My Favorite Things - Lily's Room

As I put Lily down for a nap this morning, I looked around her clean room and took a moment. I love how uncluttered her room is. There is not a lot of furniture or nick-knacks. Simplicity without sacrificing cuteness. My favorite things in Lily's room are two little items that sit on her dresser. A picture of me as a baby and an amigurumi style crocheted lion.

I love the picture, because, when everyone tells me that Lily looks just like Tanner, I can look at this picture when I am changing Lily or rocking her to sleep and see that she really does have a bit of me in her too. I'm in there somewhere.

I love the little lion because my mother made it for Lily this Christmas (along with a matching monkey and hippo). It reminds me of the joy that comes from creating and giving. My mom lives to create. And what she does create (apart from her grandiose cross-stitches) is always given away. That's my Mommy. While raising me alongside my seven siblings, my mother taught me the importance of hard work, resourcefulness, continuous learning, and cultivating our talents. My mother gave us, and continues to give us, more than just heartfelt and handmade gifts, but she truly gave her whole self - body, mind, and heart - to the rearing of her children. I know it may seem odd, but this is what I think of when I look at that little crocheted lion. In the scriptures, Jesus Christ teaches us that there really is a true spirit of giving and that the greatest gifts, the gifts of most value, are gifts of time, means, or talent. The greatest gift is a giving of self. Although she would never think this, my mother emulates this teaching and I want to be just like her. Always giving.

 And another favorite thing - A sleeping baby.