A Mothers Day Post

Mothers Day 2013. I have so many conflicting feelings today. 

First of all, it's worth mentioning that I am stuck in bed.....literally. Thursday evening my L4-L5 disk slipped again, pressing firmly on my sciatic nerve with more determination than it ever has before. The pain is at a 10, but alongside the pain, my feet keep falling asleep, and the pain made me feel lightheaded, like I'm going to pass out. A finger touch on my skin anywhere from my hips down HURTS! Lol....I finally caved @ my Spine Dr's and accepted a Rx for a small # of Percocet. 4 years ago I could take SO many of those and feel nothing. Now? I take 1 and it knocks me out. ***It feels GOOD to feel my Spirit stronger and in more control of my body....rather than the other way around.*** That IS one of our tasks while on this earth you know. To overcome the natural man/woman. When we moved to Ogden almost 6 years ago, I had no idea that the move would trigger my "refiners fire" but it did. And I am so grateful for the lessons that have begun to pour out as steadily as the rain has poured over the past several years.

........So, back to Mothers Day. It's here and I LOVE it! For me, it's become the day that I focus on the HUGEST blessing that I've been given. That of being a Mother. These kids are my LIFE! In hundreds of ways. More than I can count. Let's just say, I never knew my heart could love so many little people so much. ❤❤❤❤

Pretty much perfect....don't you agree?

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

All time Low

When your 4 year old tells you that she can't do something you're asking because she's "too shaky" - take that as a very bad sign.

Little hands so soft and sweet.
Stop poking them!!

Lily hit her all-time low about 45 minuets ago. 31 is a no-good-very-bad-number for diabetics, or anyone for that matter. The ironic thing is that this past week we went to her appointment and were instructed on how and when to give her a 'mini-glucogen' shot. Glucogen is what your liver dumps into your blood-stream when your in danger of, well, dying for lack of energy.

Princess's DON'T need SHOTS!

She's been resisting her shots more the past couple of weeks. It's horrible! As a Mom, All I want to do is protect my babies and give them what they need to be healthy and happy. Quite frankly, when a parent uses the term, "it's for your own good", or "this is harder for me than it is for you", most people chuckle and think about how many time their parents said that and, "gasp!!!, I can't believe I just said what I SWORE I would never say to my kids!!" So as I get her shots ready I FEEL myself saying what I used to just hear my parents say. And my words come out more like "Please honey! I'm sorry!! I KNOW it hurts, but we just have to be brave."

Don't be fooled by the age of our children.
They are young, but they are WISE.
AND, they learn (remember) quickly.

Sometimes when she asks the question, "Mommy, WHY haven't they found a cure yet?!?" I am able and prompted to seize the moment and to teach her the gospel principles behind our mortality. I tell her about the cure that will come when she's resurrected, and given a perfectly perfect body, that NEVER gets sick. But mostly, I just tell her that I don't know why because Mommy can't see eternity. Then I tell her that I love our Heavenly Father SOOO much, and that HE loves her even more than that, and that this trial is her test to show her Heavenly Father how brave she can be.

I've been so blessed, countless times, to feel the words given to me to be able to explain to my children at the youngest of ages, the most beautiful and profound principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To tell a four year old that Type 1 diabetes is part of her test in this life may trip us up as adults. We stop ourselves and think that this child is too young to understand such abstract principles. but that is where the mistake is made. Because the principles are not abstract at all, in fact, they are quite the opposite, they are what lies at the very center of our existence. 'God's plan of Happiness', or 'The Plan of Salvation' is the glue that formed our beings into something strong enough to place faith in an older brother (Jesus Christ) and then to take that leap of faith into the darkness of this world. Because we KNEW that we could get home again.

"Jesus KNOWS that those shots hurt honey.
He will help you be brave."

So, when a teaching moment comes - and they will come as often as we are ready for them - we can explain, "with the tongue of angels" that the reason this little girl is getting shots many times a day is because she wanted the chance to show her Heavenly Father how brave she could be, and also how much faith she could have. Knowing most four year olds, that teaching moment will most likely last as long as the questions flow. In my case, it came when Lily asked what faith meant. "You can have faith honey when you choose to believe that Jesus KNOWS what it feels like to have lots of shots. And when you choose to close your eyes and take his hand and let him help you be brave. Because he can, and he will!"

