“It is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.” –Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I've noticed when my kids are getting along worse than usual, it usually means that I need to take some time to do things with them or 'slow down a little'.  If I'm struggling, I need to study the scriptures more and 'focus on the essentials'.  Adverse conditions come at us all, I hope I can 'steady the course'.

Today is one of those days that I have tried to focus on the essentials.  It's my babies birthday.  Even though technically the term baby is not valid anymore, as all mom's can attest, the term will always be used for the youngest child.  I always try to make a special cake for each of my kids birthdays.  So, I went to work this morning, and I must say, it turned out great!  I am not a professional cake decorator, by any means, but I do enjoy making fun cakes for my kids.  One more birthday tradition: I never let the birthday child see the cake until that night when we light the candles and sing happy birthday before serving it up.

But, I think my favorite birthday tradition is the birthday sign.  My Dad started this when I was a kid.  He was also a better artist than I am, but I do my best.  We have a dry erase board, about 2.5 by 3.5 feet.  The night before their birthday, after the kids are all in bed, I get it out and make a birthday sign just for them.  It of course says 'happy birthday', and I put their name and the age they are turning.  Then, as best I can, I draw something that they are interested in at that point in time.