Tuesday - October 6

Bazaar things are done and ready to go. I waited way to long to get things done this year. This morning when I thought I would have time to finish a couple of things other situations needed my attention. The morning became very complicated and I still had things to get done for this event. I finally realized that I could only do what I could do and that it was my own fault for putting off what I could have done a couple of weeks ago to be ready. This is a hard lesson for me to learn as I often wait until the last minute to finish up projects. It does not really matter what I got done in the grand scheme of things. Just that I finished something. That is how I look at it today. I set some better goals for next year and Toshia and I will work diligently to finish things early! (She also was doing a lot of last minute finishing up) Today mattered because I learned a valuable lesson. It does not pay to procrastinate. I only hurt myself in the long run. Don't bite off more than I can chew and then everything can get done. It is hard to learn lessons over and over again - but maybe this time because Toshia will help me I will not put off what needs to be done today for tomorrow!

Monday - October 5

We got home from Utah very very late last night. The children were all in bed and the house was so quiet. Even though David and I were very tired from our long drive we still had to get the kids up and ready for school. The girls all need to shower and that added extra getting ready time to our all ready busy morning. During the whole bath time Autumn kept saying, "Mom, read me a story. I have it all picked out." To which I replied, "Honey we don't have time this morning. We are very busy. I will read when you get home from school." This was not making her happy at all. While I was ironing their clothes she came in with book in hand and said, "Mom, I don't need you to read the whole thing. Just open it up. Please, just open it up." I stopped for a moment and thought what is up with this little one this morning? I did take the book though and opened to the page she wanted me to. Out fell this picture. "Mom that is you and me. Do you like the bird? I know you like birds, what am I saying? Mom, do you like our heads? I worked hard on them. I know I made them black but I wanted them really really round. Do you love it? Do you love me?" Wow! What can I say but this little one constantly is reminding me of what is important. Not the ironing. Not the hustle of a busy morning. Not the lets get out the door looking good. It is that the children themselves are important. Look how she sees herself. Look at that smile on that picture! She is happy. I am happy. Today mattered because as you stop and look at things as they are there is lots to be happy about!

Sunday - October 4

This picture does not do the choir justice. It is small I know but just note they are not! On the Sunday morning of conference you get to go and listen to the choir sing as they do "Music and the Spoken Word". It is the longest running radio broadcast in the country. This makes this session of conference my favorite. As long as we have been coming here in the Fall we have been able to attend this session. This Sunday they ended their broadcast with one of my most favorite hymns - "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing". Both David and I were moved to tears as they sang and filled the conference center with their hymns of praise. Today mattered because music filled my soul.

Saturday - October 3

Wow! Conference was awesome to say the least. I was so moved by not only the spoken word but the music. I cannot use words to describe the feeling you have when you are sitting among thousands and thousands of saints. I was taught and edified and filled with such sweet feelings for these men who dedicate their lives to serving the church. What strong testimonies they share and live! Today mattered because I was once again reminded of who I am, where I came from, and what my purpose is here on earth.

Friday - October 2

Today we are on our way to listen to a prophets voice. Every fall David and I and friends go to General Conference in Salt Lake. I look forward to this fast pace weekend and we have such a great time. Not only do we get together with dear friends we get to engage in a very large gathering on temple square that is like no other. This was a long drive for us and much of the day was spent in the car. We did see the Joseph Smith movie at the Joseph Smith Building. It once again reminded me of how much I love that man and so wish I could have had the chance to meet him while he was living. I am glad for the testimony he had and the courage he had to stand when all things were against him. I hope that I have that strength when I will be confronted about my faith. Today mattered because I traveled with the one I love to see an important person teach and edify us.

Thursday - October 1

So I found this picture of Hayden the other day and I had to laugh. It is so her drama face. But honestly today was that kind of a day for me. I don't know why but I just did not feel like doing anything! I muddled my way through the whole day and kept thinking "I would love to just go and cuddle up with a good book and hide away!" Not anything major was giving me grief. I just think that maybe the last month of family life just caught up with me. So Hayden, I am with you with the "just leave me alone" picture! And yet, today still mattered. Today I got a lot of housework done, packed for our weekend trip, and went to meetings I had. I still functioned and worked through the "just leave me alone" feeling. Today mattered more because in the afternoon this sweet child came running in and flew into my arms and said, "I am so glad you are here - my day was great! How was yours?" To which I replied, "Better now that you are home!"

Wednesday - September 30

This little girl had to do a lot of things by herself today. I had a lot of last minute bazaar projects to get finish. She kept asking me and asking me to play with her, to cuddle with her, to read to her. "Not now honey, I have so much to do" was the answer she kept getting from me. I bribed her with her favorite TV shows, treats, and whatever she wanted for lunch. I even got out a hard math sheet for her to do. (She just laughed when I told her it was probably too hard - and then said, "What you don't think I know what 11 - 2 is? It's 9 duh!) Still that would only occupy her for a short time. At one point I looked over at her and thought, "She is not going to be asking me to play with her for very much longer. Soon, all too soon, she will not share with me all her thoughts and dreams. I need to stop now and take time with her.". Well, I put my stuff aside and scooped her up in my arms and we had some very good cuddly time. We read, played, shared and then soon she was sleepy and took a short nap. Today mattered because I set aside my busy schedule and held this last little child of mine. She helped me see where my treasure really lies.