Pray Always

Don't be fooled by the fact that the end of this conversation was the last sentence above. "Careful the things you say.....children will listen..." are the words in a much loved broadway musical. They listen when the spirit of God is present.......why else would it be so hard to be patient as a parent? We all know what happens when Mom or Dad, or Grandma, Grandpa, etc. loose their patience - the teaching Spirit flies away and little devils come to play. Ooooooo! I surely, DOn't like those mean little guys. Do you?

When have you had the chance to teach a VeRy young child a gospel principle that one might initially think is over their heads? Please share!

Anybody in There????

We just got a new dog. For those of you who don't know that we had to find a new family for 'Gimli' our Bull-Mastiff about 2 weeks after Lily's Dx. And now, we have a little, white, puff-ball, Maltese.

This isn't actually our 'Bella', but a good
representation of what she looks like!

I'll write more about her later, just like I WILL eventually publish Part 4 of how we found Lily's Diabetes. But tonight, suffice it to say that our new baby, "Bella" (yes Twilight, and no-I've liked the name for a long time.) is deaf. Yes, YOU HEARD me, she's Deaf.

IF it weren't for the fact that she has been deaf for quite a while I would think that she had caught whatever disease that our children have. You know the disease that I'm talking about, right? The one that causes debilitating selective hearing in children.

The worst part about that disease is that the debilitating part is only debilitating to the PARENTS. Like, NO FAIR! Ugh. It's nights like this that I just don't GET the novelty of hearing your own echo in a cave or canyon. I hear my own voice ALL the time. It's not that great. It's kind of lonely. And it's how people go INSANE.
Ladadadadadada....dooodeedodedooboppop.


Ending this post with a SHOUT OUT to my Mom's friends - The Brown Family. They've just had a second child diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. It's my worst nightmare right now and my heart aches for them. I know the guardian angles are surrounding them during this time of need, but please send prayers too. xoxoxoxo

Forgiveness.....

Last night was family night.

Sometimes it's great

Sometimes it's a battle - like it was last night.

We ended up writing letters

to

Santa.

Because Santa wants to have Christmas ready early this year.

:)

Everyone went right to work

Except for my oldest,

Eden.

Who got tears in her eyes

and wouldn't write anything down

but asked if she could 

"talk to me alone for a minute"

I motioned for her to come whisper it in my ear

She shook her head no, and told me it wasn't that kind of

talking.

Uh-oh.

I looked at Hottie Husband

with terror in my eyes.

And 20 minuets later when the rest of us were finished

and I was headed

upstairs

to talk.

I pulled him aside and told him

that I was worried!!!

Worried that

SHE

KNEW.

NO!!!!

NO!!!!!

This was the third time that the subject Santa Clause

had come up and

it was the third time that Eden had left the room

in TEARS.

And now..............

She was going to ask me

F L A T  -  O U T

"What am I going to tell her??????"

He calmly says,

(with a smile on his face)

"Just tell her the truth!"

MOAN, UGH, NOOOOOOO!!!!

I can handle having the final portion of

"the talk"

in regards to how the sperm gets to the egg.

I can handle buying the first bra.

I'm handling the estrogen-fed hormonal reactions pretty well.

BUT

I am NOT ready to admit how those stockings get filled on

Christmas Eve.

We sat on my bed

like we had many, many, MaNY times before

and I braced myself.

"Mom,"

she started....with tears following close behind

"Mom, I....I....I don't think I can ask Santa for anything this year because I've been doing a LOT of things that I should do, and I mean a LOT. And I haven't told you any of them - so I've been naughty and I deserve a lump of coal.....sob!!!"

Silence.

JOY!!!!!!!

Relief!

JOY!

Ahem......Nico-le.....come back to earth please.....

Oh,

right.

!!!

So I took my firstborn angel into my arms

and let her tell me all about it.

And she was right.

It WAS bad.

Horrible, actually.

She had an actual hiding place for her candy

so she could eat it in the basement.

