A Few Thoughts

1. Last night was the General Relief Society Broadcast. I LOVE this time of year with all the conferences we have. It's so inspiring and motivating. It was really nice to watch it from home, since this is the first year we've had BYU TV thanks to our Roku. Anyway, it seemed as though they kept hitting on things I've been thinking about lately. Especially Pres. Uchtdorf--he made me cry again. Yesterday as I was walking into the library with just Brynlee (by the way, she's my favorite child to run errands with) I had a thought hit me hard: What am I rushing to or for? Why am I hurrying from one day to the next, when it will never end? What am I waiting for, and as a result, what am I missing along the way? I find that I am always trying to rush things. I'm always trying to hurry my family along too. We have to hurry and get dressed so we can hurry and go to the store so we can hurry and get home, etc. Hurry and eat dinner so we can really quickly have a bath so we can rush through scriptures and hurry to bed! I feel like the days and weeks are going by so quickly, but it's partially my fault. And for what? Nothing, I realized. So I was really grateful for Pres. Uchtdorf's talk yesterday when he talked about not searching for the golden ticket, but enjoying the candy bar itself, or noticing the forget-me-nots along the way. It really helped me stop and think about the little things I miss out on during the day with my sweet kiddos. Their lives are so joyfully simple and care-free, I want to enable that and keep it that way for them while they're so young.

2. This body of mine...the one that I'm never satisfied with and always wishing it looked better, different, or whatever. I have been humbled lately to realize that chubby or not, my body is doing exactly what it was created to do. My body is a temple, but it is also an instrument of service. It's something I voluntarily give away every day to my family. I literally give of my physical self to my husband and children. It is mine to give, and I do it knowing full well that it makes my shape, size and weight fluctuate and change.
I don't really enjoy being pregnant. I have only met one woman in my life that says she did enjoy it, so I don't think I'm alone in that. But I have been reflecting on what an incredible thing it is. I am partnered with my husband and God himself in creating life. My body miraculously forms little, tiny bodies within me to house eternal spirits--God's children, and mine and Kenny's children. Then once they are born, my body automatically creates nourishment and sustenance for that child. It gives them everything they need to be healthy and strong, and sustain their life.
My arms give hugs and hold the ones I love. If I sit down, you can bet my lap will soon be filled. My shoulders are there for babies to sleep and cry on. My lips can give passionate expressions of love to Kenny, or tenderly kiss away bonked heads and skinned knees. My legs usually have a little one clinging to them while I'm making dinner or trying to get something done. They wrap their bodies around my legs when they want to be held, or use them to stand up and support themselves. My hands and brain do all the other work, mostly menial tasks, but still crucial nonetheless; washing dishes, scrubbing bathrooms, paying bills, washing and folding laundry, making food, etc. etc. My voice allows me to teach, discipline, sing and talk. The list can go on and on, but the point is, I've had my focus redirected, my perspective renewed.