You got to pray just to make it today!

I've always adored the prayers of my kiddos and while some embarrass me when we have guests over like: "Please bless mommy to not be mean to me," there are times that they say such wonderful prayers I have to fight back the tears. And then, there are the ones that I have to fight back the tears of laughter. Though I don't want to forget the ones that are so near and dear to my heart.

Yesterday, Haley was sitting on the couch while we were playing a game and she started to cough... then gag... then there was no sound coming from her. She was choking!! I ran over and pounded on her back first. Probably not the best first choice, but then I turned her around and started the Heimlich maneuver. I remember saying a quick prayer pleading for help. After three heaves under her rib cage, a coin popped out of her mouth. Then she starts crying and saying, "I'm so sorry!" over and over again while crying. Tears were in my eyes and all I could do was hug her and tell her, "It's okay. You are okay. Don't worry. Everything is okay," over and over again. As to calm myself down as well. That night I think I prayed harder than I ever prayed in my life thanking my Heavenly Father for my little girl. I'm still shaking as I write this. And then there was Haley's prayer that night that thanked me for saving her life... I couldn't hold back the tears. I told her that Angels were watching over us today. And according to other blogs and posts on Facebook, I was one of SIX people who had near-death experiences with their kids that day. I guess the angels were working overtime yesterday. . .

I also don't want to forget the ones that make me laugh too. Today, these are some I heard:

Maleia: "Please bless the food to Nurture and Straighten our bodies."

Dylan: "Please bless mommy's baby to come out quick so I can play cars with him. And bless my sisters to be nice." Keep praying buddy! I hope they both come true!

I remember our first Sunday in Budapest when the Primary leaders came up wiping tears of laughter from their eyes and told me that Maleia prayed, " Please bless Haley so she can die." I about peed my pants from embarrassment and was a little worried about why she would say that until that night she prayed, "Please bless us all that we can die, so we can all go to Heaven." Then I remembered our last Family Home Evening lesson was on Heaven and how wonderful it is and Maleia asked, "Can I go to Heaven to see it?" And I told her that we don't go to Heaven until after we die. Phew! She really does love her sister after all!

I also remember when Maleia went through a phase of telling us, "Mommy, ______ (insert any name here) is following Satan's plan! He/she took my toy away!" (or insert any dastardly deed here.) And I remember said prayer: "Please help us to follow Heavenly Father's plan and for my sister to stop following Satan's plan so she can be reverent during the prayer." Primary can be a blessing and a curse!

Dylan's latest prayers include one or maybe two things and it's over. "Dear Heavenly Father, bless the food, AMEN!" He used to be a little more thoughtful, so we are working on that.

Haley on the other hand, when she was little, would look around the table and bless every piece of food and person individually. Her longwindedness even drove some of her teachers at church crazy because they would try and get her to say, "Amen," and she would just continue blessing every single person in the room and mention the people that were missing and a possible reason why they might not be there.

All in all, I am grateful for the power of prayer. I have learned at a young age how important and how powerful prayer can be. I have also felt the difference in my life when I say meaningful prayers versus prayers that ramble on or just say the same thing or I start daydreaming through or even fall asleep during. (You know we have all had those days!)

And yes, some days you have to pray just to make it through!!