I think I put too much pressure on myself! I want everything to be perfect for the holidays and so I make lists of what needs to be done, bought, cleaned etc. And it seems the more lists I make the more stressed out I feel. I then just sit and look at the lists and feel overwhelmed and wonder when and how I will ever get it all done. On one hand, I have to make lists or I will never remember everything. On the other hand, is it worth it? I think I am screwed either way because I'm stressed out either way! Maybe I'm just programed to be stressed no matter what.
Why is it as mom's we somethimes put so much pressure on ourselves? The kids have a great time on holidays whether it's perfect or not. They don't remember if the dusting was done, the toilets scrubbed, the beds made, the food perfect, or the kitchen spotless. All they remember is if mom and dad were happy, the feelings that they had and the people that were there.
The holidays are a time for family, love, peace, and joy. All the commercialism and pressure is just stuff that we have made up along the way. So, this holiday season, I am going to try to not put so much priority on the things and put more priority on the people. I love my family and they mean everything to me. So, I want to show that this year and make some awesome memories!! Hope you all have a wonderful holiday season!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Being the Mom
Sometimes I feel so blessed to be the Mom and sometimes...well, let's just say sometimes I REALLY need a break!! I have been a mom for 12 years now and on the whole, I LOVE it! It is THE most thankless yet rewarding job I have ever experienced. But there are days (like yesterday) that I just wish I could curl up in a ball and not deal with anything for a few hours. Kids can be SOOOOOOO demanding and when they need something, the first thing out of their mouth is, "MOM!" Can I just change my name for a day or two? Can I just hide for a little while? Can I just have some time for me?
Those were my feelings yesterday. Today, I have a whole new attitude. Maybe it's because a got a break (when they all went to bed), maybe it's because my prayer was answered, or maybe it's because I learned from my talk. I mentioned yesterday that we spoke in church. Our assigned topic was Gratitude and I gave my own little twist on it and talked about being grateful for what we HAVE, and not focusing on what we DON'T HAVE. Anyway, I started thinking about this after the kids were in bed and it helped me to gain some perspective. I am so thankful to have healthy kids who can speak my name, put there hand prints on my walls, piano, windows and anywhere else you can think of, leave their toys all over the house, run, jump, laugh, play, I could go on and on. My life could be so much worse than it is! I could be dealing with illness, handicaps or even worse! My kids are happy, healthy and hyper and I am so GRATEFUL for that!!
Being the mom is tough! Being the mom is never glamorous! Being the mom is stressful! Being the mom means EVERYONE expects something from you! Being the mom means never having a minute to yourself! Being the mom is a thankless job!
But being the mom is also easy, when you look at the darling faces that look up to you! Being the mom is glamorous, when your little girl tells you that you are beautiful even when you haven't showered or put on any make-up! Being the mom is relaxing, when a little one climbs in your lap and just wants to 'snuggle-buggle'!! Being the mom means job security, there is ALWAYS someone that needs you! Being the mom means always having a little buddy be your side ready to help out or just listen (even if they can't understand a word you are saying!)!! Being the mom is the most rewarding job I have ever had!
I have decided that I can either focus on all the 'negative' things about being the mom and be miserable and make everyone else miserable, or I can focus on the positives and make my home a "heaven on earth"! I prefer the latter. And eventhough it isn't easy to always be happy and positive, it is always worth it! "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" is so true! As a mom, I know I have a big load to carry, but I need to remember that I was given this calling by a loving Heavenly Father who knows me and loves and has promised to never give me anything I can't handle! Knowing and remembering this helps me make it through any day no matter how difficult! The hard part is always remembering!!
I love being the mom! I love my kids and the funny things they do and say that brighten my day! They are my everything and I am very, very grateful for each and every one of them!!
