Great Women

May we know them....
I know many great women.  They are my best friends, my sisters and sister-in-laws, and my daughters.  I am blessed to have a mom who has taught me by example how to live as I believe, how to live the way our Savior taught, and how to love unconditionally.  How grateful I am for my mom's influence and love. 

   

Elder Russell M. Ballard said:  "There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman...A mother-daughter relationship is where a daughter learns how to nurture by being nurtured. She is loved. She is taught and experiences firsthand what it feels like to have someone care about her enough to correct her while continuing to encourage and believe in her at the same time."

Another blessing of mine is the sweet influence and love we have from Brad's mom - our wonderful "Grandma".  Her faith is eloquently described in Elder Jeffrey Holland's words:
"A woman’s abiding trust in God and unfailing devotion to things of the Spirit have always been an anchor when the wind and the waves of life were fiercest.”
That is how I would describe Grandma, or Mom to the few of us blessed enough to call her that!

May we raise them......

I have the honor of being a Mom.  I cannot imagine a more noble calling.  Our children are raised and each night I thank my Heavenly Father for each of my children, individually. 

Sheri Dew said: "As mothers in Israel, we are the Lord’s secret weapon. Our influence comes from a divine endowment that has been in place from the beginning. In the premortal world, when our Father described our role, I wonder if we didn’t stand in wide-eyed wonder that He would bless us with a sacred trust so central to His plan and that He would endow us with gifts so vital to the loving and leading of His children. I wonder if we shouted for joy at least in part because of the ennobling stature He gave us in His kingdom. The world won’t tell you that, but the Spirit will.

We just can’t let the Lord down. And if the day comes when we are the only women on earth who find nobility and divinity in motherhood, so be it. For mother is the word that will define a righteous woman made perfect in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a woman who has qualified for eternal increase in posterity, wisdom, joy, and influence."

I cannot take credit for the amazing individuals that each of our children have become.  Not perfect, but wonderful men and women who are striving to live the teachings of our Savior in their very best way.  They love the Lord, they love their family, and I am blessed to be a part of each of their lives.
 

May we be them!

I cannot express how much I love and enjoy being a Mom.  Moments of pure happiness mixed with sleepless nights, long conversations, and many prayers have helped me to become a better person.  I have learned how to pray more earnestly, fast with a broken yet hopeful heart, stretch my faith, and become a more devoted follower of my Savior. I have learned to search the scriptures and the conference talks for answers, to understand the importance of temple worship, and strive to eliminate things in my life that would distance me from the promptings of the Spirit.  I know that Heavenly Father has entrusted me with His children and also given me the opportunity to influence many more of His children through service. 

Aaron - Savannah - Tyler - Jenny - Jacque - Aly - Eric:  On Mother's Day, I wanted my children to know how much I love them and how much I love being a Mom.

Mother's Day

Things I learned from my Mom

Believe, courage, love, dream, strength

Where do I start?

It’s like a book that’s written on my heart

And wherever I go in life

It guides me in ways I bet she doesn’t even realize.

First of all….I learned that sometimes a hug can say more than words

And that I could trust myself as I began to make my way in the world

Because I was standing on the solid foundation she gave me.

Grandma - she has given us all a sure foundation!

Nothing beats the love of a mother

I learned that strength comes from standing up and doing what’s right

Even if sometimes you stand alone.

That excuses don’t work (no matter how many good ones I came up with!!).

Moms love you just because

I learned that success comes from trying, failing, and trying again,

Not from everything being perfect all the time.

That kindness counts more than getting ahead.

That times may change, but the important things don’t.

I learned that no matter where I am, there is someone who cares and believes in me

And I learned that there are really angels on earth…..because my mom is one of them.

(These were the words on a card I gave my sweet mom on Mother's Day)

It was such a wonderful Sunday for me as my sweet daughters made me a gourmet lunch after church meetings.  We relaxed and then headed over to Grammy and Grampy's for another celebration of wonderful mom's. 

I am so blessed to have strong and faithful women in my family. I love my mom dearly. I love my mom-in-Pima- just as much. And I have sisters and sister-in-laws who are examples to me in so many different ways. These are good women and I truly am grateful for their influence in my life!!

Happy Mother's Day

Mother's Day is always such a fun, wonderful day.  I think it is because I have been blessed with two Moms - whose example and love have helped me to become the Mom I am today.

Brad's mom...aka "Grandma" is one of the best people I know.  Her warmth and love are felt by everyone.  I love this lady with all my heart and feel blessed to have her influence in my life and the lives of our children.  Words cannot express the appreciation I have for this wonderful Mom.  Her life is filled with service for others and she is a great example of unconditional love for all!

My Mom has always been my best friend.  She has loved me, taught me, had faith in me, encouraged me, and brought so much joy into my life.  Because of her example, I try to be the same type of Mom to my own kids.  Celebrating Mother's Day on Sunday evening is always a treat.  It always includes a few presents, a treat of "GOX" (a child-hood treat only found around Mother's Day), and very, very SERIOUS pictures!

My own Mother's Day was nearly perfect.  My family tries so hard to give me a day of rest and wonderful memories.  Aaron and Savannah were in Pima making Grandma's day a little special and spent the evening skirting a fire that delayed their return.  Jenny, Tyler, Jade, Aly, and Jacque made a wonderful brunch (yes, Tyler can cook bacon!) and we had a beautiful morning.  I'm so grateful that my kids know exactly what to get me!  How I love nativity sets...any time of the year!!

 This last gift is really a Pogo Stick.  "What you ask?  It looks like a panini press to me!"  Well, with Jacque moving out this coming week, we are losing our panini press.  It is her very own.  Since we use this little gem quite frequently, the family decided "I" needed my very own.  Why do we call it a Pogo Stick?  When the kids were very young, we listened to a lot of kids songs.  One was about a little boy who bought his mom a pogo stick for her birthday.  I wish I had the lyrics to that song!  It sure brings back alot of memories!!

We went to the single's ward where Jacque spoke about Mothers.  I think she has talked on Mother's Day 3 different times now.  I love hearing her speak and watching her grow into such a beautiful young woman.  Spending time with my family is really the best type of Mother's Day.  I know that the Moms in my life have had a profound influence on me and I can only hope that I can have an influence for good on my children as well.  Jacque ended her talk with this quote that touched my heart in many ways:
"There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood.  The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation". - James. E. Faust