Happy Mommy's Day...

(Thanks Angela for the adorable picture!)

Well, today has been a great day for me as a Mommy.  I got a great framed picture of Chase's hands with a poem.  He even wrapped it with wrapping paper that he made in nursery.  Then Isabella made me a cute felt hand hanger with a scripture and a little message in Primary.  Isabella also made me a cute Mommy's Day card at pre-school. I just love getting hand made gifts from my kids.  Danny made me a great breakfast before church and I enjoyed a yummy lunch, made by everyone but myself, with Danny's family.  Then we were very lazy and spent time together as a family.   It was great!

I was asked to give a talk in sacrament on my Reflections of Motherhood.  I have a few people who weren't able to be there and a few people who wanted a copy so I thought I'd post it here:

Reflections of Motherhood

I can not reflect on my time as a Mother without reflecting on my Mom as a Mother.  My Mom has taught me many things.

My mother taught me about RELIGION.  "You better pray that will come out of the carpet!"

My mother taught me about LOGIC.  "Because I said so, that's why."

My mother taught me about WEATHER.  "This room of yours looks like a tornado hit it."

My mother taught me about WISDOM.  "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite:  My mother taught me about JUSTICE.  "What goes around comes around and you are going to have kids just like you!"  Boy was she right!

No really, I have learned so many things from my Mother.

My mother taught me about DEDICATION.  I can never remember a time when she didn't come to a school event, activity, gymnastics meet, or a piano recital.  My mom made it to every single thing that ever happened in my life.  At the time, I didn't realize how much I appreciated it but now that I am a Mother I have come to understand the sacrifices and time involved that all that entails.  My goal is to attend everything that my kids are involved in and to be  apart of their everyday life.

My mother taught me about TESTIMONIES.  I watched my Mom as I was growing up go to church Sunday after Sunday by herself.  My dad wasn't an active member even though he supported my Mom in anything that dealt with church.  I now realize how hard that had to have been for my mom to be there with children alone.  But, through her strong testimony and strong belief in Christ my Mom rarely missed a Sunday at church.   I hope that my children know how important the gospel is to me and how important it is to attend church every Sunday regardless of your circumstances.

My mother taught me about SACRIFICE.  My mom was also a stay-at-home Mom and since I grew up with that I knew that when I had children no matter the sacrifice that it was important to me to stay-at-home with them.  I am so thankful that I am able to do that because there are many women out there that aren't able to.

My mother taught me about LOVE.  There has never been a time in my life when I have not felt that my Mother loved me.  I was always loved unconditionally even though there were times in my life when I was very difficult!  I never doubted my Mother's love.  I hope that my children always know how much I love them no matter the circumstances or trials they are going through.

I am so very thankful for my Mom.  My mom and I are very close.  There isn't a day that goes by that I don't talk to her.  Since the passing of my Dad I realize how each and every moment with my Mom is a treasure and that it can be taken away from me at any moment.  Treasure your Mom's today and everyday and know that every moment is important!

I found a poem that I'd like to read about Mom's:

Mother's Hands

Mother's hands were busy hands, 

But never did they fail

To take the time to tie a bow

Or braid a loose pigtail.

And never did those hands refuse 

To soothe a fevered brow, 

So even injured dolls pulled though

In Mother's hands, somehow

It seemed those hands were magic, 

Always knowing where to start

To reconstruct a shattered dream

Or mend a broken heart,

Dear Lord, I pray, as years go by, 

Whatever life's demands, 

That I may give just half the love

I've found in Mother's hands.

As I reflect on my children's life already, I am realizing how quickly they are growing up before my eyes.  I never want to feel regret or feel like I have missed out on anything.  I once heard a great quote in regards to this:  seize the moment, seize the day, seize the joy.  I think that every moment in our lives as Mother's is important from the small ones to the big ones.  A house does not have to be perfect to be a home of joy just as a child does not have to be behave perfectly to love and be loved and every moment of life does not have to be perfect to be of value.  I realize that too often we don't see how wonderful the simple joys in our day-to-day routines are.  As I have a daughter who is about to start what she calls, "big girl school" or Kindergarten I am realizing how much I am going to miss her being home everyday but I am excited to have alone tie with my son.  It is a bitter-sweet in my life.  I am glad to have treasured all the little moments in Isabella's life and just know that we are embarking on a new adventure in our lives.  I have friends who can't wait for this day as I dread it.

Motherhood for me is one of the greatest and most glorious experiences I have encountered, next to being a wife.  I have no doubt in my mind that whether it is performed in this life or the next, it is the most important work a woman will ever do.  Just as the worth of a child is immeasurable so is the worth of a righteous mother.  President Hinckley once said, "Women who make a house a home make a far greater contribution to society than those who command large armies or stand at the head of impressive corporations.  Who can put a price tag on the influence a mother has on her children  a grandmother on her posterity, or aunts and sisters on their extended family?"

There is nothing more delightful than the sound of a little child's laugh, nothing more earnest than a little child's inquiry for knowledge, nothing more genuine than a little child' hug, nothing more put than a little child's love, and nothing more sacred than a little child's trust.  Motherhood is not a burden but a privilege to be enjoyed.  It is not a trial of endurance but a time of celebration.  I am so thankful to be a Mother!

I would like to close with something that my mom read to me last Mother's Day that she found in Ann Landers.

You can find it by clicking here:  For all you mothers

This is for you all.  So hang in there and know that you are the BEST MOTHER regardless of the circumstance or trial!  You have not failed as long as you have tried.  Never forget that!

I am so glad that it is over!  =)

I just want my Mommy to know how much I love and appreciate everything that she has ever done for me!  I have the best Mommy in the world!  =)