Food is not allowed out of the kitchen in our home.

:)

30 minuets later we said goodnight

and she headed off to the room that she shared with her sister

to apologize

for not being nicer.

And to put into practice her first big lesson

about

repentance,

and forgiveness,

and about that yucky feeling that comes

from the spirit

when we've made a bad choice,

or 2 or 3.

That "Yucky Feeling"

It was a beautiful teaching moment.

My prayers that night were filled with gratitude.

Grateful that THAT day, 

I had been in tune enough with the Spirit

to be able to teach

instead of rolling my eyes.

Grateful that She had been sent to our family

first. to bless me. to bless her siblings.

And grateful that She

Believes.

In HIM

And yes -

In Santa too - who celebrates HIS birth by giving.

Greg Olsen art.

Forgiveness.

It's not always easy

or clear cut.

The scriptures teach us a lot about forgiveness

But through most of our life, we learn about forgiveness

throughout each day.

As we extend forgiveness freely

to those who may never ask for it, 

and to those, whose tender innocence really never needed it.

We learn about forgiveness

as others allow Christ's mercy to flow through their hearts

and into ours.

And we learn

so painfully

that being left alone to suffer

because of someones refusal to forgive

is akin to

being left alone in a room full of

mirrors.

Each one distorted into some

unrecognizable shape.

So we close our eyes

and look inward

to our heart.

And we keep our eyes closed.

closed to those who may hate us

or judge us

or simply misunderstand us

And our HEART

becomes our EYES

that set our sight inwards and upwards

towards

Our Savior.

Because 

HE FORGIVES.

******

"Forgiveness has nothing to do with them. It has to do with who we are and who we may become."

Richard Paul Evans in 'The Timepiece'

*******

We must forgive those who hurt us. The reason is simple: Bitterness and unforgiveness are claws that set their hooks deep in our hearts; they are chains that keep us held captive to the wounds and the messages of those wounds. Until you forgive, you remain their prisoner. Paul warns us that unforgiveness and bitterness can wreck our lives and the lives of others (Eph. 4:31; Heb. 12:15). We have to let them go.

Forgive as Christ has forgiven you. (Col 3:13)

Now - listen carefully. Forgiveness is a choice. It is not a feeling - don't try and feel forgiving. It is an act of the will. "Don't wait to forgive until you feel like forgiving," wrote Neil Anderson. "You will never get there. Feelings take time to heal after the choice to forgive is made . . ." We allow God to bring the hurt up from our past, for "if your forgiveness doesn't visit the emotional core of your life, it will be incomplete." We acknowledge that it hurt, that it mattered, and we choose to extend forgiveness to our father, our mother, those who hurt us. This is not saying, "It didn't really matter"; it is not saying, "I probably deserved part of it anyway." Forgiveness says, "It was wrong. Very wrong. It mattered, hurt me deeply. And I release you. I give you to God."

It might help to remember that those who hurt you were also deeply wounded themselves. They were broken hearts, broken when they were young, and they fell captive to the Enemy. They were in fact pawns in his hands. This doesn't absolve them of the choices they made, the things they did. It just helps us to let them go - to realize that they were shattered souls themselves, used by our true Enemy in his war against femininity. 

Stasi and John Eldredge in  'Captivating'

************

Teaching Our Children

If there was one quality of mine that has served as both a blessing and a curse, it is my amazing ability to speak my mind. Clearly. Straightforward. When I speak with kindness, I've been able to lift and bless, love and nurture those in my life. When my tounge has been faster than my mind and heart and reason, well - let's just say that the term "Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me" is SO not true. As I've grown older, and especially since marrying my sweetheart 10 years ago, I've tried to reign in the curse part of my quick wit and mouth and just, well, shut it when needs be.
With my children, I've been particularly sensitive to not just my WORDS but also the TONE and volume of my voice. One of our favorite sayings around our house is: "It's not what you say, but how you say it."

Sometimes we need to give ourselves a few minutes, or a few days, before responding to a situation to make sure that when we answer, we are giving the answer that we really mean and want to give. I'm so grateful for the Spirit that can let me know when to SAY it and when to let it go.

