Treasure

Today started out rough, so I decided to write down all the things I love about staying at home with my girls. I am incredibly blessed that I get to be a mom at home. It is the best job in the whole wide world. The majority of the time I really treasure the opportunity to be with my girls all the time. Not only do I love it for all the experiences I have with my girls, but it also feels wonderful to be following the direction of the prophet. Some days I may not feel like I'm smart; other days I may want a nicer car; but, ultimately all I want is to be with these precious spirits. Look at how much fun we have together. There are so many things I love about being home each day. One of my favorites is that I get to be around for every first. Some firsts lately have been Laura's first reading of all the words in the house and Sara's first time standing completely independently. Here is Sara discovering the keyboard for the first time.
Something else I love is that the girls come to me for comfort. Sara looks to me when she feels ill to make her feel better; I am her comfort. Laura looks to me to help her when something is confusing (we've been talking a lot about life after death lately) and I can teach her according to my values and beliefs. And, of course she looks to me for comfort too. We hugged a long time yesterday when she got her black eye after slipping and running her face into a chair. Check out this shiner!
I also love all the special traditions we have and the memories we make in our daily routines. I just didn't get nearly enough of these when I wasn't home all the time with my Laura. Laura's and my current favorite treat is to pop popcorn and watch cooking shows together while Sara sleeps. I love this special snuggle time we have together. It is one of my greatest treasures and I believe it is one of hers too. The memories I made with my mom at these times are still some of my most treasured and I hope they will be for my girls as well.
Something I love and want to share is what Sis. Beck said in this month's Visiting Teaching Message, "Female roles did not begin on earth, and they do not end here. A woman who treasures motherhood on earth will treasure motherhood in the world to come, and ‘where [her] treasure is, there will [her] heart be also’ (Matthew 6:21). By developing a mother heart, each girl and woman prepares for her divine, eternal mission of motherhood. …" Sometimes I feel like I am not fulfilling my potential by staying at home, but reading what Sis. Beck says here, I know that by staying home I am fulfilling my greatest potential. And, for my friends who have not yet been blessed with marriage and kids, make sure to read the rest of what she said HERE.