Just for Me

I was eating breakfast with my three kids this morning, and looking for a scripture to share with them for our morning scripture.  Usually, this is Jer's job, but Jenna is on fall break, so all the kids get to sleep in, and he had already left for work by the time they all wandered downstairs looking for breakfast. 

I have been feeling a little "off" for a while, and was saying a silent prayer that God would help me to find a scripture that would be "just for me" today.  I always hear of things like this happening to other people, and I know that they have happened to me on occasion as well, but it never ceases to amaze me that whenever I ask for something, Heavenly Father is more than happy to respond.  I came across this scripture, highlighted in Jer's set of scriptures.  D&C 64:31-33-- "And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it.  But all things must come to pass in their time.  Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great." 

I read this to my kids, and asked Jenna what she thought it meant to be not weary in well-doing.  She said, "If you're doing something good, then keep doing it.  And Heavenly Father will send you blessings."  I have thought about this idea of small things becoming great over and over again, and it was a good reminder that I don't need to feel like my days have to be constantly "productive," and that slowing down and enjoying the small and simple parts of raising children is more important than I realize sometimes.  I started reading a book I found about motherhood a while ago, and I found a poem that I want to remember. 

Sweet Monotony

Feeding

FeedingBurping

FeedingBurpingChanging

FeedingBurpingChanging Cooing

FeedingBurpingChangingCooingFussing

FeedingBurpingChangingCooingFussingRocking

FeedingBurpingChangingCooingFussingRockingSleeping

FeedingBurpingChangingCooingFussingRockingSleepingWaking

BurpingChangingCooingFussingRockingSleepingWaking

ChangingCooingFussingRockingSleepingWaking

CooingFussingRockingSleepingWaking

FussingRockingSleepingWaking

RockingSleepingWaking

SleepingWaking

Waking

Though the order may change,

The motions are the same.

Regardless of time,

Regardless of day,

My life

And the life of my baby's

Is made up of the same movements

Over and

Over and

Over again.

It is exhausting

For both of us.

I sometimes long for a change...Does he?

But then I remember that

Music is made

Using the same seven notes in variation.

And only twenty-six letters combine

to create poems, and plays, and masterpieces.

I realize that monotony can create miracles.

So I will go through the motions with my baby

And we will dance

Through the pages

of our own story.

(by:Katie VanDyke)



Memories from an Unforgettable Summer

I was so excited when we found out that we were being stationed in Hawaii.  We had been told that it is one of the most requested duty stations, and that you are very lucky if you get it.  A few weeks before we received actual orders, one of Jer's "higher-ups" told him that he had gotten it...however, we had been told things like this before that didn't come through, so we refused to believe it or say anything until we saw the actual papers.  It took us a few months longer to get here than was originally planned, so it seemed like we were "being stationed in Hawaii" for so long that I think people stopped believing that we were actually going to go. 

We spent an amazing summer with my mom and Ken while Jer was in training in Texas.  I remember looking forward to Jer coming home, but at the same time, wanting time to stop moving so quickly so I could savor the time spent with my mom.  It was one of the best summers of my life, even though my kiddos refused to sleep through the night!!

Some of my favorite memories are from the boat.  I remember getting the girls to actually get in the water & swim without crying or freaking out, and then, when they had calmed down, swimming all the way around the boat to splash Grandpa in the driver's seat.  I remember taking both Jenna and Ellie to swim to "the hook" at the front of the boat, and I remember them all crying and panicking every time I tried to get in the water!  I remember Abbey just loving the water, and Megan and I saying that maybe we should switch kids so that my girls can sit in the sun & relax with her, and Abbey can come jump in the water with me! 

And then there was Jackson's swimsuit...now who could forget that?

Jenna

What can I say about Jenna?  She is a very smart, tender-hearted, outgoing girl.  She loves to sing, ride her bike, play with her friends, tease her little sister, jump off the diving board, make the treat for family night every week, read signs as we drive, keep her little brother in line, climb trees, get her hair done, snuggle, watch cartoons in the morning, read everything, wear high heels & lipstick, and so much more.  I look at her sometimes and can't believe I have a daughter that is so smart, and confident, and headstrong.  She loves to know the reasoning behind everything, and when she makes a decision, she can tell you exactly why she thinks it's a good one.  She will usually go along with whatever we want her to do as long as we can make it "make sense" to her.  But if she has her mind set on doing something that doesn't work for Dad & I then watch out!  This girl has lots of ways to get what she wants...including pouting, sweet-talking, begging, reasoning, getting her little sister to ask again for her, and even guilt trips!  ("I never get to pick out anything I want to eat!") 
I feel very grateful to have her for my daughter.  I love being around her, and watching her find success in so many things.

When I Grow Up

As we were driving in the car the other day, Jenna just out of the blue says, "Mom, when I grow up and get married I'm going to wear red lipstick everyday!"

Then Ellie piped in and said, "When I grow up, I'm going to be Ariel."

Jackson was pretty content practicing his "Heehaw" now that it has become his favorite animal sound to make. Actually, while we were in the bathroom at the PCC when my mom & family were in town, he was practicing his donkey sound, and a lady came out of the stall and said, I just have to see the little boy who knows what sound a donkey makes!"

My Little Ellie

Ellie came to me with her finger in her nose and said, "Mom, I can't get the nut out of my nose." I said, "Ellie, did you put a nut in your nose?" She burst into tears and said, "No, Mom! I was trying to eat it and it just jumped into my nose!" :)

Ellie just turned 3 years old on Sunday, and she is such a special girl. She loves Ariel more than anything in the world. I know because the answer to any question I ask her is "Ariel." This is true even when I asked her what her daddy would like for Father's Day! She loves to dance with Jenna, sing in the car, and squeeze her little brother's head! She is one of the tipsiest girls I have ever met, and we love her because she lives in her own little world...which is usually under the sea with Ariel :)