.....................................Alive?

Yes, I'm alive.  Infact, I've been working on a book. 

I can't do everything at the same time (who can?), so for the past while, I've been focussing my efforts on a book I've been dreaming about for years upon years...the dream began before blogging was ever even a thing.  The idea actually started with my mom and her dream of writing a book.  It's changed a lot over the years and is totally different than what she had thought about doing...but that's where the thought began.  And every thought has to begin somewhere.  So, that's taken priority for now.  I realized a while ago that if I didn't start and work on it regularly, it would never happen and I don't want to get to the point when it's "too late".  That happens with too many things in life and I've decided I won't have a regret, or "what if".  It's kind of a tribute to my mom too.  She didn't accomplish the dream.  But it can be OUR dream and I'll do it.  And, if it's never published by some other company.  So be it..... we now live in a world of self-publishing opportunities because of the technology we have.  That makes me happy.  It's also a gift to my daughter... someday she'll be a mom too.  Yes, the book has to do with motherhood....my passion in life.  I'll keep you posted, and I might even blog occasionally, but.......

And, my husband compiled a book too.  A dream he's had for years.  (notice the trending in our family?)   I'll write about that later....keep checking back.

Wednesday's Word: Home

Happy laughter

and friendly voices in the home

will keep more kids off the streets

than the loudest curfew.

~Burton Hillis

 

photo courtesy of: http://www.brightlifecoaching.com.au/

Tuesday's Tips & Tidbits: the Tooth Fairy

TOOTH FAIRY

A rite of passage in our culture

It's a big deal to lose that first tooth

Just ask any kindergarten teacher.

My son has his first two wiggly teeth: the bottom, front ones---like most kids. 

 

He's been coming home from school since the beginning of the school year telling me who lost their tooth, how, and that the kid got a prize from his teacher's special prize box for losing a tooth.

 

He's anxiously awaiting his own teeth falling out because 

IT'S SOOOOO COOL!!!!!!

When I was a little girl my mom would make us each a

Tooth Fairy Pillow. 

I didn't realize at the time how brilliant my mother was. 

This pillow had a little pocket in the front where we'd put our tooth. 

We'd place the pillow on our bed, and wake up the next morning to money in exchange for that tooth. 

 

My. brilliant .mother!!! 

 

*She didn't have to carefully dig under my pillow trying to find the tooth.

 

*She didn't have to worry about waking me up.

 

*She didn't have to worry about morning when the money she'd left had fallen down the side of the bed and a kid was crying because the Tooth Fairy stole their tooth and didn't leave any money.

 

My.brilliant.mother!!!!

So, I made my son a Tooth Fairy pillow this week. 
Preparation for the big night when he sells his teeth to that sneaky Tooth Fairy.

I should have asked "What color of pillow do you want?" 

Not "What kind of pillow do you want?" 

One word can really complicate life! 

He wanted a Mario Pillow. Of course! Why did I ask?!? I felt pretty intimidated at first, but it did turn out and was easier than I expected once I had an idea of how to do it. 

 

The sad part to this story: 
When I was almost done with his pillow, he looked me right in the eyes with a very serious thoughtful look and said, "Mom, the Tooth Fairy isn't real is He?"
My response, "Why would you think that?"
My son replied, "Heavenly Father didn't make fairies." A long pause while I tried to figure out what to say.  Then he added, "But I LOOOOOOVE my cool pillow.  And I'm still so excited to lose my teeth!  It'll be SOOOOOO COOL."

I'm sad he didn't even make it through one round of the Tooth Fairy while believing.  But I'm happy he's still excited. 

P.S.  The night before Easter he told me he knows it's me and Dad who hide the eggs, that the Easter Bunny isn't real.  It was still his most exciting Easter morning and he was crazy uber happy about searching out all the eggs. 

I've learned a good lesson from him I need to remember always: 

When the fairy tale is gone, reality is still a lot of fun!

 

******And, ONE MORE TIP******

No matter how much money your Tooth Fairy gives, give it in coins, not bills.  A kid feels a lot more rich with 4 quarters in his pocket than with one dollar bill in his pocket.  I Promise!

Wednesday's Word: COURAGE

Each of us as women and mothers

have had,

are having,

and will have

moments where courage is needed

because

LIFE isn't something we always feel prepared to face...infact, I'd say we're usually caught off guard by both the "small" things as well as the "big" things.

 

 

My favorites lines from this short video are: 

 

"Being Brave doesn't mean that I'm not afraid."

 

And,

 

"If I really trust Heavenly Father,

it doesn't matter what I don't understand."

  

Wednesday's Word: A Dedicated & Wise Mother

I always love to learn from other mothers. 

 

We're all different. 

 

I don't desire to be an exact duplicate of another mother because my children are not exact duplicates of other children. 

(okay, honestly, there are moments I want to be like someone else because in my view they're a better mother than I am...but I'm trying to overcome that.  I think we all have those moments.)

 

We're all individuals. 

 

The children we have are ours because God gave them each to us...He knows we are the best mother for them and for who they can become.

(and that's a HUGE topic for another day.)

 

But, like I said, I do enjoy learning from other mothers. 

 

I am grateful for good examples. 

 

We all need them as we're progressing in this journey called MOTHERHOOD.

This is an interview with a mother I do not personally know, but yesterday as I listened to this "Conversation" as I folded our huge pile of laundry, I felt uplifted, and inspired in simple things that daily opportunities provide for teaching our children.  No one's life is perfect, everyone has challenges, and yet the good can shine through in wonderful ways.

I hope you'll listen!
Just click on this pink link and it will take you to the "play" page.
*** Interview with Karen Payne, Mother of 10 Children ***
on www.mormonchannel.org