A Change in Perception

Warning: long post that may only interest me at some future moment in time.
We've had a pretty great week with Mr. Abraham - which is something to document! I think he found his sense of humor. He has been laughing so hard at random things like when Jimmy misunderstood him and repeated back a bunch of hullabaloo words or when Abe got confused between Amy and Mary on the phone. He has always made attempts to be funny but this week he really was a crack-up. And this week he has been mostly sweet. He still tells me he loves me any time I become a little firm. And at bed he says, "I miss you while I sleep." And one night he said, "I not scared robot. Jesus loves me." Words like those are the splendid moments in mothering.

Abe's preschool teacher, Miss Erin, commented to me that Abe seemed to be really good at spatial tasks. He can do a school bus puzzle really well by himself that the other kids have a hard time with. And one day when they were arranging popsicle sticks in a triangle, he easily did the task. (but drawing a triangle - forget that!) And the past 2 weeks, he has really enjoyed counting on his fingers. I immediately thought about the fact that his daddy (yeppers - that's Jimmy) is an engineer and analytical thinker and problem solver. Could it be that Abe has those skills like his dad? (for he definitely wouldn't get a love of math from me). It's not that I expected Abe to be just like Hannah but I have noticed he doesn't appreciate expression of speech or drawing or coloring as much as some. I love seeing Abe's art that he brings home or on the walls at school. He seems to go with the 'less is more' theory with art. He puts a few dabs of paint or a few markings with crayons instead of smathering (there's that awesome made up word again that describes something perfectly) the paper with color and mess. I figured his fine motor skills hadn't quite caught up with his size, but perhaps the little boy prefers other tasks. Just a curious thought that changed my perception of my little buddy Abe.

We had a week of rain, rain, rain (I was glad for rain but wishing we could send some to California for all those crazy fires). I think Autumn finally found us (hurray!!) and we actually turned the heat on this week. Gotta love hot chocolate weather. By today the kids seemed restless to get out and run around. Jimmy took the kids to the 'big' mall to ride the carousel and get french fries while I attended my church meeting. We had happy sunshine today too so they had their chance to get wiggles out right before the early sunset. The kids and I played wiffle t-ball while Jimmy was at his meeting. It is funny to see what kids do when they are alone outside. Generally in our family, it is Hannah trying to convince Abe to participate in pretend play or an activity.

And lastly, today I was asked to play the piano for our stake leadership meeting. Playing hymns reminded me how powerful sacred music can be in my life. The song 'Be Still My Soul' especially was one that I felt an important message for me. I think we are all constantly searching for the inner peace that comes from simplicity, from purity, from hope in our Savior. This hymn was a reminder to me to quiet my mind and heart sometimes and focus on the feelings and thoughts from the Holy Ghost.

Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.