underfoot

I love these little people I have underfoot. In a few, very short years, they will be grown, and I will miss their giggles and shenanigAns... and constantly being underfoot. 

Henry Boy

I snapped this the other day to help me remember how utterly adorable this little boy is. I had to be really quick to get this picture because although he will play with  this little fool house forever, he never stays still for two minutes together. He LOVES this thing. He puts the little people in and out of the doorways and Windows jabbering in his unintelligible baby talk. Usually with his tongue sticking out. I love that he already pretends and plays by himself. I could just eat him up. 

Meltdown Mommy

Sometimes you have to have a little meltdown to unload all the emotions of frustration, impatience, sadness, inadequacy, and fear that come with being a parent. Just meltdown a little and move on. Don't look back, just move on. And things will work out just like they should. 

Inspector Gadget

I introduced the children to Inspector Gadget. The love love love it. Even Henry comes running when he hears the theme song. 

Working myself out of a job...

Today, I got up the courage to ask Grace if she would like to go to a half day kindergarten at a different school across town in the fall, or if she would like to go to full day kindergarten at the same school as Katie. 

She didn't hesitate at all, "Full day with Katie."

 

I think a part of me shriveled up and died. 

I may or may not have started crying.

I am going to start working on figuring out how to stop time. If fall never comes, we don't have to face kindergarten, right? 

On mothering

I think the greatest privilege I have is being a wife and a mother. 

There are so many things I enjoy about being a mother. The way it makes me stretch, the aha moments, the contentment, the peace, the hardness of it, and the pure, raw joy. 

The following is a list of my favorite parts of being a mom:

1. Witnesses from start to finish the real growth that happens sometimes imperceptibly and sometimes in bounds. 

2. Holding a 2 year old's hand while going for walk.

3. Snuggling a newborn

4. Captivating my children with a song or story for the first time

5. Soothing a very sad child and making it all better just by listening and holding.

6. Seeing their faith in God grow

7. Watching them finally take off with reading!

8. Hearing them pray with real intent

9. Being Brave and showing kindness

10. Watching them stand up for what is right even if and when their friends choose otherwise.

11. The artwork. Oh how I love children's artwork.

12. The pure and untainted love.

13. Baking for them and with them

14. Sewing them clothes whether it's a costume or an outfit for school or mending a torn shirt, I love sewing for my family. 

15. Making my home a peaceful place for them to be. I used to dread housework, but now I quite look forward to it because I love making a tidy home for kids to be happy in. I am still not very good at keeping things tidy, but I try.

16. Reading to them. I love sharing a book with them

17.sining them lullabies

18. Watching them serve each other

19. Overhearing a three year old wrapped in a world of imagination

20. Teaching them the gospel

A new year....

I pick a motto at the start of each new year. Last year's motto was "dig down deep, And do hard things!" And boy, did that motto carry me through some tough days.

This year I have chosen "Love More"

Love is so often the answer and so often not used. I need to learn this lesson! Use more love! So often I think I need to discipline my kids more or be more organized or be smarter or whatever! But really I just need to be able to love more. 

In everything. With everyone. Because Christ loves. And because His love wins every time. 

the Unwrappable Gift Challenge

For the last three years, during December I pick one unwrappable gift to give to my kids and to Justin. For instance, three years ago, I sat down with my kids for lunch every day in December instead of doing the dishes or sweeping while they were seated and eating. Seems small but it made a big difference in our day. 

Two years ago, I gave the gift of mercy and forgiveness. Instead of getting angry or being too stern, I tried to be forgiving and be generous in second chances. 

Last year I gave my kids the gift of fun by making sure each day I played a game with them whether it be "don't break the ice," "hide and go seek" or even just a round of "Ring around the Rosie." 

Last year I gave Justin the gift of greeting him with a positive attitude when he came home from work instead of handing him a crying baby as soon as he walked in the door or unloading all my stress on him the minute he got home. 

I never tell them about my gift to them. I just watch the effects and enjoy the happy results. This little tradition has become one of my favorite parts of Christmas because it always makes my heart grow three sizes. And it most definitely brings me a little closer to my Savior. 

Do you want to give it a try? What will be your unwrappable gift, and who will you give it to?