Chores

Chores - ugh- 

I believe it's important to train your children how to do certain cleaning tasks around the house, and I believe that it's everyone's responsibly to pitch in and help. We call it contributing. 

We've done pretty much every chore chart/incentive imaginable. I've spent hours trying to evenly divvy up everything that needs to be done. I didn't enjoy it and there were always complaints.

"It was my turn to clean the bathroom last time."

This is how we do chores now, and it's working better than anything we've ever done before.

Everyone spends 10 minutes on their bedroom, 10 minutes on another room in the house, and 10 minutes on homework.

 Since everyone gets to choose what they want to work on, there are no complaints. For some reason, knowing that after 10 minutes they can stop makes the job seem easier. 

I love that I don't have to come up with chores for everyone to do. They look around the house and choose for themselves what needs to be done and then they do it.

It's brilliant. I just wish I had thought of it sooner.

Service with a Smile!

image source

Service (SUR vis)- an act of helpful activity, to help, to aid.

Serving others brings happiness into my life. A couple weeks ago, my girlies and I had the chance to attend the General Women's Session of Conference in the Conference Center.

The talks that night were all about service and serving others. As I've pondered about service and what I can do to serve more, I've had the following thoughts:

1.  Service does not have to be grandiose. It can be small and simple.

Sometimes I forget that as I go about my daily tasks, as routine and mundane as they are, I am serving.  Through every load of laundry, every dish washed, every meal served, every story read, and hug given I am helping or giving aid to my husband and children. 

Just because it is done in your home, day after day, it still counts.  You're still giving service - probably the best, most important service you can possible give.

2. In her talk, He asks us to Be His Hands, Sister Esplin reminded us that "When we reach out in love and service even in the smallest ways, hearts are changed and softened as others feel the love of the Lord."

This got me thinking: 

I, as a mother, have the opportunity to serve my family in small ways everyday. How do I serve them?  It is happily and cheerfully, or is it ornery and with a bad attitude toward? Do I see my "motherly duties" as chores or as opportunities to serve my family? Is my family able to feel the love of the Lord through my service to them? Is contention decreased and hearts softened through my service to them?  I sure hope so.

3. Sister Esplin also said, "We give service when we don't criticize, when we refuse to gossip, when we don't judge, when we smile, when we say thank you, and when we are patient and kind."

As a mother, this is what I strive for:

- to criticize my children less and praise them more.

-to refuse to talk bad about my kids and husband to others

- to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and believe that they're doing the best they can

-to smile especially when I feel like yelling or rolling my eyes

-to thank more, especially for the tiny little things

-to be patient and kind

So I guess what I'm trying to say is to never discount the service you do in your home and for your family no matter how routine, boring, or unimportant it may seem, it's not.

"The most important work service you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home."

Ramblings

Last Friday I realized that I hadn't posted one single post all week.

So let me give you a little update:

p.s.- this picture has nothing to do with anything.  I just think it's cute and my husband is HAWT!

1. We've been sick - Mentally and Physically Sick

Some have had Bronchitis and others have had made-up stomach aches.

The Bronchitis I can handle, the anxious pretend stomach aches I can't.  It is physically and emotionally draining to cure the "I don't want to go to school because___________, so I'll pretend I have a stomach ache or I'll worry so much I give myself a stomach ache. Once school is underway, this child is miraculously cured!

Hallelujah! It's a miracle.

Except it's not. What it is is exhausting. We've talked with school counselors and teachers.  We even visited the doctor- you know, "just to make sure". Finally I just had to put on my mean mom jeans and tell this child that if he/she wasn't throwing up and/or if there was no fever, he/she was going to school! With a grand finale of "AND you better not call me "sick" from school because I will not come pick you up."

There may have been some finger wagging and head bobbing when we had this little discussion.

After a tons of crocodile tears and a lot (I mean a LOT) of whining, finally everyone is back in school.

Hallelujah!  Now that's a miracle.

