Father & Son

Gavin and Shawn attended the Father-son camping trip this past weekend.  Gavin had so much fun that first night, when he stopped moving in his sleeping bag, he was "out like a light".  His curious nature had him running from experience to experience.  A man there found, caught and skinned a snake.  Gavin was glued to the entire experience.  The man skinning the snake, even gave Gavin the tail--to show his mom.  (Thoughtful man....).  

When they returned from the adventure, Gavin showed it to me, and then promptly disappeared to my room.  I found it laying on my pillow--luckily the snake tail was in a plastic bag.

Periodically this week the tail shows up around my things....in my makeup drawer, on my computer desk.  Gavin thinks it is hilarious to "freak me out".

I have tried not reacting, hoping the fun of seeing my reaction will dissipate as the reaction is less exciting--and then that the desire to keep this little game going will dissipate as well.  So far that isn't working....sigh.  

At least I am getting more accustomed to seeing it lying around the house.  And truthfully seeing that happy 8-year-old smile creep across his face makes it all worth the grossness.....well as long as the tail remains in the bag!

Kudos to Shawn who knows the value of having a different experience for Gavin, even if it would be easier to take him to do something that Shawn enjoys doing.  Gavin got such a kick out of putting the top down on the Porsche and loading up the trunk with camping gear! What a great man and father Shawn is!

Mother's Day

It is a strange phenomenon with women and Mother's Day.  You'd think that celebrating womanhood/motherhood would be a wholly positive experience.  And mostly the celebrating of one's own mother is. However the idea of celebrating yourself as a mother, strikes fear/dread into most women's hearts.  If the truth were spoken, I would say that Mother's day is often anticipated with apprehension and dread, as one might "the Reaping ceremony" in the Hunger Games.  I know I have raised smart kids who are too respectful to say out loud what we are all thinking. "Well she seems nice now, but not 20 minutes ago she was screaming 'Get in the car! Change your shirt!' And adding the guilt trip of  'Seriously?  You're making your mother late to church on Mother's Day?''

When I was a child, I remember doing all I could to make this a positive day for my Mother. I knew that my mother was a little uncomfortable with being "celebrated" for the great mom that she was/is.  What I did not fully understand is the the pressure that each mom feels on this day. When I became a mother myself I began to understand a little better why that is.  For me, it has more to do with my personal assessment of my skills as a mother.   Mother's day has been a day where I take stock on how I measure up to the mom I wish I were--you know the one being portrayed at the pulpit during church.  

Family Home Evening: Baptism Preparation

In preparation for Gavin's upcoming baptism in June (I know, you're all breathing a sigh of relief that I am letting go of the whole baptism fiasco from December), we have been centering our FHE lessons on basic gospel topics--and in particular the questions that the Bishop will ask Gavin in his baptism interview.

Last week we had Gavin teach the lesson on The Plan of Salvation.  After about 45 minutes of preparation and discussion between the two of us, he presented the lesson and fielded questions from Shawn and Tiffany, solidifying the ideas in his mind.  I silently patted myself on the back.

This week Marissa is home from college, and we had Gavin do a short review of the Plan of Salvation--so Marissa could catch up--and then watched a video of the First Vision.

I should pause here and mention that I have never met a kid with more questions and curiosity than Gavin.  His mind is always thinking, reconciling, processing and making inferences. So it was no surprise when during the movie he interrupted with questions and comments.
"Why are they tearing down all the trees instead of buying wood at the store?"
"Do they not have electricity?  They would have to use candles."
"Is this going to take a long time?"
"Why are people singing? Is that part of what really happened?"
"Why are they playing music?  That is distracting!"
"Can I pop some popcorn?"

We quietly answered questions, and then settled that we'd watch until the end then ask any questions.  However at the culmination of the video, where Joseph Smith is praying in the grove, a light descends, and a voice says "Behold this is my beloved Son. Hear him."  I was surprised by Gavin's grunt of disgust and comment.  "What? Seriously?  After all this Heavenly Father came down and broke the veil?"  he asked me looking to me for confirmation of his assumption.

Not quite understanding the distasteful way he said it, I paused the video to answer. "Yes, Gavin.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith to tell him that none of the churches were correct.  He asked in faith.  Just like the scriptures said to."

"So now can they appear to everyone?" he retorted.

I look at Shawn still not understanding why this is so frustrating to Gavin.  Shawn takes over. "Well, they can appear to anyone.  But usually they don't.  This was a very special circumstance, and since Joseph would be the first prophet in the latter-days it was very important."

Gavin asks again. "So anyone can see Heavenly Father?"

Shawn reiterates  "Yes, they have appeared to others in the scriptures.  Jesus appeared to the Nephites, and his disciples.  Whenever it is necessary both Heavenly Father and Jesus have the power to do that."

"Well that is just great" Gavin spits out.  "Now everyone can see them and the whole Plan of Salvation is RUINED."  He is now practically yelling.  "I fought so hard in the spirit world. That sucks!"

What?  I look at Shawn to see if he can identify where we have veered off the path.  He says gently "Gavin the plan of salvation is not ruined. Because Heavenly Father and Jesus appeared to Joseph we learned about the plan.  And we learned other things.  For example that Jesus and Heavenly Father are two separate beings.  Not one person like some religions believe."

Gavin persists "But the veil...where we forgot where we came from.  We were supposed to come here to see if we could choose the right even when we couldn't remember.  And now everyone remembers...."

Ah HA!  Our minds finally catch up with Gavin's.  Marissa, Tiffany, Shawn and I each take turns talking about how the first vision helped us come to know and understand the plan.  Still wary, but having more understanding, Gavin relented and agreed to family prayer.

After the prayer Gavin runs off to brush his teeth.
I look at Shawn. "Perhaps this is one reason we should teach these lessons in order."  

2nd Grade Homework

On Gavin's list of words to define

Adore, 

Ambling, 

Ardent.  

I knew the first two, but I have never heard the word ardent before.... Have you?  I guess I need to read more.... Looks like my second grader is about to lap me. 

BTW:

 ardent: enthusiastic or passionate.  

Now go and use it in a conversation, and impress all the first graders you know!