Just Because - I Wanted To and I Needed To!

In the last year I have started posting on Facebook completed projects I have made. Usually it will say Project #25 of 100 - since that is my goal - to post 100 projects in a year. They are random things - something I have cooked, created or made something for others. 

Let me share with you the story about these 10 "scripture bags" that I made.

I was asked to teach in our church children's program which is called Primary, for our Sunday church meetings. Originally there were 7 children that were turning eight this year, then our class increased by two when the twins arrived, and then today, we added another girl to our class = 10 children total. 

We encourage our children to bring their scriptures to church - so they can learn how to use them, read them, learn why reading them can bless them every day - but most importantly learn about their Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Not all had a scripture bag, and the ones that did had seen better days. I needed to do something about it. So I made nine bags, with one to spare. Little did I know that I would have another little girl join our class.

Some of the girls came over after church to pick up their scripture bags. They were so excited to get them - and just come and visit! They were so cute. These girls helped me choose which remaining bags should go to, for those who didn't come today. They assured me that they know their friends well - and that they would love them!

I am not one that looks for fanfare or accolades from others. I try to fly under the radar. But I wanted to share this "project" because it has been a long time since I have had the opportunity to do something for others - for the pure enjoyment of it! And it felt good. Sometimes we get carried away in all the doing for others because we have been asked or it is expected of us, especially mothers. We don't always get to do something - just because. 

I think we need to do more of this.

The Button-Pushers Are Coming

It is summer time.

That means children are home.

All day.

Fortunately, or unfortunately

(depends on how you look at it),

I no longer have kids at home.

But my children do.

All day.

And my grandchildren are very good.

At knowing which buttons to push. 

That drive their parents crazy!

All day.

The "button-pushers" will be coming.

Soon.

To my house.

The question - will they push my buttons?

Or does Grandma know how.

To reverse the practice - of pushing their buttons.

All Day?

". . . as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings"

Today when I woke up, the skies were dark and stormy. The affairs of the world have been dark and stormy too. The first thing I wanted to do was call my children, to tell them I love them, to reassure myself that they are OK. But more than anything I wanted to gather them together under my wings, to protect them from the bruising realities of life. When my children turned 18 – they wanted to leave and venture out into the world. At the time I was OK with that. They needed those experiences which would help define who they are.

But now, I want them home, with all their baggage and dependents in tow. I want to protect them and shield them from the realities that cause pain and suffering. I want them to feel safe.

In the scriptures we read often the Savior using the analogy of gathering His people as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings. It was especially powerful to me when reading in the Book of Mormon, 3 Nephi 10: 1-6, as the Savior speaks to the people in the America’s after His resurrection - promising to gather His people as a hen gathers her chickens - to be nourished and protected.

Because the world is dark and stormy, I want to remind my children that if they cannot gather under my wings, they can always seek after our Savior. He loves you even more, and I will meet you there, under his wings, to be nourished and strengthened with His love.

Happy Birthday Middle Child!

Today is my first middle child's birthday. I am not going to share how old she is, other than she was born in 1980. Really? That doesn't seem that long ago – only yesterday. I remember the day so well. Living in Mesa, AZ, over-due by a week when the nurse calls to say the doctor had a opening for me to come in and be induced. Later the nurse chastised me because it was Sunday. At that point I didn't care. And then – after being induced - 1^st middle child comes flying out. Mind you, the doctor never showed up, they actually had to pull in a doctor walking by to be in attendance! Of all my deliveries – she was my easiest. I will have to admit that I was in "shape" before she came, but then being my second smallest – I am sure that helped too.

This child was easy to love. Every morning she was so bright-eyed and eager to be awake. She always seemed to have a smile on her face. We called her our little squirrel because she was always burrowing into the covers with all her treasures. My neighbor made a quilt for her (which she has to this day), she affectionately called "blankie." Every corner was sniffed before going to sleep. Some corners were her favorites! It was hard to sneak the blanket away to wash, she would throw a fit that the "smells" had disappeared. I don't even want to know what she did to establish her "smelling" territory again!! She also had a pacifier, "binkie," that had a squeaky bulb on the end. She was quite attached to it, and her sisters liked to tease her by squeaking it often. I loved it because I always knew where she was. Her favorite book was about Care Bears. She had the book memorized

This child was one of my smallest – and still is. She was sick quite a bit with ear infections, which led to other health challenges as a child. Thank goodness she outgrew all those discomforts. She also had to wear corrective shoes – which did their job. However, if you were holding her and she decided to kick – watch out! Those shoes were hard and they hurt. She literally slept with her boots on!

