Happy Mother's Day

Thought this was cute ...

So lucky to have my mother and mother-in-law with us for Mother's Day!

Randomness

Here is a quick random post.

I love crockpot meals for the busy Fall days.  This is a new favorite from the Picky Palate.  It is SO yummy over garlic mashed potatoes.

 

We have had a ton of tomatoes this year.  The kitchen was filling with ripe ones, so I had to make some pints of diced stewed tomatoes.  I am so excited to add them to some of our favorite soups and sauces.

   

My parents were here a couple of weekends ago.  Whenever they are in town, they enjoy going to the thrift shops.  I took them one night and ended up with a little coffee mug holder with three prongs for 50 cents.  Kaylee had needed something for all of her bracelets and I thought this would be perfect.  I also found a few frames for Rebecca’s bedroom makeover.  I always tell Stephen that I need to run my parents over to the thrift store, but inside I’m always a little excited to see what treasures are there.

As I was cleaning the house yesterday I noticed all the bags of Epsom salt in each of the bathrooms.  You can tell that sports are going strong and there are some sore muscles.  I can’t get over the times of their sports.  Kaylee practices some mornings at 6:00am for volleyball and Jake’s swim practices are from 7:30 to 9:00 at night.

And last but not least are these three tips from the Power of Moms. 

Three Unbelievably Simple Parenting Ideas: 1) Children need a minimum of 8 touches a day to feel connected to a parent. 2) Each day, children need one meaningful eye-to-eye conversation with a parent. 3) There are nine minutes during the day that can have the greatest impact on a child: the first three minutes right after they wake up, the three minutes after they come home from school, and the last three minutes of the day before they go to bed

I feel like I fail on all three.  I am not a touchy person.  I usually talk to one of my kids as I’m doing a task for another one of the kids, thus no eye contact.  AND the nine minutes of time for greatest impact are usually my nine minutes of no more patience!  SO I guess I have THREE things to work on!

Mother’s Day

The other day Miss Jerrica and I were busy making cards for grandmas for Mother’s Day.  It was fun to pull out the paints and enjoy Jerrica’s giggles.  I learned that she quite the perfectionist!

We folded them up and stuck them in the mailbox.  I sure love my mom, mother-in-law, and my grandmas.  AND all of the other women that have mentored, taught and loved me!  I know that includes quite a few aunts, teachers, leaders, coaches, neighbors and friends. 

Happy Mother’s Day!!!

The Talks

Last week we had a blizzard blow through the Springs.  Part of our church was canceled because of it.  So instead of three hours, we just had the first hour.  I told the kids that I wanted each of them to prepare a 2 minute talk to share with the family that evening.

Ashley was WAY into this.  She begged that we could do this for church EVERY week.  When it came time to share our talks, we went youngest to oldest.  I smiled as Jerrica forgot most of the parts to her story.  Ashley pretty much performed her talk.  Rebecca then shared a story from the Friend magazine in a very organized, Rebecca manner.  Then Kaylee got up for her talk.  Tears came to me as I remembered the experience she shared with the family. 

She told of a time when her and I were coming home from a soccer game, and as we got into the Springs a blizzard was making the road conditions horrible.  We were worried that we wouldn’t make it home because of the icy roads.  She then talked about the prayer she offered on our behalf for our safety as we drove.  She went on explaining to the kids that when we did arrive home and pulled into the garage, how I stopped her from jumping out and asked if she would once again pray with me.  I had wanted to express gratitude for making it home safe and also pray for those still out on those treacherous roads.  She concluded with how special that second prayer was to her and how she learned that we need to be sure and thank our Heavenly Father.

I remembered the incident and the two prayers.  I remembered thinking to myself that I needed to express gratitude in my prayer that night, but then on second thought decided to do it right then with Kaylee.  It was that second thought that proved to be a teaching moment.  How many times do I miss those second thoughts that really stand out to my kids?  A lot I’m sure!  I am so grateful for those that I don’t miss and the impact they make on my kids.

Motherhood

I enjoy reading motherhood books and articles.  Why?  Because I’m a mom. 

Anyway, I found this article on motherhood today over HERE and loved it!  This little story mixed into the article jumped out at me.

An old Chinese woman used to carry two water buckets that hung on both sides of a bamboo stick.

One of the buckets had a hole in it and the other bucket was whole, which meant that by the time the old woman reached her home from the well every day, the broken bucket was half empty.

After two years of spilling half its water, the broken bucket cried out to the old woman: “I am so ashamed of myself that I am broken! I spill so much water!”

The old lady just smiled. “Didn’t you ever notice that your side of the path is full of many beautiful flowers while the other side is empty? Because of your hole, an entire garden has grown.”

Chances are your mother wasn’t perfect…And chances are, also, that if you look at yourself and your life you will discover a surprising garden that has blossomed because of your broken bucket.

We all have weaknesses and areas where we fall short, but sometimes those weaknesses are turned into strengths.  Does the old Chinese woman give up on the water bucket with the hole?  NO!  She uses it.  We have to use what we have and make the best of it, growing our garden underneath.

Purpose of Motherhood

I was asked to share some thoughts on Motherhood a couple of weeks ago, and thought I would share a little bit of it on here….