Today is Sunday and I'm home from church with our oldest daughter, who is recovering from her toncscilectomy. Everyone else is gone. It's snowing outside. And I'm DYING to do some work around the house. Just the usual stuff, re-arrange the furniture, a little paint here, a little wall-paper there, etc. etc. etc. After getting the rest of the family off to church the itch to DO intensified and I could feel this nagging irritation creeping into my soul. I was getting cranky! For no apparent reason. But the Spirit quickly reminded me that I hadn't had the time to pray and read from the scriptures yet. So I did. It was amazing - I read, like THREE chapters (yes, chapters, not just verses). That NEVER happens. And THEN, after tending to my daughters needs, I was able to flip through and read TWO talks from conference. WHOA!

I know, I know......you might think that I'm making this up, but  I promise I'm not. There was just so much QUIET around here. I came across my Relief Society Lesson Schedule and saw that my lesson for next month is --------"The Sabbath Day". Whoa? Oh, yeah. And then, as if it weren't obvious enough the last conference talk that I read was this one:

Click HERE to read or listen to "Stay on the Path"

And the top quote of the talk (for me?) :

"The world will teach our children if we do not, and children 

are capable of learning all the world will teach them at a very 

young age. What we want them to know five years from now 

needs to be part of our conversation with them today. Teach 

them in every circumstance; let every dilemma, every 

consequence, every trial that they may face provide an 

opportunity to teach them how to hold on to gospel truths."

This would be one of the blessing parts of my talk, talk, talk, talking. My children know a lot. NO, I'm not bragging - I promise. But part of my testimony as a Mother is that the above quote is 100% true. In 5 years, my oldest daughter will be turning 14. (ahhhhh!) My oldest son will be turning 12. So, we can teach our children every single part of the plan of salvation from the earliest age. Not only by talking to them, but by our examples. And when we make mistakes, which I happen to do every day, the best thing that I can do is to TALK via. acknowledging that I messed up and that I was wrong.

It's difficult to internalize the fact that if we are constantly talking to our children through our days - good and bad. If we share with them our inner struggles, our plan of attack to come out on Christ's side, and then tell them when we come through. They will learn. They will learn that "Parenting With LOVE and Logic" is how our Heavenly Father parents us also.

So, back to my "dilemma" in the first paragraph. No painting today. Please excuse me while I go play with legos. :)

Talk, talk, talk, talk, TALK

Okay

Let's be honest for a moment here.

I've noticed a lot of

Silence

since my last post.

Quiet.

Shhhhhhh.

It's happened before,

like when I've talked about

Post Partum Depression,

or

sad days

or struggles.

Quiet

Awkward silence.

Not the kind of quiet that I'm looking for.

I understand.

You Don't know what to say

You think:

"I can't believe she said THAT.......

that subject is taboo.

Too painful to hear about

or to talk about.

WHAT do I SAY??"

My answer is this,

If it draws your eyes towards Heaven

And makes you remember WHO you are

If it gives HOPE to another

Or TESTIFIES of HE who has gotten you this far.

Open your heart to the SAVIOR

And open you mouth to lift another...

ANYTHING
or
NOTHING
You could always pray, or sing.

When I went to my "Heart of a Woman" retreat that was based on 

Stasi Eldredge's Book - 'Captivating'

There was a lot of talking

34+ women,

No kids or cell-phones

TALK about TALKING!

But we had rules

Because we were there to find Christ and there to heal. 

This is what I had written in my notes:

When visiting - stay in the message of HOPE. 

Take the anger and complaints to GOD and allow HIM to teach and instruct you. 

Stay in the Present Moment.

Not the guilt of the PAST

Or the uncertainty of the FUTURE.

Hope.

Our Children NEED us to talk

And talk and talk and talk

And talk.

Of Hope.

A song to talk about:

 How will they know, the ones for whom we care,

That God is love and with us ev’rywhere,

That life is good, with blessings all can share?

How will they know unless we teach them so?

How will they learn that, though they go astray,

God will forgive and help them find the way?

How will they feel the Spirit day by day?

How will they know unless we teach them so?

