Category Archives: Winter

Closer to Heaven

Last night when I tucked the kids in bed and reminded Ava to say her prayer, she didn’t say she was too tired but went right into it, thanking Heavenly Father for the beautiful Earth and that it could grow again, asking Him to bless the babies in mommy’s tummy and her daddy’s head to feel better. She went on to thank Him for so many things that day, told Him how she felt about things, and asked Him to help people she loved, even those she hasn’t seen in a while. I wish I could remember it all and how she said it, it was so sincere and real and heartfelt, like most of her prayers are. I think if we all learned to pray like that, we’d feel a lot closer to heaven. I sure did. #mamanotes

Making Improvements

I just finished studying the talk, “Joy and Spiritual Survival” by Russel M. Nelson from last year’s General Conference, and I loved it so much. The other day I thought of the scripture in Ether (12:27) about how through the Grace of our Savior–a real power to do what we can’t do on our own–we can overcome our weaknesses. –Because “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Phillipians 4:13)

Right now I feel like my weakness is succumbing to the difficulty of my circumstances and often times focusing on the negative–or at least not resisting the temptation to. I miss feeling joy more consistently. Some of it is due to my crazy pregnant hormones, but there is definitely room for improvement–more gratitude, more focus on the good, better use of my time, and more trust in the Lord.

SO, my recent focus/goal/effort is to look to Him to overcome–to learn how to have joy in the midst of trial. I brainstormed some steps I think I need to take to have this fulness of joy…

1.  Focus on the Savior. Think of Him, lean on Him, turn to Him often.

-Make my prayers more sincere, take more time to pray and ponder

2.  Limit the influence of the world.

-Guard my time and exposure to worldly things.

-Social media once a day–not an excuse for boredom. There are such better things I can do!

3.  Free time (on bedrest)

–family history, gospel study, cards/calls to others, embrace my kids!

Ether 12:27 “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

(Isn’t that scripture just so comforting?)

Puddles, Snow, & Potty Training

Ava went with Jake to Bismarck today, so Hyrum and I got to spend a lot of time together–eating bowls of oranges, reading books, pulling all the clothes out of my dresser, laying on the couch, and jumping in piles of pillows on my bed… Obviously we weren’t together the whole time (my bedroom floor makes that clear), but I love that I can still hear his little voice in my head–“Wook a me Mom!” –And the way his eyes got all squinty when he jumped ’cause he was smiling so big. I just love being with him.

Last week we had warmer days, melting snow, and lots of outside playtime. The kids loved it (and I did too!) And between all the puddles, snow, and potty training, Hyrum was always running out of dry pants!

Now the temperatures have chilled, new snow has fallen, and Hyrum is back in diapers. And I’m totally ok with that because there are even more good things to come! My laundry is less, spring is just around the corner, and all is well when I hear Hyrum say, “I peed.” It’s great. (We gave it 3 weeks and as much as I wanted him to be, he just wasn’t ready. And that’s ok too.) #mamanotes

Buddies

Ava and I sat on my bed with our legs stretched out scooping the last of the crumbs from the bag of chips. It was quiet except for our talking and crunching and the few cars going by outside. “I can’t wait until Hyrum wakes up so I can play with him,” she said.
These two have been playing together a lot lately and it’s one of my favorite things. He follows her and copies her and runs around dancing and chasing monsters with her and she couldn’t love it more. And I’m right there with her. I couldn’t love it more. #mamanotes

A Family Valentines

I sat on the back porch in the afternoon sun watching the kids squeal with excitement to be outside. They chased bubbles on the steps and down the only narrow pathway paved from snow. Ava made some new tracks through the backyard mounds and Hyrum got stuck trying to follow. Then she sat on the fence by the little tree and said, “Hey mom do you remember when I used to climb this tree?” like it’s been years since it had leaves and branches warm enough to climb. Sometimes it feels that way.

Then Jake came home with chocolate covered strawberries and an empty snack container to make a piggy bank with Ava. She was so excited.

We lit candles and ate on paper plates to avoid dishes after dinner. Hyrum kept trying to blow the candles out and turn back on the lights (he’s only seen candles on a birthday cake and that’s just what you do!) We pulled the sparkling grape juice from the snow outside and cheers-ed to a Happy Valentine’s Day with our four paper cups.

We finished the night with a game of candy land and cinnamon rolls from a dear friend then watched the kids dance to music across the family room floor before tucking them in bed with lots of I love you’s.

Ava fell asleep within minutes of cuddling, and when I laid next to Hyrum to try to help him fall asleep, he pressed his little hand onto the side of my face, brought it right against his and gave me a kiss. I smiled the happiest of smiles and told him I loved him, to which he replied, “Love you Mom.” My heart could burst I so adore him.

Between the love of my life and these two little love bugs, we’re all just full of love over here and I just feel so lucky. #mamanotes