We've had our Christmas tree up for a while now. Something cute happened when we were decorating it. I had Braxton digging through the old family ornaments sorting out ones that he could handle and put down low in Bryson's reach. The others were in my pile since I'd need to keep glass and heirlooms up high.
It had been going well but I left the room and came back to Braxton crying softly. He was gently holding an ornament and staring down at it while he whimpered. I recognized it as the brass Mesa temple decoration. I hoped he hadn't but decided to ask if he had broken it. His response to me, "No mom I am doing a happy cry."
He amazes me. He knows that Lee and I were married there and knows how important that sealing is to our family. He loves going into the visitors' center to see all the displays. It's not enough to drive or walk past it. He sees that it is beautiful and wants to go in!
He had a chance to be a missionary and friend to a couple of my sister's friends. They came with us to see the temple lights and here he was leading all of us adults around. At the end of the night they seemed like they only wanted to walk around the outside. Not going to happen with him. He said to me, "We need to remember Jesus." He conviced all but a wiggly Bryson and the mom that had to chase him to view the Christus presentation. Pretty proud of that lil' boy! He's a friend to Jesus and wants others to know about Him too. I know he helps my testimony. I am so blessed by the children in my home.
Monday, December 14, 2009
teaching teaches me
Fall 2009 (early November?)
Braxton brings home papers from his Sunbeam class. We usually use them to talk over dinner on Sunday. I remember one week they had a lesson about honesty. He had plenty of talks before and after about making the right choice. The easiest for Braxton to recognize as dishonesty is stealing. I think that's pretty normal for little kids. They get that it isn't right to take something that isn't theirs. So the honesty lesson kept coming up when we were at stores and doing other errands. I decided to use the conversation that was happening and turn it into a real teaching moment. I was the one who had something to learn.
We were driving to Walmart Neighborhood Market to fill our fridge. I like to go there because I can ad match. We had to pass Frys on the way though. I saw and pointed out a few carts pushed on a canal bank away from the store. One of them was Braxton's favorite, the cart with what looks like a Little Tikes car on the front. My favorite too. Shopping is much easier when he's strapped in and "driving" around. We decided to put off shopping a little longer to park our truck and walk out to gather these carts for Frys.
He has always wanted me to read all the signs we see. The carts have directions and rules on them that have been part of every shopping trip. One sign on the cart talks about stealing the carts. Braxton has been very concerned when he'd see random carts in random places. We don't know what happened that people took these carts. I imagine they have no transportation and have to get several weeks of food home with a few kids tagging along. I am sure there are all different reasons. Braxton being a little guy only sees black and white, right and wrong. To him they are stolen.
He was ready to go round up carts but got a little thirsty on our walk. I stopped into Taco Bell to just get him a water cup and get going. In the short time we were doing this, a man found and was pushing these stray carts back. They really weren't all that close to the store but he had them back in the parking lot. We ended up walking back towards the store and when we were close enough we told the man we saw the good he was doing. Braxton praised him for doing the right thing.
We ended up getting our shopping done at Frys instead. Still I thought the detour was worth it. We had a chance to recognize a man for his act of service even if it was small. Maybe it helped him in his day. Braxton learned that doing the right thing is more than a Sunday Sunbeam lesson. It is something we are involved in every day. This made for a happy mom!
Braxton brings home papers from his Sunbeam class. We usually use them to talk over dinner on Sunday. I remember one week they had a lesson about honesty. He had plenty of talks before and after about making the right choice. The easiest for Braxton to recognize as dishonesty is stealing. I think that's pretty normal for little kids. They get that it isn't right to take something that isn't theirs. So the honesty lesson kept coming up when we were at stores and doing other errands. I decided to use the conversation that was happening and turn it into a real teaching moment. I was the one who had something to learn.
We were driving to Walmart Neighborhood Market to fill our fridge. I like to go there because I can ad match. We had to pass Frys on the way though. I saw and pointed out a few carts pushed on a canal bank away from the store. One of them was Braxton's favorite, the cart with what looks like a Little Tikes car on the front. My favorite too. Shopping is much easier when he's strapped in and "driving" around. We decided to put off shopping a little longer to park our truck and walk out to gather these carts for Frys.
He has always wanted me to read all the signs we see. The carts have directions and rules on them that have been part of every shopping trip. One sign on the cart talks about stealing the carts. Braxton has been very concerned when he'd see random carts in random places. We don't know what happened that people took these carts. I imagine they have no transportation and have to get several weeks of food home with a few kids tagging along. I am sure there are all different reasons. Braxton being a little guy only sees black and white, right and wrong. To him they are stolen.
He was ready to go round up carts but got a little thirsty on our walk. I stopped into Taco Bell to just get him a water cup and get going. In the short time we were doing this, a man found and was pushing these stray carts back. They really weren't all that close to the store but he had them back in the parking lot. We ended up walking back towards the store and when we were close enough we told the man we saw the good he was doing. Braxton praised him for doing the right thing.
