The Joy of Motherhood

I've been thinking a lot lately about the joy and privilege it is to be a mother.

At times the task seems overwhelming, yet at other times the joy is so great it seems as if there is not enough room to contain it.

There was a time in my life when I did not know if the gift of earthly motherhood would bless my life. And then I blinked and there were four little babes under 4 years old sitting on my lap.

Once that first baby arrives a woman's life changes forever more. From that day on her first and last thought of each day is for the comfort, safety and happiness of her children, no matter how old or young her children might be.

A mother's love does not diminish with numbers. She loves each and all of her children. Every child is a unique gift and opportunity for growth for both the mother and the child.

A good mother knows that taking care of her children always comes first. When baby and mommy are both hungry, mama will quickly take care of sweet hunger cries before her own rumbling tummy. When a teen comes in with a broken heart, sleep waits till the story is told and tears are stilled. When a daughter hurts her mother longs to ease the pain.

Mothers are not always perfect, they make mistakes, but try their best.

One of the greatest joys in motherhood is watching your own children become parents.

I found this thought:

Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a labor of love;
for her willing hands and happy heart translate duty into privilege,
and her labor becomes a service to God and all mankind.

The joy of motherhood is a gift, duty and privilege. I am thankful for the trust.

When Mother Sings

When Mother sings the home is sweet,
And peace and joy abound;
Troubles seem to fade away,
Before this happy sound.

Children smile and baby coos
And dad forgets his care;
Faith and hope and harmony
Dwell securely there.

Singing mothers everywhere,
Patient, tender, strong,
Send to Heaven this daily prayer--
"Lord make my life a song."

Anonymous

Rich Blessings

When my children were little they would ask what I wanted for Mother's Day and I would tell them, "a clean house and happy children."

I want to send a great big thank you out to all of my children. Goal accomplished!!

This year I was able to spend some portion of the weekend with my children either in person or on the phone. All of them are happy, and that means a lot to a mother.

My sweetheart and I have been working hard over the last few weeks getting the house clean and organized, so that was a yes as well.

The sun was shining, it was a pleasant spring day. My sweetheart and our sons prepared a delicious meal. Filled flower vases brighten our home.

Sometimes the richest blessings are the simplest things.

I am a rich, rich woman. I have a sweetheart who I adore and he loves me. I have 6 happily married children and 16 grand children who are doing well. We have a new baby expected in just a few days that will bring the number of grandchildren up to 17. I have a comfortable home, and enough food to eat. I am happy and satisfied with my life.

I am a rich woman in all of the things that matter in life.

Coleman Grant

Yesterday was day 5 of Celebration Week in September.

A new baby boy was born to our family last evening. The third son of Michael and Kendra made his debut at 5:23pm. He weighed 7 pounds 15 ounces, and he is 20 inches long. He is a healthy baby boy who was welcomed with great joy.

After quite a bit of discussion a name was finally agreed upon. Names such as Quinn, and Fielding were late runners as well as Coleman and Grant. The Coleman Grant combination was the final decision and I think it rolls off the tongue nicely. Grant is after one of the great leaders of our church that Michael admires. Coleman is one of Kendra's family names.

Mama and baby are doing well. Welcome to the world young Cole.

Motherhood

When I was a young girl I dreamed of the day when I would be married and together my sweetheart and I would raise a loving family of beautiful children. Now, not to disillusion my children, I must admit that I do have a loving family with beautiful children-- but living the life was not what I envisioned.

Meals three times a day took up 75 percent of my time, planning, shopping for, preparing, serving, cleaning up after-- just to start again a short while later, not to mention the ever present whine of "can we have a treat?" between meals.

Then there was the mountain of dirty clothes that need to be washed. The dirty faces and bottoms that needed to be cleaned. Add to all of that the kid droppings from room to room and you have a young mothers day. The joy of my day was to rock and sing my little one to sleep. It was a quiet interlude of joy.

Last night I walked in on my daughter at 10 pm rocking her baby in the dark while humming quietly hymns of peace. My daughters life is filled with limbo and chaos at the moment--a family displaced. To see her find calm with a hymn of peace while rocking her little one shows me that even in turmoil and total chaos, a beautiful loving family is made by stringing moments of pure joy together.

Motherhood is wonderful joy--getting there not how we planned, but wonderful joy none the less.

Happy Mother's Day

Today is the day we honor mothers.

I have a wonderful mother. We grew up together--you see she was 17 when she married my dad and 18 when I was born. Now we are both grandmothers. At the moment we both have 14 grandchildren. Mom does have 18 great grandchildren, with more on the way. She does her best to keep up with all of them.

My mom is amazing. She can create and do things that are so beautiful. She is never idle, if she sits for a few minutes in front of the TV she also has her hands busy crocheting, knitting, cross stitching, tatting--you name it, she does it. She is a little bit of a lady at just 5' but she knows how to get her point across just fine. She is clever and resourceful. Mom calls every week to keep me abreast of my family that lives so far from me and I enjoy our visits very much. I love to laugh with my mother. The most important thing she ever taught me was how to be a good wife. She is an amazing wife to my father, kind and patient.

A few years ago I was given a partial quilt square that David's grandmother had made. I wanted to make a wall hanging out of it for my mother in law. My mom helped me come up with a sweet phrase to express my sentiments, she helped do the cross stitch, my dad made the frame. Now the piece of art hangs in my home. It says:

Praise God for Mother's gentle hand
and love we cannot understand
Praise Him who sent us from above
the blessing of a mothers love

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers in my life, my own mom and the mothers of my grandchildren. You are all amazing and I love each of you. Happy Mother's day to those who nurture children, young and old.

