Spoiled Mother's Day Goodness

Ryan and the kids never, ever disappoint when it comes to spoiling me on Mother's Day. I woke up to a yummy breakfast of chocolate chocolate chip pancakes with Buttermilk Caramel Syrup and a yummy fruit smoothie...

I was showered with gifts from the kids...

Liv made this darling plaque (It says "Some of my greatest blessings call me Mother") at Activity Days...

Sophia smiled and loved me all day long (and called me "Daddy" all day long too... but we don't need to focus on that since she calls everyone and everything "Daddy"... every once in awhile she says "Mama" too!).

Coleman made me this way cool puzzle of him holding flowers for me...

...and it was especially neat since it was double sided and he wrote me a sweet love note on the back...

...and he filled out a Bio sheet all about me...

He also made me the great bracelet I am wearing. I have some pretty talented kids!

In Primary Olivia and Coleman wrote sweet notes saying I was more precious than rubies...

...and Ryan formatted and printed a whole slew of blog pages for our blog book... Hooray! He also found the neatest Eye-Fi card for a new-to-me camera that uploads photos directly to my computer and/or phone... no cords, cables, or anything else required (if I can just remember to leave the camera ON long enough for the pictures to upload!). He is so great at picking out fun and useful gifts.

With our lunch we drank my new favorite beverage (that has enough sugar to fuel a rocket ship)... like all the recipes I am loving these days, it is from Our Best Bites. Try it. Your taste buds will love you. You will find any and every reason to make and drink Brazilian Lemonade.

I feel so blessed to be the mama to Olivia, Coleman, and Sophia. I feel blessed to have a partner like Ryan that helps me be the best mom I can be. I know that I am far from perfect. I know that I make more mistakes than I can count. I know that I will probably have to pay for therapy someday for all the ways I have ruined my kids. I also know that I love my children more than anything and hope and pray that they continue on the path they are on to becoming wonderful, kind, and thoughtful human beings. All of the things they did for me for Mother's Day were great, but the best gift of all is knowing the goodness that is within them and knowing that I get to be a part of their lives.

I am grateful for all of the women in my life that show me what it is to love unconditionally, to serve, to forgive, to teach, to lead, to be courageous, to be humble, to be confident, to be creative, to be thoughtful, to be generous, and to be good. For me Mother's Day is always a good reminder of the kind of person I am working to become.

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful women who give of their time, talents, and energy to mother those around them.

On the Flip Side

Despite trying to say "YES" to my kids more, I am also trying to say "NO" more to the things that aren't important or that don't work for me.  I read a post a few years ago that I can't find anywhere (help me out with the link, Linn?) by my wise cousin (also featured in the last post) where she talked about some great advice her dad had given to her.  He told her something to the effect that she didn't need to make excuses or give explanations, she could just say "no" if something wasn't going to work for her.  She could simply say, "No, that just doesn't work for me." No apologies or lengthy explanations needed.

I heard another wise tidbit--if you say yes to something, you are saying no to another. For example, saying yes"to watching 10 hours of TV in a day means that you probably won't get a lot of housekeeping, mothering, studying, cooking, etc. done. If you say yes to volunteering for an organization, you are saying no to using that time for your family. If you say yes to eating a whole chocolate cake, you are saying no to feeling good, being healthy, etc.

My friend Jill and I were chatting about this the other day--I think that oftentimes we feel obligated to say yes or somehow make things work.  Do men have this problem, or is it mainly an issue with women? We don't want to let people down or we don't want them to think less of us.  Many times, we simply want to help out, but it may come at the expense of other things that are more meaningful in our lives. Her husband recommended that she practice saying "No!"--quickly and loudly.  Jill and I laughed about it, but it made me think more about the whole idea of committing myself to things that I really can't (or shouldn't) do.

So, while I will continue to make the effort to say YES when I can, I will also try to say NO, without the guilt.

 **Thoughts?

Just Say Yes!

I feel like I say no a lot. Especially to the little ones that mean the most to me. I don't want them to grow up remembering a mama who always said "not now" or "maybe later" or just flat out "no."  My amazing cousin Linn has a great blog on organization . It is full of "everyday ideas to simplify and organize your life."  We all know that I have  LONG way to go before I'd call myself organized (or simplified for that matter...) but I love her thoughts.  Recently she shared a link to another mom's fabulous post about saying that word that is magic to all of our ears:

Read it here, you'll be glad you did!

Mother's Day Goodness

I was spoiled rotten on Mother's Day... starting with a made-by-Ryan breakfast of french toast and bacon served on a super cute plate made by Coleman with fruit smoothies... we had chocolate covered strawberries for dessert (I love having dessert for breakfast!).


Olivia made an awesome book all about me, including this fabulous portrait...
...information about me (I love her assessment of my weight--Ryan said she was bound and determined to get me on the scale, but he recommended writing what she did--"less than my dad"--I got taller too!)...

...and her depiction of our kitchen counter below is scarily accurate. Someday, I will tame it. Today is not that day.

Ryan's gift was that he is making our blog into a book! I feel more motivated to blog more often so that we can record all the happenings in our family. I also feel a weight of guilt lifted off for not scrapbooking anything in the last 7 or 8 years.

