Kenzisms - Rhyming Words

Kenzie is on a rhyming kick lately. She loves to ask me if two words rhyme. In all honestly it can sometimes approach obnoxiousness - but being the good moms that we are we tend to smile and praise fifty and sixty times even though inside we are anxiously looking for a way to distract them to a new idea. (And maybe even restraining ourselves from screaming curses and pleas to stop their never ending redundancy?)

Well, it has gotten quite funny to listen to her rhymes as of late. She topped it off at dinner last night when Garrett was sitting down to the table and she licked her spoon and quickly announced a wonderful rhyming word for lick.

Garrett and I just shared that secret laughing exchange of glances and went on with the meal. Nothing like a four year old to mix things up.

Faith Is Like a Little Seed

Last month in primary our weekly sharing times were centered around the fourth article of faith, which reads:

"We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second,Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."

As a primary the children planted a few seeds and the plant was brought back each week to see how it had grown. As we did this I thought, "Hey! I can do that too!" (I really did think that with exclamation marks attached).

So, I went on my merry way to the grocery store one evening that week and bought all the stuff to plant our own little seeds. I have to tell you, I was clueless. This was the first experience that I have ever had with planting anything. The selection of soil alone had me staring in amazement. Who knew there were so many options for putting your precious plants in and how on earth was I to know which one to select. Well, being on a budget I went with what was in the smallest bag and also the cheapest. I was only planning on four small pots - so the 25 pounders were at least giving me one easy way to cut my options. I won't even begin to explain my distress when I came to the seed and potting varieties. Lets just say that I was there for a bit longer than I had originally intended.

Well, I finally selected some daisies and cosmos. I didn't even know what a cosmo was until I saw a pretty picture of it with a nice friendly label on top on the seed envelope - this was truly proving to be educational.

We did a simple little family home evening on what it means to have faith and we planted our seeds. I must say that it has been really fun to do. Every time we go out to water our little plants we have a little chat about how we have to build our faith in Jesus Christ with prayer, and by keeping the commandments, and with scripture study so that it will grow strong just like the seed needs water and air and soil to grow. I can't really attest to how much of it is seeping into their little brains. They are usually more concerned about getting equal opportunities with the watering can; but, I tend to try to have faith in the fact that these little lessons are the basis for something much bigger. :)

So there you go. A trip to the grocery store and you're good to go with your next family home evening. Oh, and if you are worried about not remembering to water your plants and letting your little seeds die just like every other plant you've ever tended; no worries there, your children will be so thrilled with the whole thing that they will be asking to water them at least five times a day.

Disproportionate

I was just innocently glancing through my labels wondering if I should shorten the amount that I have, or rename some of them, and generally just doing a little re-evaluation of the blog.

I must admit that I was a little bit embarrassed to see that the little number next to "The Frustrations" currently DOUBLES the number next the "The Joys".

Suddenly I found myself feeling guilty. My thought process was something like, "Geesh, some mom you are to be noticing all these negative things about mothering instead of constantly celebrating the good!"

Then my thought jumped to a thought from President Gordon B. Hinckley. He taught that life is like a journey on a train ride. There are only bits and pieces of the journey where the breathtaking scenery bursts into your view. (I tried to find the exact quote to no avail, so that little paraphrase will have to do; along with a little hope that I am giving credit where credit it due).

So, rather than wallow in wonderment as to whether or not I am a negative person who is not appreciating motherhood for all its glorious moments, I am going to go with the thought that motherhood is just like that train ride - every now and then something absolutely joyful bursts into view that makes you remember that you are doing a sacred and wonderful work.

