My Message Here is Threefold:

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Just a Quote



"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey and share our love with friends and family.  One day, each of us will run out of tomorrows.  Let us not put off what is most important."  
 - - President Thomas S. Monson - -



This quote was perfect for my mood and thoughts today. 
This week I will be thinking of my family . . . both near and far. 
Missing those I'm not with and loving those around me.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Motherhood and Obedience

"I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandment unto the children of men, save He shall prepare a way for them to accomplish the thing which He hath commanded them."   - - 1 Nephi 3:7

I saw this scripture in a whole new light last weekend.  In the Gospel Principles book they ask this question:

When has the Lord prepared a way for you to obey Him?

That question really stumped me.  And at the same time I thought, "That is a great question!  I've never thought of that before?" 

So I thought about it.  And thought about it.

Finally, during the Relief Society lesson on Sunday, it hit me. 

MOTHERHOOD! 

The Lord has definitely prepared a way for me to accomplish this commandment...especially on days when I wonder how I'm going to get through the next!

I remember as a youth telling a teacher of mine at school how I wanted to have a large family.  He asked me the inevitable question, "How do you expect to support (pay for) all of them."  I naively stated that the Lord would provide.  Years later I laughed at my naivity and what a "dumb" answer that was!  However, it has dawned on me that maybe it wasn't such a dumb answer after all. 

The Lord has commanded us to have families and therefore, as the scripture testifies, He will provide a way for us to accomplish that command.  I have seen this happen in more ways than one in my life and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to test the Lord at his word.

"For I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." - - D&C 82:10

Mothers and Daughters: Take 2

Ah! Ha!  Just stumbled upon this video to go along with my last post.
What will my daughters say about me?

Monday, July 11, 2011

Mothers and Daughters

I had an interesting conversation with my daughter yesterday.  We were all discussing things the kids wanted to do when they were older  (i.e. professions).  This daughter lives and breathes the idea of motherhood.  She is very nurturing and has dreamed of being a mother ever since I can remember.  She also wants to be an artist and a "famous singer" when she grows up.  :-) 

So, last night she says, "I think I'll have an office in my house where I can just go in there for like an hour every day."  I told her whether she works on music and art for money or just as a hobby, she could still do that.  I then said, "I used to do that...shut myself in a room downstairs to do stuff."  She asked why I don't do that now and I told her it was because I just had a baby.  Always the perceptive one she responded, "But you didn't do that even before you had the baby."  I told her that I preferred reading more, I guess.  Her response?  "Oh!  I hope I don't get like that when I'm older!" 

Now, I could've gone into a panic fit that my daughter doesn't want to be like me.  Or I could have gone into a depression that I don't have an "out of home outlet."  Or I could have felt like a total loser because I don't have any hobbies other than reading.  But I didn't.  Because I konw it's not really true.  Still, this morning I found myself going over that conversation in my mind over and over again.  First of all, thinking about how early the autonomy between mother and daughter begins!  I think most women want to but don't want to be like their mothers in one way or another. 

My second thought has been that yes, I did just have a baby (and pregnancy is not a project-doing time for me) and so, for almost a year taking care of the home and reading has been pretty much what I've done.  I'm okay with that.  Really.  I have found much more JOY in being "just" a mom than any other time in my life as a mother and it has felt really, really good! So, I will not apologize to my daughter for dedicating my time to being in the home taking care of them & enriching my mind. 

My third thought was that maybe I do need to better show the kids (daughters especially) that I do have hobbies and talents.  I have them.  I use them sporadically.  I'm a big proponent of mothers having outside interests.  What are some of mine?  Card making. Playing board games.  Going out with my husband (does that count?).  Social time with friends.  Reading and more reading! Writing (this blog, journals, poetry, notes to friends).  The Piano.  Sign language.  Hiking/walking in nature.  I love those things.  I don't do them "for an hour each day shut in my office" but I do them, and enjoy them. 
Right now, though, I can say that I'm perfectly happy with how I use my time these days.  I'm happy being in the home.  I'm happy being "just a mom."  And I'm happy that my daughter doesn't want to be exactly like me! (who would!?)  :-) 

p.s. i'm now going to clean "my space" in the laundry room so I can get back to using those talents on a more regular basis!  :-)

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Blessing Day

In the LDS church we perform what is called giving the child a name and a blessing when they are born.  Today was David's special day!  :-)


Grandma Hathaway made this handsome "suit" & each of our boys have been able to use it.  The blanket is a Bethlehem blanket, purchased while I was at college in Israel.
 
D was blessed by his daddy. Also in the circle were his cousin Tom, Grandpa Hathway and the bishop.


Our first attempt at getting SIX CHILDREN in one picture!  Alll looking the same direction.  All smiling.  Were we successful?!?








And more pictures of our newest little person. 
He was blessed with strength in mind, body and spirit.


Saturday, July 2, 2011

Light Reading

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

We will be spending the days in the pool
and playing with our favorite friends

Here's some light reading for this beautiful weekend!

My Aunt's perspective on motherhood and blogging


"Where the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is liberty"
2 Cor. 3:17