Thoughts

Sometimes I look at other people, especially other moms, and I see how wonderful they are and how much they do for their family and I feel there's so much more I could be doing! However I tend to forget all the good things I do. Yes, there's room for improvement but I am doing my best today and I can improve as I go. I REALLY enjoyed President Uchtdorf's talk during the General Relief Society Meeting this past weekend - Five things to FORGET NOT. I was reminded to be patient with myself and I think I needed that. 

Principles - I am though doing some things that are working. I came up with the "Principle of the Day". Everyday, on the way to Spencer's school, I tell the kids the principle of the day and I ask them to remember and apply it during the day. At the beginning they were like "not again" hehehe. Now they ask me everyday what the principle of the day is and I remind them of it when an opportunity comes. For example, if the principle is "be helpful to others", every time they help me, I emphasize that they helped me and they are applying the principle of the day. It's been great! Here's some of the principles I am using: 

     Be loving
     Be a good example
     Be positive
     Be patient
     Be active
     Be grateful
     Be smart
     Be clean
     Be true
     Be humble 
     Be prayerful


Games - Usually I let the kids watch 20 minutes of TV before bed. One day, talking to my friend Andrezza, she gave me this great idea of playing games before bed instead. So I started to look for game board for kids. Now we play before bed and sometimes afternoons too. The kids love it and it's a good opportunity to bond. I do let them watch TV sometimes before bed but game time is always fun for them. Their favorite game is Candy Land because I give them a little candy at the end ;) 

This day we stacked up 32 and an expert usually goes up 36!! Not bad, huh? ;)

Reading - Unfortunately, I am not the best scripture reader so it's been hard to ready scriptures with the kids. We've been good during FHE. Since Spencer is required to read 20 minutes a day for school, I decided to use some of that time to read something spiritual like the Friend. I also got some "scripture books" at the library and they seen to be working. Having pictures definitely helps. Any suggestions of good books?