The power of moms

When I was a teenager, I learned at church one Sunday that mothers had the power and responsibly to bring the spirit into their home. My mom wasn't very excited when I brought up that little nugget of wisdom right in the middle of a moment when all of us were driving her crazy :). I think she cried in frustration, "and that's another thing!  Why does everything depend on me?!"  She laughs about it now, especially since I'm carrying that responsibility in my own home with 5 little giants clambering for love, attention, validation, justification, vindication, mediation, education, inspiration, homework help, piano help, food, drinks, diapers, naps, songs and bedtime stories AT THE SAME TIME.  

That fact is written in my heart, though.  So every time I fall short in that divine responsibility I feel it.  I've been praying for help and inspiration and have found it in so many places:

--in the temple.  God divided light from darkness.  Even though our earth and our bodies need the night to rest, there is no place for spiritual darkness--anger, criticism, sarcasm, impatience--in our home. And ridding our home of it is as simple (not easy, but simple) as the Lord's task was for Him. I decide how I act and react. And when I seek light, I find it.  And because I am the mother, it fills our whole home. 

--in prayer.  I cannot pray a lie. I cannot justify my weaknesses to Him who created me, who knows me and loves me perfectly, and who wants and works for my eternal happiness above all else. So when I pray for help, I am gently, lovingly, but with no sugar-coating shown how I can change my own heart, my own words, my own actions to make our home the sacred place it has to be. 

--in the scriptures.  We read as a whole family before bedtime, but while the kids eat breakfast every morning I read to them from the Book of Mormon. As I read aloud the truths that have changed my heart before, it is softened again. Every time. I explain to my crazy little angels why I'm crying, why these truths are so important to me and how much they have helped me as I live them. I am reminded of how much The Lord has always helped me and how he will never fail me and I testify that he will never fail them.  That kind of power has saved many a morning from a would-be frantic and crazy mom. 

--good books.  CS Lewis, parenting books, The Robe.  They all make me think and re-examine my motives and methods.  "Oh yeah, take the emotion out of discipline."  "That's right, he is knocking down walls in my heart to create something more glorious than I can imagine."  "Is this the most important thing I should be spending my time and energy on at THIS moment?"  

How thankful I am for the blessings and divine help waiting for me when and wherever I seek them with real intent.  It's a great day to be a mom :)

back to school and gorgeous hikes

I've decided hiking is my new favorite family pass time.  And really, we live in a great place for it.  These mountains, this sunshine, these souls that are so precious to me---all combined, I really almost burst with happiness.  This first set of photos was the hike to Cecret Lake that we took as our FHE activity the last Monday of the summer, right at dusk.  We had missed the wildflower explosion, but it was still breathtaking.

Hope's tiny hand found one of the many wildflowers still lining the lake and the trail.

See how happy these hikes make me?  ;)

We had our lesson on this rock above the lake and talked about being a leader.  On a hike, a good leader chooses safe paths, encourages those with him/her to stay safely on the path, warns them of slippery spots, stays positive, points out beautiful details and keeps going even when tired.  Then we talked about how they could use those same qualities to be good friends and leaders at school during the coming year.

Ryn and Elle started a few days before Eden, so here is their first day:

Ryn starting third grade and Elle starting second.

Ryn w her good friend, Annika

Ryn with her best friends after a fun first day

Eden was over the moon to get to her first day of KINDERGARTEN!!!!

Can you see it in those eyes?  

Walked to her class by her big sisters.  Lucky girls, so blessed to have each other.

Labor Day Bell Canyon hike with our little Super family and Spencer and Mary--our first time to meet her!

We made it to the reservoir where Kevin started heaving huge rocks into the water to splash the kids.  

Their facial expressions were priceless.  And so was Darren trying to protect Eden.  

When splashing wasn't enough, Kev decided to throw them in....  Just kidding :)

Love this youngest brother of mine.  He was about Darren's age when I left for BYU.  Now look at him....all grown up....

...and finding this beautiful girl to love.  

we're all kind of excited about that

jumping for joy, really

can't keep from dancing!

Happy happy days.
"You can look right through the leaves straight up to heaven, you can almost hear the voice of God in each and every breeze.  You've got to stop and smell the roses.  You've got to count your many blessings every day.  You're gonna find your way to heaven is a rough and rocky road, if you don't stop and smell the roses along the way."