No Doubt About It

This is a fabulous book written by one of the former General Relief Society Presidents for the church. Today I came across a few quotes on motherhood that I would like to share that offered me a lot of courage a strength:

The first one is from President Gordon B. Hinckley:

"You have nothing in this world more precious than your children. When you grow old, when your hair turns white and your body grows weary, when you are prone to sit in a rocker and meditate on the things of your life, nothing will be so important as the question of how your children have turned out. . . . The searing questions that will cross your mind again and again will be, How well have my children done? If the answer is that they have done very well, then your happiness will be complete. If they have done less than well, then no other satisfaction can compensate for your loss" (Ensign, November 2000, 97)

The second part came directly from Sister Dew as she shared some of her thoughts about motherhood:

"Research conducted by the Church indicates that the single biggest factor affecting a child's participation in and attendance at church is the mother's attendance. This is not to say that the father's activity and participation are unimportant, but it is principally mothers who help their children prepare talks for Primary, who make sure their youth make it to girls camp and Mutual and youth conference, who help their children get ready on Sunday morning. Mothers are the emotional glue that hold the family together. (No Doubt About it, 63, p2)

I often find it easy to believe that I am not doing good enough. I quickly criticize myself about not being a good enough cook, a good enough visiting teacher, that the house is never clean enough, that I am not a good enough manager, or a good enough friend or mother. I quickly let these thoughts of inadequacy run me down. I know that I have written about this topic before, but it really something that the adversary pursues me with.

Reading these passages today helped to put things into perspective once again and offer me yet another reminder of what my priorities really should be. As a mother and wife I hold the most privileged and honored position that Heavenly Father can offer his daughters. As a mother and wife I have the magnificent responsibility to rear righteous children who can live in the world, but not be of the world. Sometimes Satan makes this task even seem too daunting, but that is also a lie. It was so comforting to read how significant my role as a mother is. Sometimes I don't feel like I'm worth a whole lot except for making on mistake after another, but when I look at it from President Hinckley and Sister Dew's perspective I see that I am a daughter of God who has been endowed with the responsibility and privilege of rearing children in the Lord's kingdom. What a comfort it is to know that I am one of the Lord's chosen and I can do a great a marvelous work here in my home. I can provide my children with good moral values. I can teach them of the love of our Lord Jesus Christ and His infinite atoning power. I can be an example of how to love and serve others. I can teach them to love to learn, to love life, and to love being obedient. I will do this just as my parents did this - through example. I can't count how many times I walked in on my mother praying, reading scriptures, or writing in the scriptures. Every time I came home from a late night outing my dad was uncomfortably sleeping on the couch or waiting up for me to hear about the nights events - this told me that my life and what I was doing was important to him. My dad always wanted me to go tag along with him while he ran simple errands - teaching me that my company was important and worth while. My mom always told me I was beautiful and talented - which I often times shrugged off, but such loving comments left an impact on my self worth and esteem. They taught by example that their children were the most important parts of their lives and that the gospel of Jesus Christ is what provides all the help and relief that we need in our lives. I hope and pray to be that old woman that President Hinckley spoke of in his quote who can look back over my life and feel that my children are good people, there really is nothing that I desire more than to see my children happy. Garrett and I are often in awe at what happiness we enjoy in our marriage and in our home. We so many marriages around us failing, that are full of contempt and backbiting, where there is little forgiveness and plenty of bitterness. If I lost every personal possession that this world has to offer, but still had the love and respect of my husband and children I would feel to be among the most blessed of Heavenly Father's children. I hope my children will cling to their testimonies of this gospel no matter what life throws their way and find the peace that comes in keeping the Lord's commands. Life is challenging, frustrating, and hard at times, but well worth it if lived in a such a way that we can stand guiltless before our Heavenly Father at the judgement day and receive that blissful reward of living with our most beloved families for time and all eternity.

