Happy Mother's Day!

Instead of breakfast in bed, Randy woke me up with this picture. Congratulations Ron and Andrea! I guess it's fair that you got yours first, but I wouldn't have minded getting a baby for Mother's Day too. (Madeline Rose was born yesterday morning - May 9th. She is two weeks early! Maybe her cousin will follow suit. That would be okay by me!)

Randy did make breakfast and when I came down to the table to eat I found very unexpected presents. I love a nice surprise. He had gotten me daisies and a terracotta flower pot that I had told him I wanted. My plan is not to use the pot for flowers but to use it to roast a chicken in. It's my latest idea. I read about it in Alton Brown's book I'm Just Here for the Food. I love Alton Brown's stuff. I'll have to post about it when I try it.



Robyn also had a nice surprise for me. She has been sewing lately, but she never showed me what she'd made until this morning. It was a homemade bag filled with little pillows that she had embroidered on. Made me cry. She is getting pretty good. Here are some close ups of her handiwork.



Grace also had presents for me. She made me a necklace. Unfortunately Caden broke it while I was wearing it. I need to get some stronger string. At primary, they had the kids write somethings they would do for their mothers today. Grace wrote that she would mop the floor and make cookies. When we got home, she had the floor mopped before I even got my dress changed. Then she changed and got right on those cookies. She did a great job making me some no bake cookies. They were very yummy. We recently got her tested for food allergies and found out she can't have dairy, wheat, or eggs. Luckily, with some minor modification, no bake cookies are okay for her to eat. Happy day - I wouldn't want to have to live without cookies. (But if I had to choose, I'd take Grace over cookies.) After dinner she finished sewing this pillow for me. It will be perfect for supporting my neck on our next car trip.


Colin and Caden have been fairly good boys. Colin wrote on his Primary list that he would program in PHP. He's been doing it since he got home. It's not exactly what I might have chosen for him to do for me for Mother's day, but at least he's happy. I do like happy children.
Caden drew me a picture this morning. The picture turned out great. Too bad he didn't stop there - he also decorated the wall and the electrical outlet with his marker. In case anyone is interested - dry erase marker does come off of electrical outlets but it doesn't come off walls. It's a good thing he is cute. Both my boys have those big brown eyes that make me melt - that's why they get away with everything.


This next picture is for my own dear mother. She had a few boys with big brown eyes that got away with a lot too. This boy reminds me a lot of one of them.

They are Happy

In June's visiting teaching message, Julie B. Beck's conference talk from October 2007 was quoted. She said, "...We have faith that with the Lord's help we can be successful in rearing and teaching children. These are vital responsibilities in the plan of happiness, and when women embrace those roles with all their hearts, they are happy!"

The dear sisters that visit me wondered about that "they are happy" part and we had a good discussion on it.

I believe Sister Beck's statement with all my heart! I think that the part that many women are missing is the "when women embrace those roles with all their hearts" part. We must believe that the work we are doing is the most important work we can do in this life. We must also remember that motherhood is WORK. It's not for slackers. "Why should we think to earn a great reward, if we now shun the fight?" No one can mother my children better than I can. No one can mother your children as well as you can. The secret here is God's will, not my will or anyone else's will, God's will. ( Alma 5 is making a lot more sense to me as time goes on.)


I know that God's plan is the plan of happiness. I know that His blessings are always here for all of us - He never takes those blessings away. However, we must do His will to receive those blessings. I hope and pray that mothers everywhere will embrace that role with all their hearts. Please fill your role well and encourage and bless others as they fulfill their roles well. I have a vested interest in mothers embracing their roles, my children will need spouses someday.

It takes a Family

I am not sure why, but someone needs to listen to/ read this lecture. Maybe it's you. I can't go to sleep until I post this.

The lecture is titled "It takes a Family to Raise a Village: The Significance of the Family for the Free Society" by Jennifer Roback Morse.

It is very interesting and I say, "Amen." If you watch the video, it lasts about 37 minutes. You can also download the audio to you IPOD and listen while you work or print out the 23 pages and read them as you have time. In my opinion, it is well worth the effort.

Anyway, make the effort. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I am grateful for the Gospel and the emphasis we place on the family. I have a strong testimony of the work that I am doing in my home. I know that I can impact the world more by mothering my own children than I possibly could in the work force. This phase of life is so very short, there will be time for other things later. I claim my right to enjoy, raise, and nurture my children, be the helpmeet my husband needs, gain a liber education, and be who God sent me here to be.

Good night. :)