The Most Important Lessons

I have been thinking, for months, about sharing some of the experiences I have had in my home with my kids. Those of you who follow me on Facebook see the funny things which happen almost daily at our house, but the experiences that have left the most lasting effects on me are largely untold.

Bedtime is a special time at our house. It's a time for making memories and forging habits that I hope will carry us through the years. Some days I want to throw the kids into their beds and run screaming from the house, but most days I am filled to bursting with gratitude for these beautiful, funny, oh so sweet kids that I get to call mine forever.  At bedtime we read our favorite books and learn about children of God from all ages. We pray, answer questions, and then we sing.

Those moments, snuggled next to Evelyn in her bed, or holding Rhett curled up in my lap are what I live for. I learn. I really learn. Singing primary songs to my babies, at bedtime, teaches me more about the gospel than I learn anywhere else. We learn, together, the most important lessons of this life. In those quiet moments inspiration enters, and I am taught.

This week we've been singing Stars Were Gleaming from the Children's Hymnbook. It usually takes a few days of me singing a song before the kids remember it well enough to sing along, but once they start singing along I hear new meanings for the songs in my own life. From the mouths of babes.

1. 1. Stars were gleaming, shepherds dreaming;
   And the night was dark and chill.
   Angels’ story rang with glory;
   Shepherds heard it on the hill.
   Ah, that singing! Hear it ringing,
   Earthward winging, Christmas bringing!
   Hearken! We can hear it still!
2. 2. See the clearness and the nearness
   Of the blessed Christmas star,
   Leading, guiding; wise men riding
   Through the desert dark and far.
   Lovely showing, shining, growing,
   Onward going, gleaming, glowing,
   Leading still, our Christmas star!

I learn.

Angels' story, rang with glory, announcing to the world that the king was born! They came to shepherds, who watched the flocks. Those who knew the firstborn without blemish. Those who could attest to which lambs were worthy to be used as sacrifices under the law of Moses. Those who would be willing to bear witness of the birth of the son of God, who would eventually sacrifice himself for us all.

Hearken. We can hear it still.

Hearken. Listen. Can I hear it still? Does my gratitude for the life my Savior lived, echo loudly enough in my mind that I can hear it every day? I am confident that the Angels' song stayed with those shepherds long after the lights in the heavens went dark. What do I need to do each day to Hearken? How do I take seriously that the birth of the Savior impacts my life every day? His grace enables me to learn, to put aside old habits, and to replace them with new ones. The gift of His life allows me to start fresh each day. It gives me the confidence to forgive myself for the poor choices I made yesterday, for my lack of patience or empathy. Knowing who He is reminds me that greatness can run in this family. That with His help I can learn, however slowly, to be like Him.

"Like the polar star in the heavens, regardless of what the future holds, there stands the Redeemer of the world, the Son of God, certain and sure as the anchor of our immortal lives. He is the rock of our salvation, our strength, our comfort, the very focus of our faith. In sunshine and in shadow we look to Him, and He is there to assure and smile upon us." Gordon B. Hinckley

Leading still, our Christmas star.  What am I willing to give to follow?  My pride? My expectations? Am I willing to follow even when life seems unfair? Even when I see undeserved pain in the lives of those around me? Or am I willing to slip away, increasing the distance between my life and God, losing sight of the beauty that he brings into the world? What am I willing to give to return?

Hearken. We can hear it still.

The most important lessons I learn are taught with a child in my arms, while singing the simplest, and most beautiful, messages I know.

Where Did the Summer Go?!?

OK, everyone. This summer flew by. I can't believe it is almost over. I blinked, and now it is gone!

There has been so much happening that I feel like I haven't had time to gather my thoughts in months. This is mostly just an quick update on everything that has been going on. Evelyn finished preschool and went to summer camp, and Rhett took some fun mommy and me tumbling classes at the arts academy.

Evelyn made it in the lottery for the Syracuse Arts Academy for kindergarten this fall, and I am super thrilled about that. They were voted Utah's best charter school last year. She is so ready and is going to LOVE it! I am still adjusting to the idea of uniforms. I love the concept, but not going school shopping for cute outfits (of my choosing) is a bit of a bummer. I am sure I will live!

Evelyn is making progress in Karate. She is now a blue belt. We are thinking about moving her from the arts academy to a formal Dojo, but we will see if that happens this year or later on.

Rhett learned to count to 20. Yay for him! He has also finally started talking. He took his time and had me a little bit worried, but we are on our way!

