Simple Joys

My mom and I were talking about an Oprah show that she had seen that was talking about Motherhood. She told me some of the comments made, and we laughed. I commented that Motherhood is one of the hardest things I have ever done, and if people realized JUST how hard it really is, I bet that many, many of them/us would chose another path (I personally would keep on the same path - but that doesn't mean it's the easiest thing I've ever done). Then the next thing I said is the stickler (is that a word?). Anyways...I said, "and there are no rewards in motherhood...at least until your kids are grown up." What a hair-brained thing to say or even think!! I remember when we were expecting our first child, I was visiting with a young stay-at-home mother, and I was telling her how excited I was to get to be a stay-at-home mom. She commented that it isn't all that great UNLESS YOU MAKE it that great. It takes a conscious effort every single day to make it a wonderful experience instead one of drudgery. At that time, I was really surprised, because I could only see through rose-colored glasses. However, it didn't take long until I realized what she meant, and I made it my goal, my challenge, to make motherhood a wonderful experience. I did great with that for awhile, then busier schedules kicked in, and more children arrived, and somewhere along the way routine kicked in instead of spontaneous playfulness and laughter.

Recently I heard this quote (I think it was from the Sunday morning Spoken Word program). "Simple joys are everywhere. All we have to do is notice them." Then the speaker went on to list things like a "clean counter, colors in the leaves, laughter..."

Now that I am noticing, my life is full of simple joys. For example, Jarin's cute way of saying, "I love you mom...SooooooSoooooo much!" Kamdens big bright eyes and the way he waves hi to me when I walk in the room. Emilie's energy and willingness to be so helpful. Braydens bright smile and excitement and willingness to want to talk to his "ancient" mom. Ira's willingness to be such a hard worker, and his desire to want to spend more time with his family. When my dishes are all done, when the laundry is totally caught up (even if it only lasts an hour), the smell of freshly cut grass, the warm sunshine, my kids giggles, my husbands "thank you's", my extended families support to be a healthy family. OK, I'm getting carried away. I could literally add to this list all day and not make a dent in all the simple joys I should be noticing on a daily basis, not just experiencing and then ignoring. There's a word for that, it's called "ingratitude".

My point of this post is to remind myself to notice the Simple Joys in life. They are all around me, and the rewards of motherhood aren't just 20 years down the road, they are everywhere, everyday - NOW.

Ira and Jarin enjoying the Simple Pleasures of the warm spring sun.

I WILL survive!

Me and my kiddos
Our kids love to snow ski, and Ira has taken them about once a year for quite a while now. I have always had a "good" excuse to weezle my way out of it. (You know, things like being pregnant, need to feed the new baby etc.). This year, I tried all the "weezling" I could, and Ira would just smile and tell me it was my turn to take them. I haven't been snow skiing in many years, and I was a bit terrified, especially since I would be having Emi with me whose only been twice. It's worse than the blind leading the blind!! So...I made sure my life insurance was paid up, and that Ira knew where to find the policy - and off I went. And guess what?...I DID survive!!

My sister Kelli, and her family were going, and she loves to ski. I knew we would be in good hands if we got stuck somewhere - she would find a way to help us down. Emi cried most of the way down when I was with her. After about an hour of that, Kelli showed up and showed her a few things, and off she went, with no more tears. Then Emi and her 4 year old cousin, Myah would cruz past me and have to stop and wait for me to catch up as I zig-zagged back and forth trying to get down the mountain in one piece. It was lots of fun, especially the part where we took OFF the skis for the day! It really was fun, but once a year (or less) would suit me just fine. However, I loved, loved, loved being outside, in the sun, fresh air, and beautiful mountains.

This was the first of many falls for me.

It was a lot harder to get back up than I remembered it being in my younger days!

Brayden, Zacary & Skyler. They went on their own most of the day, and had a great time together.My sis and IEmi & Myah. The above picture is them flying down the mountain past me.Brayden

Kelli & Myah
We married two of the greatest guys. While we played for the day, Ira & Derrick took care of babies at the lodge, and they grilled hamburgers so we hungry skiiers could have something yummy to eat. Later, they went to "City of the Rocks", and checked things out there.

You guys are the greatest!

Oh ya...we ran out of gas on the mountain on our way home. This is the only hill we had to push the van up, then Ira coasted all the way down the mountain, straight to the gas pump!

He coasted from up there......to here.


