let's hear it for our moms

one of the best ideas i've ever had was to take photographs with the kids each year on mother's day. it's so fun to look back and see how everyone looks, and for me, an opportunity to reflect on the past year and how i've grown as a mother. the kids know it's photo-shoot day and are pretty good to pose for me but somehow even after all these years, spencer still rushes home from church to change clothes, only to be disappointed about having to change back into them again. some day we'll get this down. we all took turns with the camera and i was so pleased with the results, i especially loved some of the self-poraits. so, mother's day admittedly, is not my favorite holiday but this year was a little better because of a few things...1. i tried to enjoy the talks in sacrament meeting instead of sitting there feeling like a big fat failure. 2. i spent a good amount of time with the kids, just playing, having fun and enjoying time with them 3. i focused on the moms in our life, and tried to be as thoughtful about them and their gifts and cards as i would want someone to be about mine.

4. my super awesome SIL jenny made me the most darling skirt which made me feel cute all day long, feeling cute is not a small thing, especially for me. unfortunately i didn't get a photo of it and will have to post about her awesomeness later. so, in keeping with the spirit of feeling good about mother's day, i've decided to post a few motherhood related things that i think i do well. then next year when i'm feeling like a loser again i can look back and be reminded! some of today's photos intermixed with my list...

1. i'm not afraid to be silly with my kids, silly is important and i do this really well.

2. i am a hugger and a lip kisser and hand both out on a regular basis. 3. i volunteer at their schools so they can see me as a presence in their lives outside of our home. 4. i can allow them to embrace their inner rebel without freaking out - too much. 5. i've tried to instill my love of reading in them, some have it more than others. 6. i am not above apologizing for my melt-downs. i think it's important to show them that i'm human but that even grown-ups have to say they're sorry.

7. i LOVE and ADORE my kids and tell them a lot and try to show them even more than i tell them.

i'm so lucky, how did i get so lucky?

i was also super-inspired by kristi's post about elder ballard's talk about mothers. i loved reading clips from his talk while viewing her photographs, it made everything he said very personal, like he was talking directly to her. inspired enough, that i am copying this wonderful idea and doing this for myself, she's always encouraging us to copy her ideas, so here i go...

"I surely know that there is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood." "There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." "There are moments of great joy and incredible fulfillment, but there are also moments of a sense of inadequacy, monotony, and frustration.There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction."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." "Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together." “Behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). I hope all of you dear sisters, married or single, never wonder if you have worth in the sight of the Lord and to the leaders of the Church. We love you. We respect you and appreciate your influence in preserving the family and assisting with the growth and the spiritual vitality of the Church. Let us remember that “the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”). The scriptures and the teachings of the prophets and apostles help all family members to prepare together now to be together through all eternity. I pray that God will continually bless the women of the Church to find joy and happiness in their sacred roles as daughters of God."