Weekend Warriors

Jim planned a 6 am service project for our family Saturday morning.  Our kids are early risers... we all are so it wasn't a big deal to be up at that time.  Our goal and hope as parents is to teach our children the gift of serving others.  I take them with me when I make dinner for people, or go on visits to other women I know.  Jim takes Luke with him as much as possible when he's serving others too.  I say Luke because it is usually men stuff so girls opt to stay home.

Service is a gift in so many ways.  For me, it softens my heart, helps me see beyond myself.  I feel so grateful to the person/people who allow me to serve them.  It is a sacred privilege, one I love to participate in.  Jim is the same way.  He's more service oriented than me.  It's just who he is.  

Jim and I realized our kids learn by observing so we do our best to serve and teach our children about it.  Saturday morning was no different.  The kids were chatty and excited, especially as we pulled up to QT for donuts before our project.  Once we arrived at the house, it was a different story.  

Smiles were gone, groans started coming and flinging of rakes were seen from my peripheral vision.  It took encouraging but we finally finished.  Tayler was over it by the end.  She never makes me guess how she's feeling.  I love that little scowl face of hers!  The kids were champs overall. (Please notice the water shoes and socks Taytay is sporting. She loves to wear them every day.)

Let's pause and take a minute to talk about the guy below.  I wish words could describe how amazing he is and how much I love him every single day.  I watched him in awe at this service project knowing he had a full day of work ahead of him.  He got a call at 4 am with a house that needed to be packed out (all things packed out of the house) due to a flood.  His company is a restoration/emergency stuff.  So he'd been up since 4 am.  He already worked 60 plus hours the past week.  It's our busy season.  And his priority was spending time with the kids in the morning helping others.  I mean... come on... what an amazing Dad!  He was sweating and sneezing a lot when we pulled away at 7:15 am.  I just looked at him and felt an overwhelming tug on my heart thinking I can't believe he is my husband.  I can't believe I literally married the man of my dreams and the father to our children that I always prayed for.  I don't need to say he drives me nuts sometimes because that goes without saying... we're married for Pete's sake so yeah... that happens... but it is fleeting.   Every night I thank God he is my husband forever.

The rest of the day I was home with kids, playing and so forth.  We had our weekly date night.  We just went to dinner and were home a couple hours later.  Our sitter was so cute, the kids were upset we came back early.  Jim had early meetings, like 6 am early, on Sunday so he went to bed early.  When he has those meetings which is every other week, we usually have a short date night.  

Sunday was great.  I had a wonderful scripture study all in Alma 29:1-4.  I talk about scriptures a lot because they are a huge part of my life.  It's through the scriptures that God speaks to me.  It's how I know we are meant to adopt.  Anyone who wants to know a question, just needs to ask God in sincerity and then turn to His words.  He will answer you.  

Every.  Single.  Time. 

Jesus Christ taught, "The Holy Ghost... shall teach you all things 

and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26

I feel like I need to say sorry if I'm preachy... I honestly don't mean to be.  But I'm showing who I am and this is me.  Anyone who knows me.... 

I mean, really knows me, knows I love studying the scriptures.  

On a lighter note:  Tayler dressed herself as usual for church.  I believe it's important for a child's self esteem to choose their own clothes and feel confident in what they're wearing.  The result often leaves me cringing/chuckling but whatever.... it is what it is.  I have the same rule for hair styles.  The girls can pick their hair style too.  This might bite me in the bum when they're teenagers.  I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.  

Bridget felt winter tights were a good option while Tayler went with the socks OVER the black leggings with her sandals.  I was shocked she didn't wear her water shoes like she does everywhere.  

I just laugh and thought I'm glad she's coming to church with a smile this week.  

This is a gem from a year ago... All her design and She OWNED IT!