It's a Wonderful Life!

It has been such a good day.  I love Conference weekend.  It just makes me happy.  I actually stayed awake for all the talks today and took some pretty good notes.  Like Elder Hales said it's more important what we do with the words we hear than the word themselves.  I guess that's what I like so much about Conference is that it's a time to evaluate or lives and see the things we are doing well at as well as the things that need to be improved on.  I often get so overwhelmed with all the things I need to improve on but as Elder Soares said we just need to try to be better today than we were yesterday. 

In between sessions I've been able to sew and I almost have Conner's costume done so that's two down 5 to go.  I still have about an hour and a half left and may or may not do it tonight.  I really just want to go to bed.  I really love sewing when I can take my time and especially love when what I'm sewing turns out. 

The kids were kind of left to themselves today as I was watching Conference and Neil was at soccer.  I love how when Mikey heard President Monson speaking he ran in to see him and cuddled up to me and said I just love President Monson.  I thought that was amazing coming from a 5 year old.  You can't help but feel President Monson's love for each of us just like our Savior.  He is so much like the Savior in all that he does.  Always leaving the 99 to find the one lost, sad or lonely.  I hate that he is alone with the weight of the whole church/world on his shoulders now that his dear wife is gone.  I was glad to see his daughter Ann was with him at one of the sessions.  I hate thinking about the day when either Neil or I will be widowed. 

I always like to take the kids out on a Mommy date when Neil is gone at the Priesthood meeting with his dad and being as I had a coupon I decided to take the kids to Golden Corral.  First off going to a buffet with 5 kids by myself could be a complete disaster being as 2 need my help at the bar meaning the baby is left by itself with an older child.  I gave the kids a pep talk before we left and told them that if anyone commented on how good they were they would earn 15 minutes extra screen time.  Oh my goodness.  They were so good.  I was hardly at the table as I was always helping someone get food or go to the bathroom.  Eliza was great as usual.  Well I had three different people tell us how well behaved the kids were.  The lady sitting beside us just gushed over the kids.  She said she only had one 4 year old and she would have turned the restaurant upside down in no time flat.  Another lady asked if they were all mine (whenever someone asks me that I laugh and always think of my SIL Tiffanie with 9 kids and how people's eyes must bug out when she's out with all hers) and when I said yes she bowed down to me and was just in awe at how how good and polite they all were and couldn't believe that I was out by myself.  As we were leaving the hostess, who had passed our table a dozen times during our time there, put her arm around my shoulder and told me that I just had a wonderful family.  I looked at her and with tears in my eyes said yes I do, yes I do!  Wow, I didn't think I needed that praise and reminder today but I'll take it and record it so when I'm having a hard day I have this reminder of how full my heart is.  There are so many days that I just can't wait til bedtime because it's been when of those days but today I don't want it to end because who knows what tomorrow will bring.  I love my family.  Each and every one of them is so special and unique and I can't imagine my life without them.  Yes it is hard but so rewarding and days like today are good reminders of why I love being mom.

The kids loved Golden Corral and I remembered why I hate it.  It is so crowded and the traffic pattern is terrible and most everything is fried.  I do love their desserts a lot more than Chuck a Rama.  The kids loved the chocolate fountain and cotton candy.  They each had at least four cotton candies.  They loved every minute of it.  I am glad I was able to go on a little date with my kids.  It is now time to hit the sack so I can stay awake for tomorrow's sessions.  I can't wait. 

I am just so glad the day ended well.  You know how often when you are on a spiritual high it can be crushed in a second by contentious kids or getting a ticket or breaking something.  I am so glad I have had the feeling of peace and happiness last all day.