Dr. Seuss day

 Both Robbie and Henry got to dress up as a Dr. Seuss character this past week for Read Across America.

Thing 2 was ready to go.

And Henry had blue hair too but calmed it down before school because he didn't want it to look too crazy. Glad these boys have fun dressing up.

Joy in Mothering

 Today I feel deep gratitude for the privilege of being a mother to these beautiful children. Too often I focus on my worries for them--how to help them with individual weaknesses and challenges, what to involve them in, how to help them spiritually, frustration with the mess mess mess, etc. But recently, and especially today (no doubt significantly aided by the sunshine and warmer temperatures), I have felt joy. Not a cartwheeling, this-is-the-most-amazing-moment-of-my-life feeling, but the deep, tear-inducing joy that compelled me to kneel down in gratitude to make sure my Father in Heaven knew I recognized it and that I was trying hard not to be ungrateful and take those moments for granted.

I felt satisfaction as I helped Robbie build a fort around the climbing dome using paracord to help him lash a tarp to the top. I felt joy reading Treasure Island with Robbie during special time the other night, finishing The Trumpet of the Swan with Henry and having him tell me he loves me, having my quiet time interrupted with a knock on my window by Robbie who needed a splinter pulled out. 

Yesterday as I played play-doh with Benjy, we made a little birthday cake and he absolutely loved blowing out a real candle over and over and over after he sang the happy birthday song. It was a very sweet time. I also want to always remember Robbie's enthusiastic goodbye waves from the bus as he heads off to school twice a week.

As I tucked Benjy into bed for nap this afternoon, I wrapped my arms around him and felt his arms squeeze me tight, pulling me in. We played a little kissing game, which he wanted to keep playing until I extricated myself, turned on the fan, turned out the light, and closed the door. I am very thankful that Clara still wants to give me hugs. I was very grateful that Michael came home early yesterday, and we sat on the back patio and just enjoyed the warmer air and watching the boys jump on the trampoline, discussing work and home. 

Although sometimes the deep joy also causes me pain from worrying that I'll lose one of them (whether physically or spiritually), I push that fear aside as I remember that there is a plan. I know that even if I were to lose one of my precious children, I will hold them again someday and be with them eternally through the Savior's redemption. I am so thankful for that.

So often I am in the thick of thin things. Today I am thankful for the privilege of being present in the thick of it.

A visit from Nana and Papa

 Nana and Bapa offered to come up to visit and help out the last week of February. It was great to have their company and their help. Dishes were magically cleaned, Legos cleaned up, books were read, kids were spent time with, returns made to stores, and cabinets were fixed. Bapa spent a morning with Robbie exploring the woods behind our house, which Robbie really enjoyed. They took each of the kids out on a date again, which was so sweet.

Reading with Nana. 

Bapa introduced lion hunts to the kids. The older kids loved them but Benjy was slightly scared, so Bapa made it into a lion tickle hunt.

 

We also got to celebrate Bapa's 76th birthday! For lunch that day, I made a little smorgasbord of things that Bapa likes. Here he is eating a tomato, peanut butter, and mayonnaise sandwich. I bravely tried one, and it wasn't bad.

Here we also have graham crackers and milk, turkey and mayonnaise, dulce de leche and apples (that Mom brought up). I sadly did not make bread and milk or toasted cheese sandwiches with our initials written in ketchup, a Dad classic.

So fun to be with my parents, and on Dad's birthday, too (not sure when the last time that was).

We celebrated with chocolate cake.

So thankful for these two wonderful people!

Bapa got to open presents with some eager helpers.