I've been thinking about one of my favorite scriptures lately. It has comforted me many times at low points of my life, when I don't feel like I'm doing very well.

Nephi is such an absolutely amazingly righteous guy and yet he still feels like us. Tempted, sinful, wanting to rejoice but feeling bad for his mistakes and sins.

15 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord; and my heart pondereth them, and writeth them for the learning and the profit of my children.
16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart ponderth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; neverthelss, I know in whom I have trusted.
20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.

And then he talks about how he nevertheless trusts in God.

Read the rest of this scripture by clicking on the link below. I really love the whole thing. It's called the Psalm of Nephi I believe. Starting at about verse 15. I find still find it really comforting and personal.

http://scriptures.lds.org/en/2_ne/4

I also had a little talk with a friend lately about how we compare everyone and ourselves and sort of rate who's doing the best and worst. (Wow, she's doing wonderfully, I wish I was doing that well, but at least I think I'm doing better than that other person over there) When in fact, we are all miles below Christ who was our example of perfection. There is no way we be that perfect using our own strength and determination. Like Nephi we have to trust God. Daily repentance, believing that Christ really has atoned for those sins we repent of.

Sometimes I really need these little reminders of hope! I think we all get down about our weaknessess. I hope it helps you! ; D

(NOT) Missing it!

I heard of a young mother who actually WORE OUT the knees of her jeans because she was always on the floor playing with her little children. I've noticed ever since that the knees in my jeans are

pretty stiff and new. Never worn.

I've often thought of the line from the movie Hook. Robin Williams the important businessman is on vacation with his children and wife. He can't stop taking his important phone calls so his wife grabs his cell phone and throws it out the window into the snow. She then says something about how their kids are growing up really fast and says "you are MISSING....IT!" The way she says it caught my attention about 20 yeasrs ago when I saw it and I have thought about it ever since. I really feel like I am MISSING ..IT lately.

I laugh because I lately have this feeling that I just don't get enough time with my kids but I am home with them most days 24 hours. You'd think that was enough time. But it's not if you forget to pay attention. It's not if you forget to look at them when they are telling you they love you, right after you were kind of lecturing them or feeling upset. It's not enough time if you spend too much of it on the details of life but not at least a minute or two hugging them and looking into their eyes to see how they are really feeling and what they are thinking. It's definitely not enough time if you spend it all on maintenance and none on fun. I think, lately, I've really haven't spent enough time with my kids.

Today I started to try to live in the moment a little more. I stopped and played with Emma for a little while after she asked me several times. "Mom you can be Thomas Train ok? Ok mom??"

"Mom they can't drive backwards." "You have to do it this way."

I stifled that claustrophobic feeling I always get when Clara keeps grabbing my leg and holding on while I make dinner. Instead I stopped moving and just savored the feeling of a snugly 1 year- old hugging my leg and ankle. I was surprised at how it actually relieved a little stress.

I even listened to Grace working her way through reading a hard Dr. Seuss book, while I was still in my pajamas, longing for a shower at about 11 a.m. I loved it. It was so fun to just watch her for a little while,

no multi-tasking.

focusing,

Not missing it!

I absolutely love this look. When you're playing with your kids and you do something a little shocking (like making the elephant trumpet really loud and run away), and they look like they have no idea how to handle this new situation. Mom trumpeting and an elephant turned naughty and running away?

What do you do?
How do you handle it???

Might be great for their parenting skills years in the future!

Faith

John recently purchased the miraculous hair growing product pictured here. I thought it was worth a little try, after all, John has great hair. Why not persuade it to stay a little longer if all it takes is a few drops of wonder liquid a day.

After some discussion between John and I about the possible effects, we applied the product to the thinish spot on the back of John's head. ("don't get it on your fingers Jackie. Clara will grow hair in her mouth" and other such hilarious comments were made") Grace and Emma listened, wondering.

A few minutes later Emma took a break from what she was doing and just stood behind John, very, very still.. just watching that hair grow.

Pretty serious faith.

I've almost never seen her watch anything that quietly and seriously.

We finally told her it would take awhile.

A Few minutes later she stood joyfully in front of John and asked in a "I'm-so-glad-for-you" gleeful voice, "Are you growing some hair dad?" big smile! Full of faith and gladness. How could you doubt that it will surely work!

Be Four and FOUR

Be Four

(which was only 3 years old)

at 3:59 p.m.

Four

years old

at 4:00 p.m

Now THIS is living!
.

She feels much better now, I think.

We had a really fun time! Packages from Aunt Sandy and Grandma Roonie. Hand made cards from Gracie. Party and presents with family. Emma was so please with a day made just for her. She is often quiet-ish, plays well by herself or with others but doesn't really need to be in the lime light. It was really fun to be focused on though, for a change!

Emma has been a joy to us since she was born. Very patient. A great sleeper (always went to sleep right away by herself), loving and sweet to everyone. She often gives loves and sweetness to me in return for my irritability or sternness. Emma plays and plays with Grace, usually patiently letting Grace run the show most of the time. She just loves to pretend to be a dog and really does is well. We love you Emma. Thanks for being such a sweet and special part of the family!

Annie, Remember when we thought this scene was so cute you had to buy a framed poster of someone else's baby doing it?

It's even more fun when it's your very own isn't it!

Digital Phone!

My sister Lydia is starting a business involving these cool video phones. We tried them out and had a great time talking to Annie and her family. It made us a bit giddy to pick up the phone and see and been seen! The cousins really enjoyed talking, getting reacquainted with the "visual", talking about everything they could think of..things like: I have a lot of toys, we learned about this in FHE, I have black pants on. Such interesting topics! What makes me laugh is how they hang up. No apologizing or anything, just maybe, "I'm tired of talking to you. I'm going now." And no one's feelings are hurt or anything. So cute.

Anyway, Lydia is able to look for good deals for you if you are interested in cable TV, Internet serviced cell phone service, and of course the digital phone and service. I am hoping we can use her when we need to change stuff so we can help her get the business going. Here's her website!

http://www.lydiakc.acnrep.com/

Rainbows and Emma Sweetness.

The other day it was raining a bit, suddenly. I had that feeling that a rainbow was coming. Sure enough in a about a minute this one came blinking into existence. Then it became a double. It was quite bright and beautiful.

After a few minutes we got cold and came inside to watch the rainbow scene out our front window. I was busy talking about what the rainbow means and how it appeared after the flood for Noah and his ark. I thought I would teach the girls a little spiritual lesson.

Suddenly Emma said, "And THERE'S Jesus RIGHT there!!!!!" I looked out and saw this....

I admired the cloud with her for awhile and then reminded her that Jesus actually has a real body just like ours and that was just a cloud. She listened nicely but responded, continuing to look out at the cloud, "but he really is out there right now. "

Here I thought I was the spiritual one. Nope, I think it's Emma!

.

Gracie's the one in the umbrella, out enjoying the rain and the bow.