Thursday, May 28, 2009

Quick updates

I have been bad lately about blogging, I haven't even checked blogs or left comments for awhile. I have no good excuses besides insanity catching up with me. So here is just a quick run down of whats been happening this month.
James is working hard at work and doing well. In his free time he is researching fish tank set ups and working on getting his set up. When he is all done I will post some pictures. He is also busy with home repairs, this month our sprinklers broke, our toilet broke our microwave broke we have a broken window, and the girls dresser broke so all of those are keeping him busy as well.
Erin had her 1st dance recital that was really cute. She was very concerned with locating us and waving at us in the audience that she barley had time to dance:) She also finished her first year of pre-school. She has loved school and keeps asking when she can go to kindergarten. It breaks her heart that she has to wait for another year.
Lily has qualified for speech therapy. I am not terribly concerned about her speech, but she is behind. I figure if there really is a problem it is better to have early intervention then for her to have to be pulled out of classes all through elementary for it. When they came out to qualify her for speech they tested many aspects of her development and determined that she is physically performing like a 32month old child. Keep in mind that she is 23 months old. This confirmed all of my fears. Her speech was at a 13 month olds level.
I have been enjoying sending the girls outside and working on getting a vegetable garden started. I have also started a business venture and decided to become a Pampered Chef consultant. I did this because 1- I love there products and I want them all. 2 Because it will be really nice to get out of the house one night a week. And 3- A little extra income never hurts. I have had two parties so far and they have been so fun.
Also James' brother got married, we had an over night drill and we've been busy planning for a family vacation next week.
So our crazy life goes on and on.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

I Am A Mother

Okay so I am stealing the title of this blog post from a book, but I love this book and it sums up how I feel today. I Am A Mother by Jane Clayson Johnson is a wonderful book every mother should read. In reading her book I learned so much about my honor and responsibility in being a mother and I am so grateful that I have been given such a beautiful important job here on this earth. I want to share a few thoughts from the book with you.
" For all to often I think mothers-women in general, really tend to forget their worth. We become disorganized or guilt ridden or just plain exhausted and don't realize that what we do every day has enormous impact and implication. We get caught up in judging one another or taking sides and forget that the work of mothers is God's work- and because it is his work, he will help us and lift us up and make us stronger." ( intro xvii)
I love knowing that my work as a mother is Gods work. It is my opportunity to preach his gospel to his most precious children. It is my opportunity to share his love with his children. It is an amazing responsibility and I am grateful for it and humbled by it.
"I believe that the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers their is. To create an environment that's stimulating and nurturing, to pass on a sense of responsibility to another human being, to raise a child who understands that he or she is created from good and is capable of anything- I know for sure that few callings are more honorable. To play down mothering as small is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands." (Oprah pg. 8)
I love this quote. I agree that playing down mothers cracks the foundation of greatness. Mothers are the backbone of the world!
"Sisters, we must revers motherhood in our homes, in our church callings, in our places of employment, in our associations with neighbors, in everything we do. If we do not, what are we teaching our daughter's? How can we expect the rising generation of young women to enthusiastically embrace their futures as mothers and leaders if we are ambivalent or apologetic about our own motherhood?" (pg 10)
This was another great thought. Another good reason to be proud of motherhood and put strength in it.
I have just one more thought for you that I heard in church today that I really liked.
Women was made from the rib of man. Not the head to be above the man, not the feet to be walked upon but the side to be equal, and near the heart to be loved.
What a great thought for women and men to consider.
I love being a mother. It is hard work but it is work ordained by God. I am so grateful for my opportunity to love such wonderful children and have them in my life. I am also very grateful for a husband who supports and loves me (it sure makes motherhood easier). I am also grateful to my mother and all that she has taught me. She truly is a remarkable women. I am grateful to all the mothers I know who help teach me and are amazing examples of motherhood.
Happy Mothers Day to all you wonderful women our there.