(From the original Hebrew text fearfully means: with great reverence, heart-felt interest, and with respect. Wonderfully means: unique, set apart, marvelous)

This is one of my favorite scriptures lately!

Not only as I ponder it in relation to each one of my precious children, but because it has strengthened my testimony that:

God is good.

And He has all the tender feelings of a parent for us, because He is our Father.

He knows and loves us.

He knows us better than we know ourselves.

He knows our tears, struggles, anger, hurt; our joy, desires, dreams, ability.

And it is His greatest desire to see us be happy and become the men and women He designed us to become.

I know that as we seek our Fathers heart, and join ours with His, He will be able to do more with us and our lives than we ever dreamed possible.

And we will receive joy, peace, strength and a greater outpouring of blessings than we can know and understand.

Again, God is Good.

Lullabies

As I have had each of my babies, I have had a particular song come to mind and stick as 'their' lullaby song. I cant really explain how I chose them, they just sort of came to me and became the one I sang/sing them every night as I tuck them into bed.


Junes was 'Let the Rest of the World Go By"

With someone like you,

a pal, good and true,

I'd like to leave it all behind,

and go and find,

a place that's known,

to God alone,

Just one spot to call our own,

we'll find perfect peace,

where joy will never cease,

far beneath

the blue, blue sky

We'll build a sweet little nest

somewhere in the West

and let the rest of the world go by.

This was a song my moms parents loved and 'fell in love' too; it was Jason and I's song; and it just naturally became Junes lullaby. (For the first several years of our marriage I was obsessed with birds and nests! haha).


Violets was 'My Heavenly Father Loves Me'

Whenever I hear the song of a bird,

or look at the blue, blue sky,

whenever I feel the rain on my face,

or the wind as it rushed by,

whenever I touch a velvet rose,

or walk by our lilac tree

I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heavenly Father created for me.

This was one of my lullabies growing up and has always been near to my heart. (When I begin singing this song, Violet does one of two things--snuggles into me, or starts fighting to get down because she knows whats coming lol).

The one that keeps coming back to me now, and will probably be Baby Boys is 'Saturdays Warrior"



Who are these children coming down,
Coming down like gentle rain through darkened skies?
With glory trailing from their feet as they go?
And endless promise in their eyes?

Who are these young ones growin' tall, growing strong
Like silver trees against the storm?
Who will not bend with the wind or the change
But stand to fight the world alone?

(chorus)
These are the few, the warriors save for Saturday
To come the last days of the world these are they on Saturday
These are the strong, the warriors rising in their might
To win the battle raging in the hearts of man on Saturday

Strangers from a realm of light who have forgotten all
The mem'ry of their former life, the purpose of their call
And so they must learn why they're here and who they really are.
They must learn why they're here and who they are.

In their sunbright armor they march forth to conquer all
And with their swards ablaze with fir watch the darkness fall
But first they must learn why they're here and who they really are
They must learn why they're here and who they are.

I used to love this movie when I was little--like I even named my teddy bear Jimmy, I loved it so much. We watched the remake recently--I pretty much balled the whole time--and I was really touched by the feeling and lyrics of this song. Especially as a mom.


I've been thinking a lot about how I can help and encourage my kids spiritually.


I want them to know:
*That they are fearfully and wonderfully made (psalms 139:14)
*They are unique--even one of a kind. They don't have to try to be like anyone else because Heavenly Father knew exactly what He was doing when He created them, and they are good, and great, just as they are.
*He has a wonderful plan and purpose for each of them
*They have infinite potential for good
*They are strong, talented, and able to do all things with the Lords help


I want to be able to catch the vision that Heavenly Father has for each of them and share that with them--and I guess with all that in mind--and as another precious child of our Heavenly Father prepares to come to our home, entrusted to us--this is the song that keeps coming back to me.


What are your kids lullabies?

A Mothers Mission Statement

“So what do you do all day?”

Have you ever had someone ask you this when they find out you’re a stay at home mom?

I have to admit I often wondered myself, and even asked on occasion, before I had kids.

Now, I could give you a play by play, of exactly what I do each day. In fact I often do, in detail, for my husband at the end of most days.

Do you do that?

Why do we do this? Is it to feel accomplished? important? To give meaning and purpose to my day, and myself?

Because in an itemized list, you’d find that I change diapers, dispel tantrums, make meals and sing songs at tuck in, etc…. but that’s not really what it’s all about.

Recently I was encouraged to write a personal mission statement, as a mother.

I was a little reluctant at first. The task seemed a little daunting, because I have a deep testimony of  the essential, wonderful, and significant role of a mother… and I suppose I worried that I wouldn’t do it justice—or that in my attempts to sound profound, I would just sound silly?

But I decided to do it anyway.

Here are some of the things I included in my statement:

(I have italicized the mission statement prompt given to me)

I believe I was created by God for a purpose. I believe my unique purpose as a mom is:

*To co-create with God within the sacred bonds of marriage

*Care, prepare, nurture and strengthen all my children

*To just love them

*To love their father

*Provide for their spiritual and physical needs

*Teach them to love and serve one another

*Establish a home maintained on principles of: faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work and wholesome recreational activities. (The Family: A Proclamation to the World)

*To teach them correct principles, mainly by example

*To be a window to the Savior (His love and example)

*Nurture their relationship with Heavenly Father and turn them toward Him.

*Guide them on the path in our Heavenly Fathers great plan of happiness and bring them home to Him.

*To have joy in them.

My mission statement isn’t perfect (like me), and it isn’t an exhaustive list. But I love my mission statement. It fills me and the seemingly mundane tasks I do each day with purpose; and helps me maintain eternal perspective when I start to lose my bearings.

