Our Re-Directed Purpose

Autumn has brought us some the most beautiful sky we have seen in quite a while.  August was all smoke and now the air is crisp and clean and it is marvelous. 

We are trying to settle into our new school year routine.  I am feeling like this year is more busy than last but the kids still have happy attitudes and enough energy to be Rescue Bots when they get home, jump along the couches, and diving off to rescue or fight some new foe.

Tommy joined us on Sunday morning and sometimes I just can't refuse a good snuggle from my little babes.  I know they wont want to climb in my bed forever but they will always be welcome! Haha!  I remember coming home to visit for the first time from college and it was the middle of the night when I got in.  I went in and lay in between my mom and dad and they both woke up to talk with me and help me feel welcome again.  I hope my kids know they will always be welcome to do that.

Elsy was in her first Primary Program this year!  She was excited and she memorized her part so nicely.  Our primary sent out questions for us to ask our kids and they compiled all the answers and let them say what their answers were.  The questions were how did Jesus chose the right?  and how can you follow His example?  Elsy's speaking part was, "Jesus chose the right when he died on the cross.  I can show Jesus I love him by being nice to my brother Tommy and to my friends."  She said it perfectly and I had several people come tell me after that she was just so cute up there!  She knew almost all the words to the songs and I could hear her singing.  I was playing the piano for the program so it was fun to be up there with her.

I loved the program so much.  I loved how they asked all the kids and let them share their own answers and testimonies.  I was struck by the simplicity but also the depth of the kids testimonies and knowledge of the gospel.   This week was a rough one for me, I just was really struggling with my focus and purpose.  I started to realize how selfish I have been in many ways and I started to think more about the love my Savior has for me.  When Elsy shared her speaking part, even though we had practiced it together so many times, I suddenly heard what she was saying during the program.  Jesus really did die for me on the cross and I am so grateful for His love for me in his willingness to do that.  I can show my gratitude to him by being kind to my family and to those around me.

Logan and I had a family council that night.  We both decided we have been focusing on good things, but not the best things in our lives.  We set some goals to attend the temple on a regular basis.  And then we set some parenting goals, like being present and not distracted (we deleted Facebook and Instagram from our phones), decided to put the Switch on a vacation, and try to be better listeners to each other and to our kids.  We also talked about trying to say yes as often as possible to the kids.  I love the quote by Marjorie Hinkley, "When it comes to parenting whenever possible say yes, they are only children once."  We both realized we have been saying no a lot just because we are being lazy or wanting to do our own thing and we realized we need to not let our children think they are inconveniences but the lights of our lives.  I am grateful that Logan and I have been having weekly check-ins with each other.  I learn so much about him as we do and we are able to re-set for the week and get back on the same page with our goals in life.

At church I noticed a little lizard running down the hall, so of course I grabbed him!  I taped two paper plates together, poked some holes in the top, and carried him around with me until we got to go home and play with him!  Tommy wanted to name it Golden Link and Elsy wanted to name it Unicorn so we just ended up putting all three together.  I thought about getting a terrarium and keeping it for the winter but decided against it when the kids kept trying to play with it while I wasn't around.  They were both so sad when we let it go that evening but they agreed it was best after some coaxing from Logan.  

We took them both out to take some individual pictures as well as sibling photos.  They were so cute... and so absolutely crazy.  Logan hasn't edited them yet but I am excited to frame them.

Watching Planet Earth II!

Waiting for Daddy to come home!

With Logan and I both working at our new goals, and we had more that I didn't share, I have noticed my life in stark contrast from last weeks grumpiness.  My life is so beautiful, despite the hardships we are facing.  I read a conference talk that quoted John 6:38, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."  The Savior truly is the perfect example.  I know that my desire when I chose to come to earth was to do the will of my Heavenly Father.  But because I am not as perfect as the Savior, I often forget.  I wrote this scripture on my chalkboard in my kitchen so I could remember that I came here to earth, not do do my own will, but the will of Him that sent me.  It is hard to not just remember this but to do it.  But we are trying over here in the Bean house.  Maybe you could try it, too.