Watching harry potter and the Chamber of secrets tonight. Caleb said "I like the book a lot better." Adam said, "dude, the book is always better."

Parenting win!

“Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. ” - MLK Jr. #Dallas

For mother's Day

These are my children.
They're dirty, smelly snots.
They're obnoxious and loud
Little tiny hell-bots.
But they're mine and I love them;
They're perfect to me.
My joy, my frustration,
My eternity.
They're my smile, my scowl,
My kind word, my yell.
They lift me to Heaven
Then put me through Hell.
My angels, my devils,
My reason for living.
They're stealing my soul
And I'm willingly giving.

My biggest pet peeve/my greatest hypocrisy

I have now listened to all of conference. Believe it or not, my favorite talk came from the Relief Society session. Henry B. has long been one of my favorites. You can feel how much he feels the Spirit.  And he speaks to my spirit.
"Trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good" was a great talk! We talk about service so much in the church, specifically the women, but president Eyring touched on something that drives me crazy. It seems to me that so many in the church want to be seen doing their good. I am not saying their intentions aren't good. It's 100% possible to serve and love someone and yet want to be seen for it. This is why in the title I say it's my greatest hypocrisy. I lose so much respect for people that tell me of the good they are doing, yet when I do something good I want to make sure and squeeze it into conversation. Drives me crazy for them, drives me crazy for myself. Good news: I'm very self aware. :)
My favorite part of this talk was when he spoke of the woman who anointed Jesus' feet. Jesus says in Mark 14:9: "wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."
And isn't that true? This woman, who is otherwise unremarkable, made the Gospels.
President Eyring goes on to say, her "holy deed to honor the Savior of the world is remembered, but not her name."
That sentence was my favorite of all of conference. Why show your left hand what the right does? Isn't God seeing it and being appreciative better than the world? I know I would rather have the gratitude of my Savior than that of the world. Anyway, the world generally isn't grateful. They will find something to scorn or pick apart.
Sister Esplin in her talk quoted President Monson, "we are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us."
The Lord depends upon me. And if he depends on me, why should I care that the world sees my service? I know he does.

Easter

Every year for spring break we go to Utah to see Kyle's family. They aren't members of the church and I am always a little let down on Easter. I want my kids to have a great Easter experience where they feel of their Savior's love and get to hear testimony that He lived and lives still. With each Easter that passes I feel sadder and sadder. Easter, to me, is the most important Christian holiday. We make a big deal of Christmas, but without the Resurrection, Christ's birth wouldn't mean what it does. I wonder if my kids know what Easter means to me? I wonder if they understand that Jesus Christ has saved me? I wonder if they know that He has made our family possible? Without Him we wouldn't be together for eternity. That might be a tough concept for kids, but it is one that I sure hope they understand soon.
This morning we were driving home from Utah during the sunrise. As I thought of the sun rising, I was impressed with the great engineering of the Lord. He made a beautiful plan. Everything has an answer. This is going to sound a bit little a ramble, so stay with me for a second. Just think of some of the "natural" occurrences of our every day: the earth goes around the Sun so we can rest at night, women have babies to replenish the Earth, something as simple as the water cycle. Again, I know that sounds like random things, but I am just spit balling here. How could those things ever be thought to be accidental, or without a Master planner behind them? I don't know who said it, but someone said the idea of a Big Bang is like imagining a printing press blowing up and the result being an encyclopedia. It's madness. Life and nature are far too intricate to be incidental.
Our Heavenly Father engineered a perfect plan to redemption. Without our Savior's Resurrection, we could not hope to return to His presence. He is the answer to our Humanity. Our failings and struggles are made whole with His help.
My Savior loves me. He has saved me countless times and will continue to do so. I am so glad He is there for me to lean on in my need.
My Savior loves you too.

Ruth

You know something...
The church is incredible.
The Spirit is amazing.

For just a wee bit of reference, in December we were handed out the Relief Society schedule for the year. Every fast Sunday we would be studying one of the women of the Bible for the presidency message. Nothing extraordinary. All normal church type stuff.
March fast Sunday was the story of Ruth, someone I knew nothing about. And honestly, I didn't even pay that much attention... then today, my Father-in-law was diagnosed with staged 4 cancer. And my mother in law needs support. And I can't stop thinking about Ruth and her loyalty and love for her Mother-in-law. Ruth's example deepens my own resolve and compassion and I am inspired.
The Spirit told someone 4 months ago to put Ruth this month. A few days before I would need her story so very much. That is amazing and incredible.

Alas!

Sometimes my library makes me sad. I would add 12,000 books, and yet I don't have the infinite time for the reading I would do. Even for the books I own.
I'd read all the classics, and Shakespeare I'd memorize. New adventures and worlds I'd discover. I wish I could reread each book I've loved so I could remember every detail.
But time waits for no man. It ticks and my books collect dust, begging me to get to them. I'm trying. For the love of all written word, I'm trying!!! Please know I love you all, with you twist and turns and endless entertainment. I love you all.