Sunday Reflections.

Owen has discovered...
playing alone and spent 15 minutes putting a block in a box and shaking it the other night...
his sense of humor and giggles all the time now...
what it feels like to fall on his mouth this week, over and over (poor guy)...
he likes acorn squash...
how fun it is having grandma sleeping in his room...
when he is happy mommy doesn't mind letting him stay up later...
how to call for his "mommy" with intent (music to my ears when I walk into to get him.)

Carter has discovered...
that fire ants don't like to be disturbed and will hurt you and swarm up your leg (25 bites later on his leg and waist, just awful)...
band aids help to make things better...
his finger is just the right size for his nostril (yuck)...
a new love of worms from school...
the walk of shame at the gym, walking to the car in a polo, shoes, socks and no pants...
he can sign "all done" for his friends when we wants them to stop eating and play more (Tayson and Owen)...
how to tell his mommy she's "pretty."

Happy Boys on Sunday.

Bouncing in the front yard.

Sharing his gummy with Owen whether he likes it or not.

Dille profiles. Looking more and more like little boys each day instead of babies.

This was my week to teach Relief Society. I taught on Sister Margaret Lifferth talk "Respect and Reverence" from last Nov. general conference. This is always a touchy subject and can easily offend people. I wanted to approach it with a sense of humility and understanding. I have two little boys and I know how much of a challenge it can be to keep them reverent, I live it each week. Most lessons I leave thinking, "why did I say that" or "that didn't make sense." Granted, I'm the only one that probably remembers the little things like that. But today was different. I felt good about the lesson and the direction it went. Yes I could have asked more questions but the responses I had were enough. I closed my lesson with my testimony and for once it felt like I wasn't tripping over my own words. It was as if the spirit was speaking through me and it was beautiful and inspiring. It was a wonderful Sunday for me. Full of reassurance that the church is true and the Savior loves me. I needed today to fill my cup.

Here is a little from Sis. Lifferth's talk. It's a great direction and reminder if you have little ones or even big ones. We can all work to be more reverent and have more respect for those around us.

"Reverent behavior is not a natural tendency for most children. It is a quality that is taught by parents and leaders through example and training. But remember, if reverence is rooted in love, so is the teaching of it. Harshness in our training begets resentment, not reverence. So begin early and have reasonable expectations. A toddler can learn to fold his arms and get ready for prayer. But it takes time, patience, and consistency. Remember that we are not only teaching a child his first lessons in reverence, but the child may be mastering his first attempts at self-discipline.

This process of teaching and self-discipline continues line upon line and precept upon precept. Thus a child learns to be reverent during prayers and the sacrament. He sits by his parents during the meeting. Then he grows in lessons of self-discipline as later he learns to fast, to obey the Word of Wisdom, to make good Internet choices, and to keep the law of chastity. We each grow in ability as well as understanding. We bless our children and youth as we exemplify, teach, and encourage them through this process because self-mastery is not only the root of self-respect, it is essential in inviting the Spirit to teach, confirm, and testify."