Hope in the Hopoate Family

           Newsflash, Malachi and I are amateur parents and we are learning how to do this every single day. On the job training at its finest. We feel  inadequate, but we're trying very hard to be good parents.           Well we realized a little while ago that we didn't do the best job teaching our kids about the Sabbath. We laid it out very  pharisaical. Lots of rules, lots of to-do's. But we were definitely missing the blessings and the delight of the Sabbath.          While trying to figure out how to fix our mistake, we discussed that we needed a tradition of some sort that would help our kids love Sundays and look forward to them. So we decided to start a Sunday Tradition called Sweet Sunday Sweets! It was catchy and sounded fun and doable and sustainable. It's just that on Sundays we get to have a special family dessert after church. I know, so simple, may...

           Truth time.          Having a 20-month old at church for a 1-hour quiet meeting, while having 2 other children who are 3 and 5, is the most challenging thing I have ever done. Hands down. No competition.          Initially because of the obvious. My kids are still learning to be quiet, sit reverently, whisper, etc.           Solution... Bring lots of treats and toys. Yes, but then conflicts arise. You're gonna just let your kids eat a ton of junk food every Sunday? Why are you bringing toys? Then they won't listen to anything. Shouldn't they just learn to hold still and listen?           Next, just give them your phone. Then they'll sit still. But what about all that  screen time? Well and then they are for sure not going to hear anything from the meeting. And not to mention the judgement that that'll bring...  ...

      I've been MIA these last few weeks while I soaked in the holidays. This Christmas was a bit different with our kids being sick, family members being sick, and being really busy with callings at  church. However, we made the most of it and it was still really fun.     Luckily though, I've been able to read a lot while laying around and have finished almost 3 books! Mat Frasers book, HWPO , Teachings of President Gordon B Hinkley's book, and Joanna Gaines book, The Stories we Tell. Just have a couple chapters left in Joanna's book. Nevertheless, all have been really positive, enriching, and so good for my soul. So here are a few highlights from these books.     HWPO: Hard Work Pays Off -The Rubber-band Effect: when you're competing with someone there are a few tricks to help you gain mental advancement over your fellow competitors. One of these tricks is called breaking the rubber-band. Long story short, what this means is that ...