So Fast

We're starting the packing process! And as Mark and I were packing away baby clothes and pictures from years past, we can't help but feel a rush knowing that we're beginning yet another phase in our life together. The kids are growing so fast, which amazes us because in many ways we still feel like kids ourselves. It's really exciting to think of what's to come.
This lifetime goes by so quickly, how could it be less than part of an eternal plan. All of these memories, events, obstacles, & conquering feats, for nothing? I don't think so.
My heart is literally pounding at this second with the wonder of what's going to happen next. But the high-pitched squeal from the bathtub reminds me that it's probably going to have a lot to do with mopping up the bathroom floor.
Life is too sweet not to savour!

I'd Rather be a Mother

I'd rather be a mother than anyone on ­earth

Bringing up a child or two of unpretentious ­birth. . . .

I'd rather tuck a little child all safe and sound in ­bed

Than twine a chain of diamonds about my [carefree] ­head.

I'd rather wash a smudgy face with round, bright, baby ­eyes

Than paint the pageantry of fame or walk among the ­wise.
--Meredith Gray, from The Beauty of Motherhood

My very good friend Chantelle sent the following to me, and I wanted to share it with all of you.
This is an excerpt from the book "Mothers" by Jane Clayson Johnson:

A couple of years ago, my husband and I attended a dinner meeting outside Washington, D.C. It was a wonderful gather­ing of about ­seventy-­five mostly LDS couples from a variety of ­­professions, including law, business, education, and ­communications. After dinner, each of us was asked to introduce him- or herself.
The men in the room confidently and appropriately stated their professional achievements, which were impressive. They had degrees; they served on boards; they tended to patients and served clients; they had accomplished sons and ­daughters.
Then their wives stood ­up--­beautiful, intelligent, spiritual women. Many of them had served on boards, held degrees, and were seasoned in their respective fields. Each of them was also a ­mother.
But this is how many of the women described ­themselves:
"Oh, I'm just a mom."
"I don't have any credentials; I'm just raising our six ­children."
"My life's not very exciting right now; I'm just a ­stay-­at-­home mom."
"I don't have much to offer here. I'm just a mother."
We heard some variation of the phrase "I'm just a mother" repeated, almost apologetically, over and over ­again.
Their words surprised me. I had recently given birth to my first child, and I was on top of the world. My baby was a blessing that had come to me a little later in life than usual, and I was excited and honored to finally accept the mantle of motherhood. I felt an extraordinary sense of responsibility. And power. Not as the world defines the word, but from entering a sacred partnership with the Creator himself. What a remarkable gift! I wanted to shout from the rooftops, "I am a mother! I am a mother!"
So when I heard these women say, "I'm just a mother," I was taken aback. Was I missing something? Did these lovely ­women--­these experienced ­mothers--­know something I didn't? Was it simply a matter of time before I'd figure it out? Before I, too, would understand that motherhood was somehow of lesser ­importance?
I was so bewildered by their comments that questions began to gnaw at ­me--­What have I done? What have I ­done?
When I left my television career in New York City to get married and to have a family, many of my colleagues told me I was crazy, that I was out of my mind. I had turned down a lucrative, ­four-­year network contract, working on exciting, ­high-­profile, ­prime-­time ­projects.
Some people were incredibly supportive. One producer in particular came into my office, looked me straight in the eye, and said, "Good for you!" He wasn't endorsing my decision to be a mother per se, but he did congratulate me for having the courage to follow my heart, to act on my convictions. He noted that there were so very many others with the impulse to leave; but they wouldn't. They just couldn't walk away from the prestige, the money, or whatever it was that seemed more important than ­following their ­hearts.
By way of contrast, when I explained to another rather influential colleague that I would not be taking that contract offer, he told me I was making a terrible decision that I would regret for years to come. "What will you be without your job?" he asked. "If you leave television now, you're done." He quoted an old CBS newsman as saying, "Without work, there is no meaning to life." And finally, knowing of my faith, he asked, "What are you going to do . . . move up there and teach Sunday School?" Well, as it turned out, the first Sunday in my new ward, I was called to ­teach--­the Gospel Doctrine ­class.
I found that the reaction from my female colleagues was largely, and disappointingly, less than supportive. I shared my decision with one woman who smugly joked, "Why don't you just get a nanny?" Another network executive asked me what I was going to do once I got to Boston. I told her I was going to have a family, I was going to be a mother. "No, I understand that," she said, puzzled, "but what are you going to do?"
All of this was still fresh on my mind during that evening spent near Washington, D.C. A chorus of "I'm just a mother," juxtaposed with "What will you be without your job?" and "You're making a terrible mistake" made me wonder, Could they be ­right?
Is it possible that motherhood is an insignificant, ­second-­rate ­occupation?
Had I made a bad decision? I thought I'd done everything right. I'd fasted and prayed. I'd felt such a powerful, spiritual confirmation that this was the right choice, for me. Could it be that Heavenly Father would plan for me to walk away from something I loved for the "misery" of being "just a mother"?
What I have since learned is that God's definition of motherhood and the world's definition are vastly different. And ­sometimes--­probably all too ­often--­the challenges, daily physical and emotional exhaustion, and occasional ­self-­doubt that come along with being a mother cause many of us to buy into an inaccurate and destructive understanding of our role. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of ­joy--­or ­fulfillment--­associated with the world's interpretation of ­motherhood.
But when we trust in the arm of the Lord rather than the voices of the world, everything changes. Elder Neal A. Maxwell observed, "When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?" ("The Women of God," 10-11).
I see no "justs" when I read those words. Instead, I feel something: Honor. Responsibility. Awe. Hope. I begin to understand what the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of ­Latter-­day Saints has been quietly reminding mothers for years, that "motherhood is near to divinity," the "highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind" (J. Reuben Clark Jr., Improvement Era, 761).
At times, there may be few immediate rewards for those of us who are mothers. There are no Christmas bonuses, no promotions, no paid vacations. But there is love, there is laughter, there is joy. And there are assurances. For, as the Apostle Paul taught, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). A mother who loves the Lord and teaches her children to do the ­same--­above all ­else--­cannot be denied this ­blessing.
President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, "God planted within women something divine" (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley, 387). It is that divinity that makes women nurturers, that encourages a woman to pursue ­motherhood--­even when that means sacrificing her own comforts for those of her children . . . and loving those children with a fierceness and loyalty that is ­incomparable.
What power we would possess if every mother would turn off the voices of the world and instead truly believe what President Hinckley and all the prophets have ­taught--­and the Lord has promised!