We've spent our summer days bouncing between the gym, splash pad, Nana's house, and the park. We're very lucky to have 3 parks within 7 block of home. While we try for variety, we gravitate towards my favorite most days. It is new, but has loads of mature trees so I can sit in the shade while the kids play.

We took a trip out to the spiral jetty this summer with my friend Bronwyn and google maps nearly killed us. We wound up stuck in our SUV out past promontory with nothing but our brains (and Kevin's guts) to get us back.

We also spent time up at Bear Lake and I realized that my kids LOVE water and I really need to put them in swim lessons!

I got my Realtors license and have been working on 2 houses for most of the summer and it looks like at least one more is on its way soon. I love that most of my work is done after the kids are in bed, or on my phone while I watch them play at the park. "Most" makes it sound like a lot, but working VERY part-time carries the benefit of work not interfering regularly with my family-time.

Now to get real. This summer has been awesome in so many ways, but it has also been hard. This summer my best friend found out on short notice that she was moving out of the area. I am so happy for their family, but I am seriously missing them. Not only was she my best friend, but her two kids were the same ags as my two. It was the perfect set up for being mommy friends. It takes a lot for the stars to align like that and I am not sure when that will happen again.

I adore my house, and I LOVE my neighbors. We have no intention of moving anytime soon, but I have always had a hard time being left behind. I get the different seasons our lives pass through, and the need for change, but I have never liked change. I like things to be consistent and predictable.

Perhaps my love of the predictable has been part of why this summer has been its own type of challenge. I was released from my predictable music calling at church and was asked to serve in the YW's again. I loved that so much, but definitely unpredictable, in the best way possible. We had a blast at girls camp and I was settling into my place nicely.

When my friend left, she left a void in the presidency and I was asked to serve as Young Women's President for our ward. I accepted the opportunity and have some major goals for us. It is a new and exciting challenge and I am so excited to learn. My kids, who love predictability as much as I do, are still adjusting to me leaving for mutual at bedtime, as well as for meetings and assignments. We will get there...I think :)

Now we are staring the school year right in the eyes and I am trying to figure out how to manage drop off's at school in time to make it to Grit at the gym, how to get in my parent volunteer hours while keeping Rhett with me, and how to give him the same kind of attention I gave Evelyn at his age. I love the slow days and hope to see more of them soon!

...we made it to FOUR!!!

Guys, this spunky little girl turned four earlier this month...and I can't believe we've made it this far!

Seriously though, I find her asleep in the craziest places mid afternoon.

 

Evelyn is a girl of strong likes, but really not too many dislikes. Her favorite things to do are putting together puzzles and building temples with magnatiles. She loves her Karate class, and recently received her yellow belt, but is also hoping to take dance with a couple of her friends this fall. I don't want to overload her so we will see what happens. She is always moving. Always.

Evelyn's favorite foods are strawberries, peaches, yogurt, apples, and mac n cheese (if you have never tried Annie's organic aged cheddar mac n cheese, you really need to). She also loves anything she can pick from our garden and eat while playing in the back yard. Her favorites have been peas, carrots, grape tomatoes, and tomatoes. I am lucky that she is such a good eater.

At Evelyn's well child visit we found out she was in exactly the 50th percentile for height and weight. Her pediatrician and I both thought that was such a crazy coincidence!

Evelyn asked to have her first ever 'Friends' birthday party. She asked if she could choose everything for her party. We had white tablecloths, yellow plates, pink and blue flamingo cups, swirly straws, polka-dotted napkins, and blue, pink, and purple balloons. She loved it.

Love her!

 

The kids played with bubble blowers, the sprinkler, and the pool. They decorated their own cupcakes (which means they ate a LOT of candy and left the cupcakes).

We have been so lucky for Evelyn to have so many friends in Primary here.

 

These two are cheesers. They are basically best friends and are so excited to go off to preschool together next month.

Every time we have had friends over they've loved the garden. The kids eat while they play.

 

Yay for  cupcakes (and all the candy they put on top)!

 

So much candy!

 

Evelyn didn't realize that friends might bring presents. She kept saying, "is that for me?"

 

Super excited for a big girl bike!

 

She was so happy to have her friends come and play. This girl is one social bug!

Although her strong will makes me want to pull my hair out some days, I am so happy to have her. She has a tender heart when she sees someone hurting and asks me how to make people happy when they are picked on, sad, or lonely. She is bright and is learning to sound out words and do addition this summer (I have decided reading is hard, and spelling rules seem to be broken as often as kept). She loves animals and on more than one occasion I have been tempted to pick up a kitten for her at the shelter. What am I supposed to do when their marquee specifically states that they have kittens?!?

