It Doesn't Get Any Easier

Oh hi! 

Let's pretend I haven't been a total blog slacker.

 Alrighty then. 

Sam at Philmont Scout Ranch--taking a higher view

I have been working on the "Getting Sam Off to College" post since I got back from Utah...oh you know.... last August. I titled it "Mom's Magical, Mystical Tour" because of all the serendipitous things that happened with that trip. I may still get that one out just for fun. In the meantime I have been doing some online Leadership Education Mentor training and my assignments have been taking up my spare time.

So, in the process of writing papers and etc., I came across the little piece I wrote for our

 Stake Senior Recognition last June.

 I think it sums up some of my thoughts and feelings 

as I sent Sam out into the big wide world by way of BYU:

Our Sam.

Yorktown, NY Stake Senior recognition June 9, 2013

Sam was born 7^th in our family—and second to the last.

He didn't  get the memo that he was supposed to take the bossing of older siblings—he had a mind of his own and was often the one leading out in group plans and projects at home. By the time #7 came along, the rotation for turns to be voice for the family prayers was a little long. Sam wasn't happy with this arrangement. When he was two years old, he felt that he should get to say the prayer every time. Even if it was someone else's turn, he would pray along with them. I indulged him and didn't stop him--figuring it was a good thing that he wanted to pray. Well, this was fine as long as we were at home--but then there was church.
 I literally had to hold onto him to keep him from bolting to the front while yelling "My turn for prayer! I want to say it!" His determination to pray was definitely admirable.

 He’s had an uncommon common sense all through what can be difficult growing up years. He has been an influence for good for those around him—his natural leadership ability and easy-going friendliness have helped him to get along in a variety of situations including being uprooted twice in a short period of time. Sam has found success in anything he tries—because he is willing to try and humble enough to pay the price to learn. He didn't love playing the piano but he stuck with it and paid the price in practice to improve and turn it into something he now enjoys. He’s not afraid to take on challenges and has had some amazing adventures in the great outdoors through Scouting--always leading the way and cheerfully encouraging those who wanted to give up.  Sam has stayed true to himself and has paid the price to know for himself that the gospel is true. He is starting BYU this fall a year early because of his hard work and study. He made the decision so he would have a year on his own and religion classes to help him prepare for his mission when he is 18 next year. He has been  fulfilling the requirements for Duty to God from the time he was a Deacon and will now speed up his efforts to finish the last of the Priest requirements a year ahead of schedule to accomplish this last act of obedience as a youth. We truly feel blessed to have Sam in our family and he has been a joy to raise—which makes it harder to let him go. But we know he goes with faith and a strong testimony. And hopefully in my efforts to teach him to take turns and be reverent, I didn't squelch his desire to pray—because that determination will serve him well all of his life. We love you Sam!

So, off he goes to conquer new heights

We do love you Sam--don't forget to say your prayers.

Mom 101: Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire

Prayer is a big part of our lives. As a mother of many, I would not survive without a lot of Heavenly intervention. I am usually running on a wing and a prayer, praying for mercy and praying to change the things I can, accept the things I can't and the sanity to stop trying to change the things I can't even though I really think Moms should have all power and be able to rule and regulate all aspects of the lives of their children. Amen.

So, naturally, there are many opportunities each day for our children to see and hear prayers from the time they are old enough to sit up and look around. Besides getting help with their own prayers each day, they also could observe the blessing on the food at each meal, morning family prayer, evening family prayer, prayers at church at the beginning and ending of each class and meeting and so on. This instilled in each of our children an early desire to pray and for the most part, an understanding of the sacred nature and importance of prayer.

A little side note: One night I went in to tuck Spencer in and help him with his prayers. He knelt by his bed, folded his arms and bowed his head and then ... silence. After a long pause, I said, "I can't hear you--are you going to say your prayers?" and he said, "I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to Heavenly Father."

Ok, back to the story: By the time #7 came along, the rotation for turns to be voice for the family prayers was a little long. Sam wasn't happy with this arrangement. He was two years old and felt that he should get to say the prayer every time. Even if it was someone else's turn, he would pray along with them. I indulged him and didn't stop him--figuring it was a good thing that he wanted to pray. Well, this was fine as long as we were at home--but then there was church.

It got to the point where he thought he should get to go up to the pulpit and say the prayers at church as well. I literally had to hold onto him to keep him from bolting to the front while yelling "My turn for prayer! I want to say it!" I had to distract him when it was time for the opening and closing prayers to keep him from noticing.

One Sunday we were visiting my sister's ward for a baby blessing and it came time for the closing prayer. Sam saw someone else going up to give the prayer and he started hollering, "I want to say the prayer! MY TURN!!" and trying to get away from me to go up there. I had to pick him up and carry him out of the chapel and he kept twisting and yelling in full two year old meltdown. He was still crying when people started leaving. Someone said, "Oh, what's the matter little guy?" and he said with all the indignance he could muster:

"My Mom won't let me pray!"