Finding Passion in All Things.

Remember? New Year's Resolutions?

Usually by know, I'm looking back to see what all I'd written down.

This year only having one goal, with a variety of angles, is making it much easier.

(Our Daddy's HOME!!!)

Just a little report.

I've been doing really well at finding passion in my home/family.

I think I did really well while Cody was gone. Our house was ALMOST always clean. I did several projects and I found lots of fun things to do with the kids. Parties, painting, play dough, playing in the snow, play dough, visiting the pet store, play dough, coloring, play dough.

(Julia looked adorable for church yesterday!)

I am still working on this part and hope to continue to improve but I think it is time to master another angle of finding passion in all things.

Yesterday my Young Women's Lesson was about a women's role to teach.

We talked about all the different aspects of teaching, i.e. listening to a family member, helping out at home, giving advice, the way we talk and the way we dress.

We talked about one of our biggest and greatest opportunities for teaching will be to teach children.

I told the following story...

Every Monday night our church has the night set aside as Family Home Evening Night.  There are no church activities planned and the Prophet has counseled us to use this time to learn the principles of the gospel, to study the scriptures, and to learn and grow together as a family.

Every Monday night we try our best to have a lesson prepared to teach our children. Nights when we are not so prepared we tell them a story out of the scriptures.

Four or so months ago I planned a great lesson (I thought) I was teaching our kids about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I was teaching them the importance of being kind to everyone so that we could return to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again. I had pictures, I had props, I had coloring pages. I really went all out.

The lesson seemed well received for the first 20 or so minutes...then it was bed time.

Kevin was TERRIFIED.

He thought we were sending him to go live with someone else.

C.L.E.A.R.L.Y. my lesson was NOT very clear. We talked and talked about how we get to live with our Mommy's and Daddy's for a LONG time and that when we go to live with Heavenly Father our Mommy and Daddy will go with us.  It took 3 or 4 days, but he eventually understood and is no longer bothered.

But SADLY, I haven't spent near as much time on a Family Home Evening Lesson again.

After each lesson I encourage the girls to try something during the week from our lesson.

(Not only did she look cute, she was hilarious!)

My goal is to put more effort into teaching my children the principles of the gospel.

A part of my Sunday lesson talked about how sometimes teaching can be hard, but if we pray to Heavenly Father for guidance we will be able to teach according to his will.

I told the girls that this is what I'm going to do... so I'm doing it.

I just made THE coolest book on the creation of the world. Soo cool in fact that Kevin keeps trying to steal it!!!!

Crossing my fingers that tonight's lesson goes better then the previous!!!

On to other matters.

When I got my birthday money from my parents Kevin  looked at me and said,

K-UH, Granny sent you Money? (in an accusing-your-gunna-give-me-some tone!)

M-My Birthday is on Sunday.

K-Oh Happy Birthday Mommy, I love you!  What are you going to buy? A new Princess?

M-I don't know!!

K- Do you have a birthday cake yet?

M- No, no birthday cake.

K- You will have one right?

M-Sure, should we make one?

K- Yes, you need a Princess cake!!!

So as a group effort, this beauty was created. Kevin was SO SO SOOOO Excited. It was worth it!

If you enlarge this picture you will see

A- I did not decorate the back of the cake

and

B- When the candles were lit, the little Princess's hair melted at top speeds!!!

I had a great birthday. Thank you for the phone calls and birthday wishes.

I'm grateful for my sweet Young Women who each gave me lovely birthday wishes, cards, treats, and even had my class room all decorated. What sweet girls I have!!!

Oh and one more thing..

Anyone want to potty train my 20 month old?

She's more then ready.

I'm not.

Guess I better get ready!