Things a Mom Does to Accomplish

Some days are better than others. Today was well, a day. I put my two oldest in quiet time for an hour and my baby in his swing in front of a window with a view of a tree because he is mesmerized by the leaves. And then what did I do? I went and cleaned my bathroom for an hour, something I haven't been able to do for a few months.

After this I asked the kids if they wanted birthday cake for lunch which they joyfully accepted. Feeling slightly guilty since I normally feed them very healthy food I also gave them fresh veges and fruit. Desperate times call for desperate measures. I know this time will pass quickly but sometimes I feel the length of the days and the demands on the mom. I don't know if I earn the amusing mom or bad mom award today but I hope to get a chuckle from this someday.

Shoes

Tonight I mourned the passage of youth in four little pairs of shoes. Earlier today my sweet little five year old brought me these well worn shoes informing me that she had outgrown them all. I believe it as some she’s had for over two years which is eons in a young child’s life. As I look at these shoes tonight, though, they bring me back to her little world, pink sparkly princess “ballerina” shoes, brown hello kitty loafers, pink satin "dress up" shoes I bought in Chinatown, and white princess sandals that survived the Houston summers. Each a great part of the make-up I view of her life. Why is it that shoes play such an integral part in the memory of a young child’s life? Is it because of the countless times we as mothers are asked if the shoe has been put on the “right foot” and so we look down and see and unknowingly mark in our heart that piece of our child’s life? I wonder.

What I do know as I sit looking at those shoes is that my little girl is growing up so fast. It seems just yesterday that she was running in those shoes playing for hours with her own imagination and her brothers. She still plays but now she is reading and writing. She is growing. I rejoice in that! But I also realize that the pendulum of time is constantly moving and I am not sure that I have done enough. I am so grateful for the Lord’s Atonement which can make up for this and realize that I had better get back on the ball.

A New Kind of Easter

I've been trying to incorporate Christ into the holidays in which He rightly belongs. I love the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. I did as a child and to this day still do. My parents did a wonderful job of separating and celebrating each and then incorporated our furry friend and jolly old man into the ideals they wanted to espouse in us. For example, Santa was giving and did things out of love, and as long as he didn't get caught, out of sight, never for attention. And his example was Christ. I wanted to pass this onto my children-the joy of childhood and the true meaning of the season. And so this year the Easter Bunny brought something a little different.

To begin with Saturday we had a fun Easter egg hunt.

Then Sunday morning the kids awoke to a trail leading from their door to their respective basket

which was filled with

potted flowers, a different kind for each of my beautiful, unique children. This represented life and living things. Each child also found a framed picture of Christ and children.

and a puzzle of Christ and a child

Of course there was a chocolate Easter Bunny and Easter eggs filled with treats. Boy did the kids love it! And I am so glad.

Happy Easter!

There was a little man who said catch me if you can

Someone came to visit us but didn't stay for long
We set a trap and didn't look back
For how could we go wrong

Well that tricky little man
He got away from us again
But startled as he ran
He left his treasure under the bin

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Cute little side note: The kids were so sure that they'd caught the leprechaun that it took about fifteen minutes for them to gain the courage to check under the green bin to see if he was there. They thought they could see his red beard sticking out. When I walked in the door one child was hiding in the hallway niche and the other under the kitchen table, both giggling in anticipation. They would peek out and then run for cover again. When they realized I wasn't going to lift the bin my sweet three year old decided that he'd brave it out. (Wish I had that picture. His face was priceless.) Isn't it so fun to have kids?

Check out this link!

http://academicearth.org

It's incredible!

He's Finally Here!!!

Thomas Jacob was born Friday, December 11, 2009 at 11:46 am weighing in at 7 lbs 2 oz and is 20 inches long with a full head of hair. I am so in love!!!