We ended up getting our shopping done at Frys instead. Still I thought the detour was worth it. We had a chance to recognize a man for his act of service even if it was small. Maybe it helped him in his day. Braxton learned that doing the right thing is more than a Sunday Sunbeam lesson. It is something we are involved in every day. This made for a happy mom!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
finding treasures
A few weeks ago I was asked to substitute for Braxton's Sunbeam class. I had mixed feelings about this at first. However, when I saw the lesson manual there was only happiness. I knew I could make this a good class for those little 3-4 year olds because it was called "Heavenly Father and Jesus Gave Me the Scriptures." I LOVE the scriptures!
I thought throughout the week about what stories to tell or how to engage the kids. Finally I had it! I emptied out the carved chest that sits on our side table and holds our remotes. I thought this would be the best activity if my scriptures could fit in it. I told Lee my plan to have the guessing game about what treasure I brought to class. I asked him if he thought the size would work and I was happy when my scriptures fit perfectly inside.
Lee and I laughed as we played out the potential for Braxton's response. Lee pretending to be me says, "What is something so special and is the greatest thing in the world?" Then Braxton because at his home this box holds the remotes would shout that out super loud, excited to get it right. We giggled and I braced for whatever kind of Sunbeam day was ahead of me.
Sacrament was busy with boys bouncing up and down in my row, pulling books and snacks from the bag until nothing was left and everything was scattered about. When the meeting ended I certainly had a lot to clean up and a baby to take down to the nursery. Bryson was not quite old enough but both parents were busy teaching that day. Time was too short to get my treasure box from the truck before class. I had to go and meet the little ones for their singing time. We ended up taking a "field trip" holding hands as we walked outside of the building. The whole time we walked I was prepping them for the activity. Their anticipation was building. I had told them we were on a treasure hunt and it would be something that I loved. They asked for another clue so I mentioned that it was a VERY important treasure. Boys and girls guessed jewels of all kinds. I had to smile when Braxton said scriptures for his very first guess. I didn't tell them that he was right because we had just barely arrived at the truck. We got it out and the kids now saw the size of the treasure box. I said it would have to fit in there. They kept guessing and my little man just said scriptures again and again. He was sure he was right even though I hadn't said a word and I am positive he didn't see me smile before.
We get to the class and the kids rushed to their chairs so that I would open it. SCRIPTURES!! Braxton's reaction was just what I expected. He popped up from his chair as he said, "I just knew that was it!" We went on with the lesson. Our class talked about the importance of the scriptures for a while. Then I told them the story of Daniel and the lions' den, a classic! I knew that would keep them listening. When Judy came to get Hyrum he told her the whole story at the door. I am sure his mom is responsible for that though because she has taught him well. I was just happy to have the kids excited about reading these precious books.
We get home and Lee notices that I am happy about how that day went. I saw earlier that he watched our Sunbeams hold hands snaking along to get the treasure. We talked about the guessing that happened and Lee praised Braxton for his answer. The next thing that came was Lee's question to Braxton, "Why didn't you guess remotes?"
Then with no hesitation Braxton replied, "Mom said it was important." That was enough to make me feel happy. In that moment all the previous efforts to teach him were worth it. A powerful testimony from a little boy.
One of the scriptures that is marked in my personal set is Alma 56:48. "And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it." I have made that my purpose. My work is to show these boys my testimony. They need to know these things. I have come to the realization that others may help but it is MY responsibility to teach these little ones. They need the strength and peace of the gospel so that they may reach their full potential. They have a special work ahead that we do not yet know about. Now is the time to prepare them for that mission that will be accomplished through them by the Lord. I feel that is true about every child and parent. They need us and our time. We need them just as much!
Once before Lee and I were out to eat. He had lost his wallet so I took my card out to pay. He teased me that it was finally my turn to pay, or something like that. I asked him if he thought the restaraunt would be more likely to take Braxton laughs or Bryson smiles. Every day I work and no money goes into the account (with all the grocery shopping it just comes out). Still my reward is greater. These boys are my life. To be part of their day is the greatest blessing. I am grateful for a husband that balances all that he does (work and school) so that we can have me at home.
Please let me say now that I don't feel that staying at home equates to being a good mom. I am just talking about quality time with our kids, making them a priority. My own mom worked. I have learned many things from her. She is hard work personified and she insists on a job done right. Seven children (plus foster kids), the activities of each family member, home chores that go with that big and busy family, demanding church callings and then a full time job. I am not sure how she did it all. I know we didn't help her as often as we should. Sometimes we made matters worse when she had to spend her valuable time begging us not to neglect our chores, making candy for a class Valentine's day party on short notice, or running our forgotten homework to us. She's my hero and here's the biggest reason why, her love. She stayed up late into the night talking me through my high school years and experiences. My mom wrote the most encouraging notes. She had oftentimes a thankless job but did it with a smile because she loved her family. I work to live up to the examples of the women in my life: mother, sisters, grandmothers and my mother in law. Family would have to be another thing I treasure. No price you can put on time with the ones that you love.