2. Speaking of exhausting, The hubs and I have been planning out our landscaping.

When we bought our house three years ago, it didn't have a yard.  Our realtor told us it would cost us around $5000 to landscape it. HA! What he meant to say was that it would cost us around $5000 times 6. 

Since we can't afford that, we have decided to do a little at a time. Last year we spent way too much on dirt. Doesn't that sound like an oxymoron? You buy dirt to add to the dirt you're trying to cover up with grass. Yeah weird, but if we didn't, our grass would be half a foot below the sidewalks, and that could cause a lot of sprained ankles.

This year, we are installing (by ourselves) the sprinkler system. Before you do this, however, you need to map out where everything is going to go - flower beds, rock-walls, patios, basketball court (yes that will come eventually), and the garden spot.  This was hard- way too many decisions. BUT I think we came up with a plan that will eventually give us an awesome yard.

3. #3's first dance, Preference, was on Saturday. I posted a photo on Instagram and I'll post more photos here on Wednesday. I had to laugh when #3's friend took the words right out of my mouth by commented: "They grow up so fast!" Boy do they!

4. We've lost another library book. 

UGGH!

If you happen to see the book Ellie and the Good Luck Pig will you send it this way please.

Thanks!

Matchy-Matchy!

Wordless Wednesday

Sweethearts 2016

It is with a heavy heart that I write this little blog post.

Last Saturday was #2's last ever Sweethearts dance (unless she becomes a high school teacher and gets drawn for chaperone duty, of course.)

Here she is with her cute date.  Can you read her facial expression?

Let's look closer -

In case you don't speak teenager, let me translate:  her expression is saying "Hurry Up and take the dang picture mom so we can go!"

(Please ignore the blurriness.  I was feeling the pressure and forgot to focus the camera lens.)

It was bad enough that her little sister (#5) video recorded the whole thing. From the pick up, to the awkward boutonniere pinning (In our family we call it a booty-near because we can never spell boutonniere right. It's easier that way!), to the picture taking by yours truly, to the descent out the door and into the car.

Yay-ya!- having little siblings- ROCKS!

Remember what her brother did her first Sweethearts?  You can refresh you memory HERE.

Since I had taken a picture with her for her first Sweethearts Dance. . . .

(no idea what is on my shirt)

 I wanted a picture with her for her last.

Then Clint got jealous and wanted a picture too

 so I took a picture with him.

(I kid, I kid!)

 

I've said it before and I'll say it again, 

WHY DO THEY HAVE TO GO AND GROW UP?!

SuperHero FHE

Years ago for a Relief Society (a Church group for women) lesson, the teacher passed out a piece of copy paper and a big piece of masking tape to every one in the room and instructed us to tape the paper on to our backs. Then she handed each of us a marker. Once everything was handed out and all the papers were taped, she instructed us to go around the room and write on everyone's piece of paper one thing we admire or like about that person.

To close the meeting she said, "Each one of you are Superwoman. You all posses extra-ordinary powers and abilities."  She then directed us to remove our "capes" and read all the things that make us super.

I kept my piece of paper, my superwoman cape, for years and years in my journal.  Whenever I would have a bad day or just needed a boost, I would read my cape.

I hadn't thought about my superwoman cape for years until a few weeks ago when Clint did a similar activity for FHE.

He read This Story from January 2016's The Friend magazine about a little boy, Colton, who gets mad at himself for doing something dumb (which we all do). To make him feel better, his mom helps him make a list of things he likes about himself, his good qualities. He realizes that just because he does something dumb doesn't mean that he's dumb. 

After reading and discussing this story with the kids, Clint passed around a piece of paper and a pen to everyone.  On the top of our paper was our name.  He instructed us to write on the top line, one thing we liked about ourselves.  Then we passed the papers around the room and each wrote one thing we liked about that person on their paper.  

Once again, I was excited to see what qualities others saw in me. 

Once again I felt pretty Super!

