Thoughts...

I'm feeling a bit down today. My mom, who got here on Saturday and was supposed to stay until Friday, had to leave today because my Grandma Smith (her mom) has had a massive stroke and is laying on life support in a hospital in Utah. I'm wishing I were there with my family. And because of this, my thoughts have been consumed by the influence and power a mother can and does have over her children.

A little over a month ago, we were playing hide and go seek as a family one night. I was hiding in the kitchen while Brad counted, and Nick ran over to join me. He sat on my lap, looked up at me with a huge grin on his face and said "I love you, Mom." This is not something he iniates saying on his own very often, and I melted. He was so happy and was having so much fun. It reminded me of my favortie quote from my favorite talk:

          

"Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments.

There will be hard times and frustrating times.

But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of

joy and satisfaction." -M. Russel Ballard

Nick has grown up a lot lately. I'm finally starting to feel like my consistency is paying off (er...maybe he's just growing and maturing). All I know is that I love this boy. And I'm grateful to a Father in Heaven who helps me with my patience and dilligence to try and be the kind of mother he, and Chase, deserve.

PS- Tonight Chase purposefully knocked over and broke a vase that he knows he's not supposed to touch. While on time out he sang "Love At Home" at the top of his lungs.
It was awesome! :)