Writer's Workshop Wednesday

"Something I'm putting off right now is..."

...my aspirations to finish school and pursue my dream of writing, editing, or teaching school in order to stay home and raise my five children. I used to feel kinda bad about my decision to put schooling aside for awhile after I earned my Associates degree. At the time I was working in the administrative offices of a school district and I received no small amount of scorn from the other women for my choice.

"You can work and be a mom," I was told over and over by my supervisers. "Women do it all the time."

But I knew that wasn't the route for me. It wasn't because I wasn't smart enough or talented enough or capable enough to pursue my ambitions. It was because I chose to be a mother.

Back then I didn't have the wisdom or the maturity to communicate to those women I worked with the importance of the choice I was making to put off some of my goals for awile in order to focus on the one thing that mattered to me the most. I imagine they are still shaking their heads to think of the possibilities I passed up to pursue my most important, ennobling work yet. But Sheri Dew says it best with these words:

"Through her mothering, a woman is the consummate leader of leaders. If we truly believe that we are here in mortality to be tested and to demonstrate by the way we live our lives whether we want to be part of the kingdom of God or not, then what could possibly be more significant than bearing a child and thus making it possible for a spirit son or daughter to advance beyond the preparatory state or premortal life and enter the testing stage of earth life? And having borne that child, what could possibly be more enduring or important in the eyes of our Heavenly Father than nurturing one of His sons or daughters--teaching and cheering that precious soul on, preparing him or her to pass the test?

"Nothing. No diplomat or CEO or billionaire philanthropist does anything that comes anywhere close in importance to what a mother does. No trophy or statys or honor of man begins to compare with motherhood in terms of its eternal impact and glory. Period."

And that, folks, makes putting some things off for a while totally worth it!

Have you heard...

...about the fabulous Fishful Thinking initiative that Pepperidge Farms is undertaking to help kids and parents achieve positive thinking and overcome obstacles? It is awesome. It is a website designed to help families encourage communication and optimism and understand feelings...and so much more. It has all kinds of activities for parents and children to enjoy together. I hope you click here and check it out because you are going to love it!

I've just become an *ambassador* for Fishful Thinking and will earn a point for each person who checks it out. But more than that, moms, I'm not kidding you...this site is gold!

A Friendly Question

I have been dreading this type of situation. I expected it would come. I just didn't anticipate it would happen so early. What do you do when you don't like your kids' friends?

Here's the deal. My nine-year-old Tom Boy has made friends with The Boy Next Door. They like to play swords and hang out in the playhouse in the backyard. (Yeah. Somebody please inform my daughter she is a GIRL! But that's a whole 'nother ballgame, folks.) Anyways, I am cool with the fact that my daughter's best buddies are all boys. She's got more in common with them right now. Fine. I get it. But why this boy? This boy who marches into my house (without even knocking thank-you-very-much) and asks me "What's for snack?" Hello? Is this the neighborhood snack house? Now, don't get me wrong. I really don't mind feeding the little flock of the block but when they start waltzing in here like they own the place it just rubs me the wrong way.

I kept my mouth shut for a little while. I think I was hoping that this boy would just be a phase or (dare I hope) maybe just MOVE AWAY. Not looking promising. Then comes the day where he kicks my girl in the face and then slinks away before I am able to find out about it. And that's when I find out that he also has taken the liberty of explaining his version of The Birds and the Bees to my four small children. (Which by the way was totally anatomically inaccurate!)

My problem is that this boy will not go away! Hali is determined to be friends with him and I knew I was in trouble when she countered my 25 Reasons I Really Don't Like The Boy Next Door with, "I don't care about all that stuff, mom! He's my friend and I want to play with him!!"

Crud! I'm thinking. So it's began. The battle of the wills. Hers against mine. I am left wondering if it's a battle worth fighting or to shut my mouth and hope and pray that my strong-willed girl will see the light on her own someday. I have a feeling I'll need my energy for a more important fight someday.

Who knew this parenting business could be so tricky?

Delightful, Dazzling D

I got tagged by my friend, Holly and I'm supposed to write 10 things I love that start with the letter D. This was a toughy, but here goes...

1. Daisies (the white ones)
2. Disposable diapers (do I get double points for dat one?)
3. Disney movies (they make Darn good babysitters when you need some down-time!)
4. Days off (Jimmy's that is. Like I ever get them!)
5. Dates with my hubby (too few and far between)
6. Drives to Durango (especially in the Fall!)
7. Dessert (double chocolate brownies anyone? SO delicious!)
8. Drinking water (dorky, I know, but's it's da truth
9. Dialing a friend's number for a chat
10. Dreaming, 'cause that means I'm sleeping and I SO love my sleepy times!

Okey dokey, all done! Now I tag anyone whose name (first or last!) begins with an M, R, L, E, H or T (all beginning letters of my kids' names!) to write 10 things they love that begin with the letter G. And leave me a comment if you are participating so I can come check it out!

Turning One was Not So Fun

poor Teagy...has the tummy flu on her birthday!

Teagernannie (as Jimmy calls her)

is one year old today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the little girl who came into our world and made the sadness in our hearts after losing Elisabeth feel a whole lot lighter. They say when a child is born after losing one before that the new baby is like a rainbow after the dark storm. It's true. Teagan Shenene is our Rainbow Baby and she's made our life so much better because she is in it. Love you, Teags!

Unfortunately today she is sick sick sick so we will have to postpone our celebration...after all, nobody wants to throw up their first birthday cake, right?

Mama Kat's WWW

(That's writer's worskshop Wednesday, in case you were wondering)

So the prompts today are:
1.) I used to think...
2.) List ten things you can do in three minutes.
3.) Describe a time you allowed your child to do something that you normally would not let slide.
4.) I want to become friends with...
5.) What are you currently fascinated with?

(check out the little Mama's Losin' It button on the sidebar if you want to play along)


After some deliberation I chose....(drumroll please)......


#4, #1 AND #5 ALL IN ONE SHOT...

I want to become friends with a variety of people. Women who are younger than me. Older than me. Stay-at-home moms. Working moms. My children's teachers. Basketball coaches.

Okay, maybe not basketball coaches. (refer to Victory)


Women in my ward. Women who aren't in my ward. Sisters. In laws. People who are just like me. People who are nothing like me.



Okay, well that might not work out too well.


I am a people person. I love people. All kinds and varieties. I don't believe in holding grudges. I don't like hanging on to hurt feelings. I don't want to be forced to take sides between two different people that I respect and admire. I don't want to be accountable to anyone else for the other people I spend time with or talk to or sympathize with. I just want to be friends with everyone.

I used to think that I could have the best of both worlds. Have a small collection of 'best' friends and still be friendly with other people as well. That pretty much backfired on me recently. But it was an important lesson to learn. I am fascinated that it's taken me over 30 years to realize that although I want to have and be a friend.--a true friend.--to many different people, I don't want to declare fealty to any of them.


Okay. Except for maybe one...






So..what's so bad about that?

"This is my day..."

Melody Faye was baptized and confirmed March 15th by her dad. It was such a sweet, simple evening. My favorite memory of it was going to check on Melody and finding her sitting on the steps leading down to the font, looking so peaceful.