Sunday Dress

After being late for church a couple of times and feeling rushed and irritable, I had to change! I went to my friend Becca's and saw her children getting their own Sunday clothes out on Saturday. I used to get them out myself when we went to church at 8 AM in Arizona but I loved the idea of them doing it.

So now my kids get all their Sunday clothes out including shoes, socks, ties, belt, even hair bows out as part of their Saturday chores. Also instead of frantically ironing all the boys' shirts, girls' dresses, etc. late Saturday, with the help of my new chore chart, I iron (and pretty soon I'll teach the kids!) during the week so that everything is ready on Saturday.

This morning my son remarked, "I love getting my suit coat out on Saturday because I really like it. When I see it in the morning I feel inspired to get dressed and ready for church!" He even used the right words ; ) Instead of feeling frustrated and grumpy at church, I enjoy my children and feel the peace I'm suppose to in the house of the Lord.

Second Chances

I don't know about you but I frequently mess up. For example, I've started a handful of household chore systems only to watch them fail one after the other. Partly I need to find something that works for my family and partly it's just me learning how to follow through.

When I keep failing at something and could easily get discouraged, I try to remember to be grateful for second chances. My mother-in-law gave me this card. Notice the girl's bandaged arms, hands, knees and legs...yet she's smiling and she's on her feet. On the card it says:

"Success consists of getting up once oftener than you fall down."

I love that! I love how each day is a brand new start and how even the seasons denote a rebirth. I love how especially this spring there has been an abundance of rain that washes away sidewalk chalk and dirt from construction making everything clean and green. I love that we have a Savior who sacrificed for us giving us a second chance. Everything points to a loving God that is trying to tell us that we can do it!

So if at first you don't succeed...try, try again! (I'll let you know when this new chore system works ; )

The Creation Circle

At our book group the other night we read part of The Answer: Grow Any Business, Achieve Financial Freedom, and Live an Extraordinary Life along with As a Man Thinketh (Dover Empower Your Life Series). Wow! We had an incredible discussion. Becky W. shared this beautiful exercise that she does with her girls everyday that she calls the creation circle. It sounds powerful and inspiring. Thanks for sharing Becky!

"The creation circle is so simple and fun. Basically I have the girls each draw an imaginary circle on the floor. Then they think about what it is they want and pretend as though they are putting it into the circle. Usually I have them focus on just one thing. Most of the time they choose a toy, which is fine, whatever gets THEM excited, but there are days when I try to gravitate their minds to 'higher' things. So I'll have them focus on something they want to learn or an act of service that they'd like to do for someone (etc..). When they are done, I point out that their circle is their own special place where they get to 'FEEL' what it's like to actually have those things (I really build this up and get them excited). As soon as they sit down, they close their eyes and begin imagining. I noticed it helps to talk them through it. For instance, right now my 5-year wants a tree house. So when she's in her circle I ask her questions like....'How big is the tree? What does your tree house look like? What does it feel like to play in it?'

I do my vision circle at the same time and the girls LOVE to hear what it is that I'm creating. I really like this because it is a powerful teaching moment. I use this opportunity to share goals that are important to me, or better yet, how important THEY are to me. The other day I told them that I was 'creating' myself to be a good mom so that they would always know how much I loved them. Then I asked them for their ideas to help me be better. It turned into a wonderful discussion and I learned a lot about what my children needed from me (things I would have never thought of). When creation time is over, we stay in our circle and repeat our affirmations together.

Before we started doing affirmations I explained what they were and why they are amazing. I got my children really excited about them and we made a list of what they thought was important. Of course, I helped guide them through it, but felt it was essential that THEY considered themselves the authors of what they wanted to become. I knew it would be much more powerful for them that way. This is the list of what 'they' came up with....

- I am a child of God with infinite worth
- I am happy and help others to be happy
- I am safe and always taken care of
- I am healthy and strong
- I am full of purpose
- I am full of joy and beauty
- I am smart and love to learn
- I can do anything I set my mind to
- I love and accept myself!

We repeat these again, right before they go to bed. Also, I've given them each an affirmation note book so they can them down."

Family Scripture Study

Each morning we take time as a family to read scriptures and say our morning prayer. If you have ever tried this (or even think about it for a minute) you will know what challenges we have had: teasing, not listening, getting in each other’s space, talking, wiggling, etc. etc. My husband came up with this brilliant technique…


Wake them up EARLY when they are really tired. They won’t talk or bug each other and they just might listen : )