Baptism for the Dead

I've been really emotional lately.  To the point where I'm wondering if I'm pregnant.  I know I'm not so I'm not sure what's going on.  I'm here at work reading our lesson for our primary class about baptism for the dead and I can't help but feel the Spirit so strongly.  Anything that is temple related always makes me emotional because I understand the sacred responsibility we have while we're on this Earth to help those who have passed on.

Back to the lesson.  In the lesson it tells us to remind the kids (we teach ages 10 and 11) that if they stay worthy they can perform these ordinances for those who have passed by being proxies for them once they are twelve.  A few kids in our class have already turned twelve this year so this hits home even more.  The part that got me all teary eyed was a story about patriarch who went to watch baptisms for the dead one night and saw the spirits who had passed on, awaiting their turn to be baptized.  It talks about how happy those spirits were that their turn had come to be baptized and they were right there watching it all happen.  I get emotional because I think of myself in their shoes and how grateful I would be to the 12 year old who stayed worthy and was able to help me.

Not sure why but for some reason knowing that the spirits who have passed are present in the temple while we perform their ordinances for them makes things so much more real for me.  So much more personal.  I remember in a stake conference earlier this year the Provo temple president spoke and said something similar about all the ordinances performed in the temple whether it was baptisms, sealings, endowments, etc.  He also said that the veil in the temple is so thin and that the temple is the bridge that connects the living and the dead.

Baby Hungry....Kind Of

Almost always when I think that maybe I could have a 3rd child, reality slaps me in the face! How can I even think of having another one when I can barely handle the two I have now? No seriously! I'm the crazy mom who people judge in the grocery store because my kids are screaming at check out. We all know "that" crazy mom. I am that mom. Sad! It's exhausting! 

Third child of mine, blame your older siblings for your late debut. Lol! Who knows when you'll ever get here but I always wonder what it would be like. On good days I tell myself maybe next year and then on horrible days I say to wait at least 5 years. Lol!

But seriously, I love seeing little newborn babies at church. Maybe I should babysit one so I can get a real dose of what it would feel like to be a mom of 3. Lol! 

Take Me Home

I'm sitting here in sacrament meeting and  all I can think about is what I forgot to do this morning aka shave my legs and wax my stache! It wouldn't be so bad if I I hadn't waited a month to do either. Lol!! It really is thaaaat bad guys! I noticed both on the way here to church and jokingly told Vili to take me back home. I should have persisted because now I can't focus on anything else. Lol! 

Update: I waxed the stache today. Next up, shaving these legs. Lol! 

Take Me Home

I'm sitting here in sacrament meeting and and all I can think about is what I forgot to do this morning aka shave my legs and wax my stache! It wouldn't be so bad if I I hadn't waited a month to do either. Lol!! It really is thaaaat bad guys! I noticed both on the way here to church an jokingly told Vili to take me back home. I should have persisted because now I can't focus on anything else. Lol! 

Baby Steps

I hope I don't jinx myself from posting this but we might almost be a binky free household! It has not been easy and it's not over yet but we are so close! 

Talanoa is down to only using her binky at bedtime which is a huge improvement. Anyone who knows Talanoa knows that once she makes up her mind about something she's sticking with it so its been real tough because she's so attached. So are we to be honest. Lol! 

She did the most awesome thing yesterday and I'm so proud of her. I handed her her binky while I was getting her dressed for the day and she threw it down and said, "No binky! Only for nite-nite".  I could've cried I was so excited! Lol. I wish someone would've been recording because my jaw was down to my knees with surprise! That's the line we usually tell her before she has a full on meltdown.  Sometimes she would even snatch it out of our hands and run away and dive straight into fetal position so we couldn't yank it out of her mouth. It's been real fun I tell ya! Lol

Hopefully the next time I post it will be about how they are gone for good! 

My Sweet Elina

Elina, my three year old daughter, bore her testimony today in sacrament meeting all on her own doing and unbeknownst to us until we heard her sweet voice over the microphone. Can I just say that there is nothing sweeter than hearing and seeing  my children embrace the gospel despite my many shortcomings as a Mom?  It makes me think that maybe I am doing something right. 

Elina walked over to Grandma and Papa's bench like she usually does near the end of sacrament meeting where we assumed she was sitting quietly. Next thing I know she is up at the pulpit with her Aunty Talanoa because she asked to go up there. While at the pulpit she mumbled a few inaudible sentences and got too shy to continue but her willingness to even get up there amazes me! I'm too afraid to get up there! Lol. Maybe this can be motivation for me in the future ;) After sacrament I told her she did such a great job up there and she said, "Oh, you're welcome Mommy! I bear my testimony!" I didn't even know she knew the word testimony.  I'm sure she doesn't know what it means but she's making connections and that's all that matters to me. 

Anyhow, I am so grateful for this child of mine who I know is the oldest for a reason. Elina, I love you so much and you are such a sweet reminder of how much our Father in Heaven loves us!  May you continue to strengthen your testimony and willingness to share it with others as the years go on. 

P.S. As soon as Talanoa saw her sister at the pulpit she went up and stood right next to her. Maybe they're ready for some testimony based FHE's!