Focus

The shopping frenzy is done. Now it's time to remember what this holiday is really about.

I'd love to say I purposely saved my baking and gift mailing for next week because the kids will be home and they can help me share the spirit of Christmas with our faraway friends and loved ones. I'd really be feeling like an amazing mom if I could say that. But let's be real. I'm me. And the truth is I am making secret presents this week and have no time for baking and mailing. The kids will be able to help and share in all that by default.

I take no credit for it. But, I still think it will be fun.

We do make an effort every year to remind the kids what the gifts actually represent. I'm fortunate enough to have kids who don't put a lot of emphasis on what they WANT for Christmas. So many times I'm the one asking them because I'm not sure what to buy, or what to suggest to family. Sometimes I feel like I'm raising kids too tender for this world. They understand the spiritual nature of our roles here so well.

For the record, I don't take credit for that either. They are simply amazing, even though they have the ability to completely frazzle my nerves and dance on my last shred of patience. I mean, they are children. Let's be fair.

I hope all of you can take a bit of time this crazy season to let a little truth into your hearts. That sweet manger scene isn't just a prop after all.

Home Alone (Again)

So, last week, right? What a rush. How crazy was that? :)

Hubby showed up super late Tuesday night. Woke up the kids Wednesday morning. Had a birthday Thursday, got a call for a job interview. Got the job Friday. Started yesterday.

Not bad.

But it does mean I'm home alone again during the day. Not all the time. His new job has a weird schedule, where he's off various days and working other days. I still haven't figured it out, but the days he's home one week aren't going to be the days he's home the next week. At least the sleep schedule is the same, right?

What it does mean, for me, is that I need to take full advantage of the time alone that I DO have to get that all-important writing done. Because on the days he's home I don't get any writing done. It's an established fact. We'll just go with it. Some day next year (probably) I'll have an actual office, but, until then, I have to work at actually being productive when I'm alone and--most importantly--NOT going back to bed after everyone leaves in the mornings. :)

The Working Vacation

So, we took the kids to OK to visit grandparents and all, and I also scheduled some book signings for while we were there. I guess I'm still trying to perfect the working vacation.

It's a myth, really.

Like I told the hubby, this is not a vacation. I took my work with me. While everyone else got to play and sit around, I was finishing up last minute details, shmoozing, and all that other fun stuff. I'm not saying I didn't have a good time, but you can't really call it a vacation.

I really need one of those. :)

Blog Break!

Just thought I'd take a second to warn you all that I'm giving this blog a two-week break. I'm going to use that time to have a little summer fun--at least I think that's what it's called. And I hope it ends up being fun. I'm going to do what I can to focus on the kids, rather than telling all of you about them. :)

But, never fear! I'll be back July 27th with some fun stories about their antics!

In the mean time, here's a poem:

Baptism

This day is your special day,
wonderful in every way.
Today you will be baptized.
Not every little girl and boy
gets to share in this precious joy.
Not every little child of God
gets to be where they belong.
But, my dearest, hopefully,
there you will always be.
From this day on, listen close
to the Spirit's still small voice.
The Holy Ghost will be with you
telling you what you should do.
But it is up to your own might
to always do that which is right.
So treasure this most precious gift;
a token of God's love for you,
and when from the waters you are 'lift,
remember that I love you, too.

May 27, 1994