The napkin

Saturday we took the family to chic-fil-et for their appreciation day. We dressed like cows and got free dinner (and lunch and slurpees @ 7-11…hehe) .

We were sitting with our backs to another booth where there were some teenagers. The term "Mormon" came up in their conversation and one teen girl spoke up "I'm not really a mormon…but…" and it faded off. I ACHED for her.  My heart just sank when I heard these words. She was embarrassed and trying to fit in with her boyfriend's family… I needed to do SOMETHING.

As we were leaving I felt the impression that SOMETHING needed to be said to this young woman. I grabbed a napkin and was BLESSED to find a pen in my diaper bag.  We had had a good time at dinner and our kids were all seen as a true blessing to me in that moment, so I shared this with her…

"To the girl who said they weren't a very good Mormon-
It is WORTH IT!  Eternal families and wonderful wonderful blessings!  You can do it! good luck :)"

I put the napkin on their table and said "here kids!" with a smile on my face and they thanked me… and I walked out with a prayer in my heart and a burning all over with hope that she would see it as WORTH it. Because It IS WORTH IT!!!


Last week we had the Mangums come speak at an enrichment activity.  They are so spiritual and love their kids (12!) and I just want to feel that too.  I want to receive revelation and "talk with God" and have a  2 way conversation.  So, after hearing their lesson I decided to change. Like REALLY change. I hope the Lord in trusts me with more promptings and that I will follow them.   A few things I am working on:

telling Svend about the POSITIVES that the kids showed throughout the day rather than how horrible they were. This benefits everyone! Svend feels good, the kids feel good, I look for the good and am happier

Hugging Tally more.  She and I have never had a closed physical relationship. She never cuddled as a baby/toddler and now she craves it… I can see the longing in her eyes to just be held…she's 9 though so it's hard ;)  But I can hug her. Out of the blue, when she's angry or sad, when I'm angry-haha

Praying more for my kids and how to help them…then FOLLOWING the promptings given me.

Laughing at /with my kids more. We were at 7/11 and Bergen decided to fill up his slurpee by himself. It EXPLODED all over him and the counter. I said (nicely) "come-on. ..this is why I was supposed to do it" The lady behind me had 3 kids (older) and said "it's okay, Mom. He's just being a kid doing what kids do and he's excited" She was RIGHT! I hugged him and laughed and cleaned him off. We made it to the car and he just cried.  He was upset because he messed up and I was mad at him.  When did we get this way? We as parents need to CHILL out. He didn't need to feel like that. I tried not to make him feel like that but I guess I have so many times in the past that it was his trained reaction.  Working on Changing that.

Getting ahead of Brooklyn… fixing things before they start--she can't have her hair wet with sweat. I mean CAN NOT LIVE WITH IT LIKE THAT …AT ALL! I now grab her special headband before we leave the house to keep the meltdowns to a minimum.

Holding/hugging Tabitha. She asks for a hug probably every hour.  I am going to give her those hugs-every time she asks.

Anders-just laugh and love. He is angel baby ;)

Svend-be more positive and helpful. Listen to him. Not just dump kids on him-when it can be helped ;)