Yummy "hole in the wall" restaurant in Pocatello

I think that I forgot to mention that we FORGOT sun screen! You can't see our red faces in this picture very well, but believe you me...THEY ARE RED. We have had a sore couple of days!..LESSON LEARNED! OUCH!

Wet Oatmeal Kisses

This week has been one of great reflection for me. A dear family in our neighborhood lost their son tragically, and he left behind his wife and his four "babies" that are about my "babies" ages. It has caused me to have a little more patience, laugh a little more with my family and at myself, hold them a little closer for a little longer, and tell them with more sincerity that I love them. I haven't wanted Ira to leave my side - unfortunantly it has been "one of those weeks" that he hasn't been by my side much. But at the end of the day, even those long days, he has still been around long enough to wrap his arms around each of us. It really puts things into perspective of those petty little things that cause "stress", or are "inconvenient". As long as we have each other - we have everything that is important.

I have also been scanning some of my late-Grandmas family history, so all the families can have copies of it. I have had the opportunity to hold things in my hands that my Grandma, Great Grandparents, and Great-Great grandparents (etc.) held, wore, and touched with their hands. I have held my Grandmas baby booties, poems and letters written by long-ago relatives, pictures, and even original marriage certificates. It has been a long process, but I have been so grateful to have the priviledge to read their stories, and see many of their pictures, and get to know them. Someday, when I go to the other side (hopefully I'll go to the heaven side!), I will see them, and I will know them, and we can be together as family again.

My Grandma Wrights baby booties

My sisters and I on the bottom row (all high-school age)

My mom, her mom, her mom, her mom & her mom (My Great-great -great Grandmother)



Both of these experiences have really caused great reflection for me. I don't like the tragic way that I had to be reminded of how important my family is - but nevertheless, I am grateful that I could be reminded. I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple so that we have the possibility of not just seeing each other again someday, but being together as a family.


When I was going through my grandmas things, I found this writing - I don't know the author, but amidst all of these experiences, I have thought about this writing many times. It must have made an impact on my Grandma as well, or she wouldn't have kept it in her treasures. Her life on earth is now gone, but I am still here to take advantage of these "wet oatmeal kisses".

Wet Oatmeal Kisses
The baby is teething. The children are fighting. Your husband just called and said, "Eat dinner without me.
One of these days you'll explode and shout to the kids, "Why don't you grow up and act your age?"...And they will.
Or: "You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do. And don't slam the door!"...And they don't.
You'll straighten their bedrooms all neat and tidy, toys displayed on the shelf, hangers in the closet. You'll yell, "Now I want it to stay this way!"...And it will.
You will prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't had all the olives picked out and a cake with no finger traces in the icing and you'll say: "Now THIS is a meal for company."...And you will eat it alone.
You'll yell, "I want complete privacy on the phone. No screaming. Do you hear me?" ...And no one will answer.
No more dandelion bouquets. No more wet, knotted shoelaces, muddy boots or rubber bands for ponytails.
Imagine. A lipstick with a point. No babysitter for New Year's Eve. Washing clothes only once a week, no PTA meetings or silly school plays where your child is a tree. No carpools, blaring stereos, or forgotten lunch money.
No more Christmas presents made of library paste and toothpicks. No wet oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No more giggles in the dark, scraped knees to kiss or sticky fingers to clean. Only a voice asking: "Why don't you grow up?"
...And the silence echoes: "I did."


Kam and I sharing "Wet Oatmeal Kisses"

Road Trips...

What is it about road trips that keeps us coming back for more? When we went to Disneyland, we debated whether we should fly or drive. We opted to drive because after all, together time is part of the fun, right? Well, I'll just say that after that trip, we decided that we would fly next time. Never again will we subject ourselves to that torture! So then what do we do? One month later, we thought it would be "fun" to go on another road trip! (What got into us?) We justified it with the fact that this road trip was much shorter in comparison. No way can this 3 1/2 hour trip be as bad as the 12 hours to Disneyland, right? Wrong again!! True, it was shorter, but the "issues" were just intensified to fit 12 hours into 3 1/2! Now we have decided that our next road trip is just the two of us - no kids. You think that will happen? Probably not! We'll forget all about the arguing, crying, complaining etc., and sooner than later - we'll be back on that road trip (with the kids)! Gotta love them (the road trips I mean - AND the kids)!!! I have to admit that aside from the not-so-great moments, there are still a lot of wonderful memories that we built together. My extended family still give me a hard time about what a "brat" I was on a certain road trip when I was about 14 years old. The verdict is still out on that one. I think everyone else in the car were the ones with the problems! See?...memories...good times! When all is said and done, yes, we will go on more road trips...with the kids! And someday, we will even laugh at all the "issues".