Some Relief

The last few days of this pregnancy have been so much better. I can't tell how much of it comes from an attitude adjustment after this last fabulous General Conference or how much of it is relief from the sickness. I have only vomited once or twice this entire week, which is a record so far, but I have also finally learned the right schedule for taking the pills and have been consistent about remembering to take them. Either way, I am welcoming the relief.

Today I have been able to keep the house pretty clean and even get out our Halloween/Fall decorations. Yesterday I made an outing to the doctors with MaKenzie and ate lunch with Garrett at the school AND I vacuumed! It's funny what you take for granted when you are healthy. I was seriously so grateful to just be able to run the vacuum without throwing up after.

The biggest change that conference has brought is that of having an attitude of gratitude. While I'm still no pro, when I wake in the middle of the night and totally sick I find it so helpful to count my blessings and realize that things could be so much worse; and low and behold I feel strength to keep going with a smile. I've also realized what a difference my attitude makes for Kenzie and Garrett. When I walk around glum and sick rather than trying to smile and be happy, there is a big difference in our home. I may feel like crap, but I don't have to always show it. I can see the relief on Garrett's face when he comes though the door to a smiling wife rather than one that is curled up on the couch looking pale and miserable.

MaKenzie is growing so big. I just can't believe how fast time is going. I was find of giggling to myself yesterday because on all the errands we went on people were saying "Wow, what a cute big girl!" and I'm thinking, no, she's still my baby! But no, she is walking (more like running) everywhere and she definitely has developed her own little personality. She knows what she wants and she can be pretty aggressive if she doesn't get it. I'm also surprised at how confident she is. She has no problem telling people no if she doesn't want them to hold her or come near her. She doesn't toddle shyly to me or Garrett, she just looks them in the eye and says no. She's getting really brave at getting out of mine and Garrett's eyesight as well. Most the time she thinks its funny to see how far she can get from us before we chase her down. She's still my baby in many ways though. This weekend is Fleet Week so there is are two shows of the Blue Angels right down the street from our place in the bay. (You can see them perfectly from our roof and it is REALLY something to see!) Anyway, a bunch of airplanes have been practicing the past few days and it is so loud when they fly over the house that the house will start shaking sometimes. Kenzie is NOT a fan of the rumbles - needless to say, nap time has been a nightmare. Every time she hears them pass she shrieks and runs to me. If anyone says the word airplane now she comes to cuddle with daddy or me. I can't even express how much I love watching her grow and learn.

I never knew a toddler took SO much energy. She is everywhere and into everything all at once. She climbs, runs, and goes over (never around) everything. I have to admit that it is exhausting at the end of most days. It can be hard to be patient and happy with a determined and wired toddler all day. All I can say is I don't know how single moms do it. If it weren't for the few minutes of relief that Garrett can offer me when he comes through the door energized and ready to play, I don't know what I would do. Garrett is such a fabulous father. He always gets down on his hands and knees to play with her and always patiently lets her "help" him with the tasks that he is doing. (She loves doing dishes with daddy, he gives her the silverware to put in the dishwasher and she rearranges them in every way imaginable.)

Anyway, life is beautiful. The blessings way out measure the trials and our family is happy to just be together . . . forever.

Miracle Meds

Well, the last few weeks have proven to be some of the most trying times that I think Garrett and I have faced in a while. My pregnancy wasn't going too well at all. I was throwing up many times a day and I would throw up so violently that I started to spit up blood and pass out. There were so many days that I found that I was just curled up in a ball on the floor praying for the strength to make it through another day. Things got so bad that Garrett and I were considering making some huge changes such as flying Kenzie and out to Utah for an indefinite amount of time while my family helped care for Kenzie and I. We considered quitting the apartment management or hiring a nurse or cleaning person of some sort. All of these options we weren't very happy about due to the fact that it would drain us financially or separate our family.