Those were my feelings yesterday. Today, I have a whole new attitude. Maybe it's because a got a break (when they all went to bed), maybe it's because my prayer was answered, or maybe it's because I learned from my talk. I mentioned yesterday that we spoke in church. Our assigned topic was Gratitude and I gave my own little twist on it and talked about being grateful for what we HAVE, and not focusing on what we DON'T HAVE. Anyway, I started thinking about this after the kids were in bed and it helped me to gain some perspective. I am so thankful to have healthy kids who can speak my name, put there hand prints on my walls, piano, windows and anywhere else you can think of, leave their toys all over the house, run, jump, laugh, play, I could go on and on. My life could be so much worse than it is! I could be dealing with illness, handicaps or even worse! My kids are happy, healthy and hyper and I am so GRATEFUL for that!!
Being the mom is tough! Being the mom is never glamorous! Being the mom is stressful! Being the mom means EVERYONE expects something from you! Being the mom means never having a minute to yourself! Being the mom is a thankless job!
But being the mom is also easy, when you look at the darling faces that look up to you! Being the mom is glamorous, when your little girl tells you that you are beautiful even when you haven't showered or put on any make-up! Being the mom is relaxing, when a little one climbs in your lap and just wants to 'snuggle-buggle'!! Being the mom means job security, there is ALWAYS someone that needs you! Being the mom means always having a little buddy be your side ready to help out or just listen (even if they can't understand a word you are saying!)!! Being the mom is the most rewarding job I have ever had!
I have decided that I can either focus on all the 'negative' things about being the mom and be miserable and make everyone else miserable, or I can focus on the positives and make my home a "heaven on earth"! I prefer the latter. And eventhough it isn't easy to always be happy and positive, it is always worth it! "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" is so true! As a mom, I know I have a big load to carry, but I need to remember that I was given this calling by a loving Heavenly Father who knows me and loves and has promised to never give me anything I can't handle! Knowing and remembering this helps me make it through any day no matter how difficult! The hard part is always remembering!!
I love being the mom! I love my kids and the funny things they do and say that brighten my day! They are my everything and I am very, very grateful for each and every one of them!!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
What a relief!!
We had the always amazing experience of speaking in church today. The wonderful opportunity of moving into a new ward, right? But we had two differences this time. 1) Jayden spoke, too! He is 12 now so they asked him to speak. He did an amazing job. He told of an experience of when he had a prayer answered. He touched a lot of people and most of the members were commenting on his talk more than either Scott's or mine! A lot of my friends had tears in their eyes just telling me how much they appreciated his talk. And 2) There was a general authority there! I can't remember his name because I was sooooo nervous but he is in the sixth quorum of the seventy. It was a surprise visit and he wasn't on official church business but he sat on the stand and spoke at the end of the meeting. It is always awesome to hear a servant of the Lord speak!! He was really good and commented on each of our talks. He made me cry when he said that I must be a great influence on my children. I guess I'm a pretty good pretender! No, it's always nice to get a compliment like that!! Anyway, I procrastinated until the very last minute (I was still writing at 11:00 last night) but it seemed to go well and we got a lot of very nice comments. I am just extremely glad that it's over. I get so dang nervous in front of people. Dumb, I know, but that's me! I am so grateful for the ward we are in. It is such a friendly and accepting ward and I feel like we've been here for a lot longer than 2 months!! It is so nice to know that where ever we go in this world there is a community of LDS people ready to welcome us! Scott and I also got callings today. He is the Teacher's Quorum advisor and assitant Scout Master, and I am going to be playing piano in Primary (my favorite calling!!!). So we are keeping busy and loving life!
I am so excited for Thanksgiving this week! It is one of my favorite holidays. We get to remember all the things we are grateful for and reconnect with family. Oh, and the food is pretty good too! Anyway, here's to a great week!!!
I am so excited for Thanksgiving this week! It is one of my favorite holidays. We get to remember all the things we are grateful for and reconnect with family. Oh, and the food is pretty good too! Anyway, here's to a great week!!!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
A whole new blog and thankful 101!!
