Good Stuff

A little while ago Spencer said a prayer that keeps playing through my head and making me smile.  He enumerated all of the usual things: "We thank thee for our family, and for this day, and this beautiful world, and we thank thee for...,"  he paused, thinking what else to add, "......all the good stuff."

And then he ended.  And I said a sincere "Amen."  Because I'm thankful for all the good stuff too.   Some of it is poignant and important.  The kind that shows up in the scriptures and overflows on occasions like Easter Sunday and Conference Weekend.  But there's lots of fleeting good stuff too.  And I miss blogging regularly because sometimes that sort of good stuff doesn't get due credit in my life.  But it's all around me, all the time.

It's on Lucy's bedroom door.
go cougs!

It's piled on Spencer's pillow.
May the force be with you.

Speaking of Star Wars, my kids watched the original trilogy for the first time over Christmas break.  Spencer was enthralled.  On the edge of his seat the entire time.  Hollering in surprise, crying out in excitement. It was good stuff.

Our morning drives to school are full of good stuff too.  Like Lucy wishing with all her ten year old romanticism that our streets had names instead of numbers.  "Honey, the numbers are actually really helpful when you're trying to find an address,"  I told her with all my motherly unromanticism.
"I know," she sighed, looking out the window so longingly that I couldn't help smile.
"What would you name them?"  I asked.  She spent the rest of that ride to school coming up with names that you would probably pay big money to have in your address.

And then a few mornings later there was that conversation about a certain boy in her class who is just so cute and nice. "And Mom," she said conclusively, "he's left handed."

Good stuff is constantly spewing from Lucy's pens and pencils and markers.  House plans and room designs are the latest rage.

And then there's Spencer's animated, decisive little voice.  Here he is introducing a FHE activity sometime last fall:

The seasons bring so much good stuff.

 So do holidays and family traditions,

But even without those formal things, there are plenty of good books and good snuggles on mom's bed.

And plenty of happy moments at Grandpa's house.  Especially now that it's warm enough to resume fort building.

I thought Spencer's PVC pipe + pine needle broom was pretty good stuff.  

I often feel bogged down and overwhelmed and inadequate in so many ways.  But I think that I feel those feelings more when I forget to take stock of all the little joyful moments of life. I want to be better at noticing and rejoicing in the true goodness that surrounds me and brings so many smiles, even on tough days.