Blanket Statement

This fall, Elise began working on her first value project as part of the Young Women's Personal Progress program.  Her value project has to take at least ten hours and demonstrate the things she's learned.  She decided to sew a quilt.  We had quilt squares that Cory's sister, Lynetta, had cut out and pieced together from Cory's Dad's clothes.  Elise decided to add squares from shirts that came from both my Dad (her Papa) and her own Dad.  These are three men that she looks up to and respects and loves.  She wanted to honor them and remember them, and what better way than a blanket that basically feels like a big hug.

So we got to work.

I am not a master quilter by any stretch of the imagination, but I have made a few in the past.  I at least could help teach her some of the basics.

 She started out by cutting the squares she'd need.

 Looking so cute while she worked was just a bonus.

 She began sewing the squares together, which inevitably leads to ripping some seams apart and resewing them. Fortunately, this didn't happen too many times.

 There was a LOT of sewing.

 And even more sewing.

What was the most impressive to me, was her "I will do it" attitude.  Even when it was hard or frustrating.  Even when the deadline for having it finished was approaching and we were getting in a time crunch.  Even when I offered to help her along, she said, "No.  I will do it.  I want to be able to say I did it myself."  That was my proudest moment of the project.  Knowing that she had realized the value of working hard and seeing the result of that hard work was a great mom moment.  

When it was finally finished, it was beautiful.  It was beautiful because of what it represented.  It was beautiful because of the skills that were learned and the time we shared together.  It was beautiful because it was good.

This will be something she will be able to use and treasure for years.  And she will be able to look at it proudly because she did it herself.

The Way Things Are

"My job is to tell it like it is, or was, or whatever."

 If you love Disney's Robin Hood half as much as we do, you'll recognize that quote.  I was going through old pictures of my kids one day this week.  Moments like that always make me stop and take a step back.  I can't help but think about how quickly time passes.  

How am I not still this first-time Mom, devoting my days to this precious little girl?  

 How am I not still the busy mom of two, watching my little girl sparkle and giggling over this handsome boy's antics?

How am I not still the somewhat seasoned mom of three, sending my firstborn off to Kindergarten, chasing after my rambunctious little boy and being delighted by this little beauty?

 How am I not the twenty-something mom of an awe-inspiring 8 year old, an active little boy, a precocious toddler and this joyous little girl?

And how on earth did I become this tried and tested mom of a beautiful almost-teenager, a dedicated young man, a sweet and sassy almost 8 year old girl, a cheerful little girl, who isn't really so little, and this much-loved baby?

It's hard for me to imagine a time in my life I enjoy more than this time with my children.  I already miss the slower pace of life with very little ones.  I miss the days of dolls and trucks and fewer places to go and things to do.  I feel like time passes in the blink of an eye and I can hardly believe how grown-up my "babies" are.  And while I do profoundly miss the days that have passed, I also profoundly love the days that are here.  I want to treasure the past, but I don't want to miss the joy of today by looking too much to the past.  There are so many things that I love about my kids now.  There is something really nice about kids who can do things on their own.  And there is satisfaction in knowing you helped them get there.  Having kids who are a little more self-sufficient gives more time for Cory and I to spend together, which is always something I treasure.  It is beautiful to have adult conversations with your children.  It is incredible to watch them learn things and see them develop their testimonies.  And I see more of this in my future.

I still think its kind of rotten that after all the work you put into raising children, they just grow up and leave home.  (Kidding, Kidding.  Kind of. :))

But as (my hero) Sister Hinckley said, "As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think of your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey.”  

Be grateful for the journey.  

Yes.  Yes, I am.