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/

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

Wednesday's Word: I Had a Dream

My own thoughts will be rambled here...and maybe for no one to ever read.  But I'm still going to write them. 

I had a dream last night right before I woke up...the kind that got my emotions all tangled up.  It was a nightmare of sorts.  My whole body felt heavy, I had a pit of dread in my stomach.  It all seemed so real.  Then I woke up and realized it was only a dream and was so thankful for my life.  Lately I've been having a hard time feeling excited to be a mother e.v.e.r.y d.a.y.  The monotony of it all has been wearing me down.  (Probably doesn't help that both my kids have been quite sick and not sleeping well which equals extra crankiness on their part and me wishing I had extra patience and strength to match what they're needing.) 

 

So, you're asking, what was this dream?  It was that I was back at my college job.  The job I had before my wonderful job at the college working with preschool.  I was working at a grocery store again.  I had to wear the classy cashier apron with the store name on it, memorize all the produce codes, be the fastest cashier, stand on my feet all day in a 1 1/2 ft. square area smiling at everyone even if they were using foul and obscene language to complain about everything on the planet.  Once again I was having to sell alcohol and tobacco to pregnant women and dreading it wishing I didn't have to.  I had to wait a few hours for my 15 minute break so I could sit and drink some water and then make it through the next few hours until my next break.  And I had to do it day.after.day.  Ugh!  In college it was a good job.  Paid the bills, worked with my school schedule each semester, I made some great friends that will be forever friends, my employer was really quite nice, and I learned new things that I'll never forget (f.y.i. the code for bananas is 4011), but it was VERY HARD WORK. 

 

Then I woke up and felt so excited for the day.  If a bad dream can be a tender mercy, this one was!  I felt so energized and ready for whatever the day brought.  It might be hard, but at least I could get a drink of water for myself when I was thirsty (even if holding a crying child at the same time).  I can sit on the floor, or even lay next to my sick kid on his bed and read a book.  I get to do things that really and eternally matter.  They may be monotonous, they may stretch my inner strength and character, they are overwhelming at times, and I feel inadequate more often than not, but this dream job is quite POSH. 

I don't have to wear a uniform.  T-shirt and jeans-- thank you very much! 

I can snack on the hidden Starburst stash in the top cupboard whenever I need a little sunshine. 

I can take a bathroom break almost whenever I want to (and sometimes that's my code for giving myself a time out to cool myself down and not blow a fuse...I think the kids are catching on). 

I get to hug my kids and check their temperatures, and make sure that these little precious eternal beings I'm entrusted with know they're loved and cherished. 

I get to read books with them, teach them scripture stories, hear their first words, and watch their imaginations take over our home. 

I GET TO be HERE!!!!  I experience it all with them. 

This is a pretty awesome job..... My REAL dream job called MOTHERHOOD.

Wednesday's Word

"DO SMALL THINGS

WITH GREAT LOVE."

~Mother Theresa

Wednesday's Word: Measuring a Happy Successful Day

I remember several years ago learning an interesting fact:

Men and Women measure success differently. 

Generally speaking, a woman has a "TO DO" list and the more things she crosses off during the day the more successful she feels.  (Have you ever written something down AFTER you did it just to cross it off simply because that swipe of the pen feels so wonderful?  Or is it just me?)  For a man, he can spend 10 hours doing one thing but feel incredibly successful because of the time he spent doing it.  If I spent 10 straight hours organizing that forgotten closet in the back of the house I would be kind of happy (if I'd finished it) ...but then feel upset I didn't also get the dishes done, Cheerios swept off the floor, letters written to Aunt Sue, Uncle Bob, and a thank you note or gift of cookies delivered to that sweet 17-year old girl who volunteered to babysit my kids...oh yeah, and dinner...I didn't get anything ready to eat and dinner-time was an hour ago! 

As in all things, it's important to remember differences are simply that--differences.  Understanding can bring more peace in relationships.... for example: Honey-Do lists from wives can take on a new light...the list is from the wife and the husband is proud of getting one thing done while the wife is still looking at the rest of the list that hasn't been crossed off.  It can also bring peace to ones self in understanding that success can be measured in multiple ways...and maybe "cleaning" shouldn't be a single item to cross off.  Instead try writing: clean toilet, clean sink, clean out fridge, clean top shelf of fridge, vacuum carpet upstairs, dust family room bookshelves, go through one box in forgotten closet in back of house,  ...yeah, that's more like it! 

I may take some fire for this, but hopefully I won't and you can just understand the basics here without a big gender war occurring, but it also makes sense why we think and feel differently about success.  A man has generally been the provider for his family.  Throughout ages he has worked at the same job long day after long day.  But can come home feeling accomplished since he's provided for his family.  A woman has generally been the one to take care of the home, and children.  There are a million "smaller" tasks to accomplish in a day from making meals, to changing diapers.  So, there are reasons.  I'll even say Divine reasons, why we measure daily success differently.  This also makes more sense as to why a man who is out of work often times feels a bit depressed, even if he's finished the Honey Do list.  And it also brings more understanding why so many working mothers feel so overwhelmed and under-accomplished after a full day of work as her list of things 'to do' seems to grow and multiply each day and she feels that she'll never make it.   And, as in all things, I think we can each learn a little from each other to balance ourselves out a bit. 

