The Cookie

I had an epiphany today. Today, bright and early, Kate and I walked into my kitchen. On the counter was a paper plate with one remaining chocolate cookie, brought by home teachers, from the night before. As I was carrying her to the table for breakfast, she yelled with delight, "Cookie!" I said, "Yes, that's a cookie." Well, of course she began saying, "I want cookie! Cookie!" I said, "After breakfast Kate. We have to have eggs first and then we'll have the cookie." Kate began to cry. Well, when I say cry, I am understating it a bit. She had a little fit...a 22-month-old fit. I knew this was the first of many teaching moments--you know, those moments where if you make a wrong decision, it can affect her personality for life.

I firmly said over and over, "Kate, stop crying. We're having breakfast first. Then a cookie later." Scream scream, arch back, pound fists on my collar bone. So, I told her if she didn't stop crying, we would have to go in her crib for time out. It was the first time I had used that word, but I think she got it. I gave her one more chance to stop crying, but when it was a no go, I calmly put her in her crib and said, "Mommy will sit right here and when you stop crying, you can come out."

As she was crying, Heavenly Father spoke to me. That's really how personal revelation comes to me. I know that what I am thinking at the moment is not from me. It's internal, it is my voice saying the words, but some inner knowledge knows it is not mine. It is a teaching moment for me.

The thought came -- Look how calm you are watching her cry. She knows you're here and you are completely confident that you are doing the right thing. You know that you are doing the best thing for her even though she doesn't see it. She shouldn't have the cookie. She should have breakfast.  Remember this lesson.

I won't forget it, because the lesson is really for me. He knows what's best for me even if I don't at the moment.

I have also been thinking about these.

 I took my first spinning class this week. The class was an hour class. I lasted 1/2 hr. In the class, my fellow bikers were going up simulated stinking MOUNTAINS, standing on their bikes pedaling slowly through the grueling course for very long stretches at a time and I just sat and pedaled. Dying. Literally my legs were dying. Finally, I stood up after a half an hour, bid the class adieu, and tried to w  a   l   k to my car. My legs were having none of it. I was complete jello. It was funny, actually, how they had no power to get me down those stairs to my car. Not to mention the general area that sits on the bike seat. Um, ow.

So, I decided that this is a problem. I get to go on this trip with Brett in July to France where we are bicycling for about 30 miles a day through Provence. It will be sooo cool, but let's do some math. 30 miles, for about 6 days. That's....let's see....(6 x 0, move that over, that's 18 and then put the 0 there, and just a sec)....that's 180 miles. Needless to say that will obviously have to be my first of many many spinning classes if I want to not just survive the ride but ENJOY it! I also have to brush up on my French. So I bought this...

I took French for two years in college. Then I took Spanish for 3. To this day, my mind still says Je instead of Yo. I think belle instead of bonita. So, I'm excited to begin these CDs and exercise my brain a tad. If I could listen to Kings of Convenience during the spinning class, that would put me in the zone too.

I am loving having Spencer home. We had a great weekend at a rented beach house and invited the girls' friends down for one night. We are running errands every day to get him ready. Yesterday it was buying P-Day clothes and shoes. Today will be toiletries, towels, sheets and a blanket. We have to get a missionary photo of him, family picture on Saturday, buying food for his open house, also on Saturday. These errands I am stressing over, I'll admit, but they are made more fun because we're having a good time together.

Maddie's AP tests are this week, both on the same day. Yuck. Ali is juggling the school musical, dance and end of term homework, which is killing her, but somehow she is making it! I'm proud of her. Sydney is playing more. yeah! I am being more conscientious about encouraging her to invite friends over. So hopefully it will continue to get better for her. She has struggled the most. Kate is talking soooo much! She came up to me with her arms outstretched and pumping up and down to emphasize these words...."Mom. I NEED more grapes. I NEED more grapes." Every time we run errands, she grabs Spencer's neck. She now gets that he's going on a mission. When I ask where he's going, she whispers "RUSHHHAAAA!" as if she totally gets that it probably should be said like that.

Well, I need to run. I'm going to go sneak a cookie in the kitchen and then make breakfast. KIDDING!