Mommy- warning- look out for the soap box!

What do you do for a living?

I am a mom

He looks and waits for me to continue.

I start to say what I used to do

Then I realize, That Mommy is a job

So I say, I am a mommy

Just then the boys run out of the house

Mommy, Mommy, Mommy

Save me Mommy

Yes I am the Saver

I am the cooker

I am the one more bite enforcer

I am the bum wiper

I am the bath runner

I am the clothes folder

I am the driver

I am the cleaner

I am the hugger

I am the swatter

I am the teacher

I am the lover

I am the garden weader

I am the dish washer

I am the hole in the knee mender

I am the owie kisser

I am the flower reciever

I am the baby feeder

I am the diaper changer

I am the record keeper

I am the calender

I am the money spender

I am th rocker

I am Mommy

I have a favorite speech given by a man named Ezra Benson. It is called To the Mothers in Zion.

http://emp.byui.edu/SATTERFIELDB/PDF/ToMothersofZion.pdf I refer to it often, as it reminds me of what my most important job is. In 2005 my church released a document that is also part of the foundation in our home. http://lds.org/study/prophets-speak-today/unto-all-the-world/proclamation-on-family-is-still-a-clarion-call?lang=eng I can't help but feel the daily attack on mothers that I see, whether subtle or blatant. I believe the title of mother is loosing its importance. I see movies impose there belief that a mother would be a better mother out of the home following "her dream". Or, a current pop hit movie that sends teenagers away for months at a time to school. I am often stopped at the grocery store and asked- Are these all your children, or is this a day care. When I responds that they are mine, it is always followed with a "God bless you". Which, leads me to believe, with my 5 that I am not a common site. I remember feeling like a day care would do much better for my children than I can do for them. But, as I ponder that I realize how wrong I was. How could someone else ever be better for my child than I am? I see mothers- my self included focusing on weight or beauty. I see mothers giving in to the lie that life is too hard- or that it would be easier with addiction. I feel like this is a time when mothers, whether future or current, should ban together to protect our families, to teach, to learn, and to nurture each other and children every where. A favorite speaker of mine is a woman named Julie Beck. As she speaks of families, she points out that we need to be intentional. I love that word! We don't need to be perfect, but we need to live with intent. I think for me this means, not to let life just pass, but to be intentional about what I allow in my home, and what I allow out of my mouth. She mentions being "brilliant in the basics". She goes on to list a few. -pray, study the scriptures together, have family night, make a priority of mealtimes, and speak respectfully of your marriage partner.

http://lds.org/ensign/2011/03/teaching-the-doctrine-of-the-family?lang=eng&noLang=true&path=/ensign/2011/03/teaching-the-doctrine-of-the-family

10 ways a mother can mother

Be at the Crossroads

Be a Real Friend.

Read to Your Children.

Pray with Your Children.

Have Weekly Family Night

Be Together at Mealtimes.

Read Scriptures Daily.

Do Things as a Family.

Teach Your Children.

Truly Love Your Children.

I guess this is my challenge to you mothers out there. Don't give up. Don't give in. Be intentional. Rely on the strength and knowledge of mothers who came before you. Be a little better. You can do it. Look at your precious little ones and do it!

And can I just add a post script-

Please be respectful of Men. Respect and show respect for Husbands, Fathers, Grandfathers, Brothers, Sons. They have a hard roll. With our respect, doing their duty will be more joyful.

She is here!

We are in love! She is so sweet. We are having so much fun dressing her in pink. She was 8lbs even. She was 20 inches long. She is good at everything she is supposed to do. Good eater, Good sleeper, Good diaper filler. And, if you know me, you will be excited to note that she has a white streak in her hair- right up front. We are tired, and happy. We are taking the month of July off to rest and relax. Have a wonderful independence day, pioneer day, and strawberry, raspberry harvest. See in you all in August.

With Love!

Birthdays and a Baptism

Some how I don't have pictures of #2 and Hubbins Birthdays. Shoot! But #3 had a birthday in June and #1 had a birthday in May. #1 was baptized in June. And #1 had his very first birthday party with friends. It has been a fun couple of months! #1 wanted a spring cake. #3 wanted a cake with strawberries on top.

highlights -at the baptism, we were listening to one of the missionaries play church music, when everyone hears #2 shout- "look, guys I found the font- lets jump in."

-At the party someone hands #1 a card. He looks at it and says, " I am saving the best for last" Nice cover bud!

-#3 made sure no one else blew out his candles this year, because he wanted to make sure and get his wish!