The Motherhood Slump

I am coming out of a motherhood slump. The past few weeks of mothering have been particularly difficult. There isn't really any real reason that I can clearly state for this. Only that the tears, the frustrations, and the heartache of it all have felt more burdensome than I have ever felt before. I've mostly been frustrated with the fact that I have been frustrated. I know that I would never want to be in any other place than where I am now. Being a wife and mother are the most treasured thing that I will ever be - so to be frustrated with the daily challenges of mothering is just downright frustrating. (I know I should go consult a thesaurus or something in order to avoid over-usage here, but sometimes there is just one word that describes it so perfectly . . . FRUSTRATION.)

As I have pulled out of the slump I have been reminded of a few truths that have anchored me back into place.

The first truth comes from President Thomas S. Monson.

"Occasionally discouragement may darken our pathway; frustration may be a constant companion. In our ears, we may hear . . . Satan as he whispers, 'Your efforts cannot save the world; your small efforts are meaningless." (Peace, 50)

As I read these sweet words from a prophet of God I realized just how much I have given into Satan's whispers. I often feel like I am not enough as a mother and wife. No one in this house is telling me that I am not adding up; nor is my Heavenly Father. The feelings of guilt and discouragement come from one being alone - the author of all lies.

Sister Patricia Holland said

"If I were Satan and wanted to destroy a society, I think I would stage a full-blown blitz on women. I would keep them so distraught and distracted that they would never find the calming strength and serenity for which their gender has always been known." (Earth As It Is In Heaven, 85)

Both of these quotes come from a fabulous book called "I Am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. The author helped me to remember that this calling of motherhood is absolutely divine. What I do within the walls of my home is celebrated in heaven and recognized by a loving Heavenly Father.

My final truth comes from scripture that states that we should not run faster than our feet can carry us. To me this scripture is about avoiding burning ourselves out. I've done that as a mom. I tend to feel so overwhelmed with all the responsibilities of house hold chores and raising children that I can forget to relax and do the things that I enjoy. I can't be a good mom without being me first. I can't be a good mom if it means giving up the things that I enjoy. While I must be careful not to go to the extreme of neglecting all my duties to pursue my hobbies; I must also be careful not to give up all my hobbies to fulfill my duties.

So here I am tonight doing something I love . . . writing. The kitchen is a mess from the days meals and dishes that I was not able to clean as I went through the day, the toys are not put away, the sharing time still needs to be planned, there is plenty of packing to be done, and I could bore you all night long with my "un-done list". Sometimes I need to stop and be me. If I don't let myself be me then the monster version of me can quickly take control. And no one likes the monster version of a mommy - ESPECIALLY the mommy.

Jordynisms - Proper Identification

I never realized how many silly names I have for my children. There is little lady, silly goose, funny honey, crazy kid, and others that aren't always quite as kind.

I came to this realization of abundant nicknames a few weeks back when Jordyn and I had the following conversation:

Mommy: "Come on you silly girl, let's get going."

Jordyn: "Mommy, I not a silly girl."

Mommy: "Well, then what are you then?"

Jordyn: (With a big toothy grin) "I'm Jordyn."

Now just about anytime that I call her a silly name we have this exchange.

Kenzie's Newest Conversation

• "ree-dic-lee-lus" = ridiculous (it is so funny to hear her trying to use the big words that I use in my every day language)
• "anilla" = vanilla
• A few days ago I got around to cleaning the playroom before the girls were up. When Kenzie came in she shrieked "Wow! It is clean in my whole life!"
• Kenzie has developed a fondness for Strawberry Shortcake (the cartoon character). The other night at dinner she randomely turned to me and asked "Mama, you know who makes strawberries?" I was expecting an answer like Heavenly Father, or dirt, or its a plant, but no . . . she quickly announced "Strawberry Shortcake".

Jk's Newest Phrases

A few mornings back Jordyn woke up with the hic-ups. While I was dressing her I asked her where her hic-ups came from. She looked at me like I was absolutely crazy, pointed at her mouth and said, "In my mouth mommy".

Anyone know what a "no-ga bar" is? - if it weren't for the fact that she can say bar clearly it would have taken me a LONG time to translate this one into granola bar