More Like Him: September

Something I learned to do better was, not always saying what I was thinking with my son and his living arrangements in Minnesota.  Sometimes, he just needs to take his own lumps.  Sometimes, I just need to be there to listen and not solve all his problems.  I fear I have enabled the child a bit, but isn't that what mothers do?  They protect and guide and fix all the problems to help the child learn how to live.  I fear I do not always let him figure it out.  I have been over protective because of his learning disabilities.  I over compenstate for his weaknesses.  Instead of allowing his weaknesses become strenghts.

I have learned to watch, listen and support.  Isn't that what the Savior and Heavenly Father do?  They watch us make mistakes, listen for us to ask for help, then give us support as they see fit.  It is hard for me not to just protect his feelings; defend his weaknesses; and ask for acceptance on who he is and know that is just how it is going to be.  (I have done this for a long time.)  Dakota is an adult now (by years, not be experience), how is he going to grow as an adult if he is not put through the rigor of life?

I learned to be a quiet observer, a listener, and offered a lot of encouragement.  It hurts when your child hurts no matter how old.  But, I also know that without trials he will not become a diamond some day.  In the end when I meet my maker I want to be polished and be able to say I did my best and when I did not, I repented.  Why would I want to take that away from my son? 

So in the end, my son, I want you to be polished and learn to lean on the Savior as needed and become more like Him in your own rite.

September, I learned to support through love and not be fixing.  I also learned I will have this lesson again, as I do not always bite my tongue.  But, one thing I do know is that I will be polished often as I grow.

Favorite Sandwich Wreath

I got this recipe from a Pampered Chef cookbook.

Take 2 tubes of crescent rolls and lay them out around a pizza pan.  Overlap the larger ends.  (I went too close to the edge and had a cheesy mess in the oven.)

Layer on top your favorite luncheon meat.

I've used ham, turkey and roast beef before.

Add a cheese layer.

I used a mixture here to use up left-overs.  American, Provolone and cojack.

My favorite is roast beef and cheddar.

 Wrap the ends of the crescent rolls around the meat and cheese and tuck underneath.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or golden brown. 

Friday Night Lights

One of my favorite things to do on a Friday night in the Fall is to watch a high school game.  We were glad to go to a Hillsdale game last weekend to watch the game.  Our friend Alyssa was playing in the opposing team's band.  So we thought we'd watch the game.

 There are a lot of new faces on the team.  After going to state for three years, this year seems to be a rebuilding year as over those years a lot of the talent graduated.

It was weird seeing your son's old number with a new name.  Falcon 74 belongs to the next generation.  I wonder how many players over the history of a school wear the same number?  It would be interesting to see, I think.

 Last weekend as well as this Friday, the weather was cloudy.  The sunset sure colored these clouds nicely.

Such a little thing to carry such big drums.  She didn't have any trouble at all.  No wonder she's so skinny!

Play Ball!

Tonight was a Ward softball game.  All the kids aged 12 and up got to play some friendly ball.  Our neighbor ward was invited to come too.  I'd say we had about 30 people playing.

 My two favorite players are on opposite teams.

 They played until the light was gone.  What a great event.  I always loved playing softball.

 

 

Routines

What are your routines?  I find myself not settling into a good one right now.  For years every fall we get back to school and run the gauntlet of kids activities after school.  Football practice and games, soccer practice and games.  This year none of those things are on the plate.  I'm feeling a bit empty.  Not sure what to do with the time.  I used to want time, now that I have it, I'm not sure what to do with it.  So what do you do?  I need to use mine more wisely.

On another note yesterday we collected food for the Feed Ohio initiative.  The two routes that we looked over were barren.  No one left food out, but the company was good.  As a ward we collected enough food to fill the back of a pick up truck.

 This isn't all of the bounty, not everyone was back yet after we came back to our check point.  Things like this make me happy.  I love giving service. 

One of the things I thought about today at church is making the Boy Scout motto part of my daily life.  So I'm going try to do a Good Turn Daily.  I think I might even keep track for awhile.

Have a great Sunday.