Just when things were at their worst Garrett I was suddenly getting multiple calls from sisters in the ward. Some would come and take Kenzie to playgroups in the morning hours when the sickness was the worst or some would bring us meals. This truly was an answer to prayer for us. Because of the help of these dear sisters I found that I had just enough strength to make it through the days. The house still wasn't clean and many things didn't get done, but the most important things were getting done and we were getting by. Finally last week we found the right medication that has made life so much more bearable. The medication makes me tired, but I haven't thrown up in three days now so I'm finally getting my strength back as well.

I share this experience because it was a HUGE testimony builder in the end. Every time that one of the sisters would call or show up at my door I would think of the scripture "When ye are in the service of your fellow being you are in the service of your God" I realized how much our Heavenly Father probably wants to wrap his arms around me during those moments of trial and sine he can't right now while we are on this earth He sends us around serving each other. I also learned a great lesson about the spirit in my life. I doubt these sisters were having visions of Garrett and I in tears on our knees begging for help. They just had a kind thought to offer help and they acted on it. I guess the phrase "Still Small Voice" could be called "Subtle Kind Thought". The majority of the time the spirit communicates through a kind thought. A kind thought to admit when you are wrong, a kind thought about how to reach out to a neighbor, or a kind thought about how to do your calling better.

Anyway life is better now. I am so grateful to just have the energy to play with Kenzie without passing out or to call my dad and talk to him again without throwing up. It's amazing how you can take your heath for granted!

Sweet Relief

I have to just document here for a moment the wonderful friends and family that I have in my life. This pregnancy has been a bit of a trial for Garrett and I. Everyone asks if it is worse than last time and it is always a hard question to answer because my life circumstances are so different during these two pregnancies. Last time I was working CRAZY hours which had some crazy side affects such as having zero strength by the end of the day and the nausea was quite severe. This time around the nausea is still intense, but the demands of management aren't as strenuous. This time it's a lot harder emotionally to not be able to clean the house as much. My priorities are to keep Kenzie fed, as entertained as possible, and clean, to stay on top of management duties, and to stay on top of finances. When all of that gets done in a day I find that the day is over!? Plus, cleaning the kitchen and just being in the kitchen is always an extremely nauseating experience, which naturally makes keeping the kitchen clean a little bit difficult. Last pregnancy I didn't have to worry about the house at all. Garrett always got home from his job like two or three hours earlier than me most days which meant that I virtually did zero house cleaning or cooking (I know, I know, how much more fabulous of a husband can you get? I never even asked him to, he just did it!) Anyway, this time its stressful for Garrett because he has his school responsibilities to worry about when he gets home and up until now I have been perfectly fine doing all the house work and cooking. So, its hard to see Garrett more stressed than is necessary.
Well, sweet relief has come these past few weeks through other wonderful people. I was talking to my mom last week about how hard its been and she ended up dropping everything to fly out for five days and take care of me. She cleaned and cooked and cared for Kenzie while I caught up on lots of work and just took care of myself. The result was that I only threw up two or three times the entire week. Then this week my friends in the ward have been phenomenal. Today I had a phone call from my girlfriend Jodi Bauer who was on her way to Costco and insisted on picking me something up that was needed in my kitchen and then she wouldn't let me pay her for the groceries! Today I have had two girlfriends call who have told me that they are going to be at my house on certain days to steal Kenzie for a playdate for a few hours. And another one of my girlfriends showed up with dinner for us tonight. Then there are the Mishlers who are always around at the drop of a coin to take Kenzie or invite us for dinner on the days they know have been difficult for me. I just can't believe how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends and family. I really feel like I don't deserve it. I have learned a great lesson from all of these friends and family members. Often times I find that I offer help to someone by saying "Let me know if I can do anything for you." Well, while my intent is sincere I have really done nothing to act. All of these wonderful friends and family act and say the specific things they are going to do to help me and they do it. I really need to be more proactive in my acts of service from now on and hopefully this morning sickness won't last as long as last time so that I will be in a condition to start serving others soon. :)

About 4 Weeks Old

There is a baby in my belly that is about four weeks old. Yep, we are expecting baby number two. This experience is already so much different than last time. While we were trying to have a baby when MaKenzie was born we never dreamed it would happen so fast, so we weren't really keeping track of cycles and things. This time around I knew right away to take a pregnancy test and it was positive.

