Mom Remembers

I have been blessed in the last year by many experiences that are spiritual in nature.  My faith in God and His miracles has grown as the voice of His Spirit has testified to me.  I know better than before of the reality of an unseen world and the love that reaches out to me from that place. Because of that growth, Easter held extra meaning for me this year.  Christ's triumph is real  to me--and so is the hope I felt this season.   Hallelujah . Our family's celebrations this year included: 1. Soren and I kicked off the season by watching the world's largest virtual Hallelujah chorus , a project produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  That was an amazing way to get into the celebratory spirit. 2. This was our first Easter in our own home.  We set up the Easter table in the dining room.  This is one of my favorite traditions: we decorate a table with symbols that remind us of Christ and keep a candle burning there in the week before Easter.  On

I am sitting outside the door of Sven's room, listening to him play with duplos.  He has three little duplo people, two boys and a girl, that he has decided are a family.  I can hear him playing with them, making them talk and driving their little car across his hardwood floor.  Here are some of the things he is saying: "Mom and Dad are getting married!" "Dad is taking us to the temple.  Where is the temple?"  (He says this in a higher voice.  I guess the "Mom" is talking.) "It's too far away."  (This voice is deeper.  Must be the "Dad".) "Hooray!  It's general conference temple!"  (Now his voice is normal.  Does that mean this is the kid?) "Beep, beep."  (That must be the car.) "I'm making a ham and cheese sandwich."  (Then all the duplos get dumped out.) And my personal favorite: "Carolyn, you can call me Scott."  (How romantic.)

1. How he sits on my lap to listen to a board book.  He likes to turn the pages. 2. He also likes to "read" to himself.  His babbling noises are charming. 3. The way he puts his head on my shoulder when he is tired. 4. How ticklish he is. 5. That he can come down the stairs safely all by himself. 6. How pleased he looks when he is wearing Daddy's glasses. 7. That he has learned not to play with the chess pieces. 8. His enthusiastic toddle. 9. The way he smiles at his brothers. 10. That he will eat almost anything--but only if he sees you eating it first. 11. How much he loves Nan.  When she comes, he pants with excitement and practically jumps out of my arms. 12. The way he squeezes his hand to sign "milk". 13. Giving him raspberries. 14. That he likes animals.  He gets excited whenever he notices the cat 15. and enjoys getting licked in the face by Poppy's dog. 16. His smile. 17. And his laugh.  That's really the best. 18. How warm he