Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Do moms really matter?

I often struggle with feeling like what I do matters. That I am not very accomplished or somehow less than those who have achievements outside the home. I know being a mother is one of the most divine callings Heavenly Father could give to his daughters.... deep down I know that, but when the monotony of days and weeks go by, I can't help but slip back into my former thoughts. I try not to do this... but it does happen occasionally. Then yesterday I read something that for some reason "clicked". Anna Quindlen who is a Pulitzer Prize winner wrote in her book, Loud and Clear,


"if we stop to think what we do, really do, we are building for the centuries. We are building character, and tradition, and values, which meander like a river into the distance and out of our sight, but on and on and on."


So even though I may not feel like my work is important from time to time.... it is. Even though I have no paycheck to show for my work, even though no boss or supervisor will ever compliment, promote, or give me a bonus because I am doing a good job, I am doing the Lord's work. And it will affect generations to come. All of us who are mothers, whether to our own children or nieces, nefews, cousins, friends, neighbors and on and on, have an incredible power for good. If we don't take the time we have now to instill worthwhile values and teach our little ones things that are good and beautiful and praiseworthy who will? The world? That's a guaranteed no.


So with all these thoughts I was having yesterday I was feeling really emotional, and then something happened that was the straw breaking the camel's back.






If you have a child in school, you know when they get home, you go through their backpack together to see the homework, notes from teachers, etc. Well, Brandon put this litte note in the bottom of his bag for me to find. It's of me and him. And I knew, I do matter! Mothers matter! I taped this little reminder to my fridge so I can remember how important we mothers truly are.

LEGOMANIA!!

Santa brought Brandon some legos for Christmas and we have been enjoying them! Everyone has been getting in the action... Brandon LOVES building them and LOVES playing with the finished project even more. Lindsay and Logan both love to "help", Shane likes helping the kids and even I have really started liking it! We have found a new family hobby! And did you know, there is a LegoLand? I think we have found our next vacation!!!

Cheerios... good to the very last drop!




Logan is a morning eater. He eats and eats and eats and after breakfast is over, he is ready to eat again within half and hour. And every mornging we have Cheerios for breakfast (or any other cereal) he makes sure to get every single drop he can! It's one of my favorite things right now!

Monday, December 31, 2007

'Tis the Season


“True happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service. It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring ‘peace on earth,’ because it means—good will toward all men” (David O. McKay).

When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with the flocks,
Then the work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost, to heal those broken in spirit,
To feed the hungry, to release the oppressed,
To rebuild the nations, to bring peace among all peoples,
To make a little music with the heart…
And to radiate the Light of Christ,
Every day, in every way,
In all that we do
And in all that we say.

I'm not sure who wrote the above poem, but I really liked it and wanted to share it.
As I sit here thinking of all the ways I need to improve myself over the next year I become very grateful that I belong to Heavenly Father's church which is a church all about improvement. We don't need to be perfect right now, not even close, all He asks is that we give our best efforts every day to improve ourselves. And so that is what I will continue to try and do... improve myself, and by so doing my family life, home life and personal testimony. None of my resolutions are new or profound, I will just keep plugging away and try to be more cheerful along the journey.

A Wonderful Christmas

We had a beautiful Christmas. I am so glad that we stayed home this year. It was different not seeing family, but we really enjoyed just being together this year.

Christmas Eve was really nice with acting out the Nativity Story, singing songs, reading books and of course, opening Christmas jammies!






The kids were really excited that morning to come see if Santa had come. Brandon went straight to his stocking and began opening presents and Lindsay went straight to the cookie plate to see if he really did eat the cookies and drink the hot chocolate.








Santa brought Lindsay a Baby Alive (which she refuses to give a name to like Katie, Kelly or something... the doll is to be known just as "Baby Alive".) He brought Brandon some Star Wars Legos and Logan an "Exploration Station". The kids all really loved their gifts! Santa hit it right on the nose this year (whew!)

Here are some more pictures of us just enjoying our day. The gift Maddy sent Logan was a HUGE hit with everyone... including dad! Logan loved his sucker Santa left in his stocking (he didn't even wait for the wrapper to be taken off) and Lindsay is making a candy necklace.... too much sugar for one day!!

I am so grateful for this time of year. It is my favorite. I love spending time with my wonderful family and enjoying the spirit that seems to be in abundance. I am grateful for my Savior who was born, lived and died here on earth and for my Heavenly Father who has blessed me with so much in my life. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

We have a walker!!

Shortly after Logan turned one, he really started to walk! Here is a video of one of his earliest attempts!

Mommy's little helper


Lindsay loves to help me in the kitchen!! Whether it's a birthday cake for dad or a peanut butter and jelly sandwhich for Brandon's lunchbox, she will be in the kitchen helping me! Even if it's just boiling water, she wants to be the one to put the water in the pot! Whatta good helper!