As we understand and remember that men and women measure success differently, and that it has purpose, maybe, just maybe, we can be kinder to ourselves, those around us, and can learn to manage our differences in healthy happier ways.   And have a bit more peace....we all need that don't we?

Wednesday's Word

The most MEMORABLE DAYS

usually end with the

DIRTIEST CLOTHES

I have this quote in my laundry room.  I like it.  Lots!

Wednesday's WORD & WONDER

A MOTHER'S LOVE AND SACRIFICE

If you didn't hear this story that emerged from the recent tornado outbreak in the east, I thought I'd post it here.  When I told my husband he actually suggested that I post it...so truly, the idea was his first.  This mother, Stephanie Decker, lost both her legs in the tornado but saved her two children ages 5 and 8.  They were unharmed.  I can't imagine the whole situation, but she was determined to protect her children and to not leave them without a mother. 

The love of a mother can do ANYTHING!

Indiana Mom loses legs saving kids from Tornado 
(This link is to KSL, a Utah based news station)

Wednesday's Word

"FIND THE SACRED IN THE MUNDANE"

I saw this quote in a frame next to the kitchen sink at my friend's home a few years ago.  It still repeats in my mind often.  Whenever I think of this quote my mind immediately turns to a mother who was speaking at a fireside before I had any children.  She had many children.  Honestly, I think it was 14 or 15 kids.  I remember several things she shared.  But one fits this quote perfectly.  She shared with us about hating changing diapers for so many years.  Then one day as she was cleaning the poop off her kids bottom, the thought came to her that changing her babies diapers was like the Savior cleaning her from sin through his atonement.  Just as her baby needed help and couldn't do it on his own, she couldn't clean herself from sin and needed the Savior's help.  And just as it'd hurt more the longer the poop stayed on the babies bottom, her sins would hurt more the longer she waited to allow the Savior to clean her from her sins.  It's kind of funny, an analogy like that.  But it's true.  There are things in our lives that even though they're mundane they can gave us a reason to look up, to understand more, and our perspectives can change drastically. 

Motherhood is full of mundane, repetitive tasks, but it's also full of wonderful moments that sneak in unexpectedly in the middle of the daily monotony.  Focus on those moments and find purpose, even divine purpose in the tasks and responsibilities.  It'll bring sunshine, even on a poopy day.  I promise!

Wednesday's Words

A few profound thoughts...

We have a neighbor that gave me this mini-booklet thing with fun sayings. Just thought I'd share a few:

1. Why is 'abbreviation' such a long word?
2. Sometimes I wake up grumpy; other times I let her sleep
(I told Kyle he should have this quote because I am NOT a happy waker upper)3. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be without sponges.
4. Eat right. Stay fit. Die anyway.
5. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
6. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
7. If you don't like the news, go out and make some.
8. No matter where you go, you're there.
9. This statement is false.
10. The word "gullible" isn't in the dictionary.
11. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.
12. I intend to live forever. So far so good.
13. What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
14. Corduroy pillows: They're making headlines!
15. Honk if you like peace and quiet


Hope you had a few smiles and even some laughs!

Wednesday's Word:

"I suggest that you … humbly ask the Lord what he would have you do and why you are uniquely suited to serve. Ask yourself questions like these: ‘What can I contribute?’ ‘Why was I chosen to be the mother of these children?’ ‘What can I do to strengthen the sisters in my ward?’ and so forth. We each have purpose and reason for being. Every sister has a thread to weave in the tapestry of time. Discover your thread and begin to weave”

~Mary Ellen W. Smoot

Wednesday's Word:

The past is behind: Learn from it.

The future is ahead: Prepare for it.

The present is here: Live in it!

~Thomas S. Monson

Wednesday's Word

"Nothing you do for children is ever wasted."

~Garrison Keillor

Wednesdays Word

If you haven't seen this, or even if you have....

...click on this link:

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God, from Jeffrey R. Holland

Wednesday's Word

"In your pursuit of happiness,

just stop and take a moment to be happy."  

~Anonymous

....Thanks M for sharing this quote with me! 

Wednesday's Word:

"When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the sound of lullabies?  The great armistices made my military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and neighborhoods?  Will what happened in the cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congress?
"When the surf of centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will still be standing, because it is a celestial institution."

~Neal A. Maxwell

as found in Glimpses Into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley, pg. 242

Wednesday's Word:

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."

~Doctrine & Covenants 64:33

(What is a greater work than helping a child reach his or her eternal potential?)

Wednesday's Words

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."

~ George Washington (1732-1799)

Wednesday's Words

"Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction."

~M. Russell Ballard, “Daughters of God,” Liahona, May 2008, 108–10