I am trying to relish moments like this because seeing these three having fun together is my favorite part of each day. Life has been busy lately, mostly with insignificant things. I am working to Ban Busy, so I joined a Ban Busy challenge and it is helping me slow down a bit and choose what we spend our time on more carefully.
One thing that has been helping me shift my perspective is doing Personal Progress along with my Young Women from church. Each day this past week after the youngest two went to naptime/quiet time, I sat down with my Personal Progress and worked on it. Sometimes I did it for 10 minutes, sometimes for an hour and a half.
This past week as part of my study I focused on divine qualities that I need to strengthen and improve upon. I read a talk or two from LDS.org each day and I was inspired by all of them. The gems of wisdom in each talk have really buoyed me up all week. Here are some of the topics and talks:
Temperance-
Diligence
Patience
Kindness
Forgiveness
One thing that I love about banning busy is that we have less committments and more time to be flexible and help others and be together as a family.
The biggest kiddos and I have been enjoying hiking lately.
We've also spent two different weekends supporting Kevin in biking events. The kids thought it was so cool to be able to go to their dad's race. They took their sign making very seriously.
Last week we went to the morning mile at Andrew's school which is where you can run laps for thirty minutes before school. I think we'll be making it a new weekly tradition. The kids had a blast running with their friends and I had fun chasing Ryan around.
The big kiddos are also doing very basic soccer this year. I almost pulled the trigger on doing more intense soccer and I am so grateful I didn't this year. The schedule is perfect for us. Both Andrew and Catie have soccer one weekday a week back to back. It is so fun to have them get to watch each other and support each other. Ryan just runs around the trees in circles and we eat snacks.
I love that we still have plenty of time each week to have friends over for playdates after school or time to just get outside and be active.
When I kick off each school year I always feel like it is a chance to start fresh. This year my main goal is to follow the example of Christ portrayed in this talk by Elder Uchtdorf- Of Regrets and Resolutions. He said...
"Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life.
Is it?
I think of our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus Christ, and His short life amongthe people of Galilee and Jerusalem. I have tried to imagine Him bustling between meetings or multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished.
I can’t see it.
Instead I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt importantand loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. He gave them the precious gift of His time."
