Meekness is Gratitude

A couple of weeks ago someone was giving a talk in church and they used a quote by President Hinckley. Basically, it was a definition he gave of what it means to be "Meek".  What a difficult word!  Humble usually comes to mind, but President Hinckley said it is a sentiment of gratitude.  That completely changed the word "meek" for me. 

The last few weeks, and even months, seem to be full of trials. I am sure they are not any bigger or grander than yours. Actually, they are probably less. We all have them.  It's just part of life!  However, how we approach them, muddle through them, experience them, or blow them off depends on our character. (I'd like to add, I think they depend on the trial too.)

On Sunday I was driving home from church and lost first gear in my mini van. So, we need a new transmission. An hour later we had the missionaries for dinner. One of the elders shared a scripture in the Book of Mormon about Nephi when his bow breaks.  His brothers murmur and complain because it was their sole source of food and they are hungry. They forget the Lord. I immediately smiled at the similarity between Nephi's bow and my van. The Book of Mormon always brings the gospel of Jesus Christ home. Okay, so I've been murmuring.  I've been stressed.  I've been a little more edgy with my kids. I've also been praying a lot. I know things will all work out and that there is a loving Father in Heaven who knows me and is mindful of me.

In the meantime, I need an attitude adjustment. I think I can see all the more clearly where I lack in meekness. I think it begins with gratitude.

Springtime

It has been raining a lot this year.  So much so that Derek has dug a two foot deep trench down the West side of our property.  He plans to put in a French drain.  That is, whenever he gets off Surg-Path, secures a truck between the hours of 8am and 5pm, hauls in the 1 inch gravel we need, and finds the time to complete the project.  Tell me this sounds like your house too.  Good news though, the trench is dug and it works!

Meanwhile, I've been slipping out in between rainstorms to catch some glimpses of my beautiful, lush, and very green yard. I am quite sure that Heavenly Father purposefully planned for Peonies to open right around Mother's day. Wouldn't you say?

I found these at Strawberry Hill this year and couldn't pass them up. I think they are a form of Salvia, but not quite sure.

These petunias too just HAD to come home with me!

I love seeing the rain on my hostas.

And my pink field of Dianthus out by the fire pit.

And my almost black irises growing around our apple tree. (I've had a tough time leaving these in the yard.  They smell SOOOO good as you pass by them in the vase.)

Our blackberries are in bloom right now too.

And our peas are growing like weeds!  Ha ha!

Spring is such a glorious time of year!  The anticipation of all the earth's beauty slowly unveils itself and in such splendor! 

Tanner's tooth

On Monday morning at 6:45am, Tanner came in and woke me up.  "Mom, I'm throwing up."  I rolled over to see him standing by the side of my bed with a bowl in his hands. Poor kid! I said a silent prayer of gratitude he had enough wits about him to grab a bowl! I helped him take up residence in my bathroom until I could get my own wits about me and in the middle of it all, Tanner says to me, "Mom, my tooth is really loose!".

We had a little talk about not sharing this sickness with his siblings (the last sickness he brought home lasted 3 weeks at our house, of which I was a recipient). This meant he needed to stay strictly confined to the top bunk of his bed. He was SOOOOO good and spent the whole day up there.  About an hour into the morning routine, Tanner yelled for me, "Mom!  I lost my tooth!" We all gathered into his bedroom to see his prized tooth.  I looked at him with what only the eyes of a mother could have and said, "Do you have any idea how difficult it was to bring that tooth in?" Of course he doesn't remember! How is it that as we grow so quickly as little ones, our memory fades us just as quickly?  It was a tender moment to be there when it fell out too. I'm kind of glad that he was home sick when it happened! This marks the end of one stage of his life and the beginning of a new one.

We sent dad, grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles a text message to let them know that Tanner had just lost his first tooth.  Dad replied back and asked him how much the tooth fairy should leave under his pillow.  To which Tanner replied, "I think I should get 100 dollars!"

Colin's Apron

Here's the apron I did for Colin's birthday.  (Hooray for nap time!) I used navy blue corduroy that has some spandex in it...a great feature for little boys who are always on the move!  (I picked it up in the garment district when I was in NYC.) I made it big enough to grow into and put 3 big pockets down below. The white clasp came from an old bicycle helmet I tossed.  My sweet friend, Kate embroidered his name on it!  He loves it and spend some good quality time wearing it each day.