 It reminds me that that I’m not just expecting another baby, but I am co-creating with God; one of his precious children.

Or that I am not just enduring another toddler meltdown, but I am showing the Saviors love and long-suffering.

Or that I am not just sitting around playing with blocks and reading children’s literature all day, but I am having joy in my children!

Being a mother is the hardest thing I ever LOVED to do. It fills my day with learning, joy and many wonderful things that I am thankful for each day. And I know that what we do each day, ‘just being a mom’ is so important!

Every mothers mission statement will be different as we contemplate the unique talents, circumstances, and children we have been given.

What would be in your mission statement?

 

Praying for Patience

On of our favorite family flicks is Evan Almighty (one of the exceptions to the rule, where the sequel is actually better than the original). In the beginning of this movie the mother is praying for her family to be closer. As the story goes on, her husband is called to be a modern day Noah and build an arc. Try as he might, he cant avoid it and everyone, including his wife, thinks he has gone crazy. Its funny, symbolic and full of  clever little gems that make you think.

*Spoiler Alert* One of my favorite of these little 'gems' is later in the movie when the wife is having a conversation with God and He tells her:

"Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?"

I LOVE this quote. I have always tried to remember it.

Lately I have been praying for patience. And sometimes I feel like this poor guy:


       
"Bless me with patience... Not opportunities to be patient, I've had plenty of those and they don't seem to be working. The actual patience..."

Hahaha, but seriously, have we not all felt like this at times?

So what do we do? Stop praying for something for fear that God will actually answer our prayers--but not in the way we intend?

No. I think this is when we have to put our trust in Him. Trust that He has a wonderful and miraculous plan for each of us. He knows our worth and our potential. He knows what we are capable of and what we can become.

So when we pray, and things don't turn out the way we expect, we need to trust in Him. That the struggles we face are opportunities for Him to mold and perfect us into the men and women He knows we can become; that the circumstances we face are apart of His infinite wisdom and plan for us; and that He will finish what He has started in our lives--if we let Him.

It was General Conference this weekend and it was wonderful! I felt like it was the week before Christmas I was so excited. And it did not disappoint :) I am always amazed how general conference is in fact so personal to the things we need at that time in our lives. Our Heavenly Father truly knows and loves us.

In preparation for last Aprils General Conference I found the COOLEST idea to do with little ones. You basically print off pictures of all the apostles and prophet, as well as all the presidencies of the auxiliaries (paste on cardstock and 'laminate' with contact paper) and then as a speaker comes up to the pulpit the child matches them with their pictures and tapes it up onto a picture of a pulpit. I really liked this idea because it wasn't just a distraction game for the kids to play, but something that would get them into conference and help them pay attention. My girls just so happened to love it too! win-win right!?

Pinterest credit: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/570972058985746987/

got the pictures from this site (https://www.pinterest.com/mrschberg/general-conference/)

...This go around we also added a General Conference bingo card with pictures of various topics (such as the prophet, singing, prayer, temple, etc.). This was a little trickier (1) because they really wanted to eat the animal cracker markers haha and (2) they are still young enough that I really had to help them pay attention and do it--which meant I couldn't pay attention as much. 

 I decided that I would spend the morning sessions helping them get the most out of conference and then I would just listen and enjoy the second sessions while they napped haha.

On Sunday morning at one point they went up to Junes room to play, and it was nice because it was quiet, but then I had this feeling like I should go get them just so they could be with us while General Conference was on and feel the spirit of it--and then they came back down, and were with us for the rest of it--problem solved. :)

Sometimes its hard to know what the best thing is to help our little ones with these things, but I hope its something they will come to cherish and look forward to the way we do. Even if they cant totally understand it now.

What do you do to help your little ones during conference?

No Matter the Circumstances

For me, today, it was...

Being able to wake up and say morning prayers with Jason before he left for work

The beautiful fall weather (the colorful leaves, the warm breeze, the blue skies and puffy clouds).

When June pretended to wave goodbye as she ran to her play house, then paused, ran back and gave me a kiss before going.

Watching June and Violet hold hands with their little friend.

Violets brown eyes.
Dreaming about the 'cottage garden' I hope to create next spring.

Planning my next preschool unit.

Tacos for dinner.

And family movie night.

What was it for you today?

(Quote from the talk: "Of Regrets and Resolutions" By Elder Dieter F. Uchtorf, 2nd Counselor in the first presidency of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Throw Back Thursday

This is something I wrote for my little ones earlier this year.

I have felt the spirit tapping my heart lately.
Reminding me to cherish these moments.
To look into their eyes and smile.
Kiss their cheeks.
Hold them a little tighter and snuggle them a little longer.
Stop and listen to their every song, story and word they have to tell me.
Laugh with them.
Sympathize with their struggles and pains.
and behold the little people they are becoming.



I think about how my little ones, wont always be so little.
Of the timeless advice passed from generations of mothers; to cherish these years, because before you know it, they will be gone.
Am I doing that? Will I remember; when the days are long, that the years are short? That this is my time to have them all to myself? and to enjoy the process?



At times I watch them and realize these small simple moments of every day are making up the memories they will have forever. Of their home, mother, father, family, childhood.... and it makes me want to make it good. Oh so good!



I think about the unique and precious persons that they are, and all that they will become--and how I might aid in that process. I think about how I might try to teach them and help them reach their potential--and yet how much they are teaching and molding me to reach my potential.



Oh my little ones, I am so glad I get to be your mother and that you are mine. I am so grateful we have each other to laugh and to love and to cherish--for all eternity. I love you so much and will love you forever.