MaeLyn's Musings

In 2009, when April gave us the kitten, he was named Moroni, but we shortened the name to Momo. When I woke up this morning, I didn't think I'd be attending a funeral tonight. 2014. Watchful and wary, yet playful, Momo was a beloved part of our family. This afternoon, I had just returned home from taking the house key to the cat sitter when one of the kids made a comment about Momo choosing a strange place to take a nap. When I went to investigate, our beautiful orange cat was lying on the floor in the hallway, in front of the linen closet door, just a few feet from my bedroom door. It looked like he was asleep, but when I reached out to stroke his silky fur, there was no response at all. When I looked at him closer, I realized that his eyes were open a little, but unfocused and kind of glazed, and his tongue was sticking out the side of his mouth. Suspecting the worst, I picked him up. It was like picking up a boneless mass. There was still no response, no sign of br...

Do you ever have those weeks where life just seemed totally crazy - crazier than normal? This past week has been that way for me. This morning, I sat down to figure out what I've had going on that has made it seem so crazy. Here is what I came up with: I am the mother of four children. Yes, this is normal for me. But sometimes normal life contributes to craziness. Steven read me a quote from a General Conference talk last night: "We might all ask ourselves: do our children receive our best spiritual, intellectual, and creative efforts, or do they receive our leftover time and talents, after we have given our all to our church calling or professional pursuits?" I've been making a greater effort lately to give my children more of my undivided attention, playing games with them, helping them with homework, overseeing bedtimes a little more closely for the youngest, giving my oldest opportunities to practice driving, and encouraging her viola playing by accompanying her...

Run, run, get things done.    Too much to do       Not enough sun Plan it, pack it,    think it, write it,       drive it, buy it,          work it, play it. Clean it, knead it,    wash it, fold it,       sort it, fix it,          give it, toss it. Ask him, thank him,    Hug, console him.       Teach them, lead them,          Try to guide them.   Run, run, just have fun,    So much to do,       Under the sun.

As I trudge to school White butterflies float to rest On my dripping nose.

Lamoni reviews My materials to teach Institute next week:

"We should watch 'Tangled' On Martin Luther King Day Because of this song!"

I took for granted the furnace that warms the air. Now I'm missing it.

I realized recently that I changed more than just my last name when I got married. I also changed how I pronounce my first name. In my single days, I pronounced it : Mae* LYN (accent on the second syllable)  because Mae* LYN Mc* CLEL *lan accents every other syllable and it sounds good that way. When I got married, my last name became Hiatt, which has the accent on the first syllable. Now, when I introduce myself to people using my full name, I usually pronounce it:   MAE *Lyn (accent on the first syllable) because MAE *Lyn HI *att has a better flow to it, and it's easier to say. (Say it to yourself a few times - Mae LYN Hi att... MAE Lyn Hi att... you'll realize I'm right.) Of course, if I just say my name by itself, it's still Mae LYN .

Made it to call backs But she didn't get a part. Disappointment reigns.

I focus my thoughts In seventeen syllables: Less ramble, more pith. ram·ble : talk or write at length in a confused or inconsequential way. Synonyms: chatter, babble, prattle, prate, blather, jabber, twitter, maunder;  pith : the essence of something. Synonyms: essence, main point, fundamentals, heart, substance, nub , core,quintessence, crux, gist, meat, kernel, marrow, burden;

With the new year, in Relief Society we are starting a new lesson manual: Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Ezra Taft Benson. I'm excited about this because he was the prophet during my youth, and I remember him! Yesterday, I taught Lesson 1 from the manual, " The Great Commandment--Love the Lord " The lesson actually ended up following my outline, which is kind of rare, but actually turned out really good. Here is my outline: What should be the most important thing in our lives? [This got many answers, including prayer, families, working towards our eternal exaltation. In my mind, there was no right or wrong answer because they are all inter-related.] "The great test of life is obedience to God." "The great task of life is to learn the will of the Lord and then do it." "The great commandment of life is to love the Lord." [I had each of these printed out and posted on the chalkboard, along with several pictures I'll ...

Life at the Hiatt's: Who needs a paper shredder When you have a cat? The boys just got home With exciting adventures From the library. Frosted window panes May sound cheery in a song, But not on my car. California girl Biffed it again this morning. How long till summer?

Auditions today For the high school musical. Hope Hannah makes it.

It happened too fast On the slick, icy sidewalk: Balance lost - wipe out!

In Relief Society, our leaders have a tradition of asking what good news the sisters have at the beginning of our meetings. Yesterday, because it was fast Sunday, the young women had joined us for our opening exercises, and Hannah encouraged me to say something. In an effort to oblige her, I raised my hand, and when called on, said the first thing that came to mind, "My children go back to school this week." From the row behind me came another sister's quick response, "Well I love my children!" with a tone that clearly implied that I do not. The conversation quickly turned to other topics and probably passed out of everyone else's minds, but not mine. I. was. mortified. (mortify:  cause (someone) to feel embarrassed, ashamed, or humiliated.) Part of me wished the ground would open up and swallow me. Another part of me never wanted to volunteer a comment in Relief Society ever again. I felt misunderstood and misjudged. I wished I'd had an opportuni...

New Years Eve we played Monopoly together. The gummy bears won.