Lessons in Parenting: 101 Mom Class in IL--three day course (baptism by immersion, or in this case maybe more appropriately, baptism by fire)! :D

 So Nykki is awesome and worked hard to earn a trip to New York to see wicked... I tell you what. If I were to covet/want something (but I won't because that is breaking a commandment) it would be Chick's ability to set goals. She is so driven. When she puts her mind to something, there is no stopping her. She is truly an inspiration.

 Well her trip was a way for me to be a full time mom for a few days in IL. I learned some good lessons...

 

•  Yellow Popsicles "taste like brownies and the orange ones taste like juice" according to one very happy little Mia.

• It is possible to drive a swirly little go machine around a slightly hilly block with one hand while the other hand is helping consume an apple. (And people think Utah are crazy drivers! They haven't met Cade yet! ;))
• Nykki told the truth when she said it is better to take a morning walk at 6:30 a.m. because even at 7 a.m.--one can look like they had a GREAT work out when in reality they just walked outside. 
• Sweat-does/can GLISTEN! ;) 

• When there is so much fun to be had outside... after using the potty, underwear pulled up quickly is more conducive to getting one back out to playing!

• Humidity can effect the camera on your phone. 
• Laughter--(child laughter) really does the body good! 
• There IS a time to be silly.

•  Discovering a lady bug can quite any moment! 
• Having the courage to pick it up is pretty cool too! 

•  When in a hurry at the library (before the children claw each others eyes out over the toy trains) you shouldn't just assume that because there is a section of books awarded the Newbery Medal--they would be good and appropriate reads for four year-olds... or even enjoyed by this 30 year old! From "stupid" every other word and "fool of the world"... I kept making up words to replace the words I wasn't ready to teach little ears!
• Of course Mia's favorite book was the stinky cheese man. She is the product of her father! (Love you Carson :D) When we came to this page in the book, she quickly made a comment that the fox had a "good" side and a "scary/sneaky" side. One observant 4 year old! The power/influence of marketing! 

As I was serving dinner, I walked passed the kitchen garbage can and apparently decided it would be fun to stub my toe. I let out a little grunt and then stood there trying to put pressure on what I had just done. Mia asked what had happened. I told her and her reply was:
"You should pray and ask Heavenly Father to make your toe better. I know that if you pray to him, it will feel better." This was the second time something had come up and she suggested that I pray. (*Oh the workings of a mother in the home! Way to go Chick!)
Later that evening as she said the family prayer she remembered two hours prior of my stubbed toe and asked for Heavenly Father to heal my toe. After the prayer I thanked Mia for being so considerate and thanked her for praying over my toe. The cute defiant Mia responded, "Silly, I didn't pray for you. I was just showing you how you can pray and ask Heavenly Father to bless your toe."

--Out of the mouth of a babe!!

Thoughts from a short week of being a full-time mother of two?
*My little sister is even more cool than I ever expected!
*I have a testimony of the quote shared at conference, "A Child Who Sings Is a Happy Child"
*I want the walls in my home to be as inviting and as intentional as Nyk's are.
*I really do love waking and being up early. All effort to do so before there are distractions--worth every effort. (Now to just remind myself this when I don't want to leave my pillow!)
*When a child is screaming and arching their back in your arms, and another one is running away and the whole store is looking at you like you are a child abuser--I can totally relate to you! Any mom who takes their children grocery shopping--hands down--IS A SUPER HERO! :)
*If I ever have a friend at the park who is struggling with crying and very vocal kiddos who do not want to leave... I will run and try and help by distracting the child with karate chops to every object on the way to their car! (THANK YOU MACK and HOLLIE! I would have never made my plane on time without you!)
*God sure exercises an amazing amount in confidence and trust in our ability to learn, grow and become better as we try to raise children as a joint effort. *He knows how in the world all of our mistakes/errors/short comings can be made right through His son Jesus Christ's atonement! I am grateful He has perfect knowledge in this--for I can put full confidence and trust in His knowledge and perfect understanding.
*Parenting--Kuddos to those who don't shrink from their responsibilities and keep giving, serving, receiving day in and day out! Your task is awesome. Don't give up! You are remarkable!!!

Happiness is John Buck's (met on the plane ride) answer to the question what top advice he would give to someone seeking a companion/getting married. The very first thing he shared was that you need to find someone who loves God more than they love you. I beamed with his advice, because that has always been #1 on my requirements too! ... but to hear it from this good Christian, 26 years (I think it was that long) past upper minister, I could not help but smile. He also shared that if someone loves and serves God--they won't need help books/courses on how to be a loving spouse because they will do the things which they learn from the Savior's life in how to treat those around them. Definitely the ideal! Loved his answer! He is a loving grandfather full of great faith, and it was an honor to meet him.Thanks John for the advice!

I am thankful for personal revelation and the ability to commune with God.

And all prophets who wrote down revelations in the scriptures, so I could have them to study... One day I hope to all thank you all in person on the other side!