1st Day at Church

We had an abundance of willing hands to get Sara ready for church on Sunday.  The girls were so excited to dress Mary for her first Sunday at church.  It was heartwarming to watch them choose her dress and get her all ready for the morning.  They were shocked at how big the teeny clothes were on her though.  Spring and Mary got her all ready and then Thomas took over holding and cuddling her when they were done.  Everybody was dressed and ready so early on Sunday that I was shocked.  We were all sitting around ready to go 20 minutes before we normally head out.  It was surprising and so nice to just relax for a few minutes before leaving.  While we were driving to church we told all the kids that they would all get a chance to hold her at church but we didn't want them asking us for a turn.  They were so great.  They all took thier turn when it was given and willingly passed her on to the next when asked to.  She started Sacrament Meeting in Spring's arms at one end of the pew and by the end of the meeting was in Gideon's arms next to Joel and I.  People sitting behind us commented that she was "one well traveled little girl."

Peaceful Sabbath

Today was a wonderful Sunday. Joel had meetings before church and it was still easy to get to church because of our wonderful children. Sammy got dressed all by himself without even needing to be asked. Thomas helped tie shoes for kids and helped clean up the kitchen after breakfast, again without needing to be asked. Spring was wonderful with Gideon. She held him and cuddled him until I could nurse him. Then she changed his diaper and got him dressed for church. Everyone just helped out so much without needing any prompting from me. My heart was so full of gratitude for our children as we were driving to church.

We were able to stay after church for a baptism and Thomas was able to be the pianist for it. We didn't get home from church until 2:00 (2 hours after church gets out) and the kiddos were hungry. Spring took care of Gideon again while I started to get lunch ready. I heard her whisper to Sammy, "Sammy, go ask Mom what you can do to help her." He did just that and then set the table and got everything ready. By the time Daddy got home we were ready to eat. Since it was so late into the afternoon we didnt' have the little ones take naps. Spring and Sammy went around the house doing silent acts of service for everyone such as making beds, cleaning up toys, and reading stories to each other. Then they all decided to set up a store in the basement and play together. It has been such a calm and peaceful afternoon and evening. I am grateful for the Sabbath and the opportunity it gives me to spend more time with our family and focus on what is truly important in my life.

First Day at Church

Today was Gideon's first day at church. We were even able to get our first picture of all the kids together before we headed out the door to church. Gideon did extremely well at church. He is really spoiling me. I didn't even have to feed him until about halfway through the 3rd hour so I was able to enjoy all of church. It was wonderful to have Mom with us and Joshie loved being with Grandma. He is so cute with Grandma and has really become attached. He doesn't want anyone else to put him down for naps or bed except Grandma. The kids all took turns holding Gideon throughout Sacrament Meeting and he just slept in their arms being passed from brother to sister. I love being together as a family at church. It is such a reminder that our families are what is truly important in this life. After church I enjoyed a long nap on the couch with Gideon. I felt so lazy sleeping like that but it really felt so good too. Mom is definitely spoiling me!

New Christmas Outfits

The kids were very excited to wear their new Christmas clothes to church today. Sammy kept rubbing his suit jacket and saying, "It's just like Thomas and Daddy's "soups" (he calls suits "soups")." Spring loved looking at herself in the mirror as she put each new thing on; her dress, then after her tights, then when she put on her shoes, then when her hair was brushed. I tried to get a picture of them but it was difficult. Mary did NOT want a picture and Joshua kept walking to the camera. So, here is what we got!

A Seldom Seen Side of Sammy

I just had to record a sweet experience I had with Sammy on Monday. It seems I have lots of silly stories and accounts of mischievous things he has done; however, I wanted to be sure to record this sweet experience. By the way, this is the only somewhat serious picture I could find of Sammy!

When he woke up from his nap on Monday afternoon he came out to me as I was sitting on the couch reading the ensign. He asked me, "Why are you just sitting here reading, Mom?" I told him that I like to read the Ensign because it has things that the Prophet wants us to know. He thought for a minute and then asked me, "Mom, does the Prophet have the Holy Ghost in his chest?" I told him yes, the Prophet feels the Holy Ghost. Then he said, "Mom, I feel the Holy Ghost in my chest too. He makes me feel happy in my chest and all warm." We talked a little about that and then he said, "And, Mom, when I am scared in my room at night, the Holy Ghost comes into my chest and makes me feel safe again. In my chest, Mom, in my chest." All the while pointing at his chest. Then, after a few minutes, he asked me, "Does the Holy Ghost walk or fly into my chest?" I am so grateful for Sammy and for this experience with him. I don't remember having him be this serious about something ever. I am grateful he is learning and that he is feeling the Holy Ghost in his life.

Our Wonderful Saturday

What a wonderful Saturday we had today. We greatly enjoyed watching both sessions of conference today. Thomas and Spring have been anxiously awaiting conference all week. They woke me up this morning reminding me that General Conference would be starting in about 3 1/2 hours! We were so impressed with the kids today as we watched Conference on the computer. I had found some fun packets for them to work on while listening to conference. Thomas informed us that he was going to take notes in his journal, "just like you guys do" and he held true. He told me that he didn't need the packets anymore because he wanted to just take notes. Joel and I were amazed by his notes. Not only did he write down things that were said during the talks, he also wrote down his thoughts and feelings of what was said. Some of his impressions included:

"The Opening Hymn was 'Glory to God on High.' It's making me feel happy."
"There are so many new temples. The church just keeps expanding. I can't wait to go to the temple when I am 12 to do baptisms."
"The next hymn is 'Choose the Right'. It's one hymn that almost makes me cry."
"I want to be like Nephi and always feel the Holy Ghost tell me what to do."
"They are singing one of my favorite hymns. "We Thank Thee O God for a Profet."
"Should tell our testimony. The last time I did was last fast Sunday."
"Now they are singing, 'O may my soul comun with me" It is butiful"
"The choir is singing, 'Come, Come, Ye Saints.' I love this song."
""If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.' This is my favorite scripture."

