a week into the year and already i've noticed a change in myself. we started reading scriptures as a family. only about 15 verses a night which isn't too long for the kids to sit through but apparently enough to change the way we act towards one another. every night since we started, i've been so much more patient with my babies. i often found myself yelling (a lot) at the kids throughout the day, angry that they wouldn't listen, frustrated because i was blessed with four beautiful children and yet here i was biting my lip trying not to cry as i attempted over and over to control them. i know i expect a lot out of them and sometimes i forget how young they are. i'm very proud of myself because over the last week i only raised my voice twice that i can remember. and you know what? being patient, i realized, is so much more effective than yelling.
every night while we read, i feel the best feeling in the world. literally. i feel warmth in my bosom. lol. no for real though, i do. it just feels so right. of course it's right to be reading the scriptures but it is truly an amazing experience reading them with my babies. they each get to "read" verses too; i'll read a few words and they'll repeat it. i just LOVE hearing their sweet voices say the words from the passages. at first i just figured it would be zeus and me studying the book of mormon together but then zeus suggested we do it with the kids. i'm so happy he did because there's no other feeling that can compare to the happiness i feel as we sit as a family every night.
doing this (even though it may only last about ten minutes) made me realize the kids were happy because we were giving them attention and letting them be a part of something. i tend to get caught up in what i'm watching on tv or what i'm looking at on the phone or what i'm reading, that when my kids are trying to tell me something and involve me in what they're making or playing with, i look up for a second and acknowledge that i heard them without really hearing them. i can't blame my neglecting them on the easy access of technology these days even though i would love to. i can only blame myself. i'm grateful for my kids and the chances they continue to give me as i strive to become a mother they deserve. i am excited and look forward to how close we'll grow this year just because we spend ten minutes every night reading together without the distractions of toys and technology. (tear) ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment