Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Being a MOTHER

There are definitely a lot of hard things about being a mother. Fortunately, it is all worth it when you take into consideration all the blessings you get to witness on a day to day basis. For some reason, and not that I admit this to the world very willingly, but lately I have been feeling overwhelmed and in a rut. I've had some really good conversations with Brent and he always knows what to say to make me feel better. One conversation in particular made me feel better about feeling overwhelmed. Brent recalled some talk he heard when the speaker was attempting to name off all the things us women and mothers do everyday and how mathematically it is not possible to get it all done. However, somehow we manage to do it! Ya that made me feel good. Then he was telling me some things he read in "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" and how we just really need to prioritize. So I'm hoping to read that book. In relief Society this Sunday it really stuck me how blessed I am to be a mother to these sweet boys and how blessed we are that I can stay home with them! I know I can to a better job taking care of them than anyone else can and that really makes me feel good. Sometimes I really want to back to school and get my degree or be out in the workforce, but for now I know my place is here, at home. I'm so happy for that opportunity!

On a lighter note...being a mother you've got to be prepared for anything....seriously! For example....
As a Mother, Be prepared FOR....

...Exhaustion, whether it's YOU or your little ones.
Caution: you may fall asleep where ever you are

...Work, work and more work.
Many times that work will pay off and you'll see how your little ones are helping too!
....Big Messes
Can you believe this was clean 5 minutes earlier?! I was upstairs and it was too quiet so I went to check on the boys and WOW...what a Mess!
I got quote from my mother-in-law that hangs in my medicine cabinent so I can see it often that says "If it can be vacuumed up, wiped off or washed out, don't worry about it. Ya I'm still working on that one :)
...Lots of Laughter
the things they come up with crack me up!!
...Sweet moments
This picture depicts Porter and their love so well. Here Mason was crying in the car and Porter sweetly reaches across to hold his little brothers hand! Mason really loves his big brother and they are becoming best friends!
...Setting an example and hoping they pick up the good things ;)
Of course every time I came over to take a picture Porter shied away and Mason looked at me. I turned around one day to see them both with their scriptures singing "book of Mormon Stories"
I love it!
...Owwies!
Some big some small. Many times we cry with them.
...Teaching, growing and watching them experience this wonderful world
...Be flexible
Maybe I was working out and sweating for an hour but when the opportunity to see a cool firetuck presents it's self, we'll be there. Even taking pictures
...did I mention messes?! ;) These are great opportunities to teach how to clean up and take care of out belongings though :)
...Confusion, understanding and then of course laughter
I had just washed the car and they poured out the water. Porter then gasps and yells "Mommy!..ITS YOU!!" What? Oh, I can see that..can you? (theres a head arms and legs...it totally resembles me don't you think?)
...witnessing unconditional love
These two just love haning out together! This is another time they were too quiet so I went looking for them. Instead of a mess I found them reading together. So sweet!
....Fun times and funny faces
They love making us laugh, whether we should be laughing or not.
And if you know Mason at all, you know he is the master of facial expressions! Funny, mad, happy, sad, pouting etc. (not that this picture depicts that too well)
...Occasional silence, esp in the car
got to love when they fall asleep...esp at the SAME TIME!! :)
...an abundant amount of LOVE
I LOVE YO BOYS!
Ok I think the whole thing my mother-in-law gave me is noteworthy. She gave us this little sheet for mothers day highlighting chapter headings of a book. They include;
*Learn to laugh
*Be discerning: sometimes a one mile effort is enough
*Create a few things that can be counted on
*Know when to holler for help
*If it can be vacuumed up, wiped off or washed out, don't worry about it
*Accept life as a glorious adventure full of gifts for you
*Be grateful for the things you have to do
*Remember that years fly by, even though some of the days are mighty long
*It's worth it

Those really help me! Thanks Mom. :)


2 comments:

Cori said...

So beautiful and so true. I needed this today, Kathryn. Thank you.

The Valentine's said...

I really like those sayings! I'm gonna make a sign with the one that says if it can be "vaccumed up or wiped up" and put it in my family room! I need that reminder a lot, especially now that Porter's crawling all over and pulling stuff out and playing in his food! Sometimes we need it for the hubby too!!