Mother

Last week Jared Dean spoke at church on home and family. I really enjoyed his talk and have thought about it a lot. When he was speaking about the role of a mother in the home he shared these thoughts:

Most of a mother's time should be spent with her children
A mothers greatest teaching will be to teach her children about God
Teach the children that home is a good place to be
Make sure your home is warm and loving so the children want to be there

I may not have always had the tidiest of homes, but I have strived for a home that reflected the love I feel for my husband, family and God. Clean enough to be healthy yet cluttered enough to be fun. Keeping the balance just right is a trick I am still trying to get right. You know the balance is good enough when you have been away for a while then come back and it feels so good to be home.

The Role we Play

I have spent a lot of time lately in my children's homes. Sometimes I have been the main caregiver for my grandchildren as their parents have been away or sick. Last summer we took a trip with our 8 year old grandchildren that was awesome. Sometimes my grandkids need the respite that grandma's home offers. I have enjoyed these experiences very much. Each one has given me insight and opportunities to get to know the grandchildren better.

As the grandchildren are growing older I watch my children parent. I am amazed at their patience, love and creativity when they deal with situations as they arise. I heard a talk recently that spoke of the role each person in a family fills. Basically the father provides and protects while mother nurtures and teaches. What then is the child's role?? To be obedient and learn. Too bad they thought their role was to laugh and play. Maybe we can combine the two.

Pure Love

Last week my husband and I were discussing the job we did in raising our 6 children from babies to where they are now. We mentioned a few things we wish we could go back and enjoy more, or do better, but, the one thing I try to remember is that I did the best I could. I was not a perfect mother then or now, but I tried to teach my children to be kind, loving and responsible, and I think they are.

I remember President Gordon B. Hinckley saying at a conference I attended "you will make mistakes as parents. But, if mother loves father and father loves mother and together they love the children everything will turn out alright." My children were still young when I heard that statement and it has stuck with me through the years. I think I have been holding it to President Hinckley as a promise.

This I know, I love my husband and I know he loves me. We love our children and now in-laws and grand children very much. If love can heal all, I am giving it my everything.

I heard this statement at church last week:

Parents should be examples of kindness and pure love.

As I go through life I am still learning what pure love is. But, the more I learn the more I try. I hope prayer is also an equalizer in this formula for alrightness. Just remember kids, I'm doing my best.

Team Work

Last week at church a young father gave a talk that has stuck with me and I would like to share a few insights I gained.

Family equals team work. To be part of a team everyone must do their part.

T=Temper your anger
E= (keep an) Eternal perspective
A= Accountability for our own role
M=Mutual love and respect

When everyone is playing fair the game is so much more fun

soft, fluffy pillow world

I have 2 brothers, 3 sons, a dad and a husband. In my more than 50 years living with and around these men I have learned a few things that make the living sweeter.

When my mom was a young wife there was a popular book out named "Fascinating Womanhood". The book helped women in that generation get what they wanted from the men in their lives. Some of the truths still work today, not only with men but with all people. Truths such as--'You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar'. In common words it means be nice and you will get farther than being direct, gruff, mean, sharp, foul--and so on.

You've heard the phrase that a little girl has her daddy wrapped around her little finger. That could work for big girls too--all you need to do is ask nicely and smile--most men will do whatever they can for a woman if you just ask nicely.

Another truth--don't be demanding. My mom used to say that she would mention an idea to my dad, wait a while, let the idea take root then pretty soon my dad would have the best idea to make things nice for mom. She usually got what she wanted or needed just by quietly mentioning it and then being patient while he thought about it awhile.

I've heard it said and realize that we have enough of harshness in the world today. What we need is a little more softness, gentleness, kindness. Think big soft fluffy pillow words and actions.

I would like a retaining wall in front of my house. I started mentioning it last spring, it just might get built this year.

One Smile at a Time

Before she was a mother or even mortal her name was Eve, the mother of all living.

I believe and have been taught that motherhood is the noblest calling, worth all effort to bear and rear that child in goodness. Yet, there was a time in my life when I thought I may not have the privilege of bearing my own children. What then??

Women by nature have the desire to nurture. Watch any 3 year old girl with a doll, we are born with it. If we let that deep down desire come to the surface and nurture those around us, especially the children and men in our lives, we could change the atmosphere of the moment. If we smile and talk gentle then the people around us will have the tendency to smile and talk more gentle.

If you think the world is a difficult place to live right now, do your best to change it--one smile at a time.

A Mothers Love

Years ago I was very sick so the doctor put me in the hospital. My parents were supposed to come visit me and my family but mom thought it would be too difficult since I was in the hospital. I had 6 small children from 3 to 13 years of age. I remember lying in the hospital, half out of it, worrying about my family and hoping the doctors would figure out what was wrong with me so I could go home. All of a sudden the door to my room opened and in walked my mom and dad. I had this overwhelming feeling of--"it's okay, I can be sick now, Mom is here, she will take care of everything".

I have learned over the years that even though you may at times think your mom is crazy or out of it and does not have a clue, there is no one who can replace your very own mother. The Lord sends the right children to the best mother for each child. Together you will have opportunities to grow and learn. No one will love you more or understand you better than your mother. Nobody prays for your success more than your mother.

As I have aged I realize that the conflicts I had with my mom were times when I pushed harder than I should or when I did not realize what was at stake. I am thankful for my mothers unconditional love and encouragement. I am thankful that even though I was often ugly towards her she never gave up on me.

Part of a mother's privilege is to love and care for her children whether they are babies, teenagers or parents themselves.

I am thankful for a loving mother.

I am thankful for the privilege of being a mother.