Maybe it was because it was Fast Sunday and I had the opportunity to fast. Maybe it was because I love church so much. I just felt joyful.
We spent all morning waiting for Greg and Julia to get home from California. So the kids and I worked on Christmas gifts.
Our family started a Christmas tradition of exchanging names many years ago. After years of dragging us all to the store and engaging in a hectic experience of trying to help each kid pick out something and at the same time keep each item hidden, we decided to do something a little different. I just didn't like adding another toy under the tree. And Greg and I ended up paying for most of it anyway. But the kids loved getting gifts for each other. So last year we made the rule that you had to make something instead of buy it. And now it is our favorite tradition ever.
Last year, we all spent most of the month planning and working on our gifts. It was so exciting on Christmas morning to finally see what everyone had made. So, this morning, I helped Austin make something for Lance. It is the cutest, sweetest book ever. We sent it off to get it bound, and Austin is trying to wait patiently for it to come. We are all so excited. Lance will love it.
I got our chicken lime tacos started in the crock pot, got everyone ready for church, and was fixing my own hair when Greg and Julia walked in. We were all so happy to see them. They were tired, but they'd had a fantastic trip.
We had a lovely time at church today. I loved the Christmas hymns. As we all sang The First Noel, a song I really love, I looked down the bench at my beautiful family. My heart just swelled with love. They are all so good. And so dear to me.
Relief Society was so great today. I am so happy to be back in Relief Society. It is so uplifting to be among the sisters. Although I loved my little primary kids dearly, I missed Relief Society so much.
After church, we made guacamole together and laughed and talked over the tacos, which were actually really tasty. Then while Greg tickled and tackled the little boys, the girls and I cleaned the kitchen and made a HUGE pan of fudge. We had the fire going (we've been LOVING that this season--no baby around to touch it) and the Christmas music going. The girls and I were laughing and being silly. I just stopped and thought, "I am SO happy. Like over-the-top happy." I am actually marveling at the feeling. But I'm enjoying it so much. Miles said, "Mom, it's easy to be happy when we are doing something fun!" And I said, "Oh, no. I've been angry many times before when I should've felt happy." I've been a mother for over 16 years. I've had some really frustrating moments. I've cried on Christmas Eve, stomped my feet on Thanksgiving, shouted on my birthday, wanted to rip my hair out on Mother's Day, wanted to run away on Father's Day, and stormed out of the room crying...while on vacation!!! It's not always easy to be happy. So I am especially grateful that I feel happiness today. It is a gift. And I am so thankful.
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| A Happy Little Fudge Maker. It's super healthy! 😂 |
We all sat around the family room and read our scriptures, caught up on the beautiful Light The World countdown, and said a family prayer. Lance was so exhausted so Greg took him back to bed. I went upstairs and read stories to the kids and tucked them all in.
Emma accidentally took a shower for over an hour, and stayed in when we asked her to get out. Greg came up, stormin' mad. Mad that she had wasted water, but more mad that she had disobeyed me. Somehow, I shooed him back downstairs. But then I gave Emma a real talking to before I came downstairs myself. I left Emma dripping wet, crying, and angry. Just as my feet hit the bottom stair, I had a thought come into my mind. It was: "Go back up. Hug her. Tell her you love her more than water. More than electricity. More than anything. Ask her kindly if she will try to do better."
I didn't hesitate one second. I went right back up. She had her door locked, but I was persistent. She finally let me in. I put my arms around her and stroked her wet hair. And I said word for word what I had felt impressed to say. She leaned into me and cried. We talked about ways to help her take quicker showers. And she promised to do better.
I was almost all the way back down the stairs when she called for me again. By now, I was tired, but I went back up and leaned into her doorway. "Mom?" she said. "I'm really sorry." She had just wanted to say it again.
I just can't believe how much room there is for love in parenting. I am so thankful for the guidance of the spirit in everything that I do. I could NOT parent without it. Sometimes I am at a total loss, but Heavenly Father knows exactly what I need, what my kids need, and how to give it to them. It is a beautiful plan, and I'm so thankful for it.
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