Labelled as Innocent. I love it.

I remember being at a friend's house where an acquaintance was about to tell a story, but then paused, concluding, "Never mind, I wouldn't want to shock your innocent self with my worldly tales." 
I smothered my burst of laughter and replied, "Thank you." I couldn't believe it. He had labelled me as innocent. And in that moment I thought it was freaking fantastic.
It was far better than some of the other labels I'd been given in the past, but just as fictional. A title quickly given to a story never read. Never known.
A few months back I had the honor of attending a temple sealing. I can still hear the sealer's wise advice, "Don't hold on to the records of the past." 
Forgive one another. 
Forgive yourself.  
The second one is hard for me. 
The consequences of leaving the path are unpredictable.  And for me, it was drama mama. No thank you. 
But, the consequences of returning to the path and staying on the path are extraordinary.
I see people I love contemplating leaving the church. I had one friend ask me why I had changed, why had I come back? Was it because it was familiar? And the only answer inside of me was, "No, it's because it's true." 
I was born with a testimony that I cannot deny. Heavenly Father is very aware of me, of you, but so is Satan.
Please don't give him the time of day. He's lame.
In the words of President Thomas S. Monson, "My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day.As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven's help in our lives." I love the Book of Mormon. It is home to me. In my patriarchal blessing it talks about how reading the scriptures will become a choice time in my life, where I can set aside the things of the world and grow spiritually. That studying the scriptures will be a time I look forward to... and I thought, yeah, maybe when I'm eighty. How naive I was. I cannot express to you how much I love this book. How the spirit enlightens me as I read its verses and what gratitude I have for the men who kept this record safe and for the man who translated it. 
Sometimes it's hard to be peculiar. To some the gospel may feel like more of a burden than a blessing. 
But, to me, it is a blessing. And I know that to you, it can become one. I know this not because I'm the stereotypical stay at home Mormon mom with six kids whose life may appear perfect, but because I follow the One who is perfect.   

Happy 6th Birthday Moo!

Hey Sushi Lover,
Happy sixth birthday... many, many months ago! You act older than six and I am constantly forgetting that you're not seven. Sometimes I ask you, "How old are you, Moo? Six or seven?" And I feel so relieved when you reply six because you're my littlest little boy and I need you to stay tiny for just awhile longer. 
For your birthday date Dad and I took you to our favorite Thai restaurant in Boise, Sa Wad Dee. You scarfed down your sushi like a champ and you managing those chopsticks was pretty adorable. Afterward, our server brought you a very flattering hat to adorn while you blew out the candle on your Thai dessert. But one dessert wasn't enough. You then talked us into taking you to our beloved frozen yogurt joint, Yogurtz Grill. You chatted our ears off  the whole time and we relished in the moment.We asked you some questions and here's how you responded:
Q: What do you want to be when you grow up? 
A: An artist, a ninja, a rock star, a chef, and an astronaut. (Your thing lately has been cooking. You love to help with anything happening in the kitchen, except dishes.)
Q: What college do you want to go to?
A: BSU
Q: Where do you want to serve your mission?
A: Idaho
Q: Where do you want to live when you get married?
A: Near you.
Q: How many kids do you want?
A: Enough to fill up two buses. 
Q: What do you like to do?
A: Spend time with my whole family.
Ah, great answers buddy. Good luck with the filling up the two buses thing. Maybe don't let your future wife read this first.  
We had a little birthday party for you at home with the fam and Buckabu and Papa. You were fine with the simplicity of it. Often times when I ask your opinion about things you say, "I don't really care. You choose." You responded this way when questioned about which birthday cake you wanted and which  meal you'd like for your birthday dinner. You want me to do what's easiest for me which is a tender trait, but I pushed you to choose your own birthday menu.
This laid back attitude reflected in your desire to conquer your letters and learn how to read. You just didn't care. Your Vice Principal called me in to chat about things we could do at home to help you progress and I mostly listened. I knew my boy was bright but didn't learn the way they were teaching. I also knew that when you were ready to start reading you would. And you may not have loved letters but you loved to draw. A few times a week we would talk about a letter and then you would choose an animal to draw that started with that letter. You created a picture book from A-Z that was filled with your animal artwork. We then invented a little song to go along with every page. I was so proud of you and guess what? You learned your ABC's and you performed your song for your whole Kindergarten class. Lou turned the pages of the book for you as Ruckus sang along to every word. You had amazing support from your siblings. They love you very much. Your teacher e-mailed me afterward saying she'd never seen anything like it in all her teaching years. I was so proud of you. Just last week I went to your first grade parent teacher conference and your teacher informed me you were excelling at reading and writing and... really everything. She also said you are so kind and inclusive to all the kids in your class which made me the most proud. You are a good seed.
Moo, I love you enormously. You love to make people laugh (maybe a little too much - Dad and I are your primary teachers and you're constantly cracking up the class. Stop it.) and make them feel important. People watch you and follow your example. You have a strong presence. Remember to take care of that gift and use it for good. I know you will.
Thanks for being mine,
Mom

Dad giving you a foot rub after your party. 

Moo's ABC SONG