I thought throughout the week about what stories to tell or how to engage the kids. Finally I had it! I emptied out the carved chest that sits on our side table and holds our remotes. I thought this would be the best activity if my scriptures could fit in it. I told Lee my plan to have the guessing game about what treasure I brought to class. I asked him if he thought the size would work and I was happy when my scriptures fit perfectly inside.
Lee and I laughed as we played out the potential for Braxton's response. Lee pretending to be me says, "What is something so special and is the greatest thing in the world?" Then Braxton because at his home this box holds the remotes would shout that out super loud, excited to get it right. We giggled and I braced for whatever kind of Sunbeam day was ahead of me.
Sacrament was busy with boys bouncing up and down in my row, pulling books and snacks from the bag until nothing was left and everything was scattered about. When the meeting ended I certainly had a lot to clean up and a baby to take down to the nursery. Bryson was not quite old enough but both parents were busy teaching that day. Time was too short to get my treasure box from the truck before class. I had to go and meet the little ones for their singing time. We ended up taking a "field trip" holding hands as we walked outside of the building. The whole time we walked I was prepping them for the activity. Their anticipation was building. I had told them we were on a treasure hunt and it would be something that I loved. They asked for another clue so I mentioned that it was a VERY important treasure. Boys and girls guessed jewels of all kinds. I had to smile when Braxton said scriptures for his very first guess. I didn't tell them that he was right because we had just barely arrived at the truck. We got it out and the kids now saw the size of the treasure box. I said it would have to fit in there. They kept guessing and my little man just said scriptures again and again. He was sure he was right even though I hadn't said a word and I am positive he didn't see me smile before.
We get to the class and the kids rushed to their chairs so that I would open it. SCRIPTURES!! Braxton's reaction was just what I expected. He popped up from his chair as he said, "I just knew that was it!" We went on with the lesson. Our class talked about the importance of the scriptures for a while. Then I told them the story of Daniel and the lions' den, a classic! I knew that would keep them listening. When Judy came to get Hyrum he told her the whole story at the door. I am sure his mom is responsible for that though because she has taught him well. I was just happy to have the kids excited about reading these precious books.
We get home and Lee notices that I am happy about how that day went. I saw earlier that he watched our Sunbeams hold hands snaking along to get the treasure. We talked about the guessing that happened and Lee praised Braxton for his answer. The next thing that came was Lee's question to Braxton, "Why didn't you guess remotes?"
Then with no hesitation Braxton replied, "Mom said it was important." That was enough to make me feel happy. In that moment all the previous efforts to teach him were worth it. A powerful testimony from a little boy.
One of the scriptures that is marked in my personal set is Alma 56:48. "And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it." I have made that my purpose. My work is to show these boys my testimony. They need to know these things. I have come to the realization that others may help but it is MY responsibility to teach these little ones. They need the strength and peace of the gospel so that they may reach their full potential. They have a special work ahead that we do not yet know about. Now is the time to prepare them for that mission that will be accomplished through them by the Lord. I feel that is true about every child and parent. They need us and our time. We need them just as much!
Once before Lee and I were out to eat. He had lost his wallet so I took my card out to pay. He teased me that it was finally my turn to pay, or something like that. I asked him if he thought the restaraunt would be more likely to take Braxton laughs or Bryson smiles. Every day I work and no money goes into the account (with all the grocery shopping it just comes out). Still my reward is greater. These boys are my life. To be part of their day is the greatest blessing. I am grateful for a husband that balances all that he does (work and school) so that we can have me at home.
Please let me say now that I don't feel that staying at home equates to being a good mom. I am just talking about quality time with our kids, making them a priority. My own mom worked. I have learned many things from her. She is hard work personified and she insists on a job done right. Seven children (plus foster kids), the activities of each family member, home chores that go with that big and busy family, demanding church callings and then a full time job. I am not sure how she did it all. I know we didn't help her as often as we should. Sometimes we made matters worse when she had to spend her valuable time begging us not to neglect our chores, making candy for a class Valentine's day party on short notice, or running our forgotten homework to us. She's my hero and here's the biggest reason why, her love. She stayed up late into the night talking me through my high school years and experiences. My mom wrote the most encouraging notes. She had oftentimes a thankless job but did it with a smile because she loved her family. I work to live up to the examples of the women in my life: mother, sisters, grandmothers and my mother in law. Family would have to be another thing I treasure. No price you can put on time with the ones that you love.
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