It's amazing what a compliment can do for your morale, a good reminder to compliment more- especially ourselves.

Early Morning Adventures

Good morning! It 6:26 am my time. Since I have nothing else to do I thought I'd blog to you live from location. 

Where am I?

Yep, I'm sitting at the scary local laundromat in the wee hours of the morning praying that no creepy person notices I'm here. 

Our dryer broke again. Yes we fixed it back in August after a week of hanging our clothes out on the patio, the front porch, and the cement driveway to dry (I'm sure the neighbors loved it). Fingers crossed we can fix it again (when I say we, I mean Clint) and STAT. It's way too cold to hang our underwear outside to dry.  Plus, what kind of mother would I be making my kids wear frozen underwear to school? 

Last night at dinner, we discussed the broken dryer. However, there was one certain 13 year old that somehow didn't get the message.  He got up early, and 

Oh crap. . . I hear something. Quick! HIDE ME!!!

Phew! It was just the heater banging on.

Don't panic. I'm okay. 

Where was I? Oh yes, he woke up early and washed the clothes he needed/wanted/had his heart set on wearing today, only to realize the dryer wouldn't work, and he was left with wet clothes to wear today.  If only he'd paid attention at dinner last night.- DUH!

So his nice, kind, "Momma of the Year" mother dug through her piggy bank for quarters, and took his sopping wet clothes, risking her life in the process, to dry them at the laundromat.

And here I sit. Waiting for clothes to dry, and watching for creepers.
If you don't see a blog post from me tomorrow, better tune in to the news - there might have been a stabbing at the local laundromat!

p.s. I sent Clint this photo.  His reply - "Wow! They have free Wi-Fi."
I didn't find that very amusing. 

Christmas Time is Here

Christmas is in full swing over here at the Collins' house. There are only two days left of school for the year, and I'm scrambling like a mad woman to finish all the shopping, the wrapping, and the neighbor gifts so I can spend the week of Christmas just hanging out with my kids.

We've made a list of treats to make, movies to watch, and activities to do, and I can't wait.  I just hope everyone sleeps in cause I could sure use the sleep!

"I invite each one of us to find, during this Christmas season, a moment in the quiet of our souls to acknowledge and offer heartfelt gratitude to “the Generous One.”

Let us consider the compassionate, beloved, and boundless mercy of our Father in Heaven.

As we shop for gifts—as we give and receive them—may we also take time to quietly contemplate the bountiful gifts God has showered upon us, His children."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Loose Tooth

#6 lost another tooth - just in time for picture day at school.

You would think loosing a tooth would be a simple thing.  You stick it under your pillow for the Tooth Fairy, go to sleep, and wake up to find money in place of your tooth.  RIGHT?  

Not at our house. . .. 

We like to add pizzazz to everything we do.  Remember THIS?

(When I say we, I mean #5 and #6- but mostly #5.)

This time there was a note left for the Tooth Fairy that asked her to please leave some of her sparkle and to write back.  When I explained that the Tooth Fairy probably doesn't have time because she's so busy trying to get to everyone's teeth, I was told that the tooth fairy always writes back and leaves some sparkle or dips her wings in a designated glass of water, which then colors the water the same color as her wings for the little neighbor friend across the street.

GRRRR

That "Tooth Fairy" must have way too much time on her hands and is really making the other tooth fairies look bad. Seriously!

Sometimes I feel like writing my own tooth fairy note:

Dear Tooth Fairy of the little friend across the street,

Please stop.  Just take the tooth, leave the money, and ignore the notes, so that the tooth fairy that visits our house, who doesn't have time for wing dipping, and sparkle dropping, can feel good about only leaving a dollar underneath the kid's pillow.

Thank you,

a very busy, tired, uncreative mother of 6

1st Grade Update

It's been quite an adjustment sending my baby off to the big scary world of 1st grade.  Six hours away from mom is almost more than this little one can handle.  

