Missionary Moment

I am in denial that Ally, Hermana Pack, is actually headed for the mission field today. She has grown into a dedicated, loving missionary during the few weeks she spent in the Mexico City Missionary Training Center.  On Christmas Day we were able to call her and were touched when she said her favorite thing about a mission is the opportunity to wear a name tag with the name of Jesus Christ on it.  She will represent him well, I have no doubt.  

The CCM (pronounced: seh, seh, eh-may)

District 9C with companions Hermana Brey and Morgan

Benji is full swing into college at BYU-Idaho.  He's determined to get a degree in the Neurosciences.  He doesn't get the smart gene from me, mind you.  That would be from the Pack side.  I can tell that "adulting" isn't his favorite thing but he is taking it in stride.  I love having him around the house still (he commutes back an forth from home). He says it makes his social life less complicated. Haha.

In addition to two heroic examples of children growing up I'd have to say that another motherly milestone was to have my last child be ordained a deacon in the Aaronic priesthood.  He has already had the privilege of helping with the sacred ordinance of the sacrament at church on Sunday.  He looked anxious but fulfilled his duty perfectly (even when distracted by someone fainting at the chapel doors).  I see changes in him already as he becomes a more contemplative tween.  It has come all to soon yet I know it will be an incredible blessing to him and our family.

Hyrum (11)

I love the new curriculum offered in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints called Come Follow Me.  Our family has had multiple, spiritually-stirring conversations.  Seeing my children express their testimonies and share their insights melts my mama heart.  I have even seen a change in myself.  My personal scripture study feels more like a moment with heaven instead of the more typical rushed reading session.  We have been promised by a prophet of God, Russell M. Nelson, "The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families...to transform their home in to a sanctuary of faith."  I think I can safely say I have been given the encouragement to be super-mom now.  But instead of in the ways of the world, in the ways of the kingdom of God.   In turn my children will have the opportunity to become super-disciples of Christ.

The blessings are innumerable. The prophet continues on, "as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior's teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining." The gospel surely is the good news!

Mother's Day Tribute (ditto)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!  I'd have to agree, Mom put the music in me...



(100% of the proceeds from this single will be donated to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation.)

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!"

I AM A MOTHER

Motherhood:-An-Eternal-Partnership

(click this link)

I needed this today and probably everyday (especially when everybody is whining and vying for my attention). But I know despite all of my faults and the daily challenges, that it is a blessing to be a mother.

One week of summer down, only 12+ more to go.

Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache, do what it says on the aspirin bottle:"Take two aspirin" and "Keep away from children."--Author Unknown

Four out of my five kids are taking swimming lessons daily for two weeks. Three out of the five days thus far have felt like winter. Luckily the pool water is heated! I watched fog lift off the water yesterday and thought back to the time when Ben and I went to the hot pools in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. We went on his birthday which is in early January. It's great in the pool but once you get out it's cold!!! The kids have been real troopers. I guess the excitement of swimming lessons makes the cold bearable afterwards.


As for me? Well I'd have to say that I'm exhausted already. It's a good exhaustion though. Before summer came I wondered at how I would handle the "kid overload." Now that it's here, I must say that I'm enjoying it. The best part is seeing all of the kids playing happily with each other. They're finally relieving the ache of all the things they dreamed about doing during school days. Even 10-month old Hyrum puts in his two bits. Why just today 3-year old Sammie made up a game involving him. "I'll tease you with your toy, then you come get it. Before you come too close I'll run the other way." At first I thought Hyrum would disapprove. It didn't take long, however, to notice that he was actually playing along.


Learning to laugh at some of my motherly ways has been my greatest "overload" coping tool. Motherhood can be crazy, but if you stop and think how blessed you truly are then life brings more fulfillment. It is like deciding to work with the tide or against it. My kids just want to be kids, so why not get down on the floor and join in the fun!