The Great American Fifth Grade Challenge and more

Nathan was so excited for fifth! He watched Liz perform in Hope of America and complete the Great American Fifth Grade Challenge and he couldn't wait to get started, in fact he memorized the Gettysburg Address over the summer so he would be ready on the first day of school!

I think fifth grade is an amazing year. I love their focus on American History, and at our school we have one particular teacher whose passion is history. He really emphasizes the importance of our nation and the principles upon which it was built. Nathan has loved it all. He loved reading The Killer Angels (about the battle of Gettysburg) and talking about it with his teacher. Another day Nathan was telling us specifics about a battle from the Civil War. I had never heard about it and later Brian and I looked it up online. I don't know why , but we were a little surprised at the many minute details that Nathan remembered.  

Here is one video from Hope of America. The program was just the same as last year when Liz performed. This is still one of my favorite parts though. Nathan is in the yellow section just to the right of the flag. 

Here are the kids reciting the Gettysburg Address at the Great American Fifth Grade Challenge award ceremony.  It makes me a little teary every time.  They also recited the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution and all of the U.S. Presidents. Additionally, to earn the award they had to label a map of states, capitals, and oceans, sing or say the Star Spangled Banner and write the Pledge of Allegiance. 

This year the Fifth grade had a celebration for the parents in the evening. They sang some songs from Hope of America and had a slide show presentation with pictures of the neat things they have done this year, including their big America History days of activities.  I wasn't even going to take a camera since I had video and pictures of it all already. But that was too much against my nature, so I took them. I am so glad I did, because they sang this song, a song that Nathan's teacher stumbled upon and taught the kids. The musician ended up coming to talk to the fifth grade, gave them each a CD and sang a few more songs. There were lots of tears from many of the parents. It was so touching. 

I am so grateful for the reminder that we truly are blessed to live in America. Our country certainly isn't perfect, but we enjoy so many freedoms and opportunities because so many sacrificed so much to keep our nation strong. 

The Gift of Motherhood

Today is Mothers' Day. I am always grateful for the reminders that motherhood is a vital part of Heavenly Father's plan for his daughters. And tonight a friend shared a couple of thoughts that have made me think about motherhood and Mothers' Day a little differently than I have in the past.

First, she said that she learned that Mothers' Day is not about celebrating perfection, but rather celebrating our every day efforts and our ability to get back on our feet and try again when we stumble. To be perfectly honest I don't recall a Mothers' Day when I felt completely inadequate or discouraged about how I was doing as a mom. Don't get me wrong, I have had plenty of those days. I just don't remember them coinciding with the holiday. But I plan to tuck away this thought and use it every time I need a pick-me-up.

Secondly, she asked what I thought of "the gift of motherhood" not only the opportunity to raise children, but also as a spiritual gift (a talent or quality) bestowed by the Lord (see 1 Corinthians 12, Doctrine and Covenants 46:7-26, Moroni 10:8-18). So rather than just having children, the gift of motherhood would be gifts of knowledge and qualities needed to rear them.

I have never really thought of motherhood as a spiritual gift, or at least not using that term, but now that I hear it stated that way, I think that it fits. To have the gift of nurturing and loving and teaching in a way that is pleasing to the Lord would indeed be a gift. I think that sometimes when our kids are little we are so consumed by taking care of their physical needs. Obviously teaching them the gospel is part of that, but I have learned that as my kids have gotten older the physical needs they have decrease, but they have much more need of emotional and spiritual care. The need for gospel teaching and training increases as their understanding increases and especially as they reach the age of accountability, make covenants and then prepare for young womanhood (for girls), receiving the priesthood (for boys) and attending the temple (for both girls and boys). This teaching doesn't just happen in formal settings, but throughout each and every day. And I know that Heavenly Father wants to be our partners as we raise HIS children. He wants to help us and as we diligently seek him he will bless us with the "gift of motherhood" and will help us know the best way to rear each of his unique and special children that he has sent to our homes, and he will help us to "mother" those around us who may be in need of another worthy and righteous example.

I will be the first to admit that I am not perfect, but just in this past week I have had a couple of experiences that helped me know that my Heavenly Father will truly bless me with the ability to help the children I have been blessed with.

Just a few days ago one of our children was facing a challenge, a really hard one, that they needed to overcome. I was truly at a loss of what I could do to help. They were in their room with the door closed. I was on the floor in the hallway wondering what I could possibly do. I closed my eyes and pled for some guidance. With actions that were not very characteristic of me and words that I had not planned to say and with patience I did not think I possessed, I was able to help this child. I know that they were the right things to be said and done, but they were not my idea, I don't really know how they occurred to me, but once I started to act they felt so natural. I know that it was with the Lord's help and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit that I was led to do the right thing for this special soul in my care. What an amazing learning experience for the both of us!

The second experience occurred tonight. The kids were in bed having their quiet reading time. Brian and I were playing a game. Megan had come down several times for drinks, hugs etc. She came down again. Usually my first reaction when it is past bedtime and I am tired is to say, "it is really time for bed." But tonight, similar to the other day, I just felt like I needed to act differently. It is hard to explain because there wasn't even really time for a conscious thought, but I am grateful for the experience that followed. This is how the conversation went.

Megan: Today in Primary I had this feeling and so now I am reading the Book of Mormon stories. I am going to read all of the scriptures stories.
Me: Do you know what that feeling was?
Megan (with one of the sweetest expressions on her face that I have ever seen): Love
Me: Do you know where that feeling of love came from?
Megan: Heavenly Father and Jesus
Me: And how do They help you feel love?
Megan (after a bit more guidance): The Holy Ghost

What a sweet, tender and amazing experience to share with this innocent spirit who is growing and progressing!

I am far from perfect and I make lots of mistakes, but I am grateful the Lord helps me to get up, dust myself off and try again. I am grateful that through the enabling power of the Atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ the Lord can help me be more and be better than I would be on my own, and this applies to motherhood just as it does to everything else in my life.

I am so grateful to have these four amazing kids in my life and for all that they teach me. I am grateful for those who have loved, mentored and mothered me, especially for my mother who has given me so much and who has set an amazing example of righteous womanhood and motherhood to me.