Lead By Following

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . attending today's leadership broadcast regarding the new Church handbook. You wouldn't think two hours of instruction on Church administration would be enjoyable or inspiring, yet it was both in spades. Apostles are just like that. I came away with a firmer conviction that I can do good in this work and this world if I invite God to guide me.

Thanksgiving Was Closed

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . driving up a mountain with my mom. It was nice to have some time to just talk without lots of distractions.

. . . telling Joy about Neil Armstrong's historic lunar landing when she asked for a story "about the Moon." Mom even got to chime in with her memory of watching it on TV as a girl.

. . . hearing Joy tell herself a story as we drove along. It went something like: "Once there was a frog who wanted to go to Thanksgiving, but Thanksgiving was closed. He waited outside to see if it would open, but it stayed closed. The end."

Not-so-favorite moment:

. . . two words: flat tire. Don't worry--it went flat and was fixed before I drove up the mountain. However, the fixing process was tedious and decidedly not fun.

It's Only A Model

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . baking cookies with my sweetheart.

And another thing . . .

. . . Joy is still into watching rocket launch videos on YouTube, and to a certain extent I am, too. Even after watching it the tenth time, I still think it's pretty awesome to watch four million pounds of space shuttle launch into space.

As long as Joy sticks to her favorite space shuttle and Saturn V videos I'm happy to watch them again and again. Unfortunately, she's also taken a shine to a video of five model rockets lifting off. Repeatedly. In slow motion. With rock music in the background.

Near the end, Joy commented, "I don't like this one." I then felt free to confess that I didn't like it either. Then, fickle toddler that she is, Joy said, "Well, I like it. Let's do it." And she played it again. Sigh.

One and Two

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . taking Daniel to the park on his own while Joy was at preschool. It was nice to just have some one-on-one time and follow him around wherever he wanted to go.

Not-so-favorite moment:

. . . having two kids crying on my lap at the same time. Daniel was wailing because Joy accidentally closed his fingers in the bathroom door, and Joy was distressed because he didn't calm down when she said she was sorry.

Squashed Pancakes

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . taking a looong nap this afternoon.

. . . looking into Joy's big brown eyes.

. . . adding some leftover pureed squash and pumpkin pie spice to pancake batter, and finding that the result actually tasted good.

. . . writing my first poem in years--a haiku inspired by my job (of all things).

Incentive to Vote

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . my husband fixing the kids breakfast so I could sleep a little longer. I love him so much.

. . . my bored toddler whining, "Mom, let's go vote!" Anything to get out of the house.

Reverently, Quietly

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . watching my kids close their eyes and bow their heads at prayer time. Daniel only keeps his bowed for a moment, but it's still cute.