Childhood Memories and Heavenly Promptings

When I was in junior high and high school there were a few times when going to school was not going to happen.  It was usually after a particularly difficult week with classes and assignments that I would hit a wall.   Because of my mom's poor health it was always my dad who got us all up and going in the mornings.  My mom would handle things with us after school.  But, my dad would wake me up for school, take one look at me and he just knew that I would be staying home.  Now, keep in mind, this happened very rarely, in fact, I can probably count the number of times this happened on one hand.  I'm sure that's the only reason I got away with it.  It seemed I would sleep until 10:30 or 11:00 and then my mom would wake me up and tell me to get ready to go.  Then she would take me to lunch or to shop together.  Looking back, I'm guessing she knew what I really needed and took advantage of the time we had to be together, just the two of us. 

Fast forward more years than I care to count, to this past Thursday.  Ethan was up getting ready for school and I immediately recognized that look in his face that I used to have.  Before he even opened his mouth, I knew he wouldn't be going to school.  The only problem was that I HAD to be at work that day and so did Jared.  So, I set him up in his room with a cell phone, some books and a remote control helicopter.  Whether we liked it or not, this little guy was going to have to stay home by himself for three hours.  Now, please don't judge me for leaving him home alone.  I have enough of my own guilt because of this for all of us, so let's leave that for another day and another blog post.

He slept the first hour and a half that I was gone and then he began texting me.  At first, he was trying to trick me into thinking he was Abby, then he was telling me jokes.  I found out later he was texting Jared as well.  The kid really is funny.  He never ceases to make me laugh.

About 45 minutes before I was scheduled to leave to come home, I remembered those days when I would stay home from school.  I thought about Ethan and his great need for a mental health day and knew what I needed to do.  I called Ethan on my way home and told him to get ready to go.  Then we headed to our favorite spot, Rita's,

We talked all the way to Rita's, while we ate our delicious frozen custard and then on the way home.  I learned so many things about him and his new found interests.  For example, I always knew he wanted to be a Major League soccer player, but on Thursday I learned that if that doesn't work out he would like to be a comedian.  Get this, in his own words, "I think being a comedian might be hard on a family since comedians work at night, so if that doesn't work out I would like to be a doctor, a pilot or a car designer."  He also told me about all the places he would like to go on his mission.  He told me some more jokes and we had such fun laughing together.  When we got home he gave me a big hug and said, "Thanks, Mom.  We haven't been able to do something just the two of us in a long time.  That was really fun."  I couldn't agree more. 

I don't know if it's just me or if it's because he's my only son or if all moms of little boys feel this way, but there is a special place in my heart for only this little guy.  He is so sweet, kind mischievous, funny and caring.  He has such a big heart and it makes me melt inside.   It's incredibly amazing and wonderful to me that we have a loving Heavenly Father that is so involved in the details of our lives.  I'm so grateful for the prompting he sent me to spend some extra time with my little man and so grateful that I chose to listen.

There Is No Better Friend Than A Sister

When I was a child, we spent a lot of time visiting my mom's family in Las Vegas.  We also had lots of times when her family would visit us in Utah.  It was always fun to see our aunt, uncles and cousins.  We especially loved it when Ron and Carol would come.  They had kids our ages and it seemed we never tired of playing together.  Many of my favorite childhood memories are of experiences we shared.  (I'll refrain from sharing them here, as I don't want to give my children any ideas.)  One thing I always loved was watching my mom and my Aunt Carol together.

My mom is sitting to the right of my grandmother, Carol is directly behind her.  As sisters, they were one and the same.  It seemed they had the same opinions and taste in everything.  For example, they both bought the exact same piano, while living in different states and without speaking to the other about it.  It's freaky how many times things like this happened with them.  All that aside though, they shared an incredible bond as sisters that would be difficult to rival.  When they were together, there was never a lull in the conversation, their voices sounded exactly the same, their opinions rarely differed and they loved each other fiercely.  They spent hours shopping when they were together and hours talking on the phone when they were apart.  This is the example of sisterhood that I grew up with.

I was blessed with one sister.  Though we don't sound exactly the same and our taste is different, we both love shopping for hours and chatting for hours. (Though, since we only live a mile apart it's rarely on the phone.)  She has been my partner in crime, has helped me out of numerous scrapes, we have laughed together, she has listened when I've been frustrated or angry, and been a shoulder to cry on more times than I can count.  Heavenly Father knew what he was doing when he sent her to our family.  He knew I would need her for my sister, and for this I'm truly grateful.

When Jenna was born we were so ecstatic, as I'm sure all new parents are.  But, when Abby came I was thrilled to know that Jenna had a sister.  Jenna was just as thrilled.  From the moment she laid eyes on that chubby bundle she was smitten.  She loved everything about her new little sister.  She would lay in the crib next to Abby and talk to her every morning, she would tell Abby every move she was making, she wanted to feed her, change her and play with her non-stop.  As Abby grew they became inseparable.  You never saw two sisters who loved each other more than they did.  That didn't change when Sadie joined their twosome.  It seemed there was room for one more sister and together they lovingly doted on her every need and whim. 

Have you seen the movie, Frozen?  If you haven't, please go see it.  I promise, you won't be disappointed.  I know it will come as no surprise to those of you who know me, but I cried through about half of that movie.  It's all about two sisters who desperately love each other, but circumstances have kept them apart.  Is there anything more awesome than when they are standing in the ice castle and Anna sings, "For the first time in forever, I finally understand.  For the first time in forever, we can fix this hand in hand.  Because for the first time in forever, I will be right here."  I love this declaration!  She's saying, I'm your sister, I love you, we can do anything together!

But even more than that, I love the ending.  When one act of true love was needed, we didn't turn to the handsome guy.  Ultimately, Anna's love for her sister Elsa produced the one act of true love that would save them all.  Elsa exclaims, "You sacrificed yourself for me?"  And Anna replies, "I love you."  Hand in hand, they were able to fix it.  I love this bond between sisters, this love that can give us the strength to face seemingly anything.  So, there I sat in that dark theater, crying my eyes out. 

I confess I haven't been able to get this touching movie out of my mind.  I find that I'm more grateful than before for the example of great sisterhood that my mom and aunt unknowingly showed me and for the sister I have been blessed with.  Truthfully though, I've spent a lot of time hoping and praying that my girls will share that same wonderful bond as sisters.  You see, Jenna is 14 now and Abby is 12 and Sadie is 7. 

While I know they love each other, there are times in these adorable girl's lives when they bicker and fight.  And while I realize this is normal for girls this age, I pray with my whole heart that they will develop a relationship and a love for each other that will span the ages.  A relationship that they can rejoice in throughout the eternities.  I pray that someday I will be blessed to see them shop together for hours, talk on the phone for hours, laugh together, cry together and take care of each other like only a sister can.  Because the fact is, there is no better friend than a sister.