On This Day

Abe has an older brother whose family has a tradition of taking their newly turned 8 year-olds to General Conference.  I know a good idea when I see one, so we've followed suit.  It has been a wonderful experience for each of our children so far.  Today was Elinor's big day.  She said her favorite part was riding the escalator up three flights.  I guess there are lots of levels on which one can enjoy Conference.

We got tickets enough for Clark and Bethany to go along as well.  I stayed home with the little ones.  Sometimes I underestimate just how much the older kids to do to help with and entertain the younger ones.  I was pretty worn out taking care of George, CANNON, and Faith all morning alone.  I missed the conversation of the bigger kids.

 

This was a really nice day for our family.  This afternoon everyone was calm (the little boys were napping) and happy to be together watching Conference.  Our schedule has been a bit too hectic lately and we were all looking forward to some down time.  As Bethany so succinctly put it this evening, "I love Conference weekend for three reasons:  1) you get to be lazy and don't really have to do anything  2) You get to listen to the prophet and hear what Heavenly Father wants you to do  3) you get to be with your family a lot."

I couldn't have said it better myself. 

While Abe went to Priesthood meeting the kids had some friends over to play.  Then those friends invited us to come watch them feed the lambs they are raising.  After being home all day, I was ready for a little field trip!

Fun for us.  Doesn't take too much these days.

 

I wanted to take a picture of cute little George, but somebody LOVES to have his picture taken, so he hopped right in.  I don't think I have ever felt so helplessly charmed by anyone in my entire life as I do by Cannon.  I don't feel capable of telling him no.  When he does something wrong, I have him do a short time-out.  When he's all done he says to me, "Stop doing naughty things to me, Mom!"  He is still 2, but he articulates so clearly and says the funniest things. 

It seems like my mind is frequently vascillating between exhaustion from the demands of a big family and overwhelming surprise at how much fun and how enjoyable a family of so many young children is.  It is a lot of work-- more than I ever imagined I would be able to do--- but the blessings are more than I ever imagined possible.  I am feeling very grateful for my people this evening.  I love the scripture about the windows of Heaven and not room enough to receive the blessings the Lord will pour out on you.  I like to think of our family of 8 living in three bedrooms and there literally not being room enough to receive all our blessings--otherwise known as children!

And on that note, can you believe Faith is FIVE???  She's a sweety and a bit of a shorty, but her roller-blades are making her look even more grown up.  I know there is no way to freeze time, but sometimes I really wish I could.  Perhaps that is why I enjoy doing this blog so much-- I'm so busy with my people that if I didn't write about life, I'd never remember it!