"I don't get mad at my children..."

While in Sunday school, (the 20 minutes that I actually got thanks to my wiggly Jocelyn girl) they were talking about judging others. Why we shouldn't; why it is wrong; why we are supposed to love others; why we don't know someone else's circumstances, etc. This was a great discussion, and then it turned to raising our children.

"We need to teach our children not to judge", and then, someone added,  "We need to remember not to judge our children for their mistakes..." This hit me.  I know I don't judge my children for their mistakes but I do get affected by them. That same person went on to say, "and that's why I don't get mad at my children when they make mistakes." Okay, so that hit me even harder. 

Do I get mad at my children when they make mistakes?

Yes. 

I get mad when they spill, and I have to clean it up.  I get mad when they dump out toys and then don't even play with them.  I get mad when they don't put their dirty clothes in their hampers. I get mad when they don't put their shoes away. I get mad when they manage to color on my dress/skirt while at church with a crayon, color pencil, pencil, pen, marker, or even lip gloss. I get mad when they stain their brand new shirt that they have had on for 7 minutes. I get mad when they hit, kick, smack, punch, tackle, lick, yes I said lick, each other. I get mad when I ask them to do something more than once, than crazy mad when I've asked 3 times and they still haven't done it. I am pretty sure I get mad, often.

This scene took place in the time it took me to brush my teeth upstairs.

This discussion weighed on my mind all day. It weighed on my mind because the guilty take the truth to be hard. Really hard. Should I be getting mad?

Later that night, we watched a message on Mormon Channel that was fitting for my thoughts from the day, of course. It was one that my girl picked, and somehow we had never seen before. It was called Moments that Matters Most. It was exactly what I needed again to hear. I know without a doubt that Heavenly Father was there helping my girl choose that exact message, just for me. It confirmed what I had heard and pondered from the discussion in Sunday School earlier that day.

Are these things that get me so angry really mistakes that my kids are making (over and over again) or are they just kids? Is there an actual logical reason for me to get so upset? Should I get so worked up over such little thing?  Should I let these little behaviors drive me crazy, when they are still only 6, 4, and 1? Have I ever made little mistakes like this in my life, only to commit again later on? Should I be so irrational? 

No. I shouldn't. I absolutely shouldn't. I need to chill out. I need to be more like the better parents in my Sunday School class who said,  "I  don't get mad at my children when they make mistakes."

My Heavenly Father doesn't get so angry at me when I make the same dumb mistakes time and time again.  (And I'm not just talking about not putting my shoes away either.) He loves me and wants me to know that He always will love me. He knows that I will make mistakes, and that's okay. He wants me to be better, but he is NEVER mad at me, when I fail. 

So, clearly I should not get upset when my kids make mistakes. I should be patient, loving, and kind. I should try to help them, teach them, and love them. I should deep breathe, then help them, teach them, and love them. 

Our Heavenly Father sets the ultimate parenting example of love and patience.  I need to remember these important words that I heard in Sunday School and on that simple Mormon Message. 

"I don't get mad at my children when they make mistakes."  

And, 

"We would do well to slow down a little, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most." 

I needed to write this so I will remember. I now will have my own words to look back on from time to time to remind me to chill out, enjoy my babies, stop freaking out, and truly focus on what is REALLY important. To enjoy what really matters most.

This post was started two weeks ago. somehow I haven't had a chance to finish it until now. Oh well, at least it is done now. Here is another great message, that I just saw today.

What Matters Most

Attack the SBAC Clash of Clans

Okay.


So I am NO LONGER A TEACHER! 




I am okay with it, I guess. 




AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. It's killing me. 

Especially this time of year, but I have had so much fun helping my girl's school put together some fun ideas to help the kids get motivated for their big test, the SBAC. (Formerly known as the CRT back in my day! Three years I have been gone and everything is different. Three freaking years.)

I created a Clash of Clans theme called, "Attack the SBAC." I gave the teachers ideas for a pep rally, games to play, classroom clan ideas, Spirit Days, and then just had to walk away. I am no longer the teacher who gets to participate in putting it together. But, they took my ideas and ran with it. (It killed me, but at least they loved my idea and were thankful for my help!)

Then, they asked me to put together the treat bags for them. JOY!!!!!! (So silly that this stuff makes me happy, but it does. It really does.) They bought the stuff and I made these little tags to go along with their daily treats. The kids will love getting one of these each day they are taking the big test, and hopefully know that everyone in the school is cheering them on to do their best.

 mints, Army camouflage bracelet, Knight and shield tattoos, and gold chocolate coins

Jocelyn helped me put them together.