How will they grow in wisdom and delight?

How will they choose to follow what is right?

How can they trust the future will be bright?

How will they know unless we show them?

How will they live when they at last are grown?

What will they give to children of their own?

Will they reflect the values we have shown?

How will they know, as on through life they go?

How will they know unless we strive to teach them so?

Words: Natalie W. Sleeth, 1930–1992

The Caboose

"Life is what happens when you make plans." You've heard that one before, right? Me too. But I'm only just now learning about that crazy little think we call LIFE.

Life is not a cake-walk, or a slice of pie, a piece of cake or a joy-ride. Haha!

We are all SO good at allowing our lives to play out along the scripted page. And by scripted - I mean, literally, the spoken word. You know, say the right thing, keep the eternal perspective - or maybe just give out one of those seminary answers - "Pray, read the scriptures, go to church or follow the prophet."

My question, the one I will be answering in my next few posts is this:

If we are here on this earth to "prove ourselves" to God, if we are living this life and making choices that - we believe - will help us return to our heavenly home, and if we are supposed to have JOY during the process. How, in the name of reality, is that even possible? Especially if we are following the scripted page.

Is it possible? Is it really, really possible to find joy in our journey AND stay in the drama club that consists of our friends and families. (Oh! THAT Drama! LOL )

I believe that it IS possible. To an extent. And so this is the thought that I'll leave for any random readers (or future grandchildren :) to ponder, until the next time I'm alert enough to put my thoughts down in type AND the kids are ALL asleep .

".....letting your PAST run your LIFE is like letting a CABOOSE run a train."

PS. If you haven't already joined the GOOD fight to support a local SLC cookie shop, click the link below and use a few of those 'precious' internet moments for a bit of good :)

Save "My Dough Girl" from the Dough boy BULLY!!

Can 'The Naked Chef' make us better parents?

Wahoo! Today is my first day back as an 'on my own while Dad is at work' Mom! I went to sleep last night so excited for today. Prince Charming came in at 6:30 to wake me with a kiss and a Diet Dr. Pepper so that I could be fully awake and functional by the time he left at 6:50. I took my morning meds, my pain meds, and spent the next several minutes praying for the help that I would need.
The morning went pretty well. The kids were so excited when I told them I would be taking them to school, and the three youngest were thrilled to learn that they would be going to friends houses to play this morning while Mom came home to rest.

One of the things that we believe and hold strong to as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the doctrine of personal revelation. We believe that God speaks to ALL of his children through the voice of the spirit - first at the Light of Christ, which is given to EVERY person born on the earth, - and then through the gift of the Holy Ghost, which is recieved after baptism. That voice can be heard in many ways, often as a simple thought, or some kind of feeling. Warm, peaceful feelings tell us that what we are doing, or thinking of doing, is in line with our Heavenly Fathers approval. Dark, confused, unhappy feelings are the spirits way of tellling us that something is wrong. Like a parent who has sent a child off to college, our Father in Heaven wants to be able to communicate with us and help us during our time on this earth. He hasn't sent us here to walk alone in confusion!

I am so grateful for the countless friends who have felt, and listened to that spirit and then blessed my life. I look at every phone call, note in the mail, email, blog comment, or act of service as a gift from our Father in Heaven, because I know that he is blessing me, through you! Thank YOU!

LOL! Last night Prince Charming and I caught the "sneek peek" of this new show:

After the first 15 minutes, we both looked at each other and commented that a nice little pit had settled into our stomaches. Part of me wanted to turn off the TV and go to bed - I think it was the prideful part of me. The rest of me knew that what this young Dad is doing is a miracle that our country needs.

It was amazing to watch the lunch ladies - er, cooks - lash out at Jamie. Actually, all of the adults, even though they had agreed to have him come, acted put out, offended and pessimistic.

It's easy to see where they are coming from.

I think that the general mentality in America is that cooking healthy is 'too hard'.

The USDA has complicated everything for everyone.

Jamie is determined to undo the damage that's been taking place for decades.

So Prince Charming and I have decided to hop on board.

We've signed his petition.

We will be watching each week WITH our kids.

Want to join me?

