Heaven on earth

 After school, we met up with Elizabeth and Brady’s friends at the neighborhood playground and stayed until it got too chilly. We got home around 5:45 and my honey came home around 6.  We hung out a bit in the kitchen and then he went on a run while the rest of us did dinner. Elizabeth and Andrew colored and hung out at the table. Tyler was in his high chair. Abigail and Brady alternated feeding Tyler and helping me chop onions and potatoes or stir things. We made a potato chowder in the instant pot. Everyone got along. We played songs on Alexa from strive to be. There was peace and harmony. My honey came home and joined us. We all sat down and ate dinner together. No one complained about their food (Andrew had leftover Mac and cheese because he knew he didn’t like this meal) and everyone cleaned up their spot. Kids laughed and goofed around while they got ready for bed. My honey cleaned up the kitchen. I got Tyler ready for bed and put him to sleep. I wasn’t grumpy even though we were running an hour behind schedule. Elizabeth and I read owl diaries in her bed while Abigail, Brady, and Andrew gathered on the sofa with my honey to watch the avalanche season opener. Elizabeth fell asleep quickly and I read while I sat next to her in her bed. 

It was bliss. 

The kids all hanging out and helping in the kitchen tonight was one of the most magical moments I’ve ever experienced. I had to write it down just out of sheer gratitude. This is what I imagine heaven to be like except instead of the rare unicorn this was, it’ll be “just another day in paradise.”  

My heart is so full. 

Elizabeth’s Primary talk

My talk is on kindness. 

In the scriptures, Ruth was kind to Naomi, even when it was really hard. 

In my family, sometimes it is also really hard to be kind. 

This week, my little brother brought goldfish into my room. 

I was really upset because I didn’t want anyone eating food in my room. 

Even though I was angry, I took deep breaths and asked him nicely to take the goldfish to the kitchen and then come back up to play. 

It was hard for me, but I am happy I chose to be kind like Ruth. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.