October 8, 2018

Lance - October 2018 - 4

Today is my baby's fourth birthday.  It is both exciting and tender to think that my youngest child is four years old.  Lance is the sweetest little boy, and we all adore him endlessly.  But he's also pretty determined at times.  This is one of those times.  He insists that he is not turning four!  He keeps telling us he is three HUNDRED.  He also insists that he's getting a Mario Mansion.  I don't even know what that is.  And he is NOT getting that.  Ha ha!  When I brought out all of his presents wrapped up (he's getting a bunch of Jurassic Park dinosaurs--he will LOVE them!), he noticed that nothing looked big enough for his "Mario Mansion."  We had to have a little discussion about the presents.  I'm hoping that he will be so excited that he will feel happy without a Mario Mansion.  But four-year-olds are notorious for "not forgetting" anything! :)

He is also sick!  It is so sad, but he's perked up enough today that we can have fun.  I, however, slept next to him last night while he alternated between snoring, holding his breath, struggling, and kicking me on repeat.  I woke up so tired this morning.  It is such a beautiful day outside.  So, I opened the windows and just got going with my day.  I have now cleaned and worked so much that my back is running out of steam.  I just told my mom that I have way more gumption and energy than my back does.  It is a delicate balance between what I want to do and what my back wants to do.

This morning, all the kids came down wishing Lance a happy birthday.  He kept insisting that it wasn't his birthday until the sun came up!  But now that it is full daylight, we are well on our way to a wonderful birthday.  Mom just brought over his little present before she heads up north for the week.  He was delighted to open a cute Mario Kart remote control car.  He jumped and squealed when he saw it.  But Mom and I could not convince him to let us turn it on.  He just wanted to play with it in the off mode.  He was so over the moon about it, though, that Mom and I were so happy to see him play.  We just finished hugging and kissing Mom goodbye and not two seconds later, Lance was kind of sighing sadly.  When I asked him what was wrong, he said, "I miss Grandma."  I do, too, Lance.  She is a very beloved lady around here.

With Emma and Julia after Women's session of Conference!

We listened to General Conference this past weekend.  It was so fantastic and uplifting!  I am always so inspired to do better and be better.  I'll probably always remember this conference because it is the time they announced the change to two-hour church.  Greg and I feel so excited to "unleash the power of the family" by focusing on a more home-centered worship with our children.  President Nelson challenged all the women to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.  He also asked us to mark each reference to our Savior.  I started yesterday, and I am already on 1 Nephi Chapter 10.  I am SO grateful for this challenge from our prophet.  I have felt a little dull spiritually, lately.  Just by spending more time in the Book of Mormon these last two days, I have felt more peace.  I am excited to continue to grow and change in good ways as I follow the counsel from our leaders.

I have missed my daily writing experiences from last year.  Somehow, that project increased my gratitude enormously on a daily basis, and I've missed that.  Writing rejuvenates my soul and fills my bucket.  I've missed it.  I felt impressed as I listened to conference to get back to those things that enhance my spirituality.  I want to put my time and attention to the things that matter most.

Donuts! - Owen

Yum!

I am so grateful for my beautiful family!  We made homemade donuts on Sunday, and the sight of it just warmed my heart.  There is nowhere I'd rather be.  And although it is so hard to manage this life and take care of this family, I want to do it!  I desperately want to love wholeheartedly.  They all deserve that from me.  Life is so fantastic, intermingled with difficulties and discouragement.  But it is the ups and downs of life that weave together to form the multi-colored tapestry of a life well lived.  I'm here.  I'm ready.  Let's LIVE!