Click Here to sign the Petition and find out more.

Click Here to learn about Jamie Oliver

Click Here to find your local TV Listings for the time.

What do you think?

No Kidding Hon....

Last week three out of my four kids had some kind of cold

and PINK-EYE.

And on Sunday, 'Bug', the 3rd threw up 5 times - poor girl.

The last time she threw up was after all of the kids had been tucked in for the night.

She was in her bed so I held her on the couch while Prince Charming changed the sheets and

made a princess bed on the floor by my bed using the cushion from her window bench.

While I was holding her she looked at me with her beautiful, huge, black eyes and said,

"Mommy, let's talk some more, okay?"

"Okay honey."

"You know Mom, it's not that easy being me today. Sigh "

No kidding sweet girl. It hurts a mommy's heart to see one of her babies so sick.

But I sure love holding them.

It's the perfect excuse to do nothing but soak in a snuggle,

and let everything else go.

I would gladly take it from her and carry a barf bowl around instead.

She was so proud of herself for making it to the sink or in a bowl 3/5 times.

She's only 3 1/2 years old.

Prince Charming and I always tell the kids that if their stomach feels funny

AND their jaw starts to hurt, then it's time to make a run for the sink.

She remembered and did it.

She saved me from barfing right along with her.

I love that little girl so much.

Being a Mom is the best.

Pregnant? Oh please no.....

I had a dream last night that I was pregnant. I think. I think it was a dream, well, at this point in my life it would seem more like a nightmare, but it was around 3am when I got up to go potty and take some pain medicine. I laid in bed for the next hour and a half contemplating what another pregnancy would mean for our family. Firstly, I'm pretty sure Kurt would break something, or at least put his hand through one of our walls. He might swear once or twice, and then he would be really, really quiet for a few days - all the while, I would be talking and talking and trying to make things seem okay, even though inside I was dying. Then I would get mad at him for not having a better attitude and I would remind him who was going to spend the next several months sick. I thought about this for a little while.

Then I thought about how many people I know who would give anything to have a baby. I thought about how ironic it is that people seldom get what they want, when they want it. I thought about some close friends who have tried for three years to get pregnant and finally are (!) but still cautious because the thought of miscarriage is always there. I thought about one of my favorite blog designers, April Durham, and her public battle to have a baby - and the countless others that I know who would do anything for a little person to join their family. A little blessing and all of the diapers and sleepless nights and joyful moments that accompany that blessing.

Then I thought about my favorite moments in my life and how they were the four moments when each of my children were born. There is NOTHING that compares to holding a new little spirit so fresh from heaven, the smell, the feel of tinyness, everything. And a part of me hoped, just for a moment, that perhaps my dream was really one more of those moments in my life when the spirit has spoken to me in a way that only I can understand.

Those happy thoughts were quickly replaced with memories of years of post-partum depression that are over and in the past. It's a chapter of my life that I've closed with a sigh of relief, happy to never walk through that valley again. I've said before, and I'll say it again, if Post-Partum Depression weren't a part of the baby package for me I would have more children. But it's gotten worse with every pregnancy and there comes a point when you know that it's enough. I don't want to do that one again. I don't want my family to have to deal with everything that accompanies it either. Life is crazy right now, especially because they already have a Mom who is in pain most of the time. To add to that craziness would be....crazy! Loud, happy kids run around our home right now and wish for spring. They are loud, Mom and Dad say shhh, even when there isn't a reason to (habit you know!) and it's okay. Add one more to the mix and we may lose our minds...literally !

Of course I'll be watching for the tale-tell signs of NOT pregnant, but since I had a D/C during my surgery last Dec. 16th my cycle is all messed up. oooh the suspense :P

Tough Love vs. SPANKING!!

Oh! How I WISH sometimes I wouldn't be hauled away to jail for trying this method of getting through to one of our kids! Kurt just sent me this email and gave me a much appreciated laugh-out-loud. And if there is one thing I love, it's a reason to laugh in the middle of a 'same as usual' day - feel free to share the link to this page and give someone else a light-hearted reason to smile at a subject matter that usually just causes gray hair :)


Tough Love vs. Spanking - Good Argument


Most of the American populace thinks it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of 'those moments.'