One of the things that I loved about this child was that she LOVED baby dolls and Barbies. Her older sisters could care less, so it was nice to know that finally I had a daughter that loved the things I loved as a child. She also had "best friends," something that seemed to elude my other children. I wouldn't say any of my children were "Drama Queens," but I would venture to say this 1^st middle child did have her moments – maybe it was because she was the MIDDLE Child and needed more attention – who knows!

I have never thought any of my children were like me, so one day, to satisfy my curiousity, I asked my sister if any of my children had my temperament. She said my 1^st middle child seemed to be more like me. So I have watched her grow up, and I have seen many similarities, one being that I can explain something to her and she can envision what I am trying to say (and I admit there aren't too many that can do this!!!). And we tend to get a little spazzy once in a while! But she is also very much like her father, especially when you start from the feet up (very cute feet I might add!). Then you see she was blessed with my shapely knees and my once good-looking calve muscles J And of course she is like me when it comes to exclamation points!!!

I have truly been blessed with children that are special, and this 1^st middle child is no exception. She is resourceful; she is creative; I think she is a great wife and mother; she has a happy countenance; she wants to be of service to others; she has been blessed with many talents, such as creative writing and a desire to learn all the world has to offer. She also has several musical gifts. She has the ability to remember all the words to songs and she loves arpeggio's – meaning piano pieces that go fast! When she has an idea in her brain – she is ready to go – she is moving fast! Her thoughts and actions are geared to moving forward, ever learning, ever improving.

What wish would I give to her on this her birth-day? Be patient, be faithful, be prayerful, and be believing that someone mightier than you is mindful of your every need. You are a wonderful daughter, valiant and good. Your father and I are very pleased with who you are and who you are becoming.

ALLIGATORS

All right - it has been a few years since I had to wrestle with an alligator - oops - I mean a 3-year-old. I have been hanging out here in SoCal this week - being a mom to 4 boys. Yes, it has been awhile.

Let's see, boys are distracted easily, stinky, rough and tumbly. And when you think you will never get through, they suprise you with a tender sweet disposition. My boys are wonderful - I have 8 that I call mine, and then I have 4 SIL - which I will claim in a heartbeat if they will let me! So that is a total of 12 men in my life. I am pretty lucky.

I used to call about 10 other boys mine many years ago - but they all grew up and forgot how much I loved them, played with them, cared for them and prayed for them. Those were some of my nephews. I wish they could remember and understand how much my heart breaks when I see choices they make and how much my heart soars as I watch them progress in life. You never stop loving them, you just learn to refocus your love and attention to those who surround you.

Never did I imagine that my lot in life would be 5 daughters. I thought I would have boys - lots of them since I seemed to be surrounded by nephews - big ones, stinky ones, ones that teased unmercifully. But then I loved doing all the boy things - like digging in the dirt, playing ball, experimenting, exploring, discovering what the world was all about. My favorite book was "My Side of the Mountain." It was about a boy who ran away into the woods and survived by creating his own shelter, learned to eat from the land, etc. I would imagine my own world if I was left to my own devices and created in my mind a world that was magical (I still was a girl!).

Do I regret not having all those boys? No. However, I do have one son who loves to experiment, explore and discover what life is about. That really isn't much different than me!

Now I have 6 grandsons that will be experimenting, exploring and hopefully I will be a part of their lives as they discover what life is all about. But in the meantime, I still need to wrestle the alligator.

Cooking with the Kidlettes

In about a 10 days I am having another cooking class. I am trying to figure out which kids in our ward to invite to help. This time around I will have to be selective as we have a sister with children that I want to staple gun to the floor - thus I don't want an open invitation. Is that horrible of me?

And speaking of cooking...yesterday in the food labs, the students were making their magnificent meals (don't ask!). They had quite a bit leftover so the students were sharing with the TA's and instructors. Either I have funky tastebuds, or my cooking tastes a whole lot better.

SINGING IS SO FUN TO DO!

This past Sunday we had our last ward conference. We visited our Spanish Ward. They have the smallest Primary in the stake. I had the privilege of speaking to the children. It was such a treat to share with them a message and my testimony, but more importantly, it was a testimony to me to feel their love and excitement for Primary! These children were beautiful. Every one of the boys were either in a suit and tie or a white shirt and tie! And the girls were dressed in their Sunday best.

But the best part of our visit was singing time! They learn all the songs in Spanish. Their chorister knows the songs and teaches with such great enthusiasm - it was contagious! And the children's voices - oh how sweet and joyful. Even though their numbers are small, their voices were anything but small! If we could only capture that moment and share it with others - I guarantee you would smile and feel unspeakable joy!