Changing Seasons

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Changing Seasons

Pictures taken July 27, 2009

We started the day with a nice, summer morning. Peter had fun playing in the yard with Sophia. I love watching my children play with their cousins. We are so blessed to have so many cousins nearby to play with. I think it's fun that it takes my children a while to learn that "cousin" and "friend" are actually two different relationships.

They ran through the yard and enjoyed summer the way only children do. A part of me gets jealous when I look at these pictures. They feel carefree and beautiful. I'm glad I was able to be a part of their day.

And then, the season changed. It was "back to school" time. Ammon had his kindergarten open house - his first moments beyond pre-school!

I was bubbling with pride as I watched my oldest baby march into that classroom. True to himself, he was confident and capable. He didn't even know to be worried, intimidated or uncomfortable in the slightest. He was excited and eager.

I was amazed to see how little my big boy looked. He has always done so much. He always seems to be two steps ahead of where he should be. Sometimes (almost always) I forget how young he still is! (Maybe that's how Heavenly Father sees us all - so mature and capable and yet still just in the kindergarten of our eternal lives.)

Ammon's open house was a self-guided tour. There was a sheet of paper with a checklist of places to visit. My smart little boy was able to read most of the instructions himself as we went from work stop to work stop.

We did all sorts of things including meeting the teacher, measuring how tall he is, working on an art project, reading a book, finding the bathroom, writing his name etc.

I especially loved watching him work on building this rocket. Perhaps that is because I always meant to get him this sort of thing to play with - it is just right up his alley. He thought it was lots of fun, got through it quickly, and was thrilled with himself when he finished.

Oh, how I love my boy! I am so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. He is growing into someone I admire. He amazes me in so many ways. He has a place in my heart that is reserved especially for him. And somehow, he gives me a glimpse into eternity as he will forever, in my eyes, be both a man of greatness, and my babe in arms.

2 comments:

AndrewAugust 20, 2009 at 6:21 AM
So amazing what happens in 5 years.
ReplyDelete
Replies
KristaAugust 20, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Ammon sure is a smart little guy. I am glad he is enjoying Kindergarten.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.