Just an ordinary day...

Today started like every other day, slow and sleepy, and with the potential of being just another day of hurrying in getting all things in the to-do list done. It did, but as with every day in our life, it also brought special moments that make our ordinary lives feel a little bit special and fun.

Since we all feel settled now, I felt it was time to start a schedule for our family. I love schedules, as most of you who know me know by now. However, most of you don't know the reason why: I have to, otherwise my whole day would be wasted and I would end up just reading or playing. So, last night my FHE lesson was about Doctrine&Covenants 88:118, which states :
"And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith." After reading and discussing this verse, I proceeded in introducing the themes for each day and our daily schedule which, of course, had a lot of "seek learning" in it. The children put their input in it, and we concluded our FHE with a song and a lot of excitement for the fun things we were going to do. I printed the schedule and put it up on the fridge. This morning I was a bit sleepy (Charlton's fault), so when we were all getting ready for our day, Gillian reminded me to not forget my shower as soon as I got back from dropping them off. She was reading the schedule on top of the fridge. Then, as we are about to leave, in a hurry I should say, Jefferson reminded me that we weren't doing well in following the schedule; we almost forgot to say our prayer. Of course, we knelt right there and then and did it, and yes, we were on time for their school, even though we left later than usual. When I got back, I didn't take my shower; I just went back to sleep. Good thing James doesn't know how to read yet.

When Jefferson came back from school we went right back to the schedule. After mentioning that it was time for lunch, and while I was preparing their food, he was making this pile of books on the couch. I asked what he was doing, and he responded that he was getting ready to get some learning done. And learning we did receive. I haven't had so much fun reading little kids' books I don't know when. As we were reading, Jefferson kept interrupting me by pointing out fun words or words he didn't understand. So, I would explain and then ask him to make a sentence with each of them. Afterward, he wanted me to write them down. Here is what learning we got today (the following expressions were found in the books, and we either liked them as they were or made our own version of them):

1. Mom, that lunch was great...I'm as full as a tick.
2. Daddy, why did you marry a speck of a woman? (After responding to my silly usage of the word speck: Jefferson, you are a speck of a boy.)
3. My day wasn't dull; it was exciting...
4. I didn't like it one bit! It was dull. (Using the word dull about the story we had just read; he really liked the story, but he just wanted to use the word dull.)
5. Jefferson did you finish your homework? Of course, mom. It was easy as pie.
6. Mom is really laughing herself silly today.
7. (This was our favorite. I couldn't stop laughing, especially after he truly used actions for it as well) comet = hair (ancient Greek) "I want to comb my comet" (this wasn't his original sentence; we found it in one of our books, but he kept saying: Mom, do you have a comb? I really need to comb my comet. I kept laughing and he kept doing it over and over again.)
Learning can be fun.

Tonight, we had the missionaries over for dinner, and as Elijah drove them home after we were finished, I was trying to get things done, so when Elijah got back we could put the kids to bed and have the rest of the evening for ourselves. You who have kids know this is the craziest time of the day. So, imagine me. I was trying to clean the table and put the dishes in the dishwasher with Charlton and James on the carpet keeping each other company. I was talking to them, as well as trying to help Gillian finish her math homework. When here comes Jefferson, all ready for bed, sitting on the stairs, looking very serious. As a good mother that I am, I immediately stopped everything else, and asked him what was wrong. He responded that he couldn't figure out who Heavenly Father's mother was and how did he come to be Heavenly Father. I wished I hadn't asked and let him solve it on his own. So, amidst all of the ordinary things of life that I was doing at the moment, here I was also explaining to Jefferson heavenly matters, which I myself didn't know.

How about all that for just an ordinary day. Thank you children, you are precious.