Being Present

We've taken a little break from regular blogging, and honestly it's been nice. I read the article "Positive Uses of the Internet" in the June Ensign magazine and received new insight into this amazing technology that shrinks this great big world and puts it, literally, into the palm of our hands. The article mentions limiting our time on the computer, and an example was given of a woman who spent a lot of time blogging. "Her mind was always in 'compose' mode - mentally writing a blog about what she did with her children instead of just doing things with them. She realized there had to be a balance."

Elder Dallin H. Oaks: "Just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it...Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best."

I really do love to blog, I love to write, and I love sharing funny things the kids do and say. It has become our family journal and an avenue to virtually keep in touch and updated with family and friends. But, for me, with that task comes occasional guilt when I don't keep up. I'm still trying to find that sometimes-elusive balance, but I have to say I've been more present in the recent moments with my family, rather than automatically shifting into "compose" mode.


Anyway, it's been on my mind a little.



We're occupying ourselves with:

• yard work - The garden was planted a month ago, and it's always exciting to see plants popping out of the ground. The heavens have opened up and dumped buckets of rain for the last few months. Come on already...plants need sunshine too!


• house work - It took almost a month, but our house is now deep-cleaned from top to bottom. There's not a room, closet, drawer, cupboard or window that hasn't been wiped, scrubbed, organized, purged, or washed. And our master bedroom has a fresh coat of paint too. Aahhh sure feels good. Now for real I'm ready for summer to arrive!


• trips to the library, park, home improvement store, garden store, fabric/craft store ("crab" store to Seth - better than "crap" store that he originally called it), and outings with friends.

More randomness:

One of our many trips to the neighborhood park. We love living within walking distance! Lydia's now sporting a total of 8 teeth and as of Sunday she's walking!

Easter party with friends from church.

What kind of childhood doesn't include some bathtub photos? Seth is 1) trying to wink, 2)channeling his inner pirate or 3) wincing at soap in his eye.

Lydia sporting a classic Alfalfa 'do.

"One little monkey jumped on the bed.

He tripped on some pillows and whacked his head.

Mama didn't call the doctor but instead

She kissed it and said no more jumping on the bed!"

Hike to Coal Creek Falls with some girlfriends from church and the kids.

Check out this amazing electric green moss!

Here's to being present in each moment!