some plans

If I had to name one philosophy by which I try to guide my life, it would be this: to live my life with no regrets. I realized this weekend (what is it about being away from home and routines that opens your mind and brings clarity?) that I want to change a couple things. One of them is to spend more quality time actively teaching Andy and Ava. I used to observe families with many children, and think how sad it was that last kids kind of got forgotten about. And of course, I vowed I would never do that! Well. Vows. Shmows. Because I'm totally guilty. Now that the older two are in school all day, I have been feeling like my young mothering years are behind me. (I have even been semi-mourning them. Semi.)

But this weekend I realized hello! I still have two little ones at home, and I should be doing the same things with them, as I did with Ashlyn and Cam. I know in three years I will wish that I spent the same time with the younger two as I did the older two. So today we started our little scripture story/character building time again. This means, we spend 10-15 minutes each weekday (ideally. and let me just say i am very rarely ideal.) reading a short story from the scriptures or from the Friend magazine or looking at a picture from the Gospel Art Kit and reading the text on back, maybe sing a song, color a picture, or build something with their blocks that goes along with the story.

Next. When it is a little warmer, I'm going to start going for walks and hikes with them so that we can all get some fresh air and enjoy nature. And my other live-my-life-with-no-regrets-plans are: to eat less sugar and get myself in bed at a decent hour. blah. blah. blah.