In the Right Direction

Our lives have been filled lately with so many beautiful memory-moments...

and moments of teaching and learning from each other.

That is between the kiddos and I, my husband and I, and even our best friends, who have become, even more than they always were, a sustaining source of love and goodness in our lives. Despite the trials our little family is experiencing right now (my husband, Brian, has been working in a different state, going back and forth for visits, for the past year. Yup, one year, officially today) I find that I have been falling into bed every night with the warmth of little kisses fresh on my well-sunned cheeks, the loving sound of my husband's voice in my ears, a tired body, a tired mind and a grateful heart.

But, more than anything lately, I've had this growing feeling that our little family is headed in the right direction. That all the things Brian and I have been working for for so many years might actually be starting to come together.

I had the opportunity to teach a lesson in our church's women's organization, The Relief Society, yesterday and the topic was Family Responsibilities. I was overwhelmed by all the mentions in the scriptures and the articles I researched and the lesson manual of words like: Love. Gentleness. Meekness. Respect. Kindness. Consideration. And again, Love, love, love.

It turned out to be a really meaningful opportunity for me to take stock of how I am doing as a parent, and to realize--in a very clear and real way--that it doesn't matter that we don't have our own home right now. It doesn't matter that we don't know what the future brings for our family. What matters is that Brian and I know we love each other, and our children know, without a doubt, that we love them. And as far as bringing our family physically together again...all I can say is that I know we are headed in the right direction.

So, my favorite Mom moment this week? It's actually two. But both of them showed me that this goal we have of raising confidant, creative kids is coming along pretty well.

Moment 1: These shots were taken by my four-yr-old, Riley when we were tending my nephew Oz. Both Laurelei and Riley are so attentive and sweet to babies, it warms my heart.

He actually got down and the floor and told me he wanted a 'low angle.' He's heard that from Mom and Dad before.

I'm really pretty impressed with his eye!

Moment 2: My kids have often heard me say that play is the work of children (paraphrasing a quote that has been credited both to Maria Montessori and Friedrich Froebel) but the other day, Riley said to me, "Mom, play is work for children, and grown -up work is photography and writing, and drawing stuff, and sewing, and being our Mom and Dad, right?"

That's right, Riles. And I can't tell you how much I love my job.

How about you? How was your weekend?
♥