Evidence of Children

Two and a half years ago we moved to a new State and bought a brand new house.  With a background in Interior Design I planned how the furniture would be arranged and thought through decorating details.

While moving in my 9 year old daughter wanted to help decorate and put a ceramic brown cat with colorful polka dots, that she had painted, in the bathroom next to the sink.  She had a very difficult time moving and I didn't have the heart to tell her that it wasn't the decoration that I would have chosen for the bathroom, so the cat stayed there.  Just recently I was cleaning the bathroom and had moved the ceramic cat to clean.  My daughter who is now very much an older and mature preteen said, "Oh, mom I am passed the cat, you don't have to keep it on the bathroom counter."

I think she was a bit surprised when I started to cry.  As the tears flowed she came in and gave me a hug.  I explained that I was crying because she was growing up.  I was crying because I would miss so many things about her being kid.  She is still has many years at home, but I didn't realize how quickly stages pass and time marches on.

I longed for the days when she would be old enough for me to buy her American Girl dolls because I love dolls.  I didn't realize how quickly those days would come and how soon they would be over.  My oldest son has enjoyed building with Legos.  It seems that nearly every Birthday and Christmas for the past several years I have heard about all the amazing Lego sets he was hoping to get as a gift.  Christmas came this year and I didn't hear about Legos.  I felt sad realizing that children really do grow up.  They out grow their ages and stages.  

The point is, when I look around my house my favorite things are not the drapes and the centerpiece on the table, or even the new rug.

My favorite accessories to our home are the ceramic cat next to the bathroom sink.

The note left on the fridge.

The art work that was carefully created.

The collection of Rubik's cubes on the nightstand.

The Christmas globe in January.

I love all of these random details throughout the house that are the evidence that we have children.  Children that much to my dismay will grow up and leave someday.  Children that will out grow ceramic cats and stop asking for Legos.

This week I want to find joy in the looking at the little things.  

The baby swing in the corner.

The black box full of books.

The well used children's books on the shelf.

The piano books left out for practicing.

The menu board written in 10 year old hand writing and smudged with tiny finger prints.

The art projects.

The randomly kicked off socks.

The messy stacks of papers. 

. . . because in reality these little evidences of children are my favorite accessories! 

Motivation

I love to be around people that motivate you to be better.  

I've been on an email list of a friend of mine, Lei Ann Finch, for a while now...and I've learned SO much.

She has recently written a report entitled:

"Power Habits of Strong People, Strong Parents and Strong Families"

Lei Ann is a personal trainer and I have had the privilege of attending an exercise class that she teaches each week for the past couple of years.  She has certainly motivated me to exercise and take care of my physical body, but through her example and encouragement I have achieved so much more in my life as she has taught me about how to set goals and focus on what is important and what I want out of life.  

She has given us permission to share her link with those we know are like-minded and would enjoy reading her report and occasionally receiving her newsletters.  

If you are interested in reading her report, you will find it here:http://wck6x6b2.megaph.com/

To read her report, you opt in to receive her newsletters.

I think you'll love it!!

Let me know what you think!

Tasha 

A Christ Centered Easter

Easter has taken on a new meaning for our family since the passing of our little Nephew.  We decided that we would slightly change a few traditions this year to focus more on the resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.


We did have our "Last Supper" with food that may have been something like Christ would have eaten.

Bean and Lentil Soup with Herbs
Flat Bread with Hummus

 After dinner Justin washed the kid's feet like Christ washed the Apostle's feet.

 We used pictures to teach the last week of Christ's life.
 We also have Easter Eggs with objects that represent Christ's last week and scriptures to read.

 Abigail and Hyrum played simplified Hymns about the Resurrection for us to sing to.

 We went to church (this picture was taken after church when everyone was tired and hungry!).

 The climax of our Easter was what we did for gifts.  Instead of getting traditional Easter dresses, new church clothes for the boys, and toys we used the money to buy something really special.

We framed a picture of our little nephew Benson to hang on our wall.  We talked to the kids about how Benson is in Heaven with Jesus and that is our goal to live our lives so that we can also be there and be together as a family.

 We found this amazing picture of Christ and it was our big gift to our family.  In the picture the Savior is holding one tiny baby lamb.  We discussed that the baby lamb represents their cousin Benson.  We are the other lambs in the back ground.  We talked about what we have to do to make our way up the hill to where Christ and baby Benson are.  It was a wonderful spiritual time for our family.

It has been our most memorable Easter.

Easter Weekend

We are looking forward to a nice Easter weekend with our family.  I posted about our Easter traditions last year.  

Heaven

My sweet little nephew passed away on Wednesday night.  

It has, and will continue to be, a difficult week.  

His short life on earth has touched us for eternity and reminded us of what really matters.

General Conference Traditions

Two times each year our Prophet and 12 Apostle speak to us.  It is a special conference that is broadcast throughout the world in many different languages.  Our family gathers around our computer to watch it on the internet.  It takes place on the first Saturday and Sunday in October and April.  

It is a time that we all look forward to.  We block our schedules and enjoy spending that time together as a family.  

Today as the little kids and I ate lunch we read a short article in our church magazine, the "Ensign".  (October 2013 Ensign)

“Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?”

by Tina Spencer

Fifteen days before the start of each general conference, our family hangs up our sign announcing the beginning of “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” Then we add the latest pictures of our prophets, seers, and revelators from the previous conference edition of the Church magazines.

I prepare by researching the prophet we will welcome that night. Sometimes I find objects around the house to represent a few things I found out, and I put them on a plate. During dinner, as I tell stories about each item, everyone tries to guess who it is. Other times, I tell a story or two that the prophet shared during the previous general conference.

I am amazed at the things my children remember about our beloved prophets and apostles, and I know this simple game has increased my love and knowledge of these great men also.

I reallly liked this idea.  It would be a great way to learn about past Prophets or current Apostles so I went to the computer and found this great website that has pictures of the Apostles and facts about them.  I am excited for our kids to learn more about these great men that are tremendous examples of Christ. 

http://lds.about.com/library/bl/games/apostlecards_new.pdf

Last Conference our oldest daughter set up a "Conference Concessions."  If the kids listened and took notes durning the morning session of General Conference and were obedient and quick to do their chores durning the week leading up to General Conference they were able to earn fake money and use their fake money to buy snacks in between the morning and afternoon sessions.   

The older kids take notes or draw pictures in their journal about what they are learning.  I always print a packet for the younger kids like this one.  

The Monday after Conference our Family Home Evening Lesson is review of what we have learned and how we plan to apply it to our lives.

  

They Grow Up So Quickly