Life is sure fun with 5 boys to kiss!

A 5K and a hospital visit

Some how I didn't get in to this picture. I was there though!

Last Saturday Hubbin, boys, and I decided to jog/walk a 5K. It was pretty fun. #1 ran the first mile walked the second and 1/2 of the third, and finished strong at the finish line. Way to go Bud! Dad pushed #2 and #3 most of the way, only coaxing them to run from time to time. I carried, ran with, walked with, and chased #4 all 3 miles. We had a good time. It was fun, and I can't wait to do it again.

After the 5K we drove home. All day long I was having regular contractions. 2.5 minutes apart. For 10 hours. At 8 pm I decided we better get the kids to the sitter and prepare for a night at the hospital. At about 2 they sent me home after I had only dialated a cm. Bummer!

They gave me something to help me sleep. When I woke up the next afternoon the contractions were virtually gone. Bigger Bummer!

I have been having irregular contractions off and on for a week now, and I am seriously getting sick of them! Come or wait- but this in between stuff is driving me crazy!

Maybe we will go do another 5K :)

The Receiving End

Today one of my friends called.  She asked if I was going to be home.  I told her I would all day.  I figured that she wanted me to watch her little boy.  Pretty soon she showed up in my drive way.  She came to paint.  She brought our other friend  with her.  They didn't have to do it, but they did.  I didn't expect that the painting, the wains coating put up, the exhaust fan painted, or the lenoleum would be cleaned until after the baby was born.  But these two angels, and eventually three swooped in and helped for two full days.  This meant so much more to me than an updated kitchen.  I am so grateful for friends.
Update*
My dear friend in the pink shirt is named Kalli.  She passed away yesterday.  Whenever I would go to talk to her she would say with a huge smile, "Hi sweet lady, what can I do for you?"  She was constantly serving others.  I will miss her until we meet again.  Her example of love and service has blessed many peoples lives including mine.  I love you Miss Kalli.

A good day!

Have you ever had a good day. I mean just an average good day? I did. Today. I woke up and took a shower. Then, I took about 2 minutes to blow dry my hair. Put some makeup on. I found some clean comfortable maternity clothes. I got the kids ready. Hubbin and kids were out of the house by 8. Dropped Hubbin at work and kids at school. Little two boys went to a friends house. I went to the doctor. I was a bit late, but no one seemed to stressed about it. I got poked, and prodded, signed up for the option of a birthing tub, and found out I was a little dialated- 1cm. Fun! Then I went to get the boys. Last week someone gave me a baby shower. So, the boys and I went and bought them some fresh cut flowers, from our new favorite store. I stopped at a dear friends house, to tell her good by. I got to help her fold laundry for a minute and gave her a few hugs. She is moving with her family-East. Sad. Then she gave me the food in her fridge. Yum! Ice Cream with 3 ingredients. Mixed berries. Mini pizza. Butter. Thank You! We took flowers to the other dear friend who gave the shower. Hugged her. She was having a bad day. Then we went home and ate berry milk shakes and mini pizzas for lunch. We got that done by 12. I came up stairs, and relished the wonderful window air conditioner. Thank you hubbin. I thought of my sweet friend. Oh sweet friend I wish I knew how to help you. I love you. I talked to my mom on the phone. Thanks! Then I watched a sappy movie. Where the heart is. I cried. I talked to my sister in law on the phone. We schemed. I talked to my sister on the phone. We laughed. I ate yummy left overs. I took number 2 to therapy. I worked out at the Y. I took all the boys to the park. They played. We listened to Harry Potter on tape. We got Hubbin from work. We filled the car with gas. We listened to Harry Potter. We came home. We ate more yummy leftovers. I visited a friend at work. I encouraged her. I hugged her. I laughed with her. I went to the mall to pick up a few graduation gifts. I finished Harry Potter 2. I mowed the Lawn. I weeded the garden. I bathed my children. I put them to bed. I ran another load of laundry. I folded 3 loads of laundry. I decided it was a good day. I documented it. Good night, Good Day.

Oh what do you do?

What do you do in the middle of the night, when you can't sleep?

I, think about all the things I could be doing if I wasn't trying to get back to sleep.

I finally give up after 2 hours of that and go do some things on my list.

like- paint Eve's dresser

- prep the kitchen for painting

- write it on my blog

- check my email

-read about what to expect at 35 weeks prego

-plan a vacation to Idaho

You know all the normal stuff that you do when your supposed to be sleeping.

Going to try again

g'night!