Here are a few pictures of our most recent road trip:

This was a last minute trip for us. I was sharing my disappointment with my friend, Mindy Johnson, that we didn't have tickets to go to the Draper Temple open house. She said that she had some, and extra. So...the next thing I knew, Ira and I had a whole weekend planned. We went to the open house on Friday night...

...Then we stayed at a hotel in Provo. Ever since we got home from Disneyland, Jarin has been asking us if we could go back to our hotel. So he was very excited to get to stay at a hotel. We are short a bed for one person, and he is always excited to find somewhere cool to sleep. Under the table was where he picked, after I talked him out of sleeping in the closet!...

...Of course, the highlight of staying at a hotel is getting to swim. This was Kamden's first time to swim. He loved splashing....

...Saturday, we went to Little Sahara sand dunes (by Nephi, UT), and went 4-wheeling. We love to go 4-wheeling. Last summer I was pregnant, then had a newborn, so we were very limited on our riding. Yes, we start our kids riding young, but at least we didn't take him last year when he was a newborn! We put a helmet on him, attach him to the baby carrier that is hooked on me, and we ride on very mellow trails. He loved it, and so did I!

...Brayden and Emilie both got to practice their new bikes. Brayden had to get a bigger bike, Emilie got Brayden's smaller bike. It is too hard to have two kids riding with each of us. After much research, we found out that motorcycles are safer for kids to ride. They are much easier to handle for them. I have to admit, I was really nervous to put Emilie on a bike. I can't keep up to her when she's on her feet - yet alone a bike! Ira showed her the basics, and off she went. She is completely fearless!...

Of course, Jarin and Kam preferred to just play in the sand.

...Would I do it again? OF COURSE!!

My Favorite Things. (Hilary Weeks)

Thanks Amber for posting this - I loved it...enough to post it myself (except I don't know how to post it right - so follow the link). It is SO FUNNY and I can relate PERFECTLY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8FCgaoaG8

Angels Among Us

Early this morning when it was still quiet throughout the house, I sat up with Kamden as he had just finished eating. He got such a sweet smile on his face, and started having a whole "goo-goo ga-ga" conversation with somebody. He wasn't looking at me, but looked straight ahead. Then he pulls up his hand and starts waving "Hi" to whomever he was having this conversation with. Have you ever noticed babies doing this from the time they are newborns? Then as they get older, their "conversations" become directed to those around them, instead of "into space". So many times, my babies will be looking over my shoulder at the wall behind them, and they look so intently and have such a look of peace.

So my question to you is: Do you think it is just something that babies do? Or do you think there is more to it then that?

Personally, I believe that there are angels among us. Angels that are seen and unseen. I believe that before we were born into this world with a body of flesh and bone, that our spirits lived in heaven with Heavenly Father, and with each other. I believe that I walked and talked with God, my Father, before He sent me to earth. I believe I knew many of you before I came to earth. I believe that I knew before I came to earth, that it wasn't going to be an easy test, but that I knew I could do it. Of course, I don't remember any of these things before my birth, but it is a truth that has been taught to me, and a truth that I have gained my own testimony of throughout the years. Then there is life after death. I believe that when we die, our bodies and spirits are once again separated. Our bodies die, but our spirits live on until the day of the resurrection when our bodies and spirits can again unite.

With these beliefs, my answer to my own question is: Yes, I very much believe that there are unseen angels among us. The scriptures are full of examples of angels. God is unchanging, therefore it only makes sense that if there were angels in the ancient days, that he still sends angels today. I believe that my little sons "conversations" aren't just babbles into space. I believe that since He just left the arms of God, that he is still very close to that part of his life, and can see things that we can't. Have you ever been alone, and felt all alone, and then that warm - enveloping feeling surrounds you, and you can almost physically feel someones arms around you? I believe that is one of those "angels" that we can't see. I remember the day that Ira and I got married. My Grandpa had recently died, and when our family and friends surrounded us in the room, I knew that my Grandpa was also in that room. It is a hard thing to explain in our limited mortal vocabulary, but my spirit recognized his spirit with us.

