Good Day

I just wanted to make a record of today.  Once in a blue moon or so, we have a really good day and today was it.  We made some new job charts and started a new system a couple of weeks ago, mostly in hopes of improving how our mornings go.  Although it seemed to help a little bit, the adjustment has been rough at times.  Today was the first day that everything just ran smoothly.  I can't even describe how wonderful it was.  The kids were doing their jobs quickly and willingly.  They were even helping each other.  The girls both got their homework done and happily practiced the piano (they are both in official lessons now).  Even Nate got his job done quickly (putting away the clean silverware) without all the extra persuasion from me that is normally required.  We all sat down to dinner together and had a nice meal. 

I decided to do a lesson for Family Home Evening that I had just read about in the Ensign today.  I made a puzzle out of our family picture.  We each got the pieces of ourselves.  Then we all talked about the things we appreciate about each member of the family--that person's gifts--and finally we put it all together.  I tried to praise the kids for how well they did today and help them see how that helped us to have such a good day.  Then, we ate our bowls of ice cream under the stars on the trampoline.

I know that a big reason why today was such a good day was that I worked hard to get my "jobs" done, too.  I accomplished what I needed to and I didn't waste time.  I was actually early getting Natalie to school for kindergarten (I don't know why that is so impossible for me but it is--sadly).  It was just a good day.

I just loved watching General Conference over the weekend.  I can't even describe how wonderful and uplifted I felt on Saturday.  All I know is that life felt glorious--that is the word that kept coming to my mind.  It was exactly what I've been needing.  I was humbled, too.  I came to Conference with some questions about how I could better help my kids and I basically learned a whole lot of ways that I need to improve.  I guess that is what will help them the most.  I was especially chastened when I read this in the notes Natalie took during Conference:

It reads: "People often get on the internet (my Mom and Dad often do that too much)"

Ouch, right?  Natalie is funny sometimes.  She often takes opportunities to admonish us.  She's not always very tactful, or even accurate, but this time she was right on the mark.  So, I am going to be better.  Life is too short and too beautiful to spend so much time with things that just don't matter.  I felt that very powerfully listening to President Uchtdorf's talk.  

Now the trick is to develop the good habits and establish some consistency.  And--to get right back up when I screw up. 
And who knows--maybe we can have these kinds of days twice in a lunar cycle. :)