"Why?" is her favorite question, and I keep reminding myself that she is learning about the world. Evelyn has limitless energy and is always on the go. She and her brother run all over the house all morning and when he crashes for the afternoon she goes outside to play some more.

I am so glad she is mine.








 

End of Year Show

OK. This was the cutest end-of-year preschool show ever.

Evelyn talked about it for two weeks non-stop. She sang the songs at home all the time. I learned several new songs that way. I was impressed at the amount of music these tiny kids learned. One hour, friends. That is a lot, but the kids LOVED it!

The musician in me is incredibly proud that Evelyn loves music so much and that her pitch and rhythm are so good at such a young age. Music lovers unite!

My mom, Evelyn's nana, and her grandpa Murdock came to her show. We were so glad to have them there. I am so grateful that Evelyn will grow up with love and support from her grandparents and other extended family.

The teachers at Barneck Preschool are phenomenal. I am so happy that they teach so much using fun and games. Evelyn has learned SO much and is always excited to go to preschool. What a great year full of thriving!

Check out the awesome rhythm in that flag waving (front and center in the tangerine dress)! Seriously though, the kids are adorable.

 

Check out the sweet leaf on the left. Awe. Sweet Evelyn. She was also a popcorn kernel in 'Popcorn Popping'

 

 I love this girl.

 

She makes my heart warm. She thrives with lots of affection and attention, and turns that affection right back at me. She is so genuine and enthusiastic about everything! She loves sitting on my lap and talking or reading. I feel lucky to have a preschooler who still loves to snuggle and be close. I am one lucky mama. 

 

 

Work, work, work...and why I think my children are NUTS!

OK. I always thought life would slow down a little once we were settled in. I have come to the conclusion that my life may not settle down until my kids are out of high school. We don't even have that much going on! I have the gym 5 days a week. Evelyn has preschool 2 mornings a week, and karate one afternoon a week. Other than that we go grocery shopping on Mondays. We'll start play dates again once everyone is over colds for the year. That is not a lot, but I feel like my days are super full.

Maybe part of it is that I've decided to become a gardener. I want to grow food like my dad, and flowers like my mom. I have to start small though because I have more help than I can handle in my two midgets.

I spent yesterday morning at the gym, per the norm. After finishing, I felt really good so I put Rhett down for a nap and went to work. Evelyn and I weeded the garden and all the flower patches around the yard. We weeded the herbs out front and put round up on the weeds growing around the driveway.

I noticed that most of our wood chips all over the yard had disintegrated, and weeds were creeping in. I do NOT have time for that much weeding. Rhett woke up from his nap and I got proactive. Nineteen massive bags of wood chips and mulch later and my yard is looking SO much better. I still need to mow up the weeds I pulled, but it is progress!

Sorry for the picture overload!

 New Much in my Forget Me Nots

 Getting rid of the bare dirt look in the corner

 Fresh wood chips under the play structure

 Yay for more wood chips and fewer weeds!

 Part of our tiny garden. Pole beans, three colors of bell pepper, carrots, and butter crunch lettuce

 First crop of carrots

 Peas and broccoli...no straight lines...I had help planting the seeds

 Tomatoes and onions

 Strawberries!!!

 Parsley, rosemary, mint, and basil

 New wood chips and flowers out front

 No weeds!

 Beautiful huh! We were at Lowes when Evelyn said, "Ooh mom! We need those flowers!"

The kids are doing SO well. Evelyn finishes her first year of preschool next week, Rhett it always busy (usually hunting for electronics), and I am just trying to keep up!

 He loves his sister...

 ...enough to give unwelcome hugs during her nap

 It was time to be up anyways

 My little mess maker

 ...and snuggle bug

 The big cheese

Evelyn was crying when she saw me with the camera. She asked me to take a picture anyways. She kept saying, "See, I can smile!"

 Karate!

 Power stance

 Nervous about breaking the board at parents day

 Nailed it!

 Hiyah!

 Papa, and Uncle Paul...with toes

On the phone with her friend Ella

My babies keep me on my toes...all the time. I heard them in the front room laughing and this is what I found them doing...crazy kids!

Well friends, I'd best be off. Rhett is asleep upstairs. Frozen is playing downstairs while Evelyn snores softly on the couch, and the kitchen floors are begging to be mopped! Thanks for checking in!