Learning and growing

So in the past two weeks this little family of mine has had some amazing and sad things happen. First, Eric grandfather passed away. While it was sad to see him leave this earth and also have Eric gone for five days as he drove with his father to Texas for the funeral, it was also a very inspiring time. You see, all summer I have been trying to figure out how to communicate and teach my now 2 and half year old. She is sweet and loving but also stubborn and hard-headed (like her mom). Needless to say our relationship is full of its challenges. However, I did not want the challenges to shape the nature of our relationship. So line upon line and precept upon precept, here a little and there a little I have worked to teach her eternal principles. While we still have a long way to go, I can see progress both in her and our relationship, along with me. One of my greatest weaknesses is my temper. It is something I have been striving all of my life to control. I have not always been successful. However, as I have turned to the Lord and tried to parent in a more Christ-like way I have found my temper flare-ups to become less frequent and more controllable. During those five days when Eric was gone, I will admit the house became messy and I only was able to keep the dishes cleaned and food on the table, but also had some amazing experiences with my children. I got to build a fort "club" with Mackenzie in the living room, watch my son figure out how to crawl faster and to begin to climb on furniture. I also had the opportunity to watch my daughter's love and concern for her brother come to light along with her powerful imagination. Now that Eric is home, we are striving to get the house back in order together as a team along with finding joy in even the most difficult situations of the this life. I hope you all can find the joy in life and enjoy the sweet little moments of your lives too.