She had a good four day streak of no crying, however, that ended today.  This morning she cried again.  It is heart wrenching to have to leave her weeping, but I know it's for her own good.

I'm grateful for her teacher who never gets annoyed or frustrated with her when she cries. She just loves her, comforts her, and encourages her.  Seriously she's the best.

"Few of us will reach our potential without the nurturing of both the mother who bore us and the mothers who bear with us." - Sherri Dew

Homesick!

Oh man has this school year been a rough one and we're only a week and a half in!

Every single morning since school started, it has been one cry fest after another.  #6 who is quiet, shy, very timid, and a total mama's girl has cried every single school day, which means I have cried every single day school day.  She sometimes wakes up crying, nervous about going to school.  She loves it, but says it lasts too long.  (She'd rather be home baking, playing, and watching cooking shows with her mama.) She gets homesick. 

When we pull up to the school that's when the tears really start to fall. The crying is never a tantrum-like hard cry.  It just a silent, tears falling, -lots and lots of tears falling- cry  Her teacher has been so sweet to wait for her by the door -every single day- take her by the hand, comfort her, and help her acclimate to being away from home for 6 hours each day.  

Have you ever had to leave your child at school crying?  It's so hard.  It makes me cry, which makes everyone I pass in the hall wonder why this mom is still bawling her eyes out on the 8th day of school!  Then I come home to a quiet, empty house and that makes me cry some more.  I need a teacher waiting for me at my front door to dry my tears and help me acclimate to all my babies growing up!

Good Day/Bad Day

THE BAD PART

Yesterday was an all around HARD day!

#6 started 1st Grade.  That means I'm all alone, as in by myself, for 6 hours every day.  I've dreamt about this day for years, imagining all the fun I would have and all the things I would accomplish.  Now that it's here, I hate it!  It's so quiet and lonely.  By 11 am yesterday I was so bored.  I was dying for a mess to clean up or a fight to referee.  (Weird, I know!)

THE GOOD PART

I spent last night here, in the Payson Temple, cleaning.  From 9:30 pm until midnight, a group of volunteers cleans the temple - every day (except for Saturdays and Sundays)!  I swept all the stairs, dusted, washed windows, and vacuumed.  It was awesome, the perfect way to end my day!

Mommy Weekend

 I had a wonderful Mother's day.  There is nothing better than being Mom to my six.

It been the most rewarding, frustrating, happiest, depressing, successful, unsuccessful. troubling, and peaceful things I've ever done.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

The weekend started out on Friday with a Mommy-and -Me Picnic with #6.

She ate a Lunchable.  I had a green pepper (gotta love whole30).

  Saturday night was a night out on the town with my honey full of shopping, dining, and a little fine arts in the form of a play.

Sunday Clint and the kids spoiled me rotten.  They even baked me a whole30 approved cake, and  I about died laughing when I read these cards from my two youngest:

All about my Mom

My Mom's name is Rachel

She is 36 years old

Mom and I like to watch people

Mom like to say "hello"

My mom really loves me!

She like to eat salid (salad)

She likes to drink water

My Mom's job is to work at home

If she had time, she would like to stop cleaning up after us

Mom is really good at being nice

If I could go anywhere in the world with her, we'd go Paris

I love my Mom because she love me!

She likes to eat salid (salad)

She does not like to eat coces (cookies)

Apparently I'm a salad eating stalker who does not like to clean the house.

 Awesome Talk on Mothers HERE

If Tomorrow Never Comes-

This morning in the paper I ran across an obituary for a young man about my oldest sons age.  He died in a car accident.  Then it hit me:  

 We never really know when our last time with those we love will be. 

  I took a moment to reflect on my last moments spent with my children and husband.  What did I say to them?  What was my mannerism?   Was I kind and happy and smiling?   Did I take the time to hug and kiss them? Did I tell them how much I love them and how proud I am of them? 

 This really hit home to me.

 From this moment on, I am going to consciously try my best to do these things - to make every moment with my loved ones count.  