“There is a story about three stonecutters, each chipping away at a large block.  A passerby approaches the first stonecutter, “Excuse me, what are you doing?”  The stonecutter replies rather gruffly, “Can’t you see?  I’m chipping away at this big hunk of stone.”  Approaching the second craftsman, our curious person asks the same question.  This stonecutter looks up with a mixture of pride and resignation and says, “Why I’m earning a living to take care of my wife and children.”  Moving to the third worker, our questioner asks, “And what are you doing?”  The third stonecutter looks up, his face shining, and says with reverence, “I’m building a cathedral!”

They all have a purpose to their actions, but some see deeper.  They see the final product and what they are doing now to achieve that product.  The meaning of our actions come from within us.  When we have the purpose of our actions in our mind as we do the mundane things of life, they really don’t seem mundane.   Each action we do is a piece to our main goal.  We need the small steps to get us there, but have to keep our vision in mind.  When we have that vision and purpose, the mundane is then filled with love and purpose as well.

Secretly Seen by All

A woman in our church today shared something in her talk that I have thought about all day.  She was talking about joining a weight loss group and how one of their quotes was, “Whatever you eat secretly in your home is still seen by all”.  I thought about how true that is with the habits and examples that are set in the home, and then reflected out in public.  We think no one will see, but the things we do, become parts of who we are.

I am anal about my kids saying thank you during and after meals.  Food around here doesn’t drop down like manna from Heaven.  It takes work to buy it and then more work to prepare it AND then even more work to clean it all up.  My family needs to recognize and appreciate the meals that they have been given.  They are WONDERFUL about showing this type of gratitude.  Even for the meals that they don’t find favorable, they still will say thank you for some aspect of it.  AND it’s not just me that gets the praise either, if someone helped make a salad, dessert or even a drink, it is recognized.  If we go out to eat, Stephen is always being praised by all for taking us out.  Our family LOVES food and we try to always be grateful for it!  Now this is something we do “here in our home”.

YET, it has become a habit for my kids to show gratitude when they are outside of our home.    Time and time again I have been told by friends, teachers, and people how mannerly my kids are.  My kids probably aren’t even thinking twice about it, they are just in the habit of doing it.  A habit that was started in the home and now is seen by others.

The problem herein lies, that bad habits can be picked up at home as well.  And heaven only knows we have quite a few of those around here too.  The things done in our homes are never really secret.  They are pieces of what makes us who we are on the inside AND on the outside.

Parenting Book

I was sent this book…

(Here is the book link -)

Deliberate Motherhood: 12 Key Powers of Peace, Purpose, Order & Joy

LOVE this book.
So much wisdom in each chapter.
My copy is now highlighted, tabbed and doggy eared.
It is now amongst my favorite parenting books.
Hoping that I can remember and apply all that I learned.

Mother’s Day Video

Saw this on my friend Tina’s, Friday night videos….

All of those little things we do, add up to great things in the end!  :)

The Dryer

I got this idea from a Pinterest list on “how to show your kids you love them”.  The idea stuck in my head and I did it last night.  Oh my goodness, the kids said that I was the best mom ever, AND this was the greatest idea ever, AND we should always do this…

 

All I did was put their robes and towels in the dryer when they started their night baths and showers, so they would have a toasty warm towel when they got out.  That’s it!  The reaction was HUGE!

Are YOU There Clip

Saw this and loved it.  After I watched it, I turned off my computer and went up to lay on Jacob's bed and talk with him about the book he is reading.  I need to remember this clip!

The 5 P's

5 P's of Parenthood:
1. Priorities. (remember God and Family First)
2. Positivity. (it goes a LONG way)
3. Persistence. (the only way to raise a child.)
4. Pondering. (a MUST if you are to grow as a mother.)
5. Patience. (its hard to have, but a virtue as a parent.)
A friend recently sent me this list of the 5 P's of Parenthood. I LOVED it! 

Each is so important but the "Positivity" one caught my eye.  Isn't that so important with kids to always be positive.  I see it when I teach piano lessons and start out complimenting some aspect of the song, they beam ear to ear and think that they are a young Mozart.  However, if I start out reaming them for all that wasn't correct you can see their face fall and countenance change.  Their confidence will fall and the other songs will not be played as well as they could be.
You can see this in sports as well.  I have seen parents ream their child and then watch as the child plays hesitant and without confidence.  I think it's scary if you are worried about every move you make because you know your dad is their on the sideline ready to jump on you.  Then you see those parents shouting out assurance, "That's OK, you're alright!"  those kids can shake it off and keep playing strong.
Tonight at dinner we all clapped and praised Jerrica about something going on in her little life.  I wish you could've seen her face.  It was filled with pure joy!
Now believe me there are plenty of times when I am grappling to try and find something positive to praise, but there is ALWAYS some aspect to be positive about. 

And you know what, I don't think it's just the kids that need the praise.  I sure love to hear, "Mom this dinner is delicious!" .... and many other mom like praises.
Praise someone today and just watch their expression.

Love this List!