A Beautiful Day!

Yesterday was an absolutely beautiful day, and the worst day to not have a working camera.

The kids and I were invited to go with a friend of Emma's from school to the Dallas Arboretum.(check it out at http://www.dallasarboretum.org ) We have never been before, and it was gorgeous. The Tulips were in perfect bloom, and tulips are my favorite. There were activities for the kids, including face painting, where of course Emma and Annabelle were painted like princesses. Wesley loved running around and touching all the flowers. I was so proud of him, because he would barrel over to the flowers and then stop and slowly bend over to touch them softly. He did not once grab at a flower. We strolled along in the cool breeze, smelling sweet Hyacinth, and listening to lovely music. It was a wonderland for the senses, and very soothing.

We left the gardens and headed to Emma's ballet practice. She is really enjoying her class, and when Mark came home from work she gave us a demonstration of what they have been working on. She was so cute, and we were very impressed with how much she has learned. She moved in time to the music and was graceful, something I have never been accused of.

The weather was so nice yesterday, that we went for another walk when we got home from ballet and played for an hour on the swing set outside of our apartment. Wes loves to swing! If I pull the swing up and let it go, he squeals "Wheeee!" He can also climb up the fort ladder, and get back down all by himself. That's a big deal. We are so looking forward to having a backyard of our very own for the kids to explore everyday.

That brings me to another reason yesterday was so beautiful. Our option period for our new house expired without any complications or surprises! We went over to the Elstrod's last evening, and were able to meet John. We have really been blessed to find this home and to be able to get to know the current owners. They are of a very sweet and generous nature. We have been assured that we can now start packing!! Which I suppose I better get started on.

I am Consumed

Over the past the 2 months I have literally been consumed with our search for our 1st home. We have had one crazy experience after the other where this search is concerned. And as with all the wonderful events in our 9 years of marriage, we again have felt extremely blessed by our loving Father in Heaven. We celebrated our 9th Anniversary, on Tuesday the 13th, and did so by ending the search. This time it's for real. Sure, I was at the point where I felt we could make "anything" work, but thank goodness Mark was willing to wait for just the right one.

Monday night we had the pleasure of walking into the home of Ms. Dee, a wonderfully sweet person, with our tremendously patient realtor, Tessa, and became overwhelmed with the sweet feelings of "Home". Prayers have been answered. Dee and her husband John received 6 offers at the time we put ours in, but they said that they felt inspired to go with our offer. And we are truly grateful. We had the inspection completed yesterday, and guess what.... No Termites!! or anything major.

I am now consumed with feelings of peace, love, gratitude, and humility. Lessons have been learned, though hard to accept at times. And overall this is shaping up to be one of the most exhilarating experiences for our family.

We are scheduled to close on the 27th of April!!