Then all sorts of thoughts coming pouring out. I'd like to be able to exercise more regularly. I would like to become a culinary master. I really should practice the piano more. Oh, and my calling. Oh, and my visiting teaching. How do other women find time to do it? Do they ever sleep? I must be doing something wrong. How do I need to change? DO I need to change? There isn't enough time in the day . . . Etc, etc.
Thankfully, the Spirit speaks to my heart and reminds me of some Relief Society training Sister Beck gave (it's really good. Click on it and watch. And be uplifted.) Essential, necessary, nice-to-do. As long as I'm taking care of my essential duties and keeping caught up on the necessary ones, I'm okay. The nice-to-do will fit in sometime. Maybe an hour here, 30 minutes there. And that' s okay.
Too often I think we compare ourselves to others and feel we fall flat. From the Ensign in 1976, "We all seem to measure ourselves by what we see in others, and that’s others at their best, scrubbed and polished physically and emotionally. Yet we judge ourselves by how we feel when we’re at our worst. Consequently, we’re sure to come out on the short end of the stick, always inadequate." And too often I think we try to portray ourselves as having perfect lives with perfect relationships and perfect homes. We're not perfect, and that's okay. Wouldn't there be a whole lot more love in our lives if we realized we're all fighting battles and trying our best? I am reminded of Pres. Monson's talk in the RS session last conference. That talk was given for me. What it comes down to is having charity in our hearts--charity for others and charity for ourselves.
God knows our hearts. He knows mine. And I'm doing just fine.
***
Charlie is five months old! He keeps growing and growing. It's so fun and wonderful to watch him learn and do new things. He has rolled over from tummy-to-back but only three times. He's a stubborn one. He's really close to going back-to-tummy, but sometimes his arms are the problem and sometimes his legs are the problem. He loves to sit up (with our help still). He is liking playing on the floor a lot more; before it was all about the bouncer, but now the floor provides much more wiggling room. He is laughing more and is becoming a "social" laugh-er--meaning he'll laugh when others are laughing. He uses his voice to communicate how he's feeling. That doesn't mean he doesn't cry anymore, but he can use his "ohs" and "ahs" to communicate how he is feeling.
One night as Allan and I were talking and laughing with Charlie, and I realized I need to treasure these moments so much more. We are his little world. We are his everything. One day it won't be like this. One day I won't be able just to look at him and have him smile. One day I won't be able to stop the tears by cuddling and rocking. And that's okay. It's life. It's what he came here to do--learn and progress. They aren't little for very long. I wish I could go back to the very newborn days and hold that little eight pound-er one more time. But now I have my 17 pound-er to hug and cuddle. So I'll enjoy each stage.
Valentine's Day
Playing with the top sometimes means trying to eat it.
I found my toes!
4 comments:
amen! sister beck also said, "mothers who know do less." you are a mother that knows what is right for her and her child. don't ever forget that! i think you're awesome!
sounds like fun times at your house. thanks for getting everything organized for the shower - you rocketh!
Barrett has no interest whatsoever in rolling over! :) Good job for Charlie, though!
Playtime always means chomping on whatever is in reach at our house (for 5 month-olds, that is).
Cute pictures of a cute little fella. :)
I'm glad to see that you are keeping priorities, and recognizing that we can't do it all. That was an important lesson I had to learn.
I am very grateful that you chose this week to voice those particular thoughts Hay. Love you!!!
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