Simplicity

It's that time of year again. The time when I spend anywhere from 2-8 hours a day on planning stake YW camp. The time I ignore my children, throw Nathan worksheets for school, let the house go, permanently attach a phone to my ear, and sleep, breathe, and eat camp.

This past week had the following elements:

• Eric gone all week on business.
• Trip to the vet, due to cat's completely liquid diarrhea problem.
• Carpet cleaning. See above.
• Homeschool Science Fair, hosted by me.
• 2 baseball games
• Mother's Day Tea at the preschool
• Piano and trumpet lessons
• Camp meetings
• Father/Son campout (which Eric left for less than one hour after flying back in from his trip)
• etc.--You know how it is. Things get so busy, don't they?

I really do try to take a little time out here and there to pay attention to the kids. And I was richly rewarded in the time I spent with Stephanie. Her little words of wisdom reminded me that the simple things really make all the difference. Here are some gems:

(Smelling someone's BBQ wafting through the air)--"The air smells GREAT! It has fire in it!"
"Look at that clouds. It looks like a monster. With hands."
"I'm a good cooker. Right, Mom?"
And the one that made my heart swell: "I'm happy. I love you, Mom."

Nothing like a popsicle and a scooter to remind you that life is good. She summed it up. That's what I want for my kids--happiness and family love.

I haven't always loved Mother's Day, but today I feel truly blessed.