These kids are my full time job all day every day -

As with any job, you are always looking for ways to become better and improve.  Most jobs have check lists and special procedures to follow.

Tonight I found this list on Clover Lane.  I tweaked it a little to apply to MY family, and thought that I would share it.

1. I took the time to step back and react like a mature adult in charge of the situation.  I educated and taught instead of getting angry.
2. I looked into the eyes of each child with a smile on my face. Not always, but often. 
3. I took the time to search out a little piece of goodness in each one and let them know it. 
4. I went outside with them, in any kind of weather, for a walk, or to play.
5. I shared my testimony in either action or word.
6. I got down on my hands and knees to play,  and read books with the little ones.
7. I was "ready" for the older ones when they got home from school.
8. I fed us all healthy food and we ate together as a family.
9. I kept our house relatively cleaned and straightened, supplied with good music and good things to do... books, creative toys.
10. I tucked freshly scrubbed, shampoo-smelling children into bed...and spent a little time reading or talking about their day before lights-out.
11. I prayed for each of my children.



I think I need to print up a little check list to review each night.  Reminders are always good for me.  I know that I can never do ALL these perfectly everyday, but I can always try.  Some days I might only be able to do a few on the list, but it's good to remember them.

I'm sure my kids would tell you that I need some kind of check list to be a better mom.  On Monday I freaked out at Jacob wanting to play Othello with me because the Final Four championship was on. "Why would I want to play that with you, when this game is on?..." Not a stellar moment.  Also on Monday another freak out when Ashley was in the gym watching me play basketball.  I told her she couldn't leave the gym, nor cross the line on to the court to talk with me.  Well after an hour of sitting there, she proceeded to pee on my friend's basketball that she was sitting on.  She didn't leave the gym nor bother me, but hello why pee on the ball?!?!?  When I saw what she had done, another freak out. 
So you see this is why I need a list to help me along a bit.
What would make your list?

Mom Video

This afternoon after I picked up the kids from school, I started going through the agenda of the rest of our Wednesday.  As I reminded Jacob that he had his art class and Nathan of soccer practice, they were both so stoked to be going to their different places.  I smiled to myself, excited that they each have a talent that they LOVE to do.  Now to find what each of the four girls REALLY enjoy doing.
Then tonight I came across this video and it reminded me of chasing around kids this afternoon.  I don't know how I missed this commercial during the Olympics, but I did.  Just in case YOU missed it, here it is.

Mother’s Nest

Kaylee did our FHE tonight and shared a sweet mother’s day story from an old Friend magazine. She had a cute question game at the end about me. Then we went outside and played. Jacob brought the ladder out to check the bluebird house because we have been seeing a lot of activity in it. Sure enough there is a nest!

After listening to Kaylee’s story and seeing the nest, I was reminded of another story on how a mother should build her home. I have always loved this example and have saved it in my Mother’s file. I found a copy of it on the web tonight to share:
Robin Ruff Van Wagenen, “A Lesson on Nest Building,” Ensign, Oct 1999, 30
“An object lesson on mothering was right outside my front door.

I never would have thought a bird could teach me how to be a better mother. But that’s what happened several years ago when I found a bird building her nest in our front-yard almond tree. I was impressed that she positioned the nest high in the tree so that animals would not likely disturb it and that she chose two strong, sturdy branches to provide solid support and protection against the elements.

I peeked in on the nest only occasionally so I would not disturb her growing family. First I saw four eggs appear, then I could hear the chirping of baby birds. As time passed the chirping subsided, so I decided to check on things. My heart sank when I realized tragedy had struck. The danger had come not from without—but from within. Two of the four young birds had grown up and flown away, but the other two had died, tangled by their feet in some plastic strands in the nest. They had struggled to pull themselves free but could not do so.

I realized what went wrong. When the mother bird had built her home, she used the usual twigs, branches, grass, and reeds. But she had also been attracted to some colorful plastic strands that she wove throughout the nest. They looked similar to natural materials, but they were a little flashier, a bit more shimmery. They were not the same, however. The plastic had no give, and when the two remaining baby birds had tried to get free, the artificial materials pulled tighter.

I have often thought of the lessons that little nest taught me as a mother in my own family. First, I need to build my nest using the proper materials. Our prophets have counseled us to build solid homes with materials such as family home evening, scriptures, family prayer, Sabbath day observance, and service to others. These tools give me the best chance of success with my family.

Or I can build my nest with flashier substitutes that may be more popular, more exciting, or easier to use. I want my own nest to be as safe and secure as possible. I want to minimize any outside influences that could be harmful to my children, whether physically or spiritually.

Some children remain strong no matter what influences are occasionally brought into the home. Two of the birds in my front yard were able to free themselves and fly away to start building their own nests. But for other children who confront harmful influences, the results may be disastrous, as they were for the remaining two birds in the nest.”

Looking at the nest in the bluebird house tonight, I could see most of our BLUE trampoline pad thread. Maybe that’s attractive to a BLUE bird. I hope the babies won’t get stuck in it. I wanted to reach in and take it out, but knew that I couldn’t. I wonder how many times Heavenly Father looks down on me knowing that there is something in MY home that he wants to reach in and take out because it could hurt my babies.