Dinner

Food is quite important around my house. When I tuck the kids in at night they wonder what we will be eating for breakfast, and when we eat breakfast they often inquire about dinner. I typically get home from work around 530-6. Kids are starving and I'm exhausted. This combination resulted in many a night eating out or having less than desirable dinners. I launched a plan to remedy the situation. After dinner and dishes are done, I prep dinner for the next night. Then the kids can pop it in the oven at a specified time after school.  It takes a lot of time and effort and sometimes I really don't want to do it, but it makes the next night so much better. When I get home we can usually eat within 15 minutes And everyone is happy with a good balanced meal, including me. I like food as much as the kids do. And after we eat, I get to do it all over again...

Sundays

I'm now at the phase in life where everyone gets themselves ready for church. Mornings before church aren't that hectic.  I attempt to make a late breakfast, often something simple like muffins and throw some dinner in the crock pot because I know my hungry wolves will be starving as soon as we walk in he door. Today it was pork chops. I look around at church and can recall the days of keeping little ones occupied and reverent. Again, I'm past this phase and for the most part I'm able to soak in all the messages. I'm content. We return home and I throw the rest of dinner together. In my mind, we have wonderful Sunday discussions over our tasty dinner and we spend he  rest of the day relaxing in peace and harmony... I mean, after all we went to church. Reality hits and before I even get dinner  on the table, children are arguing (today it was over college basketball teams and strength of schedules). I attempt to calm the masses and we sit down to dinner. As child A attempts to tell about his lesson, child B interrupts. Soon child C attempts to speak and is yelled at by child A.... This goes on and on despite my best efforts to calm them or move on. On a positive note, everyone liked the meal and the kids were able to share a few things they learned at church. Kids puts their dishes in the dishwasher and everyone leaves the kitchen.  I continue to sit there wondering when my children will all love one another and want to listen to each other. I tell myself it'll happen one day. Like when they're 30.

Temple closure

For the past 6 months I've been attending the temple every Tuesday morning. A few Sunday's ago they announced that the Idaho Falls temple will be closing for an 18 month rennovation. Almost instantly, Coleman leaned over to me and said, "yes! Breakfast on Tuesdays!". It's possible I need to re-teach him the blessings associated with temple worship! However, it was genuine and candid and made me smile! Love that kid.