Breathing

Master S and I have this ongoing discussion ... about staying focused and on task.  It is a daily, hourly, sometimes by the minute discussion.  He gets distracted so easily and from what I understand about 10 year old boys, I'm not worried about it, but I do want him to be aware of the expectations of school, parents, coaches, employers ... when it comes to paying attention and getting the job done.  It is a normal night at our house when you hear me remind him (and Miss Lilly) several times within an hour to 're-focus!, what are you supposed to be doing?, return to the table, have you finished?  what do you still need to do?'

As I was helping everyone to bed tonight, his bedroom is usually the last stop and we were discussing brushing teeth ... another area of constant reminders and re-focusing ... he turned to me and said, "Mom, it's a good thing I don't have to remember to breathe!"

Ha!  It is a good thing - especially because I won't pretend that this distraction is a trait my children inherited entirely from J.D. (although I think he contributed a bit too!).  How many times a week do I burn the bread I'm toasting in the oven for dinner because I forget it, or leave the laundry in the washer for a few days because I forgot I started it, or forget where I put my keys, shoes, glasses - not that there isn't a designated spot for them, or start to answer an email only to remember days later that I never actually sent it.  It is a good thing that I don't have to remember to breathe!

CTR

 There is a bit of growing going on around here ... Big D is fitting into some suits a friend gave us.  When I first got them I thought, 'He is never going to be tall enough for these!'  Guess what?  He is.

 Miss Lilly is always keeping us on our toes - never a dull moment around here. Who knew 7 could be so, um, entertaining?!

And Master S is so busy discovering everything!  He knows something about everything J.D. and I are talking about these days ... from the election, to the science behind household happenings, to geography and history, he always has a piece of information to add.  Love having kids old enough to have meaningful conversation with.  He certainly keeps my brain thinking. 

Despite the ups and downs of the world around us, life keeps ticking away and my children keep growing.  It reminds me to be present, to be in the moment, to be grateful for the gospel, for Jesus Christ, for the blessings we have right now, to be available to help others, my children and neighbors and to make a difference right here, right now, in my own little sphere of life.  Regardless of the decisions and actions of others in much more powerful and influential positions than I, I can be a faithful, strong, courageous, driven by the truth woman, mother, wife, friend, nurse and neighbor.  I can choose the right!