 I never know when it may be my last, and I don't want any regrets.

Perfection-

Yesterday was a crazy day!  Things did not go as I had planned, but last night as I reflected on the day, I was proud of all the things I accomplished even though everything didn't go as perfectly as I had envisioned it.  

Here was my vision:

I'd wake up 

have my personal devotional

eat a healthy breakfast

have morning devotional with the older kids before they head out the door to school

exercise

get dressed in something other than sweats

do my hair

put on makeup

clean the house

By this time it would be time to:

 wake the little girls for school

feed them breakfast

do their hair

make sure they match and they've brushed their teeth

have morning devotional before getting in the car and 

dropping the girls off at school

Come home, blog a fabulous unforgettable blog post

have my meditation time

make strawberry jam and homemade bread

deliver gorgeous loaves of bread and hot jam to the neighbors

mop the floors and clean the stove-top

pick up #6 from Kindergarten

have lunch

Spend the afternoon playing and reading with her

Make cookies just in time to pull them out of the oven right as the older kids are walking in the door from school.

Pick up #5 from school

Get homework done

Take #5 to her piano lessons

Library field trip with the kids

make a gourmet dinner right on time (6:00 is dinner time for us)

eat dinner

clean the kitchen

have a spiritual well-planned fhe

pj's & teeth brushed

family prayers

story time

and finally bedtime

That was how I envisioned my day.

BUT It really went like this:

Woke up, still tired.  Fell back asleep.

Woke up again

Forced myself to get out of bed.

morning devotional and breakfast

morning devotional with kids that ran extra long and was not what I was envisioning nor do I think any of it made sense.

late out the door -boys almost missed the bus

exercise

By this time I'm late waking the little girls up for school

scramble to get them fed, dressed and out the door.  Teeth were not brushed, but they did match and their hair was at least brushed.

Came home

meditation time

wrote a crappy blog post

got dressed - no makeup but I did put on jeans and a t-shirt

but hair in a ponytail

cleaned the kitchen and it looked so good!

time to pick up #6

Head to the store for bread since we're out and I didn't get any made

lunch of leftovers for me, cinnamon toast and cucumbers for her

start on the bread - I decide to try a new bread recipe (bad idea)

It takes forever! and my bread loaves came out flatter than they did going into the oven!  (FAIL!)

I wash dishes and start on the cookies

Fresh warm gooey cookies are coming out of the oven right as my older kids walk through the door - (WIN!)

Pick up #5

Start on jam (not homework)

Drop #5 off to her piano lesson

Run to the library (by myself) where I spent too much time-

Now I was late picking #5 up from her lesson, luckily Clint was right there and called to say he would pick her up.  (Blessing)

Make and finish another batch of jam

Start on dinner (which took way longer than it should have to make) while trying to clean the kitchen and do homework with the girls (not a good idea)

Now half the kitchen is clean, some homework is finished, and only half of our gourmet dinner of grilled cheese sandwiches, Campbell's Tomato soup, and salad is prepared- by this time it's 6:20

#4 needs a book from the library and Clint is busy

I quickly run him to the library before it closes (my second trip in two hours)

We make it.  He finds his book, we head home

Where I Finished dinner

We didn't sit down to eat dinner (which is now cold) until after 7:00

This ends up working out well because my oldest just happened to come home from work right then for his lunch break and we were able to eat dinner together with the entire family.  (miracle)

Finally after cleaning the kitchen we sit down to an unorganized last minute Family Night.

#4 taught us about the Atonement

He showed us the VIDEO Because of Him

As I watched this video (and cried- I dare you to watch this video and not get teary) I realized that it doesn't matter how smoothly my day goes or how much I accomplish.  It's not about being perfect.   It's about trying and giving it my best, and letting Christ make up the difference.

