can stay focused.
Out of curiousity, does the type of cyclical thinking I describe happen to anyone else? ....No? ....I'm crazy?
That's what I thought.
When life is looking too rosy for a while, I've begun to expect a day or two where I remember it can't be all the time. One of those periods started yesterday. I totally spaced it on a much-anticipated birthday party and spent the couple hours after that realization with a knot in my stomach. I called the birthday girl's mom and we are going to do a playdate or something soon, but I still felt so bad for Mag, especially since I just made her miss two other birthdays that were on Sunday when we're in church. I threw out the invite and am hoping she doesn't remember. Is that bad or what?
Anyway, that feeling in the pit of my stomach sent the perfectionist in me into a tailspin remembering all the things I want to get done.
Things like birthday packages to send. Blog posts to write. Digital pictures to edit and organize. And back-up online. And print. (Six years worth.) Photography skills to master. Baby calendars to complete. Decorating and house projects to finish. Paint jobs that need another coat. Sewing projects to start. Boxes to go through in the basement. Personal history projects. Family history.
Not to mention I need to repack the Goodwill boxes the girls got into and a huge bin of baby girl clothing I knocked over when hurriedly pulling out fall things for Emily. And reorganize my recipe binder whose contents remain scattered on the coffee table since an unfortunate knock off the counter sent them flying.
I want to learn Spanish and French and play the piano better and serve everyone I know by acting on every kind impulse I have. And I have a lot of them. I want to better master the scriptures and spend more time in prayer and meditation. Not to mention I want to spend every minute with my loved ones and be present to listen and care for and love them.
I just want it all done now!
And instead of doing anything about it, I sit here blogging about it.
Traditionally, these type of feelings are followed by ones that everyone else has it so much more together than I do. Which is ridiculous. And untrue.
But anyway, lest I be portraying a false image that I know it all and I've got it all together, there you have it folks. I don't. And I know I don't. Right now I feel like the only thing I do well is dinner. And that gets eaten fast and leaves dishes.
That's why I write when I've got the perspective I'm looking for. I've. got. time.
I can take those projects on a bit at a time and enjoy the moment as well. I need to remember that feeling when Anxious Sarah starts to kick in.
But since she's here and I need to tame her a bit, I invited my sister-in-law over tomorrow. We are going to try to get together once in a while and take turns watching kids while the other gets something done. I tend to jump too much from thing to thing, which is in part why I have trouble keeping my home uncluttered (and why I may at times have twenty tabs open on my web browser simultaneously). Here's hoping I can stay focused.
Out of curiousity, does the type of cyclical thinking I describe happen to anyone else? ....No? ....I'm crazy?
That's what I thought.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
The Man of the House
Here is a picture of my handsome husband that I randomly snapped when he was getting ready for work one day last spring. I had just figured out how to change the ISO on my camera and was playing with my new found trick.
I don't publicly declare my undying love about this guy too much on this blog, however, sometimes I just cannot help myself. And besides, you all need an update on what he's been up to, as he generally avoids the spotlight.
These days he somehow manages to wake up at the break of dawn to teach seminary. He comes home for a quick breakfast before heading for work. Midday, he takes a lunch break that often includes helping the girls with lunch and maybe even letting me get in a run or a shower. Then in the evening, if he doesn't have class or a work meeting is found doing homework, yard work, helping with dishes or playing with the girls. After the girls are in bed, he has a seminary lesson to prepare and perhaps a few minutes to catch a show or some sports or talk with me before bed. And then it all begins again. He must feel constantly exhausted and over-extended. Yet he never complains.
Weekends are much the same. There are errands to do, church service to give, he watches the girls to me a little time to myself, we have a date night (often a movie he has researched to make sure it is not to scary or offensive for me), and he often ends up spearheading dinner one or both nights to give me a break.
September marked six years since our engagement. It's made me reflect a bit on why I love him so darn much. And the traits that come to mind are mostly ones that attracted me to him in the first place.
