Character

Sundays are almost always an adventure, and this morning proved to be true. Mike left to his early morning meeting just as I jumped in the shower. When I was finished I heard Hyrum happily talking about how he got himself a drink.  I rushed to the kitchen (knowing how much fun the water cooler can be to a two year old) leaving Joseph on our bed surrounded by pillows. When I entered the kitchen I saw my blonde boy in his blue footy pyjamas skating around my kitchen like the floor was an ice rink. So many glasses of water had been dumped that the water around the baseboards was at least an inch thick. I put on my best serious voice and called Hyrum by his full name. His fun quickly ended and his smile turned to a pouty lip as he choked back tears. Oh that sensitive boy of mine, how I love him.  We grabbed some old towels and mopped up the floor.

I quickly went back up to finish getting Joe dressed for church. The moment I took his diaper off he peed all over himself and my bed, so it was off to the bath. He giggled as I carried his naked chubby baby body down to the bathroom. This Sunday was not looking so hot already and we hadn't even left the house yet.

Church went relatively well. Daddy had to bless the Sacrament which left me with the three children. As I sat there singing the opening hymn, cuddling Joseph to sleep I felt so blessed. Hyrum and Camilla were sitting relatively quiet on either side of me. I am so glad they are learning to sit through church and feel the Holy Ghost. When Daddy joined us on the bench, Hyrum quickly climbed up on his knee. A few minutes later he was snuggled in fast asleep. With two of the three kids out for the count, the rest of the meeting went amazingly.

Our Relief Society lesson was on character and how we should strive to “establish a character before God that could be relied upon in the hour of trial.” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow, Chapter 8: “Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart”) It just made me think about how I can grow and develop more character when I am dealing with the children in moments like we had this morning. I want my character to be relied upon, and I never want my children to doubt my love for them. I learn so much from them each day about love and forgiveness.

We spent the afternoon running around outdoors in our bare feet soaking up the sunshine and breathing the fresh air. It was heavenly.