My Idea of a Perfect Afternoon.....

The other day when my house was full to the rafters with neighborhood kids and a chaotic variety of activities going on I realized that this is what makes a perfect afternoon for me.  I feel so calm and content with so many good things going on...

Such as ... Eric playing continuously, sometimes loudly on the piano for a very long time

Friends of all ages over to play, atleast one for each of my children. Mary and Scott toddling around, Jacob, Michael and their friends running in and out of the house from one activity to another, to the trampoline, off to shoot hoop, and whatever else they do..I just know it is full of energy and they are always on the move.

Jonathan very engaged in a science project ..working with a buddy trying to perfect their "egg box" assignment. They had to create a box that would safely house an egg from breaking when dropped from a 3 story building. They first climbed on the roof ....and then realized that they could die doing that (literally) started dropping it from the window on the second floor of our house instead. Something about seeing my son work so hard on something with a friend just makes my mother heart sing.

In the midst of all this I helped this person and that person with this and that and picked up Joseph from a rehearsal and took him to a job interview...such good work Joseph! It was a very busy afternoon!

Dinner was in the oven filling the house with a delicious aroma. And no one was fighting...everyone was happily busy.

I think the main thing that made me feel it was a perfect afternoon was the chaos. Isn't that funny? It was a happy, productive sort of chaos. I analyzed why this would make me feel so happy and I determeind because it reminded me of the happy, hustling bustling home I grew up in, where everyone was welcome and the more the merrier. Where there was always someone playing the piano or singing, something yummy cooking in the oven, and at least one project being worked on.

Chaos makes me happy..who knew... ?

Activity...people... connections... it all reminds me of home.

The Simple Pleasures

happy things of Summer 2011

-invigorating excercise on early, cool, fresh Summer mornings
-blustery, thunderstormy Summer afternoons
-the smell of a quick Summer Rainshower

-pushing Scotty in the swing while he begs me to push higher!

-watching my teenagers enjoy life

-having more control over the family schedule, enjoying the slower pace and more time with each child.  

-inspiration and empowerment to be better, learning more about what I know and finding hope to press forward 


-the beauty and power found in the scriptures


-nightly walks with Steve ..holding his hand


-golden pink, red orange sunsets with brilliantly lit clouds


-crawling into clean, cool sheets at the end of the day

-beautiful music

-free outdoor concerts

-the joy and companionship of really good friends

-laughing so hard I almost cry

-reading a good book

-a meal with the family that includes sharing stories and much laughter

-Eric's sense of humor

-flowers, flowers, everywhere

 -having my house packed with people I dearly love

 -Waking up to a clean house...the quiet of the morning + clean house = bliss

-the temple

-remembering sacred days in my life

-the security and power of having made covenants with God

-knowing that that my Heavenly Father knows me...  and my family... and is on our side

-and in knowing that..... feeling the joy of serving a being as glorious and perfect as my Father in Heaven and Savior 

-car trips with good conversation

-playing games around the kitchen table

-heart to heat talks with Steve late into the night

-moonlit Summer nights so beautiful that it almost feels like the night is singing.