How things change.

It's so weird to me how life changes so much in what seems like such a short period of time.  Lately I have been thinking about how different things are now than say, even a couple of years ago.  I know everyone says life gets busier and more complicated as your kids get older, but until it's a part of your own experience, it's kind of a hard concept to grasp.  It feels like we've suddenly been tossed from the age of babies, toddlers and little-child mentality, to having four little people in our house with opinions, attitudes and personalities bubbling all over the place.  Gone are the days of giving a simple answer to questions.  Now we have "discussions".  Now we're faced with teaching our children how to deal with situations and issues in their lives that have an actual impact and possible lasting consequences.  Yikes...when did we become the parents here?  I'm not sure I'm ready to handle what I fear may be facing us in the future.  I'm not sure I'm prepared with all the answers or will have the right guidance, advice or even disciplinary knowledge.  My mind is strong, but my heart is soft.

Thankfully, I have been blessed immensely in my choice of eternal companions.  I have felt some relief recently from my insecurities as I've watched my good husband in action, being the man I've always known he is, putting his money where his mouth is, so to speak.  He actually is my "help meet".  He is my partner, and in times of crisis - large or small - I can count on him to have a steady hand, calm demeanor and to know what to say and how to say it.  Knowing we are all in this together is what gets me through the rough patches.  Knowing he and I are equally driven by our understanding of the Gospel and our purpose here on this Earth gives me solace.  Not only solace, but happiness.  Recently Chris made the statement that his goal is for our home (wherever we may be at any station in life) to be the place that our children will always want to be, always want to come home to, always feel comfortable and happy.  If we can accomplish this, then nothing else matters.  None of the petty, day to day annoyances and other junk that floats in and out of our lives has any lasting meaning if we keep an eye single to this goal of creating a peaceful, eternal family.

I love this doctrine of the church:  By divine commandment, spouses are required to love each other above all others. The Lord clearly declares, “Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else” (D&C 42:22). The proclamation states: “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 [see D&C 83:2–4; 1 Tim. 5:8]. [By divine design,] mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.” By divine design, husband and wife are equal partners in their marriage and parental responsibilities. By direct commandment of God, “parents have a sacred duty … to teach [their children] to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens [in the countries where they reside]” (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102; emphasis added; see D&C 68:25–28; Mosiah 4:14–15).