My family didn't care that the floor wasn't mopped, that their teeth didn't get brushed before school or that their dinner consisted of cold grilled cheese sandwiches.  They won't remember any of that.  But they will remember the way I made them feel loved, the way they feel when we spend time eating and laughing together as a family, and the way the Spirit feels as we discuss the gospel and bear our testimonies with each other.  That is PERFECTION.  That is a perfect day.

The Dress!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love being a mom?  I do, I love it!  I love my relationships with each of my children, and the satisfaction I get from seeing my children grow and make righteous choices.

-Warning: this is another brag post-

My daughter and I have spent several days out shopping for a Prom dress. (Remember THIS?)

It has been so much fun!  In fact, I wanted to play dress-up and try on dresses too, but I reminded myself that I was the almost 40 year-old mother and somehow, I kept myself in check. 

 As #2 picked out dress after dress to try on, it was fun to see her tastes and style preferences.

 Nothing poofy (princess dresses definitely are out), not too much sparkle or bling, something with some color - She was really into teal and coral/salmon (Did you know these are the same color just different names? -I'm talking about coral and salmon not teal and coral- Yep- it's the tomAto - tomato thing.).

What I was most proud of was her choice to dress modestly.  Without me even saying a word, she wanted only a dress with sleeves (the dress she chose is getting a cap sleeve sewn on), a dress that's high in the front and the back, and something not too form fitting.  

She knows that modest is hottest and that makes this mama very happy.

Which one of these dresses is your favorite?

Which one do you think she chose?

Accomplishments

This boy, child #3, has accomplished a lot this past week.

First, he interviewed for a job at the local BSA (that's Boy Scouts of America) camp.  And yes, he was hired, which means he will be gone for most of the summer. I'm already missing him. 

 It also means that he will be pre-spending (is there even such a word) his paychecks before he even gets them buying his official BSA uniforms which are required.  Everything from shirts, socks, pants, belts, neckerchiefs, and t-shirts, (probably underwear too) must be official BSA apparel!  

But alas, he will be learning to "work hard for the money" and hopefully this experience will light a fire underneath his 'you- know-what and he'll get busy finishing all the requirements needed for him to achieve Eagle status.

But before he leaves for the summer, he will be playing tennis as an official member of the Jr High tennis team- where we will get to spend a lot of quality time watching and taking him to his various meets or is it matches?  (I better learn the lingo if I'm going to be a good tennis-mom.)  He spent this week trying out, and was very happy yesterday when his name was called on the team roster.

Last week we were able to go on a little mother-son date where I asked him what his goals were for the next 5 years.  He at first said, Well I'll still be going to school.  When I reminded him that he would graduate in 3 years he was a little shocked.  When he realized that in 5 years he would be almost 21 that freaked him out too.  After thinking for just a second, he informed me that he:

1. wanted to graduate from high school

2.  wants to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints

-anywhere English speaking (I think because he's having a hard time learning a different language in his Spanish class right now.)  At youth conference a couple months ago they did a missionary theme and he was called to Chicago.  He said maybe he would serve there.?

3. wants to attend BYU when he gets home from his mission.

He'll be awesome at it all.  I'm so lucky to be his mama.  

Backfired Plan!

I've been trying the entire school year to get two certain girls to walk into school by themselves.

The older one (believe it or not) was the most hesitant.  I tried a count-down - okay two more weeks until you get to walk into school all by yourself!  YAY!  (Insert Happy Excited Smiling Face and Hands Clapping for Joy.)  Once the countdown was over, I drove through the drop-off line despite the tears from the back-seat.  "This will be good for them" I kept telling myself.  "You have to teach your kids to do hard things and to be independent" I repeated this over and over again through the crying.  I had to practically push my 2nd grader out of the car.  She proceeded to stand there on the sidewalk of the school kicking and screaming and crying in front of everyone.  I did what any sensible mother would do - told them to get back into the car, parked in the parking lot, and held their hands while I walked them into school. 

