Love is in the air!

I adore my children,  and in that statement, a lot can be implied.

I love them to the depths of doing anything for them and their welfare--I'm not gonna lie,  homeschool is hard!!! 

I love them enough to put my needs aside to care for them,  every single day--and when you're suffering from an autoimmune disease that really drains the life out of you, there is a lot of mind over matter that you begin to practice.  Lab values,  and most importantly,  the symptoms,  seem to be worsening for the time being.  It is a process to find the triggers to which the body responds that provoke attacks against itself. 

I love them enough to say NO--parents,  this is the best way to raise right minded and respectable children. Say no to too much tv, no to tons of video games,  no to the endless begging for treats,  but YES to quality time activities, good books, and acts of kindness.

I love them enough to say,  "sometimes,  I need to get away and take care of me in order to better care for you."  I'm not going to lie,  I am not too good at this. It wasn't until recently that I agreed with my husband when he said that I should get out a few times every month,  alone, to feel a recharge.  As mothers,  the salvation of so many souls is in our creative and loving hands. We should love ourselves enough to take the time,  small amounts of money, and energy to commune with the true source of our strength,  God. That time may be spent exercising,  reading alone for half a day, sleeping,  going to the temple,  etc. Regardless,  it should leave you with a sense of power and increased love that only you can give to your little flock.  Service and love for mankind is amazing,  and so are you. You serve those around you every day,  don't forget the Beautiful You that needs to cast aside the worries of daily life once and awhile. I wish I was a better example of this advice,  but I'm a pretty good learner of truth.... and this is so very true.

In homeschool this week we were super busy with many lessons and activities!  Then,  at weeks end,  my little sister took all the cousins and forced the parents to go on dates.   It's been a year since I've been out with Steve alone. It was wonderful. The children had a Valentines party and we saw "Winter's Tale".  Be prepared for tears,  symbolic principles of love and purpose,  the great battle we fight daily between good and evil, the divine purpose of life,  and some sweet fun humor.  I couldn't have asked for a better Valentines date.

I was pleased when we came home for the children. My sister stood with me and expressed the detailed character traits she cued in on with each and every child. She was so attentive to them!  To Connor's calculated duck face limbo moves with his awkward lanky limbs, to Aiden's furrowed brow as he focused on getting his body under the bar. Then she spoke of Lydia's expressions of doubt regarding her ability to attempt a limbo--though she attempted and succeeded just fine,  to Maya's ability not only to do the limbo but to roll her body out of a back bend every so "dance like"!  That focused attention is what makes a person so child friendly,  what a gift!  I felt incredibly blessed and recharged after a day with my husband.  At days end,  there were tears over not being able to play video games at home on a Saturday; time simply didn't allow for it to be. My ability to say no made me feel quite capable of the lofty task of raising children in a hard world. Now that's true love; one day they will thank me!