We have been trying for about three months now and due to the irregular patterns of my cycles we have had a few let downs when we took a test when my cycle was three weeks late to have it be negative and begin my period the next day. This time it was positive. :)

It's funny to already be noticing the symptoms at such an early stage. Last time around I just thought I had a little stomach digestion problems and I was close to my period which explained the mood swings. I feel a little bit more in control this time that I know what is going on from the very first step.

I have began feeling a little bit more nauseous each day but I find that it is so much easier this time when I can sit down when I need to and give my body time to recover. Last time I was waking up in the early morning hours everyday during the worst times of the sickness and forcing myself to be on the move for 10 and 11 hour days. Napping with Kenzie and snacking and eating meals with Kenzie has definitely been wonderful.

I am so excited to be a mom again. Being apart of a family is the best thing that has ever happened to me and I'm excited to make our family bigger. The joy that comes from a successful home is far greater than any joy I have ever felt in my life. I truly feel blessed to have a wonderful husband and father who is a righteous priesthood holder in my home and the principles of the gospel to help guide what we should do in our home. I love me life. :)

I need to vent . . .

I am just having one of those moments that I really just need a second to complain and express some silly concerns that have been piling up lately. I want to let it out but I don't really want to bother anyone with such trivial momentary feelings, but I also feel that I can get over it a little bit if I organize my thoughts in a little bit of a journal entry here. It's funny, but writing down my thoughts, especially the worrisome ones, can be very therapeutic for me. Anyway, here it goes.

Do you ever worry if you are being a good enough mom? I am just having one of those days where I worry. The world is getting uglier and uglier and I as a mother have a responsibility to raise children to be in the world and not of the world. I worry that I'm not being a good enough example by getting to easily frustrated some days and too frazzled others. I worry that I won't be able to create a loving relationship in my home where there is an open line of communication between me and my children. I worry that I am not disciplining enough or being patient enough. I know it's not good to worry, and it's not like I let these worries overwhelm me, it's just something that crosses my mind sometimes and especially concerns me on more emotional and stressful days such as today.

I know these silly worries and just the adversary's way of trying to convince me that I am not a good enough mother. Oh how he would love if I were to always dwell on these things rather than focusing on my children. I know that as Garrett and I pray each day and keep the commandments in holding FHE and family scripture study and prayer that there are great promises in our grasp, I now that having a close family means spends quality and quantity time together and that being a good mother comes as I simply do everything within my power to make sacrifices for my children to be with them every step of the way as they grow and develop. But, it's so easy to forget that when I am stressed with tons of apartment stuff, just returning from a vacation, finding out our insurance has been cancelled for some strange reason, when I am concerned for family members who are making poor decision and seeing them unhappy, and all the other tiny burdens of life.

I have a SUPER bad habit of comparing myself to other moms as well. I see the cute little things they do with things that they do with their kids and I worry that I am not doing enough. I see other kids already learning to be potty trained or learning to count and at first I think "They're only 15 months, there is plenty of time for that later" but then there is that little nagging voice that says "Maybe I should be doing that too, is my kid is going to get behind?" Comparing myself to others has never gotten me anything but upset and I know it is a bad habit, but some days it's harder than others.

