Mother's Day Musings...

Hello all in the bloggerverse! Yes, I've been MIA for a while, but I've been waiting until I had something I could actually write about. Yesterday was Mother's Day and I had a great weekend! Thursday was Kiersten's first temple trip so Mike and I went with her. It was fun watching her and seeing her mind rolling things around while we were in the temple. Friday everyone was gone, Kiersten to her dad's for the night and the boys were camping so I had time to myself. I taped and sanded the bathroom, which still isn't done but the toilet and the shower work so that's okay. Saturday Kiersten, mom and I went shopping for hours and hours and hours. I'm not a big shopper but mom and Kiersten are. I think by the time we were done I had started getting a tad fussy and whiney but it was fun spending time with those two. Sunday we were late for church so we had to sit in the back but still, it was a great meeting. Here is the poem that Laresa read in sacrament meeting:

The Girl in a Whirl
By “Dr. Sue” aka Vickie Gunther
Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I’m taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.
I track my bad habits ’til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too. It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It’s the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each “lost lamb” on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all.
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write “thank you’s” to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A’s! And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car’s tires! I fix the sink’s leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years’ supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard; It’s good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It’s easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
It’s easy!” she said…and then she dropped dead

She also talked about the voices in our heads as women and mothers and I thought that that was an interesting way to describe those things that go on in our heads. I realized that I will never make my own pie crust or figure out how to can. I don't really care to sew even though I admire other's work. I'm not the scripture reading, praying, family home evening every week perfect wife and mother even though I keep trying. However, I can make a mean chicken casserole, put together a Bionicle, proofread a budding author's book (when she lets me), help lay a floor, explain to my husband the varying shades of red, not get creeped out by reading about bugs and snakes, help with 6th grade homework and listen to explanations about mini-splits and duct work.

Enough about me, I want to write a few things about the moms in my life. Starting with my own mom who showed me how to be a mom. She is so funny and silly, strong and a bucketful of tears, an example to me and my daughter. Mike's mom is also important to me. She is also an example to me of how you can live through great adversity and raise a wonderful man. There are moms all over the place that I look up to and admire.

So to all you wonderful women out there---you're doing a great job even if the voices are telling you something different, you are a daughter of God who loves each and every one of us. I'm not perfect in the least, but I'm working on it one thing at a time. Love to all!