First day of School

No backpacks needed! We had a busy, but fun, first week of school. Two days before school, I gave each of the kids an invitation inviting them back to school. They all picked out a favorite outfit and had their hair done and ready to go by 8:00. We read scriptures with dad and then I pulled out a big surprise: a new laptop. Everyone loves having two computers. Then we went over all the new "systems" for the school year. Who practices when, who cleans what and when, who helps with meals which day, that sort of thing. Then we started reading Little Women, A History of Us and The Friend. Last, everyone worked on their own K12 courses. Elisabeth really likes hers, but has a hard time staying focused on what she was going to do next. Darci and Davy really love math, but do well in all their subjects. Bekah is studying a lot this year and has done a good job everyday. Nicole just studies. I hardly see her. We did have a fun week together and even though they wish they saw their friends more, they all like home school for learning. It takes a lot of my time, but there isn't anywhere else more important for me to be!

Darci's Special Day

I look at that face and just see sunshine. Darci chose to be baptized yesterday and she was positively glowing. I know she was able to feel the spirit and she understands the promises she made as she came up out of the water. Here are 8 wonderful joys Darci brings to my life:
1. She has the cutest nose ever and not only that, it's talented, too. She can hang a spoon off this cute little button!
2. She loves to move!!! She learned to walk before she was one, much to my chagrin, and from there went immediately to climbing, running and jumping non-stop. Oh, to have that energy.
3. I love watching Darci make friends. Not that there's much to watch. It just happens.
4. I love the way she puts together cute little outfits and then one-by-one everything is changed back to sport shorts and a T-shirt. You've got to be able to move!
5. I love how you like to wear jewelry. Not the really sparkly girly stuff, but a simple chain or bracelet that shows off your feminine side.
6. I love how hard you work at school. Even though it's not really easy or fun for you, you stick to it and WOW! you're doing awesome!
7. I love your eyes. Just looking at your eyes reminds me of the day you were born and seeing them for the first time. I was so happy to have you here. I can't believe how lucky I am to be your Mom.
8. I love your righteous heart. You really try to CTR and most of the time you do.
I love you, Jo-Jo!!

ps Braithwaite Family, I posted all the baptism pics on our My Family site.

5 Mile Milk Run

In January I set the goal to run the 5 Mile Milk Run Monroe City sponsors every 24th of July. My friend Shawnee wanted to as well, so we've been working up to it together. I still don't like running. I thought if I could run that far, surely the mystical runner's high I've heard about would kick in. But no. After about the first 15 minutes, every step is somewhere between annoying and agonizing. BUT, I made it! I ran the whole 5 miles without stopping. I came in about 3rd to last, but I did the whole thing. It was hard and I did it anyway. That feels great! Goal accomplished!
The best part was when Dave drove the kids out to the 1/2 way point and they all cheered me on. Then, Davy, Bekah and Elisabeth ran with me the last two blocks. So even though I still haven't felt the joy of jogging, I definitely feel the joy of being a supported Mom.

General Conference

Today at general conference, I was very touched by Elder Ballard's talk on motherhood. He was so kind and generous in his comments. He advised mothers to do four things:
1) Realize the joy of motherhood comes in moments
2) Don't overschedule yourself and your family.
3) Make some time to enjoy the things you love.
4) Pray, study and teach the gospel.
I feel inspired to make these four things the focus of my life for the next six months.

Why tending roses?

One of my favorite books is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Burnett. Although a children's story about children, it is a rich unfolding of the true secret for happiness. Three unlikely playmates, a lonely orphan, a sickly heir and a poor gardener, discover a forgotten, overgrown garden and make it their own. As they pull weeds and nurture plants they learn, "Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow." The story progresses and they all discover how this lesson applies to their entire life.

This is my theme for mothering. During the last 13 years, since becoming a mother, I have too often forgotten. I have planted many thistles and then wondered why my garden isn't such a pleasant place to be. Then, instead of pulling out the weeds and tending to my flowers, I've poisoned myself with self-destructive thoughts and behaviors. So, the purpose of this blog is to remind me to tend my roses: my relationships with God, Christ, my husband and my children.

Come watch my garden grow!