Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Father's Day Breakfast

Two summers ago I decided to start teaching my older boys how to cook. I could cook breakfast foods at their age so I figured even though they are boys they could too. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, boys serve missions at 18 years old. I like my kids to know why they do things, so I explained to them they were preparing to leave on their missions by learning to cook. That summer I helped them read recipes, prepare the food, and then we would copy the recipe for them to put in a file of their own.

Teaching kids to be self sufficient usually seems more work than it is worth. That summer my husband and I had breakfast in bed from our sweet boys and their helpful younger siblings numerous times. I agonized when I heard dishes clanking early in the mornings. I knew I was in for a huge mess-even though I taught them to clean as they went. If I tried to intercept them and gently suggest we have cereal, I was commanded back to bed in their exuberant spirit of joyful service. We also ate many an invention and recipe gone wrong, for instance chocolate french toast and pancakes made with three times the oil. Sometimes they would make every recipe in their repertoire!

Father's Day morning I woke up really sick. My boys, now adept at making breakfast, served their father and the family a perfect breakfast of french toast. They cleaned it up and started the dishwasher too! I was humbled and so very grateful. They did a fabulous job! All of my effort and sacrifice seemed worth it in one morning.

This Father's Day I received the gift of knowing that teaching my children, putting forth the effort of helping them become self-sufficient, and spending time with them is satisfying. Seeing my children progress and serve others using talents and abilities I helped them develop brings a serene joy. It really is hard and takes diligent and concerted effort to take the time to teach them, whether it is chores, respect, manners, testimony, or talents. Sometimes you feel they will never actually learn, and often it is easier to just do everything yourself. Especially with so many kids and the prospect of teaching the same principles over and over, the mere thought is daunting. But, know this: the reward does come. It is thrilling to see them be so capable and wonderful!

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Basketball


My oldest just finished his first basketball season. Previously, he was a gymnast and diver. He is and always has been short and small. This was his first experience with basketball, and he was really excited. I have to admit that I was really nervous. Sports just aren't the same as when I was his age. I first played on a team through school in the seventh grade. Nobody was cut and they taught us the skills we would need to continue playing. It is ridiculous how intense the sports scene is at such a young age for these kids. Needless to say, I was scared for him; I knew the other kids would have skills, that the competition would be intense, and I have seen many a coach only interested in his own success.

Luck of the draw, he was placed on a team that had played together previously. They were a group of all stars. But, the experience was a miracle. I know God was watching out for us.

I was so impressed by these young men. They were kind and patient; they were always encouraging. The coach was not a parent. He volunteered his time and I never once heard him yell. The boys listened to him and did what he said. He had their trust. One of the boy's mother explained to me how the coach took them from being individual all stars to a team. They were unstoppable.

And this coach started my son the first game.

The last game of the season, they were significantly ahead at the half. The coach put my son in, then he pulled his star players and gave them instructions before subbing them in. They had one objective: feed my son the ball until he scored his first basket of the season. And that is what they did. They worked it, and continually passed and cheered on my son. Time after time, my son missed the basket. They continually passed it to him. I wasn't sure it was going to happen. Then, in the last minute of the game my son finally scored his first basket of the season! You would have thought he had just won his team the state championship. Those fine young men were overjoyed with his success. They cheered for him, lifted him up, carried him off the court, and called him their MVP!

I cannot begin to express my gratitude, first to God for placing him on such a fine team with such an amazing coach. There is good to be found in this world. There are good and wonderful people and youth. I pray that his coach and those boys will be blessed for their goodness. I pray that we can all treat others in such a generous and uplifting way remembering what is truly important.