More than great gifts and yummy food I am just so grateful to have three wonderful kiddos and an incredible partner to help me raise them. They are a joy and fill my life with wonder each day.

Let Freedom Ring

Coleman just participated in a fun kindergarten program where they sang patriotic songs and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Poor Coleman was yawning through the whole program, and I kept thinking, "Who is that boys mother, and why doesn't she let her son get more sleep?!?"
But he did a great job singing and doing hand actions anyway, even though he looked so, so tired.
His cute teacher Mrs. Walker has been at our school for so many years that some of the kids in her class have parents that were her students. Coleman loves her!
Sophia slept through the whole thing (which is why she is in her car seat... I usually don't like to carry that bucket around, but I couldn't bring myself to wake her up to get her out and put her in the sling, which I am still getting used to maneuvering).

On the way home we told Coleman we wanted to take him to get a treat--he said that he would pick something and save it for later because he felt sick! No wonder he was yawning! He slept the afternoon away and was all better the next morning.

I'm so proud of Coleman! He's done great this year in kindergarten and loves learning.

Daughter of a King

Today I read on a friend's blog about an activity she had attended with her daughter and it got me all pensive and weepy. That's pretty common these days... but particularly today as I anticipate going through labor and bringing another daughter into the world. As I read her insights, I was reminded of our conversation we had last night in Family Home Evening where we talked about where our baby has been waiting to come to our family and the things that she has been doing. Today I felt a little more than overwhelmed at the idea of the responsibility and opportunity that lies ahead for me and our family to raise this precious baby girl and teach her who she is and what she is capable of. I love this poem that reminds me that each one of us is a child of God with attributes and characteristics of a perfect being who loves us and wants us to succeed.

Daughter of a king
the Father's royalty
heir to His divinity
He's calling your name
to come and take your place
before His thrown
He has always known
what He created you to be
Daughter of a King

As I reflected on this, my feelings of inadequacy changed to a stronger feeling of peace knowing that I too have been blessed with abilities and strength... I know that the road will not be easy, but I can do this. I can birth this baby and take part in the marvelous miracle of creation (I am so grateful to be a woman!). I can do my best and love her and teach her and help her reach her potential. I know that I won't be perfect in any way... I'll continue to make a lot of mistakes... but I also know that I am not alone in my desire and efforts to help my children become all that they are capable of.

**Are you ever struck by the enormity of your responsibilities?
**Do you get weepy when you think about the fact that you too are a child of God?

Because I'm the Mom

We were able to attend the morning dedication session of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple today. I loved that Olivia was old enough to experience it too. The speakers were wonderful and I was reminded of the great many blessings that I enjoy because of the temples.

One of the speakers talked about how there are only minutes (or hours) needed to travel to arrive at one of 13 temples in Utah, but that the spiritual journey takes many years. I was grateful to be sitting next to Olivia who is in the beginning of that journey, forming her testimony of temples and learning more about the blessings that come from temple attendance. I felt so much gratitude too for my place in that spiritual journey... that I am trying harder to make my temple experiences more meaningful and I am trying to attend more often.

Another speaker--Margaret Lifferth of the Primary general presidency--spoke about obedience and mentioned that she often hears her 3 year old grandson ask his mom "Why?" when she tells him to do something. Many times his mama will take the time to explain to him why he should obey, but sometimes her answer is just a simple, "Because I'm the mom." Sister Lifferth said that she wanted her grandson to understand that it was because she loved him most of all, and she wanted only the very best for him... that his obedience would help bring him the full joy that she desired for him.

She compared that to all of us and the need to listen and hearken to the counsel of the Lord... He loves us the most of all and knows what will bring us joy.

I hope that I will keep that in mind as I strive to listen and be obedient.

I can't end this post without saying what a cry baby I am... President Monson reminded us that the closing songs were a part of the Kirtland, Ohio Temple dedication and the Salt Lake Temple dedication. I was all choked up and emotional before the first note was played. Needless to say, the warbled notes and words coming from me weren't pretty, yet heartfelt still the same.

**Do you get emotional easily?
**Do you ever say "Because I'm the mom" (or the teacher or the aunt or the grandma) to children in your life?

Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

We had another 60th birthday in our family today... and on Sunday we got to go to her house to celebrate with her!

Here I am with my 60 years young mom. Isn't she beautiful? If she looks familiar, it may be because she sings in the Tabernacle Choir and is shown on the opening credits every week for "Music and the Spoken Word." I don't think she looks 60 years old, and she certainly doesn't act it. She is an energizer bunny if there ever was one.

We compiled a book from all 12 children (and grandchildren) with photos and letters to my mom. It was a great way for us to show her the ways in which she has impacted our lives. She said that she really didn't "feel it" as the day was approaching, but as it got closer she said that she started to wonder what she had really accomplished in her life--it is 2/3 of the way over, you know. She was grateful to have (in writing) so many things that we see that she has done. She is an amazing person, inside and out. It was so fun to read the letters and see what lessons she has taught, mostly through the way that she lives her life. I don't think she's ever given anyone a reason not to like her, and she has certainly given many reasons to love her. She's an angel on earth and she has shaped and formed each one of us.