Well, there is my venting session for the day. These are all such silly petty concerns that I know aren't true, but it is nice to write it down and just move on . . . :)

A Miracle

Not a day passes that I am not completely in awe at my beautiful daughter. Often times I find myself just pausing for a moment to look at Kenzie and I find myself overwhelmed with a spirit of gratitude which often brings tears to my eyes. She is such a miracle in my life. The past fifteen months of my life have been filled with so much more meaning. As a mother I feel a deep responsibility to be an example to my children and I find that because of this loving responsibility I am so much more motivated to do everything I can to improve my talents and work on my weaknesses. I have never felt such a desire to be a better person - especially when I see how much my example wears on MaKenzie. When I am in a short snippy mood Kenzie quickly follows, when I am laughing a giggling she is full of squeels. Just the other day I was playing with her and I had a toy that I kept grabbing from her because she would laugh everytime I snached in out of her hand. Well, now she seems to think that snapping anything out of anyones hand is appropriate whether it be another baby's toy or mommy's scissors. It's crazy how quickly she learns!

MaKenzie is recently learning to walk. She has been taking a few steps here and there for about three or four weeks now, but it hasn't been until this week that she is randomly standing up to just walk around the house. Everytime she stands to walk I can't take my eyes off of her. It is so fun just watching her toddle along with her tongue sticking out in concentration or a big smail on her face as she lunges towards me.

Aunt Virginia is in town this week with her friend Aubrey for their senior trip. She seems to be doing a lot better interacting with her in her own house. (We went out for the actual graduation a few weeks ago and she wouldn't let anyone touch her without some major temper tantrums.) I hope that we can always be close with our families even if they are far away. Garrett and I don't know where we will settle, but having family in town always makes me want to be sure that we are close to family. It's fun to see Kenzie forming an attachment to Viriginia. I love that Ginny and I have become such close friends too. My parents did such a good job at teaching Ginny and I the importance of our relationship as sisters even though we were five years apart. I really hope that I can do the same for our children. I don't know how many times that I got the lecture that my sister is the one friend that I will always have around and how many times I just sat there rolling my eyes wanting to go off and be with my friends. In the end - with the exception of a few friends that I still keep in contact with - my parents were right. Even with those friends that I keep in contact with the relationship that I have with them now isn't the same as the friendship that Ginny and I have. We can talk and laugh about anything without any worries about saying something wrong or offending each other. Even when we do offend each other we are quick to forgive and forget and move on. I really hope our kids will have that with their siblings.

Anyway, all of this typing on our loud old keyboard is waking up Kenzie, so I best be off . . .

Frazzled Mom

I hope I am not the only mom out there who feels like this some days:

Do you just have those days when you feel like the baby won't stop fussing over the dumbest things or when nothing seems to be going right? I came across this little cartoon today and I just had to laugh!

It just makes me feel good that I am not the only mom out there that has these days. I tend to have this perfect image of so many of my good friends as mothers. They are fantastic at being a homemaker, at having fun with their kids, at being patient with their kids, at getting out with their kids, and at balancing being a wife and a mother - all the things I hope and strive to be. It just makes me feel better that even those moms who I view as my supreme examples have frazzled days when emotions are high and the to do list seems to be impossible.

The Toddler Stage

I know I have not completely made it through the toddler stage yet, but I have still have a lot to love about it:

1. Like I said in the picture, she is always discovering something with a big smile.

2. The most simple things are just so fascinating to a toddler. In fact, this gal is the reason why I entitled our family blog "The Simple Things". She is always teaching me that there is so much happiness to have from the simple things in life. For example, these are some of the simple things that give her so much pleasure: getting tickled by daddy, reading a book with mommy, emptying a drawer ten times in a row, or letting sand fall through her fingers. Can we learn a lesson from that or what? Life is full of happiness if we just stop and enjoy what's right in front of us rather than constantly seeking for something ahead of us.

3. The belly laugh. Oh the silly things we will do to make a toddler laugh!

4. The squeal of excitement for a friend who has come to visit or for daddy when he walks through the door at the end of the day.

5. The baby babble. I LOVE the baby babble. They really ARE saying something and I know she understands almost everything I am saying. I am excited for the day that she can communicate with me better, but the baby babble is so much fun.