They had some great spirit days that my girl enjoyed participating in during the week, too.

.

We didn't get the flier early so we missed Monday  -  Hat or Helmet day. 

"Ah man, I had a great helmet too."

Jack is wearing the helmet she would have worn. 

Tuesday - Hero day

Wednesday - Royalty Day

Thursday - Camouflage Day

Friday - Clan Day 

(They just had to wear their field day shirts and I didn't think it needed a picture. Sorry baby girl.)

I even got to make Afton's class banner. 

They adopted a Ms. Hite's 4th grade class.

The pep rally was fun. It was cute to see all the kids so excited to do their best and conquer the test.

I miss teaching.

I miss the students.

I miss this extra stuff, like this. 

I miss it all.

Can you tell?

We Can Listen - FHE

These are actual statements made by my children from FHE last night. I need to write it down so that I can laugh about it later, and remember how stinking crazy/funny/ridiculous/awesome they were. However, I doubt they will ever change. :)

Opening Prayer by Jack - "Please bless this family home evening not to be boring and mostly fun because sometimes they really aren't." (Looks up at me and says, "Sorry Mom." Then, continues on with his prayer.)

Song - Oops I forgot one

Activity - We listened with our regular ears and helpful ears to listen to identify these specific sounds.

Sound Clips

During the activity: Afton informs me, "Mom, these are so easy. I have perfect ears. I can hear everything because I have really great ears." 

My response, "Really, then how come Dad and I have to ask you many times to do certain things?" 

Afton, "Well, maybe because my ears just stop working somehow when you guys open your mouths."

Me, "I completely agree. This does seem to explain a lot."

After we checked all of their answers (5 out of 6 right/confused a grenade with lightning) we discussed why it is important to listen to your parents. They gave some great answers. Then we talked about why it is so important to listen to the Spirit. They had a harder time answering this question. Until, we watched this clip found on lds.org (Click below for direct link)

Voice of the Spirit

"We need to listen to the Spirit because it can help us make good choices. It can keep us safe too. Plus it helps us hear what our Heavenly Father wants us to do. So, yeah, that's why Mom." - Afton

"Oh yeah, but also because you told us to Mom and I am listening to you. See?" - Jack

Closing Song - "Can we just skip a song mom. I really want the treat and I am in charge of it. I am waiting so patient but come ON!!!!!!" So we did not do a song.

Closing Prayer by Afton- "Please bless us to be good listeners, especially Jack because he is having a hard time being reverent because all he is thinking about is donuts and he should have his eyes closed during prayer." 

"So should you, duh!" whispers Jack under his breath as Afton completed the prayer.

Treat - Donuts from Jack "These are worth listening to the lesson."

Easter!

Thankful for my Savior who loves me enough to set the ultimate example of obedience and sacrifice. Thankful for his teachings. Thankful that He lives again and that I have that knowledge. 

Thankful for my Heavenly Father for allowing His son to save my family, me, and all mankind so that we might return to live with a Him again.

Thankful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the peace that it brings during challenging times. 

Thankful to be so blessed with a loving husband who would do anything for his family. 

Thankful to be the mommy to these smart, fun, beautiful babies. Thankful to have these special moments with them to cherish.

Thankful to have family around to celebrate these special holidays with. Soon we will be gone from Las Vegas, and it will be a big adjustment, especially without my Mom.

Thankful.

Happy Easter!

My Own Printables for General Conference - April 2015

This is 100% a true representation of my Saturday afternoon session. I couldn't understand why my babies were being so wild during General Conference. It definitely was not their first rodeo, so what the crap? They were driving me crazy - fighting, giggling, playing, touching, just about everything other than listening to the actual talks during yesterday's sessions. 

Sadly, I couldn't hear any of the talks so I will just have to read them later to get the comfort I was REALLY seeking. Of course, I can always just look on pinterest for the best quotes/free printables. Ha! 

I decided to make my own printables from what I ACTUALLY heard while watching LDS Conference with my babies.

I know that no one will want my free printables, but that's okay. 

It made me realize that they didn't listen because, 1. They're little stinkers (devils). 2. I didn't prepare them as I have in the past with a FHE the week before, because we were out of town. 3. I didn't have ANYTHING to keep them occupied while inadvertently hearing the words of conference. 

It was completely my fault. I rectified the situation to ensure that I could hear the words of our living prophet, Thomas S. Monson during today's session.

It worked (for the most part).