I Think This Says it All

And sometimes the fight along the way makes it richer. In fact, I loved Latisha's comment about the emotional cycle of doing things that stretch us: accept, complain, repent, complete, rejoice. SO true. What I really love is that some of the rejoicing comes even before the end result. I'm feeling good, even excited, about tonight and hoping it goes as planned. Or at least as someone wiser than me has planned. May the Holy Spirit guide.

In My Head

If any of you read my blog last night, you heard me whining about a church assignment I've been needing to get to. Otherwise, you didn't hear me whining because I went to bed last night thinking and woke up this morning thinking about how much it bugs me that those whining words were sitting on my blog, somehow gaining more power the longer they sat there than I even meant them when I wrote them off the cuff. It bugged me enough that I simply got up this morning and erased that little paragraph from my spring runoff.

All morning, as I've fed & dressed kids, cleaned up, balanced the accounts, and gone grocery shopping, it's been on the back of my mind: Why do I feel so much better after erasing those complaints? Does it mean I'm trying to appear to be something I'm not? I don't think so...I don't pretend that responsibilities of church or motherhood are easy for me or that I am some superlady anymore than maybe 42 total minutes per week on a good week. In this case, it's our stake combined women's auxiliary training this Thursday and since the stake yw pres is already speaking in the main session, she put me in charge of planning the breakout YW session just last Wednesday. We're good planners, it just kind of turned out that way this time. I feel pressure to do a good job, truly haven't had time to get to it until yesterday, and then when I finally did have time yesterday, I totally avoided doing it and was dreading it all the more. Seriously if I'd read the same complaint on your blog, I'd think 'yeah, I totally know what she means' and it'd make me feel normal.

So here's my little confession: Yes, I whined yesterday about something I'm not especially excited to get to, I have no problem with the fact that you heard me whine, but no, for some reason I could not, in good conscience, leave those words sitting there to define how I'd feel about this obligation today.

Sure glad I got that off my chest. Maybe I can get on with my life now. And guess what, I will finally be sitting down to business immediately after getting kids lunch and to naps. Something tells me I'll back in love with my calling later this afternoon. :)

Fast Comment Response

Since I'm supposed to be young women-ing right now, I'll quickly answer your spring runoff questions here in one place instead of emailing each of you. I'm so impersonal:

Dana, I got that terribly ugly and extremely convenient hook-on high chair back in 1997 at Babies R Us. I'm guessing they're out of stock by now.

Mel, no Brayden does not have braces yet, although I agree that his teeth look funny in those pictures--maybe it's robin egg coloring or something.

Mirien, sorry about my darn inspiring seamstress mother making you an overachiever. Lucky for me, I only have one child who wears dresses and I'm a self-proclaimed "recreational" sewer. If it makes you feel better, the only one wearing something new this Easter was Maddie by default since every season means new clothes for her--the perks of being the only girl! Brayden's green tie was JCPenney a couple of months ago. Ugh, good luck with outfitting your family--it's a big job! (When's the wedding?)

Spring Runoff

1. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Maddie today!!

Finally, she's a proud member of 2-digit age club! So far a good day, she came home with notes from her classmates with the nicest compliments! Are those meant for her or me? What mom doesn't like hearing that people think her daughter is kind, funny, a true friend, and someone who helps others remember how to spell friend? And what girl doesn't like a surprisingly kind note from her secret crush? WE LOVE YOU MADDIE! We agree with your friends, you are one enthusiastic, special girl who can spell.

(told ya she was special)

2. A blanket shout out

to my fellow friend and family bloggers. The little world of blogs I read make me feel serious, insightful, motivated to change certain things about myself, happy, heartwarmed, amused, confused, uplifted, concerned, pleased and all around thankful to associate with so many different people in so many different places and circumstances. All in one sitting. I think you are good for me.

3. We had a great Easter weekend.

I didn't get my usual picture of the kids together under the spring pear blossoms because I was either a lame mom who didn't properly conquer time constraints before church and kid fatigue after church to get it done, or an easy-breezy, go-with-the-flow mom with an excellent memory. Hmm. I think we all know which one. Either way, I don't have a beautiful Easter picture to share. Sad. Brayden had the chance to speak in sacrament meeting about his feelings about Jesus Christ. He and I sat down the other night to read and ponder the resurrection as we wrote his talk together. We rewatched the clip on lds.org of Elder Holland's conference address and read about the Savior's visit to the Nephites in the Book of Mormon. It turned into a neat hour and I felt my testimony deepen as I tried to help him consider what his own testimony might be. I'm thankful we had to do it, it really made my Easter more meaningful.

Wise Words

Me: "Don't put your mouth in your mouth!"
Connor: hysterical laughter

Ever hear yourself saying gems like this? Odd phrases that come out in the quick of the moment that, though well-intended (this one was simply to avoid a chappier Connor mouth), don't have the effect you were hoping for? I've got a million. Too bad I don't write them down so you can use them too.

P.S. Notice we're toothless? Praise the dentist! And the trampoline! I sure love a good 6-yr old toothless grin. ADORABLE! Here's to enjoying the smile honeymoon before the real stuff comes in.