Fresh New Year

I'm back!  I decided a few days ago to go off social media for as long as my daughter Hermana Ally Pack is on her mission.  I said my goodbyes and determined that I could still keep others up to date on my family's life through this blog (that has sat dormant ever since social media became popular). I look forward to being able to share our journey with you again.

Someone asked me why I would go off social media entirely when I could just limit how long or how many friends I follow.  I told her that no matter the amount of limiting I try to do, I still find myself being sucked into an alternate world. Most of the groups and people I followed were my close friends, family and church groups. I didn't feel bogged down by any negative media, just the opposite. I loved following the comings and goings of so many beloved people.  I loved reading the uplifting thoughts and quotes by admired church leaders.  I didn't want to miss the opportunity to stay caught up with so many dear friends' lives. But then I read one post about someone's recent accomplishment and wondered, "If I had spent the same amount of time dedicating myself to that same goal instead looking at social media, could I have posted the same result? Could I have strengthened a relationship?" That's when I decided it won't be the end of the world if I stop spending so much time on social media.  Instead I want to spend my time communicating, really communicating with others.  I want to stop comparing my world to someone else's. I want to connect with those who are on my mind, instead of with those who happened to post that day.

I made a similar goal when Benji went on his mission.  I committed to reading Preach My Gospel every day while he served his mission in the California Irvine Mission.  I changed my goal the last summer to reading the Book of Mormon to fulfill the plea and challenge of a prophet of God, but I still felt a connection to Benji.  He read daily from both books and was continually strengthened by them.  I was blessed similarly with peace and a clear mind and heart. So here I go with mission challenge number two.  I'm excited to see what blessings will come into my life.

Gratitude fills my heart for the sacrifice my children have made to serve missions.  I can't even count the blessings that have come from their service. They are my heroes.  I'd have to add that all of my children give me reasons every day to call them my heroes.

Almost Hermana Pack and recently returned Elder Pack

Ode to Twix

Twix, our first furry pet friend, has said goodbye to the Pack family and is moving on to "greener pastures"--or, as the kids put it, is getting married.

Ally got him for Christmas last year and even though he wasn't super snuggly she enjoyed many hours of fun with him.

Daddy and Ally made him a rockin' cage for his indoor days (unfortunately, I can't find a picture of it). Believe it or not he lived most of the summer outside on his own. We started out with a cage around him, but he would invariably escape.

Then we noticed he wouldn't ever wander from home. I guess the accessibility to food was just too big a temptation to stay close by.

Goodbye Twix, hello rabbit? Huh? Okay so the kids have been begging me for a rabbit. I'm not so sure...I hear they make a great stew though. (Hee, hee!)

Caps on Kids

I taught "Mom's pre-School" for the second time today. It makes me smile to watch the kids light up when they enjoy a particular song, story or activity. As moms we miss the interaction with our kids when they are going to school elsewhere. I'm not saying that it goes without its challenges, but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

Hyrum (on the left) and his "classmate" during storytime

(We read the book Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina.

You'll have to read it to understand why they're balancing hats on their heads.)

"Caps! Caps for sale! Fifty cents a cap!"

Oops!

I was informed that I forgot the funniest thing that Hyrum (one year old) did.  (I'm changing the post time so that it will stay in the right order.)

See, we have this Fisher Price family minivan.  Normally Hyrum pushes it around and plays with the interactive buttons--"Are we there yet?"  Then one night when Ben and I were talking, we saw his foot move towards the car.  We both stopped and watched...with all four doors open and a little grunt, he attempted "to get into" the minivan, starting with one foot.  He repositioned and tried again. When he finally resigned that it wasn't going to work he put on his frustrated face and moved on to the next adventure.

“My dear brothers and sisters, may the laughter of children gladden our hearts. May the faith of children soothe our souls. May the love of children prompt our deeds. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Ps. 127:3.)”  Thomas S. Monson