Fun and A Little Perspective

Summer is long.  Every once in a while I want to raise my hand and ask, "Whose idea was it to have the kids without structure, order and activity for 3 months in the heat?"  I am positive that whoever thought up this idea of a summer break did not get input from moms.

The kids are bored and the fighting between them is at an all time high.  I kind of hate it and it breaks my heart that I can't seem to break through the stubbornness.  Is being kind really that hard?

We had a great lesson in Relief Society yesterday on families.  I have been thinking a lot about it because I needed to be reminded that being a good parent is not a state of being rather it is a process.   We read the words from primary song called "The Family is of God."

One line really stood out.  It reads, "God gave us families to help us become what He wants us to be."  The word "become" is interesting, because it means that it is a process of developing and growing into becoming something better.

The teacher also read a quote from a Lynn Robbins' General Conference talk.  It was, "With which child will your patience, long suffering and other virtues be tested developed and refined?  Could it be possible that you need this child as much as this child needs you?"

Certainly a healthy reminder for me to refocus and allow this motherhood experience...even in challenging sibling relationship times...to help me "become" better.

So, although summer is long, we are doing our best to eliminate boredom and create some lasting, happy memories that will help the kids remember that we do enjoy being together and also that I was a mom that enjoyed being a mom.

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Marisa and I have been trying to see each other more and give the kids plenty of cousin time.  She has made the drive several times.  Once she came up and helped me unpack and this past weekend she came up and we made the skirts for our girls to wear for Kara's upcoming wedding.

On one of these weekends the kids enjoyed a water balloon fight...or I guess I should say, "Water Balloon War."