Pause Button Help

Today Heavenly Father helped me keep my cool and turn a frustrating situation into a positive learning experience. A certain child was breaking a rule and placing his siblings in great danger. I was about to kick his bootie, but I pushed my pause button and prayed. I asked him to wait in the corner until I was ready to talk to him. I went into the bathroom & explained to Heavenly Father I was very angry. I wanted to handle the situation in a way that would help everyone and keep the Spirit and love in our home. But I couldn't even imagine not being furious, feeling, love, or coming up with a positive solution. I knew Heavenly Father could, so I pleaded for His inspiration. He helped me. I didn't act in anger but Heavenly Father helped me feel love. I came up with a just, logical consequence but administered it in love and with calm teaching. Wow! That's not me! That's Heavenly Father's influence and love. I'm so grateful for His help!!!

34 Weeks

I'm 34 weeks along in my pregnancy today. I'm getting way excited to meet this little girl.

I've been so blessed with good health and strength. Today I jogged (wogged) 5 miles and walked 1/2 a mile. I also just did an hour of prenatal yoga. I feel so relaxed. I'm grateful Heavenly Father has blessed me with a healthy body and the knowledge of how to keep it that way.

Well, good night!

Terrific Husband

I have the best husband! Jaremy is so thoughtful and helpful. He washes dishes, does laundry, fixes things, tidies up, and organizes the garage. He took hours finding me just the right shoes for my wide feet. No to mention he earned the $120 or so they cost. He makes sure he takes me on a date every week. I know he loves me! He doesn't just say it. He shows me all the time!!

Deep Rest

Today I was so tired I could hardly function. I pulled myself through as far as a could 9:30am. Then I didn't know what to do. I have three little ones at home who need me to care for them. So I prayed. We took naps right then. I thought there would be no way the kids would fall asleep. But they all were out. I went into a deep, wonderful sleep. I have a hard time sleeping well during the last part of pregnancy, but I was out cold. I woke up 3 hours later. I was shocked! It felt so good! Tank was still asleep. Hyrum and Ella had woke up a bit before but just quietly colored Halloween pictures. I am so blessed! Heavenly Father knew my need and helped me get the rest I needed. I'm so grateful!

Fabulous Fall Day

Yesterday I took the kids to the park. While they played at the jungle gym I walked around the park to stretch my legs. It was gorgeous. Leaves covered the trail and smelled wonderful. The sun was shining, but it was the perfect temperature. It was quiet and calm. The river was beautiful. I saw a muskrat. The kids had a great time playing tag and making friends. We are so blessed to live in this amazing, beautiful valley. I'm sure it is one of the best spots on earth. I'm so grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us to raise our children and soak up life here.

Book of Mormon

The other week in family home evening we learned about how the Book of Mormon can bless our families. A quote from Elder Marion G. Romney really stood out to me.

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness.”³

I have really tried to be more diligent in my study and prayers. Heavenly Father is slowly changing my heart. The Spirit is helping me to love, is reminding me to speak with kindness, and giving me ideas of how to build my children instead of criticizing them. Like I said, it's just the beginning, but I feel the change. I am so grateful a simple thing like prayerfully studying the Book of Mormon can bring about all those blessings.

Inspired by President Monson

This evening we watched "On the Lord's Errand," a video about the life of President Thomas S. Monson. It was wonderful! We all felt like we could stretch ourselves a bit more, like we too could seek for promptings from the Lord and follow them. President Monson is such a good example of following Christ. I'm grateful he is our prophet today. I want to be more Christlike because of his example. I pray for him and his wife.

Budget

I need to be a bit more disciplined in my budget. I'm so lucky! I can generally just go get what we need or want. If we go out to eat once or twice a week no big deal. Trust me it has not always been that plush. But I've been stupid and undisciplined. I should have saved more and not spent so much on food, vacations, and recreation. But now we can do better. We have baby hospital bills coming up, a rent increase, and large drop in our stocks. It's time to tighten our belts, save, and earn a bit more. Of course, I can't literally tighten my belt until the baby's born. But figuratively I sure can! I'm grateful Heavenly Father has blessed us with so many resources and the know-how on budgeting. I'm excited to hunker down! It's a challenge and adventure!

Kids Are Home

It's Fall Break! I'm so glad to have the hustle and bustle of the kids again. I'm glad we don't really have anything big planned or pressing this weekend. We are accomplish several small things, attending the temple, and going visiting teaching. The kids are playing with their friends, reading, exploring my new tablet, and relaxing. I love it! I'm so grateful for little breaks that rejuvenate us and help us enjoy our normal schedule as well. Heavenly Father knows all about this. I'm also grateful for the weekly break of the Sabbath.

