Of Good Report

We had a very dear friend pass away a couple of weeks ago.  We took the opportunity to have a family home evening lesson on the Plan of Salvation.  We have been talking about it off and on since then as well as talking about Grandma Sherrie and Grandpa Smith who have passed away.  We have had some good discussions and I am grateful for the knowledge of an afterlife that I have that I can share with my children.  It brings peace and comfort knowing we will see loved ones again.  My sweet, innocent five year old, Sarah, has made this statement twice since the fhe lesson, "I wish Taylor would die so he wouldn't be sick any more, he wouldn't have diabetes and he wouldn't be allergic to peanuts."  Fortunately, Taylor has a sense of humor and probably has an understanding of where she is coming from.  We had a good chuckle the first time she said it.   I made sure Taylor was ok with hearing her say it.  He had his wonderful smirk on his face when I glanced at him so I

Today was bitter sweet.  We celebrated another first and because of a death we celebrated life.  The sweet "first" was Taylor's passing the Sacrament.  The death was the better; it came from the passing of Estelle's beloved former Primary teacher, Brother Anderson. My baby boy turned 12 in December, but because he has been so ill we were not able to have him ordained to the Priesthood until last Sunday after church.  So today was his first time passing the Sacrament.  He was nervous yet reverent.  He even too extra care to look his best. Taylor will be an asset to the Deacon's quorum.  After sitting down by me after the Sacrament he told me that he made a mistake, but he was glad it was with someone he knew.  I didn't see the bauble, but apparently he served the Sacrament to the bishop's daughter then took the tray to the next row forgetting the rest of the Harrison family.  His friend gently reminded him to return to their pew and pass the sacred emblem

Today has been reflective and joyful.  Yesterday my sweet 5 year old "baby" asked to play with the baby toys.  We keep a box of them on a top shelf in Emma's bedroom to entertain young guests.  I got them down for her and she played made music with the noisy toys and stacked up the alphabet blocks.  Today as I was putting them away I felt a bit of sadness as I remembered purchasing those toys for my babies and knowing that I would never again be buying baby toys for my own babies.  I have passed that stage of life, and most of the time it is with little regret.  I don't miss the long nights and the diapers and worse--the potty training, but I do miss the first smile, the first belly laugh, and the first steps.  And while those early firsts are but a sweet memory, today I experienced with my children several other firsts. The first of my motherhood firsts today was our graduating from the "baby pool."  At the Lehi Legacy Center indoor pool there is an area