what are these three up to?

So, what have we been up to - well I'll tell you. Darla has started Preschool MWF in the afternoons and LOVE LOVE LOVES it! She is darling and now has some cute bangs. Darla will be 5 in December and to our amazement can read! Much time is spent reading. It was an exciting moment to see Curious George at the Children's Museum. Darla and Bennett have become such good friends. They always say they are going to marry each other. :)
Bennett is 3 and always has a sword in his hand. He is still into Pirates, but seems to be leaning more towards good guys/bad guys type play. Yes, he was sound asleep on the stairs and wears costumes to the train tracks. Doesn't get much better than that. I have loved having time with him while Darla is at preschool. We always find ourselves laughing.
Tate is 11 months in just a couple days! What! I can't believe it. He doesn't crawl, but scoots - you can see his "snail trail" in the pictures above. He is enjoying being able to reach and get into Darla and Bennett's way when they are trying to play or create something. He is the best baby.

My Flesh

So, I know I usually am just full of pictures, but today is Bennett's 3rd Birthday and I have had a lot of thoughts. I thought I might write some of them down. The reason why this post is titled "My Flesh" because as strange as it sounds, that is one name that I have for my darling Bennett. His skin/flesh is so soft to the touch, squishy and lovable. Also, he is my son - so therefore my flesh. Thinking about 3 years ago when I was in labor with this 8 lb 9 oz boy, that was an intense experience in the flesh or in my mortal life. I love this boy with all that I am. I love his kindness, his sincerity, his ability to make me laugh, his touch, his eyes, the way he eats with pinkies up, his concentration/focus, his imagination, his words, his crocodile tears, his ability to tease, to sense emotion, and just the way he goes about each day "in his own unhurried style".
When I look at him, or at any of my children with love, I am carried away from this mortal/experience in the flesh, to a place that is of the eternal. My children teach me of God and Jesus Christ. They teach me of my imperfections. They teach me about the enabling power of the Atonement. They teach me of happiness and forgiveness - which more and more seem to go hand in hand. Being a mother in the flesh "is the time for [me] to prepare to meet our God; yea the day of this life is the day for [me] to perform [my] labors" Alma 34:32
A labor it is - and depending on the day it is a labor of love, or a labor of frustration.
I desire to have my flesh full of love for this chance I have to labor as mother.
In humble moments I realize what my Father in Heaven needs me to be.
". . . the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matt 26:41
I know that it is only through His help that this is possible.
I am humbled that He has given me my children to be my teachers.