My Rocks

Derek is in California on business.  He asked me if I was going to be okay while he was gone.  I told him "I promise that you will still have 5 children when you return, and I am pretty sure the house will still be standing but that is all I can promise."

Derek had all the kids finish the dishes, a few days ago, and let me sit down and relax.  The kids brought slippers, blankets,and stuffed animals for me to relax with.

Derek is my rock.  He keeps me going and makes life so much easier.  When he walks in the door the whole mood of the home lightens, everyone is happy to see daddy.  The first thing he does is come and give me a kiss.  He is an amazing man.

Elizabeth with Michael a few weeks ago at the Temple.

When he is gone I do feel the strength of the Lord helping me.  But there are still times that I let my frustrations and emotions dictate how I act.  Last night was one of those moments.  My sweet Elizabeth, after I sent everyone to their rooms, asked if she could talk to me.  She told me of her frustrations and how overwhelmed she was at school, then listened to my frustrations.  We both felt better.  Everyone came back and I started working with John Derek on his homework.  When I finished I got up and realized that Elizabeth had cleaned the whole playroom without me asking.  She knew that was one of my frustrations and she did it to make me happy.  She is so mature in so many ways and I do think that I expect too much from her sometimes.  But she steps up and meets those expectations with flying colors.  She is a wonderful young woman.  I feel unworthy to be her mother.  I think she was sent here to help me as much as I help her.

I am reading a talk given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon's.  (click here to read this talk)

"I pray that we will not let the temporary challenges of mortality cause us to forget the great commandments and priorities we have been given by our Creator and our Savior."--I need to not let the mundane, constant, household chores get in the way of being a mother.