Update on Family Life

We’re having devotionals in the morning now- and it makes the whole day much better. We pick a few verses of scripture on a particular topic and discuss them and how we can do what Heavenly Father has asked of us. Today’s topic was love. The boys are trying to remember to show love to one another throughout the day. There are dozens of hugs going around, because that is how they show love. I think tomorrow we’ll talk about service as a form of love. :)

I’ve been writing about my mission in life, just for more clarity and to, well, write. I guess I like to write when I make the time to do it. There are several books I want to read, but I’m putting them off until after the unpacking project. Our 7 yr old has gotten into the habit of singing his brothers to sleep and then reading for an hour before bed. Normally I wouldn’t let him stay up that late, but as he seems to be enjoying reading so much, and it’s a good quiet time to do it with no distractions… Sometimes he reads a couple of chapters out loud to the little boys until they fall asleep, instead of singing. They adore their older brother. When he’s not busy reading the Magic Tree House at night, we read from a classic. At the moment we’re in the middle of Little Men, which he’s enjoying immensely.

Shawn isn’t around much, but he’s learning Chinese at a rapid rate. And when he is here, he tries to take a little time to play with the boys, we try to have dinner as a family, and we can squeeze family home evening in if we manage our time very well (read, if we have a fast dinner and the kids are pretty much ready for bed by the time Shawn gets home).

I’m looking forward to my trip in March and my sister visiting in April.

Mourn with one who mourns

http://roscommonacres.com/2010/12/what-happened/

Last night I read one of the saddest stories. I cried myself to sleep. I feel like an ungrateful wretch. The dumb little things I worry about when I am blessed far beyond what I deserve right now. Everyone is healthy, we have the gospel, we love each other. I hope never to face what this dear mother is dealing with right now. My bad days are nothing, bad moods over mere trivialities. I feel like most of what I have to say, or have ever said in my life, is trivial. Kind words, words of encouragement, sharing the gospel, telling others how much you love them…these are the important things there are to say.

How can I forget that my precious children are children of God and yell and be cross with them? May I begin now to live up to the expectations of my Heavenly Father regarding how his dear children should be treated every moment. Any occasion could be the last opportunity, to say “I love you,” to give a hug, to go on a walk and watch the spring flowers or the fall leaves.

…It is now much later in the day, and I realize that just because everything I have to say isn’t life-changing, or about the most important topics in life, it doesn’t mean some of what I think and say isn’t important. To me, at least. As I make new discoveries, learn from my mistakes, and understand life better, I grow. Writing about what I learn or feel, or how I’m improving, or my family life, is part of the process of growing. I can review what is going on in my life, what I “used to think” (it does change occasionally!), what I have deemed to be important. The prophet also told us to make a record of our lives. At the moment, this is my record. I used to keep a journal, and I will again, but for now, it’s just my blog and the occasional intended blog that never gets published.

My heart goes out to those who are in need of comfort, who feel guilty (whether they should or not), who feel alone, who experience the loss of a loved one, who never feel like they are "good enough." I pray that they will find peace in Heavenly Father's love and through the angels he sends to help us.

Dishes and attitude

10 reasons I like doing dishes:

1. It means I am fortunate enough to HAVE dishes to wash.

2. I had food to put in them for them to have gotten dirty.

3. It means I have 3 wonderful boys to cook for- more dishes means more children J.

4. It also means I cooked at home rather than going out which

a. Is hopefully healthier

b. Is better for my budget

c. Is better family time

5. My 1 yr. old standing at the dishwasher (which is used as a dish drainer) saying “Help, Help” as he puts dishes in it.

6. My children see me working and tend to remember their own chores.

7. When I am done I have accomplished something.

8. When I am done, I also get to have a clean, shiny sink.

9. It’s usually a quiet time during which I can think. Thinking time is good for me. J

10. It does wonders for my hands. Hahaha.

Okay, admittedly I came up with this list because I was trying to find something good about all the dishes I had to wash today, after a difficult day in the first place. But I really ended up with a better attitude about the whole day by the time I was done!

P.S.

P.S. This may be kind of random, but I just figured out how to follow a blog (don't laugh!) and I am confused as to the difference between following a blog and subscribing to one. Why do some have one option and others the other and can you change yours? Ah, well, the internet is definitely a blessing. I'll go look it up!

The mind-numbing powers of television, and other thoughts

If I had a television right now, I think I’d be utilizing its powers of distraction and entertainment. It’s not that I’m bored, just tired of what I’m doing, and the routine I’ve been in for the last several weeks. My leisure time has included stolen moments, invaded by the knowledge that I should be doing something else. Underneath it all, the problem is that productivity breeds satisfaction, and I haven’t been feeling very productive lately. Of course, my school work is getting done, thanks to deadlines, and marks one of the only areas where I can see progress- on paper even. I think that’s the reason I liked working so much (um, depending on the job!); I could see my contribution to society, or what I had done over the course of the day that moved me closer to a goal. This idea does not apply to my short stint at a fast food establishment many years ago, where I felt that I was contributing to the decline of society J. I’m sure even fast-food places have their role, and I must confess I love Subway and frequent Wendy’s, I just didn’t enjoy working in one of them. And when a person does not enjoy his or her job, neither the person nor his employer is happy.

Yes, back to the subject at hand. I’m going to reestablish my menu, so that I’m less stressed at the grocery store and when it comes time to make dinner. Crockpots tend to make my whole day better because it’s one less thing I have to worry about in the evening. That knowledge spurs soothing thoughts during the day (such as, “Well, at least we’ll have a decent meal when my husband gets home, even if I don’t accomplish anything else”), provides an early check-mark for my to-do list, and the yummy smells emanating from them throughout the day make me a nicer person. I guess I just like food. Particularly dessert.

Keeping my house clean and orderly is an accomplishment, just…one…that….is…never…quite…finished. I have a new goal to make housecleaning less a part of my life without seriously diminishing the state of the house. That is to say, I want to establish a schedule and routine which require minimum investments of time for the largest returns. I know, big dreams, but I’m working on a plan. (Which will be implemented AFTER the huge unpacking project next week when all of my “worldly goods” arrive from Indiana.)

I am also going to rethink my business plan. That will help. And if I do things just right (do some of the things on my husband’s to-do list to free up his time), I may even get my husband to help me- on Monday, which he has off of work.

As is usually the case, writing has boosted my spirits. I love words, especially on paper.