Last Friday, the best things happened- A certain second grader wanted to walk the mile home with her little friend.  I told her if she's not big enough to walk into school by herself, she's not big enough to walk home by herself.  She said "Oh, okay, and jumped in the car".  It wasn't until Monday that I knew my reverse psychology had finally and actually worked!  Monday morning I was informed that I was no longer needed as an escort.  They would be walking into school by themselves.  

Our scripture reading that morning was all about courage.  On the way to the car my second grader said to her little sister.  "Can we be brave and have enough courage to walk into school without Mom?"  to which her little sister responded, "Yeah! (DUH!)  We're not babies any more."  or something like that.  

Sure enough, a miracle of all miracles happened and my baby girls walked into school without me.  At first I was excited and relieved, but quickly those feelings faded into sadness.  Wait!  My babies are growing up?  I'm not needed any more?  (WHAAAAH!) 

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

Suddenly I wanted to walk them into school.  I wanted to hold their hand and kiss them and hug them good-bye before turning them over to their teacher for the day.  Dang, I hate it when my plan backfires, and I'm the one left in the dust. 

Proud Mama Moments

You know those moments when your child does something that makes you so proud of them you could just burst?  Moments that make you realize all the family nights, teaching moments, and late-night discussion were actually internalized (imagine that!).  I've had two huge "proud mama moments" recently:

Last week, #4 was invited to a birthday party.  He was excited to attend until he found out they were going to be attending a pg-13 movie.  (As you may or may not know, we've chosen to not watch any movie over a pg rating.)  I left the decision of whether or not to go up to him.  

There was no thinking about it.  He immediately chose not to go.  He told his friend that he didn't watch pg-13 movies but that if they did anything after, he would love to come to that.   5 minutes after the party started, the birthday boy's mom called me.  She said she felt awful.  She had been going back and forth as to whether or not to take everyone to see a pg-13 movie, and that they had changed their minds and were going bowling instead.  Yipee!  

What a testimony building experience for my son.  He learned that when you stick up for your beliefs (as hard as it may sometimes be), you are blessed for it.

I was so proud of him and extremely grateful to God for immediately showing forth the blessings of obedience.

The second moment came from this beauty.  I think it helped that Monday night we had a family night discussion on chastity and dating.  Where we reminded our older children how much easier it is to stay morally clean when you date in groups.  The next day, her test came. . . . 

#2 was invited by a boy to go out for ice cream.  Assuming it would be with a group, she accepted.  Later that evening she found out no one else was invited.  It would be just the boy and her.  She asked me what she should do.  I think she was afraid of hurting his feelings or embarrassing herself.  I once again told her it was her decision.  She would have to choose.  I gave her a couple ideas - She could blame not being able to go on her crazy mean mom and dad, or she could take her little sisters with her (my personal favorite).  

What she did totally surprised me.  She ended up flat out telling her date that she wouldn't go out with him unless he found more people to go with them, which, of course, he did.  YAY!  I was so proud of her for sticking to her standards.

Ahhh Proud Mama Moments - my heart could just burst!

In OTHER NEWS:

My oldest is trading in his Burger King attire for a blue "How May I Help You" vest!

Keeping my fingers crossed that he enjoys this new job and that all goes well.

Scripture Sight Words

 I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

It is really important for me as a mother to teach my children to connect with the scriptures.

A few years ago, my sister gave each member of our family a paperback Book of Mormon.  We have used and reused these things.  

This is my youngest.  She, for the last year, occasionally takes her little blue Book of Mormon to bed and pretends to read a page or two.  She has always pretended to read.  Remember THIS? (Scroll to the very end.)  Fortunately she is now in Kindergarten and she is learning to read.  Each week she learns a new 'sight-word' or two.  Words like to, the, for, they, look, etc.

 Last week, I saw her just marking away in her blue book of scripture.  When I asked her what she was marking, she excitedly said, "Oh just all the words I know."

She might not be able to read -read the Book of Mormon, but she's thrilled to be able to find and read all the sight-words she knows.   To her, she's reading the scriptures just like her siblings.

And that does a mama's heart good.