In conference Thomas S. Monson mentioned gratitude in one of his talks. I have decided it would be good for my children to realize all of the things that they have to be grateful for. I know sometimes I am ungrateful. I need to be a better example to them. So we decided to make a small gratitude journal as a family. Maybe this way the children will be thinking about the things that they are grateful for through out the day so that when it is journal time they will have something good to say. So far we have only done it 2 nights. But it is something fun to add to our scripture study time. Both nights Max has said he is grateful for Heavenly Father. I'm not sure if it's just a standard primary answer but it makes me feel good inside to hear him say that. If only I could express to him how much his Heavenly Father really loves and cares for him. I also think we will add a gratitude prayer, just to tell heavenly father what we are grateful for each night. Then we can write down what we are grateful for.
One other thing that I have been feeling so much is how my children will follow my example. I have been having a difficult time getting my children to do their chores. Also it has been hard to get them to clean their rooms. At times I use Chris as an example for them. I ask them, "Does Daddy every leave his clothes on the floor?" or "Are Daddy's shoes in the living room?" They can honestly answer, "no he puts his clothes and shoes away." I want to be able to say, "look at Mommy's room isn't it peaceful and wonderful when you go in there and there isn't anything on the floor?" So I have felt like my example needs to be better for them. I have recently cleaned my room and have a desire to keep it cleaned. This way I can be a better example to my children. Also I need to let the kids see me reading my scriptures. I have felt that I should read my scriptures in the morning when I eat breakfast. Then when the kids are ready to eat in the morning I can be a good example to them. However I don't want milk spilled on my scriptures and I am sometimes scrambling in the morning to get ready for school. Maybe I should just read them in my room or the formal living room. They need me often enough that they will come find me and see me reading. I hope that there is some way I can help them understand how much I love the gospel. I hope some how they turn out to be good people who follow the Lord in righteousness.