Love Life

 You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class. There is no need for you to be a scrub. Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you. Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities. ~ Gordon B. Hinckley



Even though people don't care about the talents I have, I do, and I must work on them or they will be taken from me.  Thanks Sherry for the reminder.

Being a Mom

Look at these faces.  Well they melt my heart, and I can't imagine life without them, but that doesn't mean that my patience isn't tried. We all have hard days, right??.  I get overwhelmed at how some days play out.   I strive to be the best mom I can everyday but it's so hard to never get frustrated,  tired or act just like your 2 year old (throwing a fit and all).  I want to be the best mom and a great example of love and compassion and never loose it. Let's face it, I can't do it alone but with Heavenly Fathers help I  sure can!!!  I need to remember to call on him more during the day for  help when I find myself like in these kind of situations.

I read this on a blog I follow and it was the  inspiration I needed after a hard day. (I am not the only one trying to figure this out) and that always makes me feel better.   Today was a rough one.  Addie cried at the drop of a hat today.  Livi had a rough day nursing.  Both babies were crying together a lot today.  Crying drains me emotionally and physically.  It's nice to be reminded where my focus need to be...Thank you Whitney for your post
      "Tonight was a rocky one! It was a very noisy/emotional night at the Vrska's. At one point I had Kingston at one end of the house screaming and Taelee at the other crying that she wanted to get out of ACT (attitude change time). It was one of those nights that had me wondering if I am doing anything right as a mother?! Taelee had a melt down over something so small, and it quickly escalated when I put her into timeout. I turned on "If the Savior Stood Beside Me", and then went back to her after a few minutes. Aha moment number one, I knelt down by Taelee and asked her to say a prayer to invite the spirit back into her heart. Kingston heard the word "pray" and quickly dropped what he was doing and knelt down beside me and folded his arms. How grateful I was for that sweet boy and the effect of peaceful music at that moment! Aha moment number two came when I was kissing Taelee good night. She said, "Mom, why do we cry?" I gave a simple answer, when we get upset or are sad. She interrupted me and said, "No Mom, why do we cry?" She wanted the scientific reason of why we cry. Tonight I remembered how analytical her little brain is. I am so grateful for my little sponge of knowledge, and because of that It is my responsibility to teach her all the good I know! I am grateful to be a mother. I am grateful for the push that it gives me to be a better person and to do a little better every day."

It really helps me when I know I'm not the only one that has hard days.

Is it always easy? NO! Is it worth it? YES!  There really is nothing better in the world than being a mom!!!!!

Olivia's Big Weekend (Blessing)

It seem like we just did a weekend like this, but it was almost 2 years ago when we blessed Addison.  Well it was Olivia's turn and we could have any less fun!!  My family came up, we went on the boat, sat around and caught up, blessed the baby on Sunday, and had a family dinner Sunday Afternoon.  It was a very enjoyable Weekend.......

A few things that I remeber most from Olivia's blessing were,
Allen told her she was blessed to have a strong spirit and people would be drawn to her, and that she would be an example to those people. He blessed her that if she would stay strong in the gospel and follow that strong spirit that heavenly father blessed her with, she would have many blessing throughout her life. He admonished her to always remember those gifts and be an example no matter the circumstances.
I am so thankful for a right priesthood holder that can bless our children by the spirit.  Later on that day I asked if he remembered what he had said in the blessing and he said not really, that the spirit was the one doing the talking, and I needed to inform him so I did.  I know Olivia is strong and she will bless a lot of people in her lifetime.  .

 

Mommy is still a person too!

I thought this was good and uplifting info:
I've attached links to a good books and article that you can review too.  Enjoy!

 5 Facet Review of Self:  1. Social  2. Mental  3. Spiritual  4. Physical  5. Emotional

"Mommy is a Person" - Article by April Perry -Set boundaries so that your basic human needs can still be met.  The goal is to thrive, not just survive.  *Challenge: Choose one boundary you're going to set so that you can still feel like you are a person.  List 5 things that you need to thrive.

If you take care of yourself, your kids will notice.  Your kids are watching you and if they see your good example of self care, they'll take care of themselves too.

The Mormon Channel's interviewer asked Stephanie Nielson (of Nie Nie Dialogues) "What do you fall back on when times are tough?"  Her answer, "My husband."  Don't forget that your husband cares deeply about you and your well being.

SOCIAL - Book "Depression is Contagious" by Michael D. Yapko, Ph.D - Depression is one of the greatest tools of the adversary.  - How much do we gain from our relationships?  - When you are happy in your primary relationships, you're just happier.  - Coping skills - different stages of motherhood require different skills.

