Childhood Misconceptions

Many of the words in the English language have multiple meanings. For example the word "bat" can be a winged animal who is nocturnal, an athletic tool used for hitting a ball, and the act of hitting a ball. In fact some words have too many meanings to teach a young child all of them until a misconception has occurred. Such was the case with my 5-year-old tonight. I loaded my kids in the car to hurry off to the store and return an item. I realized after a moment that my car battery was dead from leaving the headlights on when after driving in the rain earlier in the day. My son was concerned so I told him that I would have dad "jump" it when he gets home, but until then we couldn't go anywhere.

Tonight as I was sending him off to bed he told me he didn't want dad to "jump" the car because someone would get hurt. He then bounced his hand up and down as if to show the car bouncing the the road. I had a good laugh and explained how the only thing that jumps is the electricity through a cable from one car to another. He seemed to be satisfied with that answer.

It reminded me of when I was a little girl. One of my funniest memories from when I was probably about the same age was driving down the street and my mom calling out with delight, "There's the Purple Turtle." Now in Pleasant Grove where my Aunt lived and taught my dance class there is a burger joint called "The Purple Turtle." Each time my mom exclaimed this I would quickly look out the window expecting to see a gnome like man with a pointed purple hat riding on his purple turtle down the street. I NEVER saw him and it was quite disappointing! I would say with exasperation, "I don't see it." My mom would then point to the burger joint and say "it's right there" or she'd say "sorry" and that was that. When I think about the image that I held in my mind I giggle. I can still see it in my minds eye today. It is so fun to relearn the English language from those who are learning it for the first time. Thanks bud!

The Spirit Will Guide

Last Friday night while Kent was working I was at home and decided to watch a movie on TV. During the movie there were advertisements about a new television series that would be coming up next. The show looked to be a little racy and I had the thought that I should change it when it came on. I convinced myself that if it got bad I could always turn it off. I watched and there was some questionable content, but it was fairly tame in my mind so I continued watching and when the show ended I thought I had found a new show to follow. That night when Kent came home the show was being aired again so I suggested he watch it with me. Kent liked it too and we were excited to see the next episode.

Sunday night was the new episode so I had it set to record and when we saw that it had aired we settled down to see it. Sunday nights are usually when I talk on the phone with my parents so I asked him to stop the recording and let me call my parents first and then we would watch it. He ended up falling asleep so we went to bed without watching it, but all the next day I was dying to watch, but I thought it would be polite to wait for Kent since he had planned to view it with me.


That Monday I turned on a talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks entitled, "Where Will It Lead?" He was speaking of the small and seemingly inconsequential choices we make and what path they will lead us down. He said, "As an example of things to avoid, consider the terrible consequences of partaking of anything that can be addictive. This includes not only tobacco and the alcohol that enslaved my friend’s husband but also the avalanche of pornographic material that assaults our senses on the Internet and in the popular entertainment, including movies and videos. Where does sampling this garbage lead? Church leaders and professionals alike affirm that it leads to the destruction of earthly and eternal family relationships—and sometimes even to prison sentences for abusive behavior. Get mixed up with this garbage and it will lead you to the landfill—the dumping ground of temporal dreams and eternal destinies."


When he said this my mind was immediately taken back to the thoughts I had while watching the previews. I realized that I had ignored those thoughts and therefore was now more tempted to watch a show that I could have easily ignored and forgotten had I listened at first. Now that I had ignored that prompting it was harder to make the right choice. I knew, however, that continuing to ignore that warning could potentially lead to "the destruction of earthly and eternal family relationships." I knew what I needed to do. So I picked up my phone and asked if Kent would be understanding of me deleting the recorded show. He said he was and so I deleted it. 


In retrospect I can see that even though I corrected my course rather quickly there was still damage done. Because I didn't listen the first time Kent and/or I could more easily be tempted to change the channel to that show when we see that it is on. Choosing to avoid it is a choice I can only make for myself and not for Kent. I know that curiosity could work at me and make me want to watch just a little more. Perhaps if I had not listened all would be just fine. Either way I know from my own and others experiences that it is better to listen and not know the outcome than to ignore and wish I had followed the prompting. I am very thankful for the wonderful mercies of the holy spirit.    

Heavenly Father must love me...

I thought I should take a moment and write down some of the joys associated with being the mother of two young boys...and this time I am going to write to them (my friend did this and I really liked it).

My Dear Favorite Baby in the World (at least for a little while longer hopefully)...You have been such a joy and a light in our lives. Today we went to the park and I loved watching you just toddle around like you were just one of the big kids. With your hair finally cut you now look like a big boy. On the one hand it makes you look so stinking cute, but on the other hand it makes you look WAY too grown up. You are such a happy boy and the one thing I love about you is your interest in people. You will go to so many people with open arms and you just love everyone. As you are growing out of that stage a little with age I hope that it is just the stranger danger thing that happens at this age. It would make me sad to see you change. You have been so friendly and love attention from other people that I used to say that when we'd go to church you thought everyone had come to see you. You really are a wonderful boy. A few months ago you walked over to Sister Petersen at church and sat on her lap forever. You almost fell asleep, but you just couldn't give in. She said to me that you just had the most soothing soul. I liked that and I think that she is right. Heavenly Father MUST love me to have given me you to guide and mentor in life. I am so thankful for that calling. I love you baby!

Now, to my Favorite Kid in the World... I am amazed at your ability to remember things so the things I may say could be memories you retail later in life, but in case I don't retail them I will write them down. I have always remembered things from a very young age like you do so while it does amaze me how well you remember I also find joy in knowing that you will be able to recall much of your life now. You are such a wonderful and loving kid. You are so good to do what your dad and I ask of you. You handle responsibilities so well. You make me very proud. The other day I told you, "Heavenly Father must love me because He gave me you and your brother for kids." To that you replied, "No, Heavenly Father loves me because He gave me the best mom in the world." Thanks kid! I do try to be a good mom. I know I'm not perfect, but I have been so blessed to remember things of my childhood and also to learn more about how kids see the world. I try to take that knowledge and parent you the best I can with that. The other day when you went around and collected money for the school fundraiser I was so proud of the way you got better and better at each house. I thought it was great at the end how you tried really hard to say it all on your own. You said, "My school is doing a fundraiser, and I am doing a mothathon no, no, no a mopathon no, no, no (then I whispered in your ear & you said) a walk-a-thon. I want you to (can't remember what you said instead of sponsor) me." I was really proud of you for doing that and for reaching your goal! I also have a good laugh when we got to Baylee's house and as soon as they opened the door and you saw Baylee you grabbed her and gave her the biggest hug. I think of how one day you'll look back and laugh at your infatuation with her as your girlfriend. Until then I won't douse your dreams. I may have to tell her parents though that I really am not the one keeping this idea going. Kid I do want you to know just how very much I love you! Thanks for being the best first kid a mom could ask for! Love you!