A Sweet Reminder

Lincoln's new primary teacher approached me after a stake Relief Society activity this evening.  She looked straight into my eyes, touched my arm and told me how much she loves Lincoln.  She loves him because he is so honest and speaks so freely, without guile.  He is sweet and tender.  She said she can tell he has been taught well.  My heart sang, and I wept. 

I thanked her for telling me.  Most of the time, day-to-day life is busy and crazy.  I know Lincoln is a good boy.  He is tender.  He is sweet.  He already has a marvelous testimony.  But I think sometimes those things get lost in the daily craze.  And an outside reminder of the goodness of one, or all, of my children renews me.

This is not a call for praise of my children.  It is just a sweet reminder to me, to be recorded in our little family's record, that my children are good.  They are kind.  They are special.

Another Year Bites the Dust

When we asked the littles if they wanted to try and stay up until midnight to ring in the New Year, they were ecstatic.  They put on their macho faces: "We can totally do it.  We don't sleep anyway; we're always faking."  Well, that was a lot of lip service if I ever heard it. 

At 8:55 p.m., Lincoln and Porter had checked out and Greg wasn't far behind. Ethan fought a good fight and made it until nearly 11:00, then asked how the New Year Elf would visit if he was still awake.  I told him to give in and go to sleep; 2 minutes later, he was gone.

I crawled in bed at 11:20, after all my boys were asleep.  I'm a strong believer that the best way to bring in the New Year is in your own bed, sleeping peacefully amidst those you love.

This was a great year for us. We expected to be apart a lot, and weren't at all. Greg is back in school and we're surrounded by family and friends. We're happy where we are, but admittedly, we've learned to be happy anywhere we are together.

Happy New Year, all.