As Time Goes On

This week was one of the worse all around. But it is about to get better because Matt will be off for the next 9 days then a few days here and there til January. 

After the horrific embarrassment at the converts baptism we worked on our family's service project, the twleve days of Christmas for a neighbor. The boys were so sweet and willing to help. You would of thought they were two completely different children from that morning. 

We went to a play place this week, where we always have gone, and some mom was so rude. I don't want to dwell on it but needless to say I left crying and cried all the way home. 

But the evening turned up when I went to a Relief Society activity. Our president shared a thought about Mary and how peculiar and treasured we are as women to our Heavenly Father. It was exactly what I needed to hear. It's amazing how The Lord extends tender mercies when you need it most. But I almost didn't go because I was too worn out to go and be social. When we make an effort to be in the right place, doing the right things, The Lord does bless us. 

Hope everyone has a great break! I know we will!!!! 

The finished product for our twleve days of Christmas gift. I took a picture becaue I'm not crafty and this ended up looking really good. 

Joshua always wants to lay down and take pictures with Ben. Ben most of the time is happy do so but not this time. 

Joshua at that awful play place making the most of what he could play with. There were so many people there I bet it violated a fire code. 

Look I have a kate Spade bag named after me! 

Little boys helping. They really love to help me. 

More pictures before bed. 

High point and Low points

My friend does these high/low points post and I love them! So I am following suit and doing my own high/low points of this week. 

High

-spending the day outside in 75 degree weather. Seeing all our neighbors outside again 

-having the boys ride bikes together

-going to a fun ward party

-watching my boys try and take off my boots after the ward party

-making forts in the play room

-dancing in the play room on Friday while waiting for dad to come home

-reading a talk given by President Packer, "The Shield of Faith"

Neighborhood playtime. 

Boys taking off my boots

Forts 

Dance party! 

Lows

-attending a baptism where my children laughed after the person came out of the water 

-trying to help them understand what they did wrong 

-going home and crying because I was SO embarrassed 

I really hope one day my kids will sit through church. But until they do I will just keep trying to pretend like its no big deal and keep pretending I have it all together. 

PJs, Tree, Parks, and More

I LOVE this time of year!!! It is even better now that my kids are getting older and enjoying the holiday as well. Here are some random pictures and thoughts about our life. 

Christmas pjs and our tree. Had to hurry and take a photo before benji outgrew his. He's kind of a chunk. But I LOVE it!!! 

Joshua is THE best big brother! And Benji loves him!!! 

Melts my heart!!! They love mommy's new toy and are so gentle with it. They also must have music to play when playing the piano! Haha! 

Love this little climber! 

Samuel is determined that his age will not hold him back from anything Joshua does. I keep telling Matt we need to look out for him because he is going to keep Joshua on his toes in everything. 

Love this little guy more than I can say!!! Best baby ever!!! 

Tracks in the park with our card. Probably one of their favorite thugs to do when no one is there. People in TN think when it's below 60 that they can't go outside so we are now usually alone at the park. 

This guy hordes cars. I find them everywhere and he takes them everywhere. 

Life gets so crazy I often forgot about the importance of the eternal work I am doing and get down on myself for what I am not doing--or able to accomplish. I know it's so important to keep perspective. Here is a quote I found from a talk I read today. It was sooo good! It's called, "the shield of faith," by President Packer. 

"The plan designed by the Father contemplates that man and woman, husband and wife, working together, fit each child individually with a shield of faith made to buckle on so firmly that it can neither be pulled off nor penetrated by those fiery darts.

It takes the steady strength of a father to hammer out the metal of it and the tender hands of a mother to polish and fit it on. Sometimes one parent is left to do it alone. It is difficult, but it can be done.

In the Church we can teach about the materials from which a shield of faith is made: reverence, courage, chastity, repentance, forgiveness, compassion. In church we can learn how to assemble and fit them together. But the actual making of and fitting on of the shield of faith belongs in the family circle. Otherwise it may loosen and come off in a crisis."

 I am building their shield of faith daily by the little things we do. Love these boys. Love being a mom!