The Perfect FHE

Put together young-hyper-never-run-out-of-battery-can't-stand-still-for-2-seconds kids, newborn-collicky-can-only-be-with-mommy baby and tired-worn-out-cranky-after-a-long-day parents with a primary song, a prayer, a 5-minute lesson, another song and then another prayer and what do you get?

Well, do I really need to paint the picture? Oh, that's why you are reading the blog. OK, well, here is the short of it. After a quick rendition of "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," and "Once There Was a Snowman, and a quick tackle on Sister to get her to sit down for Marc's opening prayer that was only to be consistently and loudly interrupted by Sister's beautiful rendition of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" Sister and Brother begin fighting over Brother's blanket because Sister is too spoiled to go get her own. I seize the opportunity as a learning moment to teach them to share, after all this is supposed to be Family Home Evening, the time we spend as a family to learn and grow together, yes. No. It didn't work, tears were shed, flying kicks were thrown, eyes were rolled, tantrums ensued, and then I decided to settle down and get to the lesson... Just kidding. It wasn't me, it was them! The children! The precious-oh-aren't-they-so-sweet-and-innocent children! Yes.  So of course I went downstairs to get Sister's blanket. I wrapped both of them up (well actually I think it was more like "tied" them up) in their blankets and began to quickly give a heartfelt lesson.

I told them quickly (notice that quickly is the key word in most of this Family Home Evening) about Jesus with the Little Children, quoted a scripture from Matthew about Christ with the children all while I was trying (unsuccessfully) to get them to look at the picture, at least. Then I read a story called "Mom Says I Can" that my mom gave us for Valentine's. They liked it and actually sat still for that part. I tied it all in with Christ and the Little Children and quickly bore my testimony of finding the real treasures in our lives and that they are our little treasures.

Then we sang "I am a Child of God" as Sister's request. She sang it loud and well with a big smile. Then, surprisingly she said the closing prayer (this being only the second time we have ever heard her pray). I was helping her. I told her to say that we are thankful for our family, and she said that and then said "and 13 and 18."

Oh, it was all worth it. I LOVE my kids. I knew I would make it through FHE!