Burning the bacon

It happens every. time.   I mean, I like my bacon crispy… but this is ridiculous.  I cannot cook bacon without scorching it.

Actually, this week I have burned bacon twice, a big pot of rice, and some garlic in butter.

I have come to realize that all this burning is not so much an indicator of my culinary failings as it is a symbol of a bigger problem in my life.

I try to do too many things at once, making it impossible to do any of them very well.  It’s taking a toll on my self-esteem.

A few days ago, when the smoke alarm went off reminding me that I had bacon in the oven, (you know, because that would save me a little time) I just lost it.   My emotional outburst was definitely disproportionate to the incident.    The smoke alarm seemed to be screaming at me that I was a failure.  Again.

When I’m cooking, I am also usually cleaning, counseling, answering, encouraging, scolding, signing, and a variety of other things.  Sometimes when I’m trying to help everyone at once, I find myself giving the wrong answer to the wrong child, or agreeing to terms that I never even heard.

I know that’s the problem.  I know I need to slow down and focus on one thing, or one precious person at a time.  I know that.  And I would love to do that.

But how?  What else can I do when there are 18 things that all really do need to be done at the same time?  How do I look into the eyes of each person that needs my attention, and still give the bacon the one-on-one time that it requires?

The busy season has begun

Not much time to post…

Busy rounding up costumes for tomorrow’s school parade.

My favorite kind of morning

 

Complete with bed head and morning breath.

Guess who has been here

This morning I desperately needed a shower.  I decided to pay Jonah- in the form of a Hershey’s Kiss- to babysit Simon just long enough for me to get clean.  (Shaving will have to wait for a more experienced sitter.)

When I got out of the shower, this is what I saw:

 

That is Jonah’s signature crooked-blanket-bed-making job.  The binky and hot pad left behind are sure signs that Simon was an accomplice.

Enjoying

I woke up this morning with a touch of the stomach flu.  Just enough to make me feel yucky, and to prevent me from accomplishing things.

I was crabby, because what I really needed to be doing was cleaning up after our riotous weekend.  Not sitting on the couch in my PJs. 

Then I remembered my one-word New Year’s Resolution.  ENJOY.   To quote  myself   “I will choose to do the things that I enjoy.  And, since that is not always possible,  I will choose to enjoy the things that I must do.”

So what did I do?   I put on a cozy robe, made myself some chicken noodle soup, put it in a cute mug, and sat down in the rocking chair.  If I’m gonna be sick, I might as well do my best to enjoy it, right?

It worked, by the way.  I feel much better.

Baptism

This weekend was Josh’s baptism.

I gave everyone fair warning that I was likely to be crazy emotional lady that day.  I expected to be weepy through the whole day and well into the evening.

Sure enough… as I was leading the music, looking out over all the family and friends that were there, the tears began.  I am so grateful for all the people who care about my children.  Who will come just to be there and show their support.

I am so grateful for the good little boy who said “I can’t stop smiling even if I wanted to!”  He is smart and sincere in his desire to do what is right.

  

I also cried because I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It gives me direction and peace in my life.  And it helps to surround me with other people who are earnestly trying to follow the Savior.

Then I cried because I can’t believe how fast the years go.  It seems yesterday that Josh was a chubby little toddler who liked to tell me stories at naptime. 

Before I know it, I’ll be sending him off on a mission!

Now THAT is gonna be crazy emotional lady!

Photography

I’m sure you’ve noticed the increased quality of the pictures around here.  Jeff’s love for photography is growing every day.  I’m a little worried that it may one day take my place in his heart.

Yesterday we were sitting close together on the couch, having what I thought was a fairly deep conversation.

Very gently he took my chin in his hand and started tilting my face at different angles. (You don’t need to worry at this point that I’m going to get awkward and too personal, I promise.)   He was watching how the light and shadows changed on my nose!  Isn’t that romantic?

I got a good laugh out of it.

1000

Have you ever actually counted to 1000?

The other day Jonah decided he was going to see if he could do it.  It took us most of the morning.  I say “us” because like it or not, I was a participant.

He followed me everywhere.  Counting.  Counting.  Counting.   Every once in a while he would get stuck on a random number.  “Mom, what comes after 632?” 

A couple of times he had to take a break to eat or brush his teeth or something.  It was my job to remember where we left off.

I kept waiting for him to get bored or tired, but… nope!  He finished just in time for afternoon kindergarten.

Way to go Jonah!

Simple Joys

Today has been a great day.  Nothing exceptional has happened, but my heart feels swollen with gratitude for the ordinary, wonderful things that make life sweet.

We went to the park this morning and I watched my boys dig like crazy in the sand and go down the slide again and again. 

Jonah got to go to McDonalds with a friend, and is thrilled with his little toy.

Josh and Savannah surprised me by cleaning the house while I ran an errand.

Caleb was worried about hurting my feelings by not spending enough time at home.

It POURED  this afternoon, and the kids all ran and danced and sang in the rain.

I listened to a talk by President Monson, and felt my heart grow a little softer and a little bigger.

We celebrated Josh’s birthday, and he couldn’t be happier with his little gifts.  Nerf darts, a combination lock, an origami set, some Fuzzoodles, and a game.  Best of all, he’s sharing with everyone.

Life is sweet.

Mowing the lawn

Simon LOVES to help his dad mow the lawn!

This morning I was changing his diaper, when all of a sudden his little ears perked up.  He heard the sound of the lawn mower outside.  “Daddy!”  He yelled.

As soon as I got his pants on he went running for the front door.  “Daddy!  Daddy! Daddy!”

What a lucky boy to have a daddy that lets him “help.”