One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride and talk.

Some say it's the vibration from the car, others say it's the time away from any distractions such as TV, Video Games, Computer, IPod, etc.

Either way, my kids usually calm down and stop misbehaving after our car ride together. The eye to eye contact helps a lot too.

I've included a photo below of one of my sessions with my son, in case you would like to use the technique.

Sincerely,

Your Friend and fellow Parent
 

 
(Disclaimer: This is a joke and anyone who takes it seriously must have kids just like mine. Therapy, drugs, chocolate or running away have helped to keep me from resorting to these kind of humorous tactics. Remember: this is a JOKE, wink, wink!   ----Nicole)
(Oh, yes - I have no idea whom to give credit to for this email, since it was forwarded to my super hot Prince Charming who then sent it to me. So whoever you are...I don't take credit, but I do thank you for the idea! ----Nicole)

Nothing's In There Mommy....

So, tonight I was sitting on our couch enjoying the happy feeling in our home (for once!) when Bugga-boo came up to me and asked to play doctor. She had a big huge popsicle stick that was in all actuality a toung-depressor. "Open wide Mommy, this is my flashlight....(which I obedientely did.)....yep, I don't see anything in there...except your pain." said Bug, Then I said, "Well doctor can you make it better?" Bug:"no, I don't think so, I'm not a very good doctor but you can put this ribbon around your neck...like this....and, does that help your pain? I didn't think so, well I have to go. Good Luck"

So, Isn't that just the gosh darn truth? Just because we can see the pain, doesn't mean we can fix it. She was being so cute, in fact...surprise, surprise, ALL of the kids were being so cute. Playing hide and seek together, then playing house, then playing doctor (with ALL of their clothes on.) and they weren't fighting, much. Or tattle-taleing, often. But they were having fun. Ohohohohoh!  AND these three kids actually cleaned up the mess that they had created in the basement family room. ALL BY THEMSELVES! Seriously. And it was GOOD. Of course, what they don't realize is that performing to such a high capacity has now officially raised the standard of expectation for what they are able to do.Yes-sir-re-bob!

I love these fleeting moments that bring hope into my heart. I love the chance to smother the kids with praise for playing so well together and - getting along. A happy heart is the best kind of heart to have and so often, as a Mom, our hearts are filled with worry  or sorrow or quilt. But the Lord has promised and taught "behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."

 I've seen it over and over again. Once I think I have one of the kids figured out, they go and (gasp!) change. Once I feel like I am finally getting the hang of things someone gets sick (ugh!) So learn the lesson now, and save yourself from the pain of losing whatever you had already been given. I suppose that if we spend our lives on our knees in prayer, seeking for more ways we can do better, thanking HIM for what we already have. Then keep plugging away, one day at a time. And when your family has an evening that seems to be more rare than you'd like, acknowledge his hand in allowing that blessing to come to pass, and then humbly ask what more we can do. Because "After all, Tomorrow is Another Day."

Lies of The Adversary

We all know how damaging Satan's lies are to our society....or do we? The first time I saw this commercial from Dove I was blown away!  When I take the time to sit down and think about the media's influence on my life, of course I know that it's filled with a false portrayal of beauty, or rather I think of the unrealistic standard of beauty. However, on a normal day on the road or in the doctors' office those aren't the thoughts that automatically cross my mind. Satan is so LOUD and CONVINCING that when I see the billboards and magazines my initial thought is more along the lines of, "How did they get that skinny" or "I LOVE her hair!" and of course those thoughts naturally turn to self-depreciating, coveteous thoughts. It's AWFUL!!
Enter Dove Evolution of Beauty Commercial and a loud wake-up call. When you watch it you will understand, so I really don't need to go into the details here.
Here is the big thinker question though: If satan is so good at making us, and especially our daughters paint an unrealistic, worldly picture of what beauty is in our mind; and if a commercial source like Dove is willing to put MILLIONS of dollars into a real-beauty campaign, don't we, as Mothers have an obligation to help it succeed? I really think that sometimes the hand of the Lord is made manifest in unexpected ways. More than just a sunday-school lesson on divine nature or on accepting everyone, regardless, this Dove Campaign is a real-life, straight from the world, tool.
As I sat in front of the computer with my kids a couple of hours ago and observed their reactions to the commercial, I noticed a few different things. For my youngest watcher, silence. From my 5 1/2 year old boy, Whoa! That's crazy!! From my 7 1/2 year old daughter, surprise, a request to watch it again, and then a hug. That's it. Not a lot was said until I told E. (daughter) that I was totally amazed when I first saw it. Then I said something like "it sure makes me feel better!". Then she climbed on my lap to give me a hug and said "oh, Mom, you are beautiful." Smile.