Well, I have decided to start a second blog just for me to journal. A new, awesome friend (love ya Shelle!) suggested I do it. She says it's VERY therapeutic. So, I decided I can always use a little therapy and I'm giving it a try!
So, what is on my mind right now? CHRISTMAS!! It is by far my very most favorite holiday. I love the whole season leading up to it and everything that comes with it. I love the commercial part of Christmas (Santa, Rudolph, gifts, trees, lights, etc.) but this year I am trying trying to think of ways I can really teach my kids the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I know that they understand we are celebrating Jesus Christ's birth but they still only think about what's in it for them. I know that being a kid means being self-centered but I want to figure out a way to help them be unselfish at least one time a year! So, if any of you have any ideas, please enlighten me.
Thanksgiving, of course, is also on my mind. I can't believe it is only a week away! Where has this year gone? Time seems to be going faster and faster! I'm so excited to reconnect with family and remember that I have SO much to be thankful for. My life is so blessed! Here is my list of the top 101 things I am thankful for.
1. The gospel of Jesus Christ
2. My Savior, Jesus Christ
3. The Atonement
4. The Book of Mormon
5. My amazing husband
6. Jayden
7. Braedy
8. Masen
9. Kaylen
10. My goodly parents
11. My three awesome brothers
12. My sweet sisters-in-law
13. My nieces and nephews (they all are the most adorable kids!)
14. A living prophet
15. That my amazing 12-year-old willingly gets up at 5:45 to study the scriptures!
16. A warm house
17. My husband's job
18. The fact that I get to stay home and be a full-time mommy.
19. My Heavenly Father
20. Family Home Evening
21. Clothes
22. Indoor plumbing
23. Friends
24. Health
25. Comfy beds
26. Church Magazines
27. Computers
28. My Ward Family
29. Books
30. Movies
31. Shoes
32. Water
33. The Earth
34. Schools
35. That my parents make every effort to visit us as much as possible.
36. Stores
37. Silverware
38. The BYU channel
39. That my awesome hubby cleans the kitchen whenever I don't get to it!
40. Music
41. Gymnastics
42. The gift of the Holy Ghost
43. My amazing Grandma who never forgets a birthday for any of her 44 kids/grandkids.
44. Love
45. Teachers
46. Eyeglasses
47. Sports
48. Doctors
49. Food
50. Grass
51. Meeting and making new friends
52. The United States of America
53. My dad who, not only loves me unconditionally, but can fix ANYTHING!!
54. The Priesthood
55. Telephones
56. Holidays
57. Cars
58. My piano
59. Washers and dryers
60. Richmond, VA and the awesome experience we had there.
61. All the amazing friends I made while Scott was in dental school.
62. Science (just because Jay loves it).
63. Parks and playgrounds
64. Oreos
65. Deoderant
66. Bikes
67. That my kids love each other and (for the most part) get along amazingly well.
68. Repentance
69. My mother- and father-in-law
70. Scott's brothers and sister and their spouses.
71. Shopping with my mom, which doesn't happen enough.
72. Hair dryers
73. Blogging
74. Lotion
75. That I have Braedy who is always willing to help me with anything.
76. Surgeons
77. Tools
78. Fingers
79. Flowers
80. Support from family and friends.
81. Airplanes
82. That Masen is here and healthy.
83. The relationship I have with my mom. We talk EVERY day!!
84. Teeth
85. Babies, to remind us of how close heaven really is.
86. Marriage
87. Temples
88. That Kaylen makes me laugh every single day.
89. Hospitals
90. Electricity
91. Pajama pants
92. Christmas lights
93. Eyes
94. Joseph Smith
95. Education and knowledge
96. Restaurants (for those nights I just don't want to cook).
97. Ears
98. Video games (just because my kids love them so much).
99. Blankets
100. Heat
101. Knowledge that there is a life after this.
These, obviously, are in no particular order and I know I have a million more reasons to be grateful. My life is by no means perfect but I have learned if I focus on the wonderful things in my life, the bad things don't seem so terrible. I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life. And so excited for the upcoming holidays!!