MENTAL - The importance of spontaneity and having fun for our mental well being.  - Cherish those beautiful moments.  - Have something to look forward to.  - Look up (Google) random monthly holidays and choose a few to celebrate with your family.  - Taking breaks is important.  - "Mommy's Naptime" - Article by April Perry - Nap for 26 minutes - Use your discretionary time wisely.  - Be deliberate with your time and set time limits.  *Challenge:  Make sure you have time to yourself every day.  

SPIRITUALITY - Feed your spirit.  - Nuture your spirit.

PHYSICAL - Exercise, diet, appearance, sleep - Decide to love your physical appearance today.  - Pick what is important to you about your appearance and guard that. (You may feel fine about your appearance most days as long as _________. - my hair is looking good, my makeup is on, etc.)  ROCK ANALOGY: a glass mason jar represents your day and a pile of rocks of varying sizes represents all the things you need to complete that day.  The smaller rocks are the little things (not so important things) you need to accomplish and the larger rocks are the bigger things (most important things) you need to accomplish that day.  If you fill your jar first with little rocks, the big rocks won't fit.  If you put the larger rocks in first, the little rocks will fit in the jar.  So, we should accomplish the bigger things in our day first before the little things.

EMOTIONAL - Avoid comparing yourself... compare snare.  - "The pursuit of happiness is the leading cause of unhappiness." - Be grateful for what you have now.  - Be your own kind of perfect mother.  - Do small things with great love.  - Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones.  (i.e.  Replace the thought, "None of my pants fit me." into "There's just more of me to love.")  - You wouldn't want your kids to have these negative thoughts running through their heads every day.  It is important for us as mothers to set good examples of controlling our thoughts.  - ANTS = Automatic Negative Thoughts (Squash the ANTS.)  - Don't dwell on negative thoughts.  - "You'll never plow a field if you keep turning over the same thoughts."  

- Figure out your formula for success and protect it.  - Set boundaries (Ask yourself, "What should I be doing now?) and protect what is important to you.  - Just because I can doesn't mean that I should.  -  Two daily list ideas can include: 1.  MUST DO  2. SHOULD DO  3. WOULD LIKE TO DO.  and the other idea is to do something nice every day for 1. YOURSELF  2. YOUR FAMILY  3. OTHERS. -  MARGINS= breaks, wiggle room with your boundaries *Challenge: Make a list of the rules.  - Do that which only you can do and that must be done now.  Realize that there are some things in life that are only worth doing "good enough."  *Challenge:  What are some things you can do now with your life?  What things should you do later?  

Once a week, review your 5 facets and how you are doing in each area.  Make improvements where needed.  *Suggestion:  every Sunday night, make time to review how you are doing.  

"S.M.A.R.T. Goals" Podcast   SMART Goals are: S = Specific, M= Measurable, A=Achieveable, R=Relevant, T=Timely.  Share some of your goals with your kids and invite them to set goals too.  

Learning Circles  sound like a great idea for moms to learn from each other after reading thought provoking articles.  Each article has a challenge for moms to complete and report on the next time the group meets together. 

I love these quotes!!!!!

I have this quote on my fridge so that it will speak to me every morning...

"It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is, It all works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God, and move forward with faith and confidence in the future. The Lord will not forsake us."--President Gordon B. Hinckley

 

I posted this on my Facebook Status yesterday and I really do think this Idea is what helps me move forward....

 We spend our days waiting for the ideal path to appear in front of us, but what we forget is that paths are made by walking, not by waiting.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

   

I have needed some inspiration these last couple of weeks being a new momma and all.  This video really does encourage you to press on in a work that isn't always easy.  I am so grateful for leaders hear on earth that are called to offer wisdom and support in times when we must endure.

I love my little girl, Addie and would never trade being a mom for anything, but I definitely need angles to help me along the way.  The most worthwhile things in life are always the hardest right!!!!
 
One of my favorite chapters in the Doctrine and Covenants is section 6 verses 36 which says, "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not fear not" and 13, "If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of god"

THANKS LISA....IT REALLY PUTS LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE

I don't want life to get away from me.  It's hard.....sometimes money's tight or time doesn't seems to be anywhere around and you are tired of feeling down and or sick.  HOPE, FAITH, AND lending A HELPING HAND ALWAYS SEEMS TO HELP!!!!!!!

Sister Hinckley has always been an inspiration to me.  I've always wanted to be better because of her example and that of President Hinckley.  

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with perfectly manicured fingernails. 

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing my neighbor's lawn.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with the children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

~ Marjorie Pay Hinckley