Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep.
~Author Unknown
Monday, May 10, 2010
Motherhood Quote #2
"When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?"
Neal A. Maxwell, “The Women of God,” Ensign, May 1978, 10
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Motherhood Quote #3
"What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?
"First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments.
"Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: 'The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less' (Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).
"Second, don’t overschedule yourselves or your children...
"Third...Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them... And don’t allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet.
"Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother."
M. Russell Ballard, “Daughters of God,” Ensign, May 2008, 108–10
"First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments.
"Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: 'The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less' (Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).
"Second, don’t overschedule yourselves or your children...
"Third...Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them... And don’t allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet.
"Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother."
M. Russell Ballard, “Daughters of God,” Ensign, May 2008, 108–10
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Motherhood Quote #4
"In our society, we give motherhood plenty of lip service. We pat moms on the head, bring them flowers on Mother's Day, and honor them before crowds. But at the end of the day, we don't extend them the same respect we would a professor, a dentist, an accountant or a judge. Women who choose full-time mothering are often put in a box by their friends and former colleagues—a container labeled 'just a mom.'
"I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is. To create an environment that's stimulating and nurturing, to pass on a sense of responsibility to another human being, to raise a child who understands that he or she is created from good and is capable of anything—I know for sure that few callings are more honorable. To play down mothering as small is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands.
"The world can only value mothering to the extent that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so. In our hands, we hold the power to transform the perception of motherhood. Whether we decide to work full-time while raising children, stay home with our kids, or bear no children at all, we need to understand that any put-down of the decision to mother is a threat to women's choices everywhere. We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as 'just a mom.' It is on her back that great nations are built."
"What I Know For Sure," O, The Oprah Magazine, 66
"I believe the choice to become a mother is the choice to become one of the greatest spiritual teachers there is. To create an environment that's stimulating and nurturing, to pass on a sense of responsibility to another human being, to raise a child who understands that he or she is created from good and is capable of anything—I know for sure that few callings are more honorable. To play down mothering as small is to crack the very foundation on which greatness stands.
"The world can only value mothering to the extent that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so. In our hands, we hold the power to transform the perception of motherhood. Whether we decide to work full-time while raising children, stay home with our kids, or bear no children at all, we need to understand that any put-down of the decision to mother is a threat to women's choices everywhere. We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as 'just a mom.' It is on her back that great nations are built."
"What I Know For Sure," O, The Oprah Magazine, 66
Weighing in...
At almost 8 1/2 months (on May 5) Skylie weighed 15 lbs., 1 oz. fully clothed at a doctor's appointment.
Motherhood Quote #5
In honor of this upcoming Sunday, Mother's Day:
"You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.” 12 And it will make your children whole as well."
Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Because She Is a Mother’,” Ensign, May 1997, 35
"You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.” 12 And it will make your children whole as well."
Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Because She Is a Mother’,” Ensign, May 1997, 35
Monday, May 3, 2010
Girls' Night
Almost three years ago Matt and I moved to Des Moines. We had no idea what Iowa would hold for us. We didn't know about the crazy Iowa ice-storms or what medical school would really be like. And we had no idea we'd meet so many kind and genuine friends.
Each May brings me sadness as I watch friends complete their time here and trickle away. As one of the last times we'll have together, Jordan planned a Girls' Night at Red Robin last Thursday. It was so good to have some girl time sans kids (Thanks, Matt for watching Skylie!).
I consider myself fortunate to call each of these ladies "friend".
Cassie Larsen, me, Leilani Beeston, and Megan Murdock I love this picture because all four of us are staying here for a while!
Kristelle Larsen, Jordan Hansen, Aupreille Ellis, and Margaret Jolley Knowing that Kristelle, Jordan, and Aupreille are all leaving makes me want to cry.
Kristelle, I couldn't have asked for a better neighbor, babysitter, or friend. Thank you for sharing your struggles with me and for your honesty. You've sacrificed much time and energy for others. That's a trait you've mastered that I can only hope to emulate someday.
Jordan, I love your witty sense of humor, your fashion sense, and your fun-loving personality. Thank you for visiting me after I had Skylie. The days at home with a newborn are sometimes a little lonely. Thank you for coming over (the baby stuff is appreciated, too)! I've felt like you've really reached out to befriend others lately, and that is something I love and admire in you.
Aupreille, No neighbor can replace you. I will miss having a friend only seconds away. You were my lifesaver after Skylie was born--bringing in dinner FOR A WEEK, making sure I had items I needed, and answering all my questions. You are always thinking of others. Always. I will miss all our game nights (sorry for all of our inapproapriate comments) and the Sunday get-togethers. I could go on and on...
Leilani, Jordan, Megan, Erin, Cassie, Aupreille, and Margaret
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same."
~ Author unknown
Each May brings me sadness as I watch friends complete their time here and trickle away. As one of the last times we'll have together, Jordan planned a Girls' Night at Red Robin last Thursday. It was so good to have some girl time sans kids (Thanks, Matt for watching Skylie!).
I consider myself fortunate to call each of these ladies "friend".
Cassie Larsen, me, Leilani Beeston, and Megan Murdock I love this picture because all four of us are staying here for a while! Kristelle Larsen, Jordan Hansen, Aupreille Ellis, and Margaret Jolley Knowing that Kristelle, Jordan, and Aupreille are all leaving makes me want to cry.Kristelle, I couldn't have asked for a better neighbor, babysitter, or friend. Thank you for sharing your struggles with me and for your honesty. You've sacrificed much time and energy for others. That's a trait you've mastered that I can only hope to emulate someday.
Jordan, I love your witty sense of humor, your fashion sense, and your fun-loving personality. Thank you for visiting me after I had Skylie. The days at home with a newborn are sometimes a little lonely. Thank you for coming over (the baby stuff is appreciated, too)! I've felt like you've really reached out to befriend others lately, and that is something I love and admire in you.
Aupreille, No neighbor can replace you. I will miss having a friend only seconds away. You were my lifesaver after Skylie was born--bringing in dinner FOR A WEEK, making sure I had items I needed, and answering all my questions. You are always thinking of others. Always. I will miss all our game nights (sorry for all of our inapproapriate comments) and the Sunday get-togethers. I could go on and on...
Leilani, Jordan, Megan, Erin, Cassie, Aupreille, and Margaret "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same."
~ Author unknown
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
