Warm fuzzies

Nothing makes my heart happier than seeing that my children love each other.

Recently Simon asked me "Mom, have you ever had the feeling that one of your siblings is actually your best friend?"

I answered that my sisters were actually my very best friends.

"Ya, I sorta feel that way about Josh."

Josh is such a good big brother.  When he's home he plays with Simon a lot- video games, board games, trampoline and ping-pong are some of their favorites.  When Josh is gone, Simon asks repeatedly when he'll be home.

The other day I heard him explaining to one of his friends in the car, "I'm pretty much a mini Josh."

Savannah is another one that puts significant effort into building relationships with her siblings.  She will play with them and tuck the little boys into bed at night- they love to have her tell stories.

Eli often begs for people to ride bikes with him.  Savannah couldn't resist his pleadings.

These are some lucky little boys to have such great older brothers and sisters!

Perspective

Today I am learning again that perspective is everything.

This morning in my prayers I thought about the day ahead of me.  I went through the usual tasks, and asked Father in Heaven to consecrate those things- to make them holy.  I asked for help to see the beauty in the normally mundane.

When I woke the boys up, I had one who was off to a rocky start.  He hated breakfast, he hated sharing a room, he hated noises and lights and smells and... you get the idea.  Normally that behavior is nothing but irritating to me.  Especially at 6:45 am!  But this morning I took the time to explain that in families we all have flaws, and we all need to be patient with each other.  I was reminded what a privilege it is to live in a family, and what a solemn responsibility I have to lovingly teach this boy.

As I folded laundry, it felt like a meaningful service.  I was happy to help pack lunches, to comb down unruly hair, and to smooth over minor disagreements.

I was especially happy to listen to Eli singing his heart out from the bathroom!  Something about gopher guts and tigers.

I am so grateful for the reminder that there is nothing in the world more important than teaching children.  God's "work and glory" is to bring to pass the eternal life of His children.  I am trying to be like Him.  My work and my glory is to love and teach my children- and to lead them to the Lord.

Motherhood is a holy work.