When the cat's away...

My kids have been sick all week. That means they sleep a lot during the day and then no one wants to go to bed at night. As a result, this momma is exhausted! The other night I jokingly told Porter, who had been sleeping all day, that he was in charge of Aleise because I was going to bed.

Porter: Okay! Aleise, open up the tv cabinent.

Aleise (running to open it up): Are the parents gone?!

And now I know what happens when I leave the house.

Striving for Perfection

This past weekend was stake conference, a group of meetings held every six months where we receive counsel and direction from our local leaders. This time the topic of discussion was the scripture that admonishes us to be perfect, even as our Father in Heaven is perfect.

As I attended the meetings, I was reminded of a quote by C.S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity. He said, "The command 'be ye perfect' is not idealistic gas. Nor is it a command to do the impossible. He is going to make us into creatures that can obey that command. He said (in the Bible) that we were 'gods' and He is going to make good His word. If we let Him -- for we can prevent Him if we choose -- He will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or a godess; dazzling, radiant, immortal creatures pulsating joy and wisdom and love as we cannot imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly (though of course on a much smaller scale) His own boundless power and delight and goodness. The process will be long and in parts very painful; but that is what we are in for. Nothing less. He meant what He said."

Wow, I have a lot of work to do.

Orange is the New Black

Only two pumpkins grew in our garden this year so we made a trip to the pumpkin patch for some more. It was so fun we may never plant pumpkins again! Usually I hate the advent of fall because it means that winter is just around the corner, but I have realized this year that I LOVE fall!! I love the smells of pumpkin and crisp fresh air and apples and spices. I love baking and eating apple crisp and pumpkin roll and yummy soups. I love the sound of crunchy leaves and quiet afternoons. I love the sweaters and jackets and favorite jeans that have been tucked away for a few months. (Fat hider clothes, my sister calls them.) And I really love the colors of God's paintbrush in the fall. Bright oranges and deep reds and vibrant yellows all set against the backdrop of a brilliant blue sky. Absolutely gorgeous! My favorite thing is taking long walks on quiet fall afternoons and just basking in the beautiful colors and the last few days of warm sun.