This week my daughter shared the following conversation that took place between her and her 5-year-old, Maddie: "Maddie, it’s time to go outside and play" "That's not in my SCHEDULE Mom" "What schedule?" "Well you said the other day that it was good to have a schedule of what you do each day, so ... Read More
Let’s Buckle Up and Enjoy the Ride! – Step 3
Here’s a paradox. We often become involved in destructive behavior in the name of personal freedom. Then to our dismay, this sign of our independence actually leads to bondage. It is also a paradox that the only way to become truly free is to become truly submissive. Those who have practiced this ... Read More
“We Don’t Ever Have To Put Christmas Away” – Step 3 Trust In God
This was the first Christmas in years I have been completely void of the desire to “take down Christmas” as we say. The first year I remember feeling this way was my first baby’s first Christmas. My mother-in-law had always decorated her tree with little birds. She was growing older and was ... Read More
Christmas Eve Instruction on Finding the Perfect Gift – Step 1, 2, 3, and Perfectionism
If I wasn’t “finishing up” at Target or All-A-Dollar or Kmart at 5:45 on Christmas Eve I guess the season wouldn’t be quite the same. One December 24, 2002 I was given the following insight. It has made a difference in every Christmas Eve thereafter. Exhausted and touching on frantic, I completed ... Read More
His “Master-piece!” Steps 1,2, and 3
Outside my fifth grade classroom door, in the hall, there was a glass case on the wall dedicated to showing off exceptional work from students in our room. Every Friday afternoon was devoted to “art” and after our projects were completed the very best were selected, placed in the glass case, and ... Read More
Sledding with Sammy – Surprise! – Step 3 & 11
Sledding down the hill at the elementary school park with the “Grands” might be the extent of my winter games as a Grandma, but there is something potentially youthful and energizing about being the willing grandma of a three year old. This is for those of you who wish there was Christmas snow on ... Read More
Just Who Is On That “Naughty List?”
Eliza reminds me of myself sometimes. She’s the oldest grandchild on both sides of her family, very serious and quite responsible, as first children tend to be. She’s the “other mother” in her family, because from the view of the oldest child, one mother is never quite enough to keep everything and ... Read More
The Danger of Supposing – Step 3 and Step 11
One of the blessings of the Book of Mormon is the realness of the people. The descriptions of their feelings during challenging times are authentic and can be very instructive. One of my favorite women in scripture is our sister Sariah, the wife of the Prophet Lehi. My experience is certainly not ... Read More