Going Techy

Jaremy and Benjamin have been trying to get me to digitize my notebook, planner, shopping lists, etc. for a long time. I decided to embrace new things that might improve my productivity and effectiveness. I went to a family history class with Benjamin on Saturday to learn about using the cloud. Today I'm going to buy a tablet to replace my notebook. All week long I have been entering in my calendar, goals, tasks, etc. onto the cloud. Exciting! I wonder if it will actually improve my management or if it's just a cooler way of doing things. I couldn't care less about the cool factor, but I sure hope it helps me and my family accomplish the things Heavenly Father sent us here to do. I'll keep you posted.

But I have my suspicions it will help tremendously. In Conference they talked about how technology can bless us if we are careful and focused. Family history must use it! It's amazing what advances have been made. I think it can help me build up my little part of the kingdom. I also think by staying current with the techno wave I will improve my marketability if I ever needed to support the family.

Hey! This blog has already made my journal writing faster because I'm typing. I can make copies easily for my children, if I wanted. I can create an index to help me find entries, correct spelling, and write legibly even if I'm tired or my nails are cracked. So if this little thing helps adding up the rest should really improve our lives.

Heavenly Father is blessing us with these wonderful things. Yes, we need to be careful, but it would be ungrateful and stupid to put my head in the sand and not use technology for the wonderful things it can do.

Letter to Elder KyVan Keller

Hi Elder Keller,

You probably don't remember me, but I'm your big sister, Jennie. We think about you all the time and pray for you everyday, but writing hasn't been my strong point of late.

We love hearing how you are doing via Mom. The kids love seeing you in the pictures. They were worried when the hurricane went through your territory. It sounds like you

are doing awesome!

We are all doing great! We've been enjoying jogging. Jaremy, Jessica, Benjamin, and Moroni have trained for the Snow Canyon Half Marathon in three weeks. We are all

excited to have a vacation in St. George. Our baby girl is due in about 7 weeks. We just rearranged beds and cribs this afternoon. The kids are way excited! Of course,

Jaremy and I are too! Jessica is getting straight As at Logan High. She is in orchestra and Chinese plus the basics. She does a lot more with friends and after school

activities now. Benjamin is becoming quite the artist. He is currently reading Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Preach My Gospel, and the scriptures, of course.

He is trying to convince us that he wants to homeschool himself part of the day so he can take on-line high school courses. Moroni is competitive. He schooled everyone

in a mile race on Saturday. He also placed in the top 10 in a 5K with 200 people. Benjamin took 3rd running against adults, teens, and everything. Moroni loves to read,

write stories, and draw. Natalie has started public school. She loves it! She's doing great. She loves mountain biking with her dad and older siblings. She pushes herself

and goes off all the big jumps her brothers do. Hyrum is learning to read. He'd rather design cars, robots, machines, etc. more than anything. He builds them out of Legos,

cardboard, and whatever he can find. He spends hours doing this. It's a struggle to get him to do anything else. Ella and Tank both talk about the baby all the time. They

are way excited. They both love going to the park, playing house, and riding bikes. Ella is quite the runner. She is steady and fast! She loves girly stuff and school. Tank

talks like crazy. He's way smart and understands things you wouldn't think a guy his age would. He is also a mess maker! He does it on purpose sometimes to get

somebody's goat. Other times he just wants to do things he's not old enough to do without creating a disaster. Now that I'm huge I have a hard time keeping up with the

little dude. But he's cute as a button and sweet as honey, so that should get him to his third birthday. Jaremy is designing a new line of ultra running shoes at work. He

seems to really enjoy that considering he's taken up running. He loves running. He never thought he would. I just try to keep up with the comings and goings of everyone.

I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so much activity and so many awesome souls. Heavenly Father has blessed me beyond what I ever imagined!

We are going to be much better at staying in touch. We love you!!! Have a great week!

Love, The Butler Family

Criticism

Sometimes, okay most of the time, I find myself being critical of my kids. It seems one or more of them is constantly needed to be reprimanded for being too loud, breaking the rules, being slow or idle, disobeying, fighting, etc. I get so sick of it!!! I know the problem is mine. Which is part of why I'm so sick of it! I get annoyed so easily and feel like strangling everyone of them. I pray for patience and sweetness, but I feel raw and on edge. I really need the Spirit's help. I must not act on my base instincts. I must remain calm when everything is crazy. I must find good to encourage instead of constantly noticing the bad. It's making our whole family suffer. I pray and plead for help and strength. Surely, Heavenly Father will not leave me alone if I turn to Him with all my heart.