One of our first interactions was a time Mike called my apartment to see what I was up to and I ended up making some Relief Society brownies at his apartment (and mine and another guy's...I was making several batches at once and for some reason didn't trust them in the same oven). Mike and I ended up talking for a while. I remember thinking, "I can really talk to this guy."
Somehow in our conversation, we ended up talking about his high school humor columnist days and I teased him wondering why he was majoring in geography if he could have a promising future in entertainment columns. His response, while funny, seemed to have a serious ring: "I didn't think it would look very promising to some girl's dad if I told him I was going to provide for her on a humor column."
Mike has always taken his responsibility to provide seriously. It's a Gotfredson boy thing. I really, truly appreciate the way he provides for the girls and I and always puts our needs and wants before his own. (Both our physical and emotional ones.)
Another trait I love about Mike is how he never draws attention to my faults.
One time, when we were dating, I was running late (surprise, surprise) for an eight a.m. class we were taking together. (Actually, it was one we had signed up for together over winter break during some long getting-to-know-you phone chats, but that's another story.) I was super-embarrassed because I really, really hate being late and I really, really wanted to nip that habit and never let him know I ever run late. So, I walked by his apartment and didn't see him, so I hurried to class and arrived several minutes after eight. But he wasn't there.
Realizing Mike must have indeed been waiting for me, my embarrassment sky-rocketed from ten to a hundred. Now, I had made him late too and I began an inward debate of my next move. Did I have reception? Should I call from the hall? Should I head back to get him? (We lived super close to campus.) Would he be mad? Luckily, he walked in right then.
After class, I shot right into my explanation of how I didn't think he would wait that long and his roommate saw me, so I thought he would have told him, etc.
His response? "Don't worry about it."
That was it. And that is it.
I thought about this yesterday, because when Mike got home, dinner was barely started and the house was rather trashed, despite some flurried efforts the hour or so before his arrival. I had long-standing plans to get in a long run, since I missed it on Saturday (the result of too many plans for a small amount of time, which he was also extremely patient about), and he still encouraged me to go. I helped him get dinner near-done, prayed on the food with everyone, and headed off.
A minute out, I get a call from him. "Umm, the missionaries just called..."
It came back to me in a rush. They had called to confirm a dinner appointment the night before and it had totally flown out of my head. I can be really scatter-brained.
"I'll come right home," I said.
"I think I've got this."
"Are you sure?"
After a quick conversation to decide how to round out our simple taco dinner and make sure there was enough for everyone, I decided to go ahead and still take my run. The weather was perfect, it felt good to get out, and it felt good to know that Mike had things under control. I was proud of him for being able to handle it. And proud of me for letting him. Even if the missionaries do think I'm a flake.
One time I asked him how he is so consistently patient with all my shortcomings (and most people's for that matter). And his reply was something along these lines: "You don't need me to tell you what to work on. You are already doing your best."
Mike doesn't often try to change people. He takes them as they are. Even though I must drive him nuts sometimes, probably a lot of times, he lets it roll off. I am sure I need to take a page from his book.
I could go on all day. I love how Mike is brilliant in a nonchalant, doesn't-take-much-effort sort of way. He's been pushing through his classes like a champ, learning lots and getting fantastic scores to boot. I love how he lets me proofread his papers and refers to "us" getting a masters to make me feel important. I love his understanding of the scriptures and the gospel and how he often watches BYU-TV scripture discussions and documentaries to learn more. I love the e-mails and g-chats and phone calls (and now even texts!) I get occasionally when he is at work or school, letting me know he is thinking of me. I love talking about most any topic together (except perhaps what would happen if one of us died young--very sad topic, don't like--and when we are going to train for a race together--I told you I need to take a page from his not-changing-people book). I love snuggling and watching movies together and walks at sunset. I love falling asleep holding hands and waking up in the same bed day after day (whether or not a little someone snuck in or not--yes, I know snuck is not proper English, but look at this article I came across, the compulsive editor in me had to be sure).
Yep, we are lucky Mike is the man of our house. I love him. We couldn't ask for better.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Sometimes
Sometimes, my house is all clean.
Sometimes, I am hopscotching with my kids.
Sometimes, we are making block creations.
