Joy

I was preparing my lesson for Young Woman's class on Sunday. I teach a group of girls that are 12-13 years of age. My lesson is on finding joy now. Next week it is on being a House Manager-ya know-the homemaker. As normal I feel like I'm learning more from the lesson than I will ever be able to teach.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our

realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now. Thomas S Monson

I needed to remember that. One of the hardest things we will learn is what is really the most important at any given time and realizing no matter where we are at there is always something that makes us long for a different time, but if we try to find joy in each moment in each day. I've had a couple moments of great joy this week. I had a very difficult time adjusting to motherhood and I've had some adjusting on having two kids. It's so tricky to figure out time, consequences, what's best, what's most important. One of my most important moments this week was when I was making faces at Chloe while she was laying on the floor. Isaak came and joined us and wanted me to make faces at him too, so the three of us cuddled up together on the floor and made faces and then we watched some sesame street. It was a perfect moment and I'm glad that I was able to find the joy in it rather than try to rush onto the next thing.

Isaak had just woken up from his nap, which accounts for his sweet hairdo. I was just paying attention to more important things than my hair and makeup ;) I'm glad I slowed down to play with Isaak this day. I was supposed to be getting dinner ready and getting dressed for Young Womens that night, but instead I took a whole bunch of silly pictures with Isaak. It was super fun.

This was a moment of great joy for me. Chloe woke up from her nap a little early so I got her out of bed and left her on the floor while I was trying to make dinner and spend some time with Isaak. I went back to pick her up and she had fallen asleep on the floor. that has never happened to me before. It was a joyful moment. IT HAPPENED TO ME!! I've heard moms talk about their kids just falling asleep and she did. I couldn't believe it. But Chloe is such a joy and I don't think I slow down enough to just smile at make noises with her. And she's growing up soooo fast. She has already started rolling over and I feel like she was just barely born. So I guess I'm going to try to find joy in moments that make me crazy, tired, etc and hopefully that will help me remember the important things. Especially slowing down.