So, what is on my mind right now? CHRISTMAS!! It is by far my very most favorite holiday. I love the whole season leading up to it and everything that comes with it. I love the commercial part of Christmas (Santa, Rudolph, gifts, trees, lights, etc.) but this year I am trying trying to think of ways I can really teach my kids the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I know that they understand we are celebrating Jesus Christ's birth but they still only think about what's in it for them. I know that being a kid means being self-centered but I want to figure out a way to help them be unselfish at least one time a year! So, if any of you have any ideas, please enlighten me.
Thanksgiving, of course, is also on my mind. I can't believe it is only a week away! Where has this year gone? Time seems to be going faster and faster! I'm so excited to reconnect with family and remember that I have SO much to be thankful for. My life is so blessed! Here is my list of the top 101 things I am thankful for.
1. The gospel of Jesus Christ
2. My Savior, Jesus Christ
3. The Atonement
4. The Book of Mormon
5. My amazing husband
6. Jayden
7. Braedy
8. Masen
9. Kaylen
10. My goodly parents
11. My three awesome brothers
12. My sweet sisters-in-law
13. My nieces and nephews (they all are the most adorable kids!)
14. A living prophet
15. That my amazing 12-year-old willingly gets up at 5:45 to study the scriptures!
16. A warm house
17. My husband's job
18. The fact that I get to stay home and be a full-time mommy.
19. My Heavenly Father
20. Family Home Evening
21. Clothes
22. Indoor plumbing
23. Friends
24. Health
25. Comfy beds
26. Church Magazines
27. Computers
28. My Ward Family
29. Books
30. Movies
31. Shoes
32. Water
33. The Earth
34. Schools
35. That my parents make every effort to visit us as much as possible.
36. Stores
37. Silverware
38. The BYU channel
39. That my awesome hubby cleans the kitchen whenever I don't get to it!
40. Music
41. Gymnastics
42. The gift of the Holy Ghost
43. My amazing Grandma who never forgets a birthday for any of her 44 kids/grandkids.
44. Love
45. Teachers
46. Eyeglasses
47. Sports
48. Doctors
49. Food
50. Grass
51. Meeting and making new friends
52. The United States of America
53. My dad who, not only loves me unconditionally, but can fix ANYTHING!!
54. The Priesthood
55. Telephones
56. Holidays
57. Cars
58. My piano
59. Washers and dryers
60. Richmond, VA and the awesome experience we had there.
61. All the amazing friends I made while Scott was in dental school.
62. Science (just because Jay loves it).
63. Parks and playgrounds
64. Oreos
65. Deoderant
66. Bikes
67. That my kids love each other and (for the most part) get along amazingly well.
68. Repentance
69. My mother- and father-in-law
70. Scott's brothers and sister and their spouses.
71. Shopping with my mom, which doesn't happen enough.
72. Hair dryers
73. Blogging
74. Lotion
75. That I have Braedy who is always willing to help me with anything.
76. Surgeons
77. Tools
78. Fingers
79. Flowers
80. Support from family and friends.
81. Airplanes
82. That Masen is here and healthy.
83. The relationship I have with my mom. We talk EVERY day!!
84. Teeth
85. Babies, to remind us of how close heaven really is.
86. Marriage
87. Temples
88. That Kaylen makes me laugh every single day.
89. Hospitals
90. Electricity
91. Pajama pants
92. Christmas lights
93. Eyes
94. Joseph Smith
95. Education and knowledge
96. Restaurants (for those nights I just don't want to cook).
97. Ears
98. Video games (just because my kids love them so much).
99. Blankets
100. Heat
101. Knowledge that there is a life after this.
These, obviously, are in no particular order and I know I have a million more reasons to be grateful. My life is by no means perfect but I have learned if I focus on the wonderful things in my life, the bad things don't seem so terrible. I am so grateful for all the blessings in my life. And so excited for the upcoming holidays!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