Dove - Evolution Commercial (higher quality)

Reginald Pike's Yael Staav takes us from model to billboard in under 60 seconds in this impressive new spot from Dove.

In the end, it comes down to our responsibility as parents to teach our children that our bodies are sacred, that each person is different and that that's okay. We need to teach our children, by our words and actions that we love and appreciate our bodies. No matter what. What ARE YOU teaching your children about body image and appreciation for their bodies? What are your own beliefs concerning your body? Are they in line with the Savior's teachings or are they in line with Satan's lies.

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I believe that a person is better/worse of a person if they are fat, or have acne, or too old, etc.?

2. Will everyone be thin in heaven?

3. Do my children hear me complain about my weight, or skin or hair? Do they hear me make comments about other people's weight, or skin, or hair? Or is the subject of weight a closed topic?

4. Am I willing to allow the world to teach my children what is/isn't acceptable when it comes to body type? Do I acknowledge that teaching my children to despise certain body types may be considered one of the "sins be upon the heads of their parents"? Am I willing to accept that responsibilty along with the outcome of my chilren's perception?

5. How can I do better? Now. Today.

True stories:

One day this past spring, I was invited to a play-group with several Mom's from our neighborhood. During the 'adult' conversation that took place while the kids were playing, one of the Mom's told a story that had happened recently. She spoke about one of her little boys snuggling up to her and sighing happily as he said "oh Mom! I don't think you'll ever get fat!". First of all, no one said anything but most of the other Mom's laughed a polite, uncomfortable laugh. I really don't know if their embarrasment was for HER or for ME.

Though I would have liked to put them at ease on my end by assuring them that I was sooo NOT offended, I didn't say anything either. Why wasn't I offended? Obviously the heaviest person in the group, maybe I should have been, or maybe not. This was a subject that I was all too familiar with, having been 'too big' since the age of eight, it was also a subject that I had been given an eternal perspective of and tesitimony to go with it. At this point in my life it's NOT about looks, or peer-pressure (nice to see that some of us haven't changed since Jr. High ;) it's about overcoming a weakness of the flesh, of being grateful for the body that is a gift to me, that has given me four beautiful children.  It's about my health, and raising my children to not be prejudice against anyone, black, white, tall, short, skinny, FAT; because really people, will I be kept from Heaven if I haven't reached a size 8?

In my opinion, the embarrasment was on her end. Mostly, I felt pity. Pity for her and for her children, and for other parents like her who are strengthening Satan's attack on our most precious gift, our bodies. I wish now that I had said something, and if I could go back, I would. I would say what I am writing in this blog post, but I can't go back, none of us really can - we have to fight the good fight here, today, with our own children. One of the other Mom's who was present was so sweet. The next time I saw her she complimented me on something, my shirt, I think; and she asked if I had lost weight. I just laughed and said thank you and 'no'. I certainly wasn't go into the medications I've been on the past several years that make losing weight almost impossible, and I wasn't going to go into the lessons that I've learned throughout my lifetime, or how she didn't have to feel bad for me because of another Mom's shallow comments. She was sweet, and concerned, and one of those beautiful Mom's who come to their baby blessings looking like they never had a baby in the first place.

The size we are is influenced by lots of factors beginning with our genetic makeup; who we are, who we really are is a child of God. Divine, eternal, glorious and beautiful. We have been taught that our goal in this life is to enter into the next unspotted from the world. If that is so, how are we doing in our living and teaching when it comes to our bodies?