Nothing Going On

This is a bit of a strange post to write, considering that we've had SO MUCH going on that I haven't even posted in awhile. Someday I hope to figure out the balance between living life and recording it. Both are important, yet can't very easily be done at the same time...

As I exercised this morning with my friend, Ginger, we shared some of our "mom feelings" about home life, specifically about family time. Of course Monday nights are SACRED; we count on having that. But there are other times that often need just as much priority, yet are very lacking in structure (at least at my house).

It may be that little while when the kids have just gotten home from school. Or it might be a Saturday morning when the calendar is actually blank. What defines these times isn't exactly clear, but as a mom I sometimes get a strong urge to lock my doors, unplug the phone, and simply "be together," for whatever amount of time it can last.

It might not even be that we actually gather for a meal, or gather at all. To a fly on the wall it would appear that there is "nothing going on." But in my eyes countless things are taking place.

In one corner of the couch two kids are talking about something that happened at school. Another child might be sitting quietly, working on homework. Another is scaling the kitchen in search of a snack, which he will then take to the table for a moment of much-needed "down time." (He'll likely be joined by at least one other soon.) On the floor a smaller one might play with blocks. Someone might go sit at the piano and play a song... And it's quite likely that, somewhere in there, at least one teaching moment will occur.

Of course the two on the couch might find something to argue about--but they'll work it out. The one doing homework might get distracted and off-task. The snacker(s) might come, begging and pleading, to ask for something not-so-healthy. And the blocks will be scattered across the room.

So what makes this time so important? Which of these activities could we absolutely not have lived without? Should this time be more "structured" and "productive"???

Well, no two days are exactly the same. Teaching moments occur spontaneously, and sometimes the lessons are simple: Relax. Sit for a bit. Enjoy each other.

As a mom these times are ones I soak up. When my kids are grown and gone I know I will have fond memories of these rare times when we had "nothing going on."

Something as simple as the TV being turned on, or a neighbor friend coming over to play, can change the whole dynamics--which makes these moments even fewer and farther between, and therefore even more cherished.

While these thoughts were on my mind I wanted to jot them down. Thanks to Ginger, I know there's at least one other mom who feels this way.

But I also need to get off the computer, since I'll soon have nothing going on. ;-)

Special Firsts

Spencer has recently experienced two new "Firsts" in his life, and it was extra-special that they both took place during trips to St. George, Utah. He turned twelve in December, so April 3rd was his first time attending the Priesthood Session of Conference. Since we were on a trip and therefore had only one car, we drove around the town until we found a church building where people were going inside. The girls and I (and Chase) dropped our men off and smiled as we watched the three of them walk in together. Spencer was so excited for his first General Priesthood meeting.

Sitting there in the parking lot I couldn't help noticing the colors in some of the trees. I don't ever remember seeing colors like this all together in the same tree before. I had to get a picture! Now tell me that doesn't look like General Conference!!! =)

The second "First" Spencer got to experience was doing Baptisms for the Dead in the St. George Temple. On April 29th we headed back up for Rob's Ironman, so the day before the race we took our three oldest into the baptistry to do some temple work. Spencer was beside himself with excitement!!!
Since our younger ones weren't old enough to go inside, Rob and I traded off: I went in with the older ones and did some confirmations while Rob walked around outside with the others; then he went in to perform the baptisms and I took the little ones to the Visitor's Center. We were reminded that this temple is the one in which the Founding Fathers appeared to Wilford Woodruff. I know that story is one reason this temple is one of my very favorites.

I hope Spencer will always remember these "Firsts," and the special feelings there.
Great memories!!!