Balance

I found myself feeling a little off balance this week.

I was a little quicker to anger and slower to appreciate goodness than usual.  A little more rushed and scattered, a little less nurturing.

When I took the time to stop running around like a chicken with my head cut off, I realized why.  A huge majority of my time the preceding week had been spent on things that were not the most important things.

My days and minutes were filled with really good things, but those things had crowded out the crucial things.

Instead of reading books or playing trains with the little boys in the morning, I was busy answering emails or texts.  Trying to get ready for the basketball tournament or the music assignments for the upcoming conference.  For several evenings in a row, I was not here for our bedtime routine... scriptures, song, prayers, group hug.  I was busy singing in an amazing, powerful choir concert that really fed my soul.  I had an evening meeting for girls camp and led a Stake choir practice.

All of those things needed to be done, and I'm glad that I did them.  But now it is time for me to rebalance.  I played a game of Skip-bo with the kids, and oh how it filled me!  We had time to laugh and talk, with no interruptions.  (Unless, of course, you count the 2 year old that kept scattering the cards and sneezing grossness on people.)

Today we had our Easter Sunrise devotional, our special breakfast, and an egg hunt.  I got to share my testimony of the Savior with my family, and bask in the peace of the early morning.   I shared their excitement when the little ones found candy in their eggs, and I had time to listen to the funny things they said.

I could list about a hundred little, ordinary things that happened this weekend that helped me to regain my balance.  Stuffing eggs with Josh.  Telling Becca the story of Jeff's and my first kiss.  Wiping the chocolate drool off of Eli's chin over and over.  Hearing Jonah tell me he loves me, with those sparkling eyes and big gaps in his teeth.

It was a good reminder for me.  No matter how many good things I do, there is nothing more important than the little details of my family.  If I am too busy to enjoy those little things, it is time to slow down, take a breath, and re-focus.

It's going to be a good week.

April Fool's Day

I had a funny memory surface this year on April Fool's Day.  My girls were little- maybe 3 and 5.  It was April Fool's Day, and they really wanted to pull a prank on Daddy.

We called him at work, and one of them said "Hi Jeff.  This is your boss calling."  Then together they yelled "You're fired!"  Immediately they both burst into laughter, thinking they really fooled Dad.  That memory made me smile multiple times yesterday.

This year Caleb woke Josh and Jonah up really early to put Cling Wrap on the toilet seat, the faucet, and the outside of Simon's door.  I don't think anyone really got  fooled, but they had a lot of fun planning it out!

When the big kids left for school, Simon wanted to "set some traps" of his own.  Here is what we came up with:

When the kids got home from school there was a pan on the stove covered with tin foil.  I left a note that said "Brownies for after school snack."

I think every single person that came home fell for it!  Including Jeff!  Simon thought we were pretty funny!  I felt a little bad that I got everyone's hopes up, but that didn't last too long.

We also made some red jello, and put it in a glass pitcher in the fridge.  Simon told people they could pour themselves a glass of fruit punch, but when they tried... it didn't move!  Another good one.

Every year lately, I tell myself that next year I will do a really great April Fool's prank on my kids.  They would love it!  Next year I won't be just barely keeping my head above water.  Next year I will have the energy to be a really fun mom.

I wonder if next year will ever really come...