Just this last weekend, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints had its General Conference and it’s always so uplifting.
After I hear such wonderful speakers I always want to motivate myself to do better everyday… I particularly … I want to motivate myself and my family to find more peace in life.
I created this FREE printable to encourage my family and anyone else to find that much needed peace we all need.
As a mom to bow 4 cute children, I’m constantly reminding myself “one day at a time.”
It’s easy for me to look at the big picture and get EXTREMELY overwhelmed.
For example, I always have lots of laundry to fold now.
And yet, I’m realizing if I just stop and fold 6-8 items throughout the day…. That pile slowly gets put away.
Baby Kai (3 months old)
Some days I get thinking about how many dinners and lunches I need to make … but one day at a time I can get through each meal and it works out.
I’m currently in survival mode. My 3 month old is adorable but of course needs my constant care, my three year old toddler has many needs too, and also my six and eight year old need mamas help.
Taya, Brad, Cade and Makell
However, if I focus on one item at time… one task before the next … things work out.
I’m realizing the feeling of being “caught up” doesn’t always happen. Especially in this season of life for me, and that’s ok.
I was reading my friend’s post about her daughter moving away to college.
It hit me hard as she wrote that she had done all she could to prepare her daughter to grow up and move away, and yet, she herself hand’t prepared her heart for WHEN her daughter moved away!
Cue the tears!
It’s so true.
Mama’s work hard day in and day out to teach their children how to grow and develop in every way, so that one day the child can leave the nest and grow on their own independently.
However, mother’s can never quite grasp the reality of their children not being under their own roof.
It’s hard to process.
Especially since, for most mothers, they cared for their babies while in the womb.
Then of course, they took care of their child as a helpless and innocent little baby, then a toddler, then a child, then a teenager, and then suddenly….. they are grown and on their own.
No my children are not grown up yet (and I am grateful).
However, my oldest son just turned 8 years old and I can tell you that was the fastest 8 years of my life!
I have watched time and time again how fast children grow up.
And yet, as a mother it seems that children truly do grow up faster than ever.
So can we really ever prepare our hearts for when our child grows up and moves away?
I don’t think so.
Because our job as a parent is to love and protect that child.
With that love and protecting, a separation of any sort is extremely difficult.
It always will be.
However, it’s what we know to be best for the child as well.
And perhaps, with high hopes, when that child is grown and moved out, they will call us mama’s up, and they too will miss us.
It will never be the same, but there will be that hope, that the child will understand, that their mama will never stop loving them, never stop guiding them, never stop encouraging them….because a mother will always be a mother.
Near or far, that mother will continue to shower their child with love.
So my hope for those that are dealing with their kids growing up and leaving their home, my hope is that that mama will know she is loved. And more so, that mama did all she was supposed to do, to help that child reach a level of independence that must take place for that child to grow.
The love never ends, no matter the age or the distance, mama will still have that mama heart that will always care for her children.
As some of you may know, we are expecting our fourth child any day now.
In fact, if he doesn’t make his appearance this weekend, we will be getting induced on Monday morning so we can finally meet this sweet baby boy.
There is a lot of preparation and planning that goes into having a baby.
We have all the major items ready: bassinet, diapers, clothes, changing table, swaddles, pacifiers, lotions….you name it.
Something I realize my mind needs to prep for is the fact that my other babies, well, they really wont seem like babies anymore.
In fact, having a baby, makes your other children grow immensely.
My oldest son is almost 8 and he already has felt the pressure of me asking him for help a bit more.
My second child, my daughter who is 6 is so nurturing and excited and I know she will love a baby brother, however, there will be some stretching and growing as she sees much of her moms time being utilized by a newborn.
And my current youngest child, who is 3 1/2 years old…well, she won’t be the baby of the family anymore and that’s also a hard adjustment, for everyone.
And yet, I know all our hearts will grow ten-fold as we welcome this baby boy into our home.
No matter what your religious background is, you can’t deny the fact that babies bring a sacredness and beautiful spirit into homes.
Yes there will be sleepless nights, and our house may not be as clean for a bit.
However, it’s all worth it for this wonderful baby that we have hoped and prayed for.
Yes, there will be many adjustments and changes for this mama and my sweet husband as we take on four kids. But we couldn’t be more excited!
We feel so very blessed, and cant wait to meet him!
Hopefully next post, I will have a picture for you.
This podcast has a wonderful host, she is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Her podcast has some amazing spiritual and uplifting stories.
This may be a bold statement….to say that something is life-changing, but I can tell you it’s true.
I had a moment to reflect on this today, at the post office of all places.
Now understand, I have never been treated rudely or poorly at the post office. However, usually things are rushed and the workers are trying to hurry to get to the next customer and it’s just a quick transaction and nothing more.
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However, today was different.
I was the only person in line, and perhaps that helped.
But I must say, it was so refreshing to have a light—nice conversation with the worker helping me at the post office.
He told me he hoped I was having a good day, and then we talked about the weather—and how the massive snowstorm had effected the postal service trucks from getting places on time.
We were cheerful and nice to one another.
It was simple and easy.
And it made me think…wouldn’t being “nice” be life-changing to the world?
I myself, as we all do, have gone through some challenging times… and when people are rude and inconsiderate, it tends to cut deeper when life is already hard.
However, on the flip side… when ours days have been tough and hard, having someone be NICE is so uplifting and rewarding.
And most the time, it’s not hard to be nice.
It’s quite easy to talk kindly and considerate to others.
Yes, I truly believe, that being “nice” can be life-changing.
You never know how one simple act of kindess can change the course of a human life.
So why not try and be as kind, considerate, and as nice as possible?
God wants us to try every day to be a bit better, but if we fall short, we haven’t lost all of our chances.
I love this quote from Brother Wilcox’s talk that says ” Some mistakenly receive the message that they are not worthy to participate fully in the gospel because they are not completely free of bad habits. God’s message is that worthiness is not flawlessness.”
What a wonderful reminder to keep trying, have the goal and mindset to do your best! And even when we fall short, remember that “worthiness is not flawlessness.”
Also, I write this for you and for myself, remember to forgive yourself when you mess up, and move on.
Dwelling in our past mistakes and issues, never truly helps us move forward.
I hope you know how much Heavenly Father loves us. He always has and He always will.
When I asked my 6 year old son what he has learned about Easter he said “Easter Isn’t Just About the Eggs and Bunny, it’s About Christ’s Resurrection.”
My heart was happy knowing that there was a deeper meaning to Easter.
A deeper meaning that impacts all of us.
Christ’s atonement, His crucifixion, He suffered greatly for each one of us.
Why?
Because He loves us.
Our family this Easter Sunday
He had all power to stop his pain and suffering, and yet, He knew he had to endure the deepest and enduring pain and anguish… so that through His atonement we can have the chance to live with Him again.
And yes, we know our Savior was resurrected. He lives.
He continues to be there for us all if we but reach for him.
Yes Easter is much, much more than eggs and bunnies, it’s about remembering our Savior Jesus Christ. Remembering that he suffered for us all, and that He lives again.
Happy Easter to all!
And my hope is that we remember this often, not just on Easter.