I love this son of ours. He is such a blessing to our family and a reminder of what is truly important in life. His example of faith and obedience helps me strive to be the mother I need to be for him and our other children.

By the second session of Conference today, Spring decided she, too, didn't need the packet anymore and just wanted to take notes in her journal. She wrote down all the hymns that were song, the names of the speakers, and what she thought they were talking most about. She also drew pictures of what they were teaching in their talks. She has such a desire to be obedient and to listen to the words of our prophet and apostles. What an inspiration she is and how wonderful it was to see her push herself to really listen and learn from the wonderful words of counsel we heard today.

Sammy and Mary enjoyed sitting with us. They colored and sang the hymns during the 1st session. They napped during the second session. Sammy didn't want to miss "the movie on the computer" though. He slept all through the second session and was so sad when he woke up and realized it was over. We had to pull it back up on the computer so he could "listen to the prophet tell us what Jesus says."

Spring's soccer game was at a great time today because it was right in between the sessions of conference. We enjoyed going to her game. While Joel was at the Priesthood Session the kids and I pulled out the Halloween decorations so they could put them up. They all had great fun with that. Then we played outside for a while before heading in for baths and bedtime routine. We are so grateful for the cooler weather we have been blessed with this week. As the kids were heading to bed tonight I heard Thomas, Spring, and Sammy talking to each other. They were saying they couldn't wait for morning when they got to watch conference again. How blessed we are to have the opportunity to be taught and edified by God's chosen and annointed. How blessed we have been today to have the abundance of the Spirit in our home. I pray that our children will always look forward to hearing and following the Prophet of God.

"All my marbles!"

Yesterday was a day to record for church. Sammy was so good during Sacrament Meeting. I think this is the best he has been when it has been only me with them on the pew. He sat quietly and was so calm. I kept thinking how wonderful it was and then I would remind myself to not get too excited about it because it wasn't over yet. He made it all through the meeting without losing a single marble. After the closing prayer I put my arm around him and said, "Sammy, you kept all your marbles today!" His face filled with the biggest smile and his little eyes just sparkled. Joel came down from the stand to help get them to classes and Sammy immediately told Joel, "Daddy, I get ALL my marbles today!" I know this was a blessing from our Father in Heaven...one of those tender mercies He grants us to let us know we are loved. I know we will still have struggles but it is a comfort to know that Sammy is learning and we are getting somewhere in helping him learn how to behave in Sacrament Meeting. How blessed we are to receive these tender mercies when we need them most. Our Father is ever mindful of us and He does know each of us and He can give us the strength to make it through difficulties.

Movie Night

The kids earned their movie night last Sunday and we celebrated tonight. We had popcorn and brownies as we all spread out on the floor to enjoy a movie. Joshua LOVED the popcorn. He was double fisting it the whole time. After a while the rest of us lost interest in the popcorn and we forgot the bowl was still on the floor. We looked over just in time to see him dump the whole bowl over the top of his head. We all got a laugh. It was a wonderful night. Afterwards, Joel and commented to each other how we really enjoyed the night and need to do these little things more often.

Movie night is the reward for their good behavior in Sacrament Meeting. Joel and I have been trying to figure out something to help them during Sacrament Meeting...well to help me survive may be a more accurate description. We had a FHE a few months ago and talked about what it means to be reverent and why it is important to be reverent during Sacrament Meeting. Then we all worked together to come up with some expectations for Sacrament Meeting. Some include: singing the hymns, looking at the speakers, feet on the floor, only mom can hold Joshua, only talking when you really have to and then only using whispering voices. There are a few more. Anyway, before we leave for church we pull out our poster and review the rules. Then all the kids get 3 marbles and we leave them on the kitchen counter. They all start out with 3. If they struggle and don't behave in Sacrament meeting then they lose a marble. All I have to do is look at them and put up a finger and they know they lost one. When we get home from church they give me any marbles they lost and the rest go in the jar. When the jar is full then we have a family movie night. I can't say it works miracles because Sacrament meeting is still a struggle with the 3 little ones. Thomas and Spring are excellent and have each only lost a marble one time. Sammy...well let's say it's a good thing we aren't doing the reward system on an individual basis or he may never get his movie night. Seriously, it has helped because he understands there is a consequence and he really does NOT like losing his marbles. If I have to take him out of the chapel he loses a marble and he has to go sit in a classroom by himself for a few minutes. The only bad thing is now when I have to take him out he cries out, "No, Mom, I don't want to go in the dark room and lose my marbles!" I worry each week that we are more of a distraction to everyone else. I want so much for our children to learn the importance of going to church and being reverent so the Spirit can be felt by all. It is difficult with Sammy, Mary, and Josh and just me beacause they all 3 want to be the only one on my lap. I know we are making tiny steps in the right direction and I have to remind myself of that each week so I can keep going!