6. Have you ever noticed that they can do the same thing over and over and over again and not loose interest?

7. My favorite thing to date about toddlers is how much they love their mommies and daddies. When MaKenzie was a newborn anyone could hold her and care for her, but now it is mommy and daddy who she runs to when she is hurt and mommy and daddy are the only ones she will snuggle with (only when she is in the mood of course, which is usually only when she is really tired or sick - but hey, I will take what I can get!) and of course, mommy and daddy were among the first words she learned! :)

The Newborn Stage

I have been reading this book called The Toddler Busy Book that is jam packed with great ideas about what to do with a busy toddler. In the book the writer talks about enjoying every stage of your child's life because they grow up so fast. As I paused to think I realized how many great things there really are in each stage. It's so easy to dwell on the exhaustion, the healing from the pregnancy, and the other discomforts of a newborn; but when you stop and think there are so many more amazing things! I just need to be better at remember the amazing rather than the miserable. The way people hear me talk sometimes they must wonder if I even like being a mom!


Here are the wonderful things that I remember about a newborn:

1. They cuddle with you endlessly for as long as you want.

2. That first smile is a heart melter.

3. They seem so in awe at the world around them. It is so fun to sit and watch them just look at everything around them taking it in for the first time.

4. Nursing, while painful and frustrating at times, is such a neat bonding experience with your baby. It's just you and baby time and it's something that you can do for your baby that no one else can. I don't mean to sound like a crazy "nipple nazi" - as my doctor used to refer to them - but nursing really is a neat experience.

5. The newborn cry - while it was usually a cause for distress at the time, now when I hear one it just makes me smile. There is no cry like a newborn cry. I have a feeling that the newborn cry is the only cry that will ALWAYS mean that your baby truly is in need of you. Now crying can mean that I am needed, but it can also include a range of temper tantrums and the funny fake cry!

6. Everyone loves a newborn! While I was super anal about germs - there was always a good prideful feeling that I got when someone wanted to look at or hold MaKenzie. Everyone just has such nice things to say about how beautiful your newborn is and I loved that feeling!

7. Finally, the best memory I have my newborn was the first time I held her. The love that you have for that little baby is beyond description. I always knew I loved my children and I always looked forward to having them, but nothing could prepare for the overpowering feeling of love and protection that overwhelms you when you and your husband get to hold that infant in your arms for the first time.

Me Time

There is church time, feeding baby time, cleaning baby time, cleaning house time, management duties time, daddy and mommy time, dressing baby time, changing baby time, playing with baby time, cooking time, grocery shopping time, and the list goes on and on and on. Homemaking is a busy twenty-four hour a day job and I am finally getting better at including something very important in my busy schedule: me time.

This week I have set a special goal for myself to take at least thirty minutes out of the day to do WHATEVER I want while MaKenzie is napping. Usually nap time tends to be a time when I am rushing around the house like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get as many things done without waking up the baby (which is difficult to do for someone like me who gets really clumsy and forgetful when I'm stressed and tends to run into walls and drop things which wakes up the baby).

I have to testify to the fact that me time is a definate must for my sanity. I have noticed that I am so much more full of energy when I have taken that time for me to take a long bath, read a book, waste my time on the internet or whatever else I darn well please. I'm happier when Garrett gets home, I'm more excited to get MaKenzie out of her crib and take care of her after she is finished napping, and I'm less stressed. Many moms have probably already figured out this trick and I can now say that it works wonders!

Litte Teeth BIG Fits

I hate to begin my first "Mommy Moment" with words of frustration, but such is the moment and there is usually a lot to be learned from the frustrations of life . . .

Up til now teething hasn't been what I would call pleasant, but it hasn't been awful either. Well, we crossed over the line into the awful territory this past week.