Sometimes, I am doing laundry.
Sometimes, dinner is done, I dare say mostly.
But sometimes it's not.
Sometimes, everything is put away, but mostly not until eleven o'clock.
Sometimes, I'm taking pictures or writing precious anecdotes or desperately trying to keep my head above water.
Sometimes, I'm enjoying the moment.
Sometimes, I feel Mike and I couldn't be closer.
Sometimes, I feel like "strangers passing in the night."
Sometimes, I am serving others.
Sometimes, it is enough just to serve my own.
Sometimes, I get a shower.
Sometimes, I get to run.
Sometimes, I get to talk to a friend or catch up with a loved one.
Sometimes, I don't.
Sometimes, I am there on my prayers and scripture reading and spiritual goals.
Sometimes, I am not.
Sometimes, sometimes can be very frustrating.
But sometimes it is just fine by me.
Because when I think of all the good "sometimes," they completely outweigh the bad ones. I love motherhood and the valuable lessons I am learning of patience and being still and staying flexible and constantly prioritizing.
No one can do it all, all the time. But I believe anyone can do anything if they are willing to sometimes be okay with sometimes. My goal is to never stop trying to choose the best that life offers for my family and myself and continually strive to rely on the Lord.
I love this from 71 Toes:
"I love the analogy of life being like a pickle jar. If you fill it up with big rocks first, you can fit in smaller rocks and sand without much problem. But if you try to fit those big rocks in after the sand and gravel you'll find they just won't fit. The big rocks have to go first.
"In life we can choose what those big rocks are. If we let them be the fluff then the important stuff will never fit. But if the big rocks we choose to always put first are our families and our faith, other things will fit in as we allow them."
I have just a few "mom blogs" I check fairly regularly and this is probably my favorite. I relate a lot to Shawni and her tendencies to overextend and have a million "simple" ideas she wants to implement all at once. I'm with her on my passion for deliberate parenting and putting faith and family first. She expresses so many thoughts and ideas I share. And I love her photos.
Sometimes, I am hopscotching with my kids.
Sometimes, we are making block creations.
Sometimes, I am doing laundry.
Sometimes, dinner is done, I dare say mostly.
But sometimes it's not.
Sometimes, everything is put away, but mostly not until eleven o'clock.
Sometimes, I'm taking pictures or writing precious anecdotes or desperately trying to keep my head above water.
Sometimes, I'm enjoying the moment.
Sometimes, I feel Mike and I couldn't be closer.
Sometimes, I feel like "strangers passing in the night."
Sometimes, I am serving others.
Sometimes, it is enough just to serve my own.
Sometimes, I get a shower.
Sometimes, I get to run.
Sometimes, I get to talk to a friend or catch up with a loved one.
Sometimes, I don't.
Sometimes, I am there on my prayers and scripture reading and spiritual goals.
Sometimes, I am not.
Sometimes, sometimes can be very frustrating.
But sometimes it is just fine by me.
Because when I think of all the good "sometimes," they completely outweigh the bad ones. I love motherhood and the valuable lessons I am learning of patience and being still and staying flexible and constantly prioritizing.
No one can do it all, all the time. But I believe anyone can do anything if they are willing to sometimes be okay with sometimes. My goal is to never stop trying to choose the best that life offers for my family and myself and continually strive to rely on the Lord.
I love this from 71 Toes:
"I love the analogy of life being like a pickle jar. If you fill it up with big rocks first, you can fit in smaller rocks and sand without much problem. But if you try to fit those big rocks in after the sand and gravel you'll find they just won't fit. The big rocks have to go first.
"In life we can choose what those big rocks are. If we let them be the fluff then the important stuff will never fit. But if the big rocks we choose to always put first are our families and our faith, other things will fit in as we allow them."
I have just a few "mom blogs" I check fairly regularly and this is probably my favorite. I relate a lot to Shawni and her tendencies to overextend and have a million "simple" ideas she wants to implement all at once. I'm with her on my passion for deliberate parenting and putting faith and family first. She expresses so many thoughts and ideas I share. And I love her photos.
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