Family Theme for 2014

Our family theme this year was difficult to come up with. Usually Andy and I have something in mind we would like to focus on as a family. Last year our theme was-- Quick to Observe. Elder David Bednar gave a fabulous talk to the students at BYU about seeking after the spiritual gift of discernment and being quick to observe.We learned powerful lessons and insights from this talk. We read it to our children and made it our theme for the year. Throughout the year we talked about being quick to observe the hand of the Lord in our lives, being quick to observe others in need, finding the good and spiritual discernment. January came and we were ready for a new year and new theme! We discussed possible topics several times in family home evening and the children had some great suggestions, but nothing felt like a great fit for the upcoming year. 

Last year was a SURVIVAL year, a white knuckle year. Don't get me wrong, we wouldn't change a thing. I feel like most of what we did this past year was rock , change , feed ,snuggle and OBSERVE the babies grow. The best part of it all was watching my older children love them. They have made life much better, but frankly its quite a miracle we came out as well as we did. Just trying to get dinner on the table at a decent hour and home work done or even leaving the house was a major triumph!This year we are trying to pull things back in order-things like manners,sleep, stronger gospel teaching, more sleep and a renewed commitment to follow the Savior and His example. So, we needed something Outlandishly Incredible for our theme:)

A few weeks ago I was trying to find something for Landon to memorize during home school. 
I came across a quote by President Hinckley that literally jumped off the page and exclaimed "This is it! This is our theme!" It's lengthy but worth memorizing and definitely states so many of the things our children and Andy and I wanted to focus on.


The time has come for us to stand a little taller. This is a season to be strong. It is a time to move forward without hesitation. It is a time to do what is right regardless of the consequences that may follow. It is a time to be found keeping the commandments. It is a season to reach out with kindness and love to those in distress and to those who are wandering in darkness and pain. It is a time to be considerate and good, decent and courteous toward one another in all our relationships.In other words, to become CHRIST LIKE.

                                                                                                                   -Gordon B. Hinckley