My sister Virginia came into town this last week for a visit while MaKenzie was pushing through two top teeth. The midnight wake-up calls and the need to gnaw on things wasn't any different than the last teething moments; but the fits, the constant crying, and the attitude were definitely new elements. One morning she cried for almost two hours straight over the silliest things. If I picked her up when she didn't want to be picked up, put her down when she didn't want to be put down, fed her when she wanted to feed herself I was informed of MaKenzie's displeasure with a full red in the face, arch of the back temper tantrum that often ended in her hitting her head on something which increased the volume of the crying (which I didn't think she could be any louder at that point as it was!) She wouldn't let my poor sister near her all week and she wouldn't let me out of her sight. My least favorite moments had to be when my sister and I were in a restaurant and she would be perfectly happy one moment and then throwing food across the restaurant the next.

The good news is that we made it and that MaKenzie is back to her regular non-tantrum self, and in the process I have even learned a few lessons:

1. When your baby has been crying for so long and you have done EVERYTHING in your power to offer comfort and relief, it is OKAY to set them in the crib and separate yourself from your child for a little while. It offered me a lot of relief to just not have a screaming baby in my arms, say a little prayer, shed a few tears if needed, and then get myself back into action. At the time I felt awful just letting my baby who in obvious pain role in her crib while screaming - but those moments that I had to just wash my face and get ready for the day gave me the energy to get through the rest of the tantrums with more patience and love.

2. Don't stay cooped up in the house. Every mom is different I think on this one - but I am so grateful that my sister was out here for the week because we got out and did things that served as the best distraction for Kenzie's irritability. I felt bad that my sister had to deal with the tears and midnight tantrums - but she saved my sanity by being here and just giving me company and something to do! Don't just stay home! Do something to get out and ease your frustration and the babies!

And finally, here are my teething tips that worked for MaKenzie. While every child is different I would like to have this on record in case I forget for future children:

1. MaKenzie would never have anything to do with a teething ring or toy, but she loved sucking on a damp wash cloth that I had placed in the freezer for a few moments. Sometimes I would even pour apple juice on the wash cloth when she wouldn't take it at first. While this usually only worked for about twenty minutes - lets be honest, twenty minutes is twenty minutes.

2. Like I said before, offer distraction with a walk around the block or a new book or toy. While their attitude may not indicate a desire to be outdoors, the outdoors can serve as a distraction for a while. (Maybe stay close to home on your outings though so that if the tantrums begin you can get home quickly.)

3. Make sue you time the Children's Tylenol about 30 minutes before bedtime. This way once they are settling into bed the medicine has taken effect. Trust me - I learned the hard way the first few nights.

The Inspiration

The inspiration for this blog came shortly after General Conference a few weeks back after Elder M. Russell Ballard gave his fantastic talk entitled "Daughters of God". His remarks were focused on young mothers. While all of his remarks were absolutely fantastic, one part of his talk served as the inspiration for this little blog. He organized his talk into four questions that he responded to with his "four generations" of wisdom and observations. The first question that he responded to was "What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?". One of his bits of advice in response to this questions was as follows: "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." He then goes on to encourage us not to over schedule ourselves and to be sure to savor those moments in our children's lives.

Since listening to President Ballard's talk I have found myself looking at motherhood and it's daily tasks through completely different lenses. I realize how many learning moments and life moments there are to just pause and enjoy and ponder on. They are those little moments when Garrett gets home and when I take the time to get excited with MaKenzie about Daddy walking through the door, rather than getting too focused on the dinner I'm pulling together or the telephone that is ringing. They are those little moments when I need to pause and get down on my hands and knees and just play with MaKenzie and watch her learn and grow rather than being so concerned about the next thing on my to do list. Since I have put on these "new lenses" I have found motherhood less challenging and more enjoyable. I'm not as wound up at the end of the day, and I'm not as worried about what else needs to be done. (And guess what - it all gets done anyway WITHOUT the worries - surprise, surprise there huh?) I have slowed life down a little bit to enjoy each interaction with my family as much as I can.

While this blog most likely won't be filled with all the happy moments, I feel that I can learn from recording these small events in my day and maybe even have something to pass onto my daughters who will one day find themselves dealing with the daily challenges of motherhood . . .