I also know that there are many seen angels among us. They are a lot easier to recognize, because we can see them. However, on a cloudy day when I can't see the sun, I know that it is still there!

I have dear friends and neighbors who have been angels to me and to my family. They quietly serve us in so many ways. As I have struggled with different health things in the past few years, I have looked out my window and seen "angels" pulling weeds from my garden and mowing my lawn. I have had "angels" take care of my children and love them. Many of my "angels" have listened to me for countless hours as I have needed a friend. I have had "angels" bring meals over the years. "Angels" have prayed and fasted on my behalf. One "angel" even placed her baby girl in my arms over eight years ago, so that we could be her daughters parents.

Then there are the "angels" that I call family. I have five "seen" angels in my house everyday. I don't always recognize them as the angels that they are - sometimes I think that they are 4 little devils, and 1 big devil! But they bring so much joy to me (most of the time :-) ). My extended family are a whole bunch of "angels" to me. They are there for every holiday, every heartbreak, every joy... They are truly some of my best friends. Several years ago, I wouldn't have ever thought I could say that about my parents or brothers or sisters. But time reveals all things, and I stand corrected. Now I am calling them my "angels"!

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, one of the latter-day apostles of the Lord said, "I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. 'Nor will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child ] upon the face thereof to be saved'. (Book of Mormon (Moroni 7:36)). On occasion, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in the dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal." ..."In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves - with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith...Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone is crying [for help]..."

You mean, I can be an angel for someone else????? I guess I better get off this blog and get busy - I'll start with my two little boys who need their moms attention right now. I can be their angel!

RE-FUELED

Today was Stake Conference at church. I love stake conference for several reasons. I love being spiritually fed, and I love having Ira sit with our family when he is usually sitting on the stand helplessly watching as I try to single-handedly keep our four kids under control (usually failing miserably). I shouldn't say single-handedly, so many in our ward help me with Jarin. Anyways, today I sat down next to Ira, who was sitting next to his counselor in the Bishopbric (who does not have small children at home anymore). Ira took Kamden, and Jarin went straight to Brother Douglas. I sat there empty armed for the first time in a long time. I got to listen to the messages, and I got to feel the spirit of what was being taught. I know, it may sound like such a simple thing, but it was a re-fueling experience for me. Then to top it off, I look to my side (where these two great men were taking care of my two great children who just don't like to sit still), and they each had them sitting on their laps - one asleep and the other being very reverent. So what did I do?...I CRIED with a big smile on my face! I was so happy to have the help, and to see these men taking such good care of our little ones, and to get the opportunity to "feast on the words of God." So today, I have a new resolve to be a better mom and wife and work on the important things in life - my family. All because I had the opportunity to get to listen. I love days like today, no matter how few and far between they may be!

Communication...or lack of it?

The other night we had a knock at the door, and it was two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They wanted to talk with Ira for a bit. Ira wasn't home from work yet, but it was about time for him to be heading home. So the Elders left for a while with promises to return later.
As we often do, Emilie asked if she could call her dad to see when he would be home. Their conversation went something like this:

(Emi) "Dad, there were two guys here with badges on looking for you. They will be back later."

(Ira) "Hu?" (then panic, thinking the badges meant the police - then wondering what in the world he had done wrong to have two of them looking for him). "Let me talk to mom".

(Me) "Hi"

(Ira) "Hi, Emilie says there were two guys in badges looking for me."

(Me) "Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, giggle, giggle, ha, ha, ha.............. They were the missionaries."

(Ira) "I hoped that is who they were."

(Ira & I) "Ha, ha, chuckle, giggle....."

Doesn't this just go to show how important communication really is? So many of our families arguments (yes, we have our arguments too - good thing none of you are a fly on our wall to hear us!) would be solved if we would just stop and listen (really listen - not just hear) what the others are saying. Because more times than not, we are actually agreeing with each other - just using different words or emotions to express it. And when we aren't saying the same thing, or feel the same way...is that a bad thing? I think not.
Anyways, this wasn't meant to be a serious post - just a funny story. It just got me thinking - that can sometimes be a scary thing - so I'll stop thinking for now, and just keep laughing at the funny miscommunication. AND I'll try to remember my own deep thought for the day, and see if it works for me as I'm trying to "communicate" to my children that we will be late for church if they don't HURRY! (I guess that means ME too - I'm blogging, not hurrying). Second deep thought for the day...PRACTICE WHAT I PREACH! :0)