I loved this quote by Abraham Lincoln: "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." My mom has always experienced life to the fullest and is still the most active, energetic person I know. I thought the quote was perfect to recognize 60 years of life, and many more great years to come, so it was on the opening page.

Here is my page...

...and we had each of the grandkids put a page together with a drawing or handprint. Liv and Coleman wrote how they loved her pool and her cooking and going on hikes with her. Coleman even drew a picture of the pool and drew a slide on it, with a little side note asking her to please put in a slide. She makes each one of them feel special and is so fun to be around. Her grandkids sure love her!

We also gave her a framed photo that Ryan took on our family reunion this summer at Jackson Hole. Despite all the craziness there, we had a great time! My mom has always loved family trips (just ask her about the Grand Canyon--her face will light up and she'll look like she just won the lottery--and if you want a real treat, go with her to one of her favorite places... it will be the trip of a lifetime) and Jackson was no exception.

My mom didn't want any candles, but she finally gave in and accepted that she should blow out at least one :).

Olivia and Abi insisted on sitting next to the birthday girl.

Coleman and Evan waited patiently for their ice cream to be served.

Ry's such a good cake and ice cream server :). I made pumpkin bundt cake and Steph made a white cake with strawberry filling. Yum.

My sister Erin with Olivia, Coleman, and David's cute wife Katty.

The best gift that we could ever give to my mom is to be more like her, and I think in our own ways, we are all working on it. I'm not sure if I'll ever measure up, but I will certainly try. I am grateful to have a mother who loves me and teaches me and helps me be better and sacrifices for me in so many ways. She is a great example and an all-around wonderful person. Happy birthday Mom!

And the "Good Mom" award goes to....

...I'm not sure who, but I'm quite sure it's not me. This, after I was feeling like such a wonderful parent these last few days because I'm reading The Glass Castle where the parents leave much to be desired. After all, I don't allow my kids to cook hot dogs themselves (and catch on fire) or ride in the back of a moving truck while holding a baby, or play with discarded chemicals in old sheds, or... you get the picture, right?

Despite my "competency" at parenthood, the last few days have proved otherwise.

Tuesday morning Liv told me she was sick. Her stomach hurt, and she didn't think she should go to school. However, I had errands to run and things to do and I was pretty sure she wasn't really sick... so Ryan and I teamed up and convinced her that she was fine and not really sick so she could still go to school. We had a stern conversation with her about telling the truth and got her ready for school. She didn't eat breakfast, but I packed her a lunch with Jell-O and juice. At school she told her teacher that she didn't feel good, who then told her maybe she needed some food in her tummy, so Olivia ate her Jell-O like the obedient child that she is. She sat through lunch recess feeling yucky and upon returning to her class promptly threw up in the garbage can. Let's just say the conversation with the teacher ended with "so you see, Mrs. Harper, she really was sick." Olivia made sure that both Ryan and I recognized that she had been telling the truth and that she was in fact sick.

Olivia recovered within a day and was happily back at school, soccer, eating, and wanting to play with friends.

This morning Coleman said he didn't feel good, his stomach hurt, and he thought he should stay home from preschool. Once again, I had things to do and I was pretty sure Coleman was fine. So, once again, I sent my child on his way and then did my thing.

When Coleman got dropped off from preschool, my friend Jill told me he wasn't feeling so good. He didn't look good either. He walked in the house and got to the couch and stayed there, taking sips of apple juice now and again, drifting in and out of sleep. He seemed warm (but taking his temperature didn't show a fever--good thing I have an awesome underarm thermometer that is oh-so-accurate) and then his breathing became labored. He couldn't seem to calm it down and he started coughing quite a bit. Jill called to see how he was and I told her his symptoms--she told me how a few weeks ago she felt so awful and was surprised to find out she had pneumonia. She asked if he'd had breathing problems before... and he hasn't... and I didn't think much about it, but I was sure it wasn't something like pneumonia or asthma. I decided that if he wasn't better within 12 or 15 hours, I'd take him to the doctor. When Ryan got home, he felt like we should probably take him tonight, so I set an after-hours appointment. Ryan and I assured him that the doctor would help us figure out what was wrong and poor Coleman was worried about having to get a shot. We both assured him that a shot wasn't necessary, the doctor would just look at him, and maybe give him some medicine to help him.

Turns out he had a fever of 101 F.

Turns out he needed a breathing treatment.

Turns out he not only has a virus, but pneumonia.

Turns out he needed a gigantic, painful injection of an antibiotic, which I then had to rub in for FIVE minutes, which elicited even more agonized cries.

Turns out he needs 3 more days of nasty-tasting antibiotic.

Turns out he needs 4 days of steroid medication, that "could have a bit of an after-taste."

Turns out he might need another breathing treatment tomorrow.

Turns out he really needs to drink more liquids and get some food in his tummy.

Turns out, mothers don't always know (or do) best.

To those whose children have been around my sweet (sick) kids, the doctor assures me that they haven't been contagious for several days.