just some words of advice.

"Take risks. Big risks. Smart risks. I’m not talking about drunk driving or running naked in the snow, I’m talking about going out on a limb to achieve your goals. I’m talking about venturing into unknown territory with no safety net, no fallback plan, no cushion, and nobody holding your hand. You’ll never do anything important if you care more about having fun and being comfortable. Period. It won’t happen. There’s time for fun and comfort, but not now. Not when we’re young and have so much to do. I don’t say this because I’m some huge success story; I say it because I’m not. Not yet, anyway. I say it because I’m in the thick of it, too. I say it because my heart breaks every time I meet a person younger than me who has no ambition. So often I speak to someone like this, they tell me what they want to do in life, I tell them, “well, go do it then,” and they come back with the “yeah, but..”

Stop it.

No buts. Nobody cares about your excuses. Move across the country if you have to. Live out of your car if it’s necessary. Work six jobs if that’s what it takes. Eat one meal a day if it comes to that. Do what needs to be done. STOP FOLLOWING THE PATH THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE LAID FOR YOU. Blaze your own trail. Make a sacrifice. Struggle. Sweat. Fail. Suffer. Do it now. Now’s the time. Especially if you aren’t even married and you don’t have kids. Why in the world are you sitting around? What are you waiting for? There’s absolutely nothing stopping you from chasing big things. Nothing."

~Matt Walsh

These are the words from a man who is about ten years younger than me whom I have admired for the past six months. Reading his blog has given me a lot of insight to many issues. Sometimes we can learn a few valuable things from the younger generation, and I have to admit that Matt Walsh is one of them. 

So heed the words of his advice. 

And these are mine...

You are so young, and have so much to look forward to. There are so many things that I missed out on as a youth. Things that you have, that i was unfortunate to learn, & grow up with. A talent with music that you have been blessed with like no other. (Gosh I wish I learned how to play the piano.) Even though you won't be homeless I want you to be independent and learn to do things on your own. Even though you've already lived in familiar territory I want you to act "as if" you've never been out west before. I'm not a well known blogger, but i feel that everything I have written thus far on my little blog are honest, and true. Things that have been repressed in my mind for many years that I was willing to share with the world (or whoever reads this)...but most of all you. 

The past 18 and half years of raising you has been fairly easy. We've had our ups and downs, but please know that those downers we had were moments of motherhood. I treated you in strictness because I love you. It's that simple. I was a mother first, and your friend second. Love. Go out and conquer the world. Make new friends. Find the old ones you left behind years ago. Learn how to ski. Spend a lot of time with grandma and grandpa. Enjoy your youth, and the time spent with your relatives. Life is too short. I don't ever want you to leave with an uneasiness or unhappy feeling like I did with my mom when I first moved across the country. I want you to carry that happiness wherever you go. I want to be able to know that your intentions are true, and that this decision is the best for you. 

Let your burdens be light by living your values, keeping your morals high, and lose yourself with God, and his gospel. When times get tough, and i mean really tough...lose yourself in service. Help your neighbors, & babysit. Sometimes when you're around small children they tend to get your mind off the hard things. Don't ever lose sight of what's important. Keep in touch with your sisters, and little Noah. For they will grow up way too quick, and perhaps be taller than you! 

Love, love, love. Fellowship. Fellowship. Fellowship. Be fearless, and bold in a loving manner. Always be tactful. Be the one who stands out as you walk into church, and school. Hold your head up high with humbleness ready to serve, love, and make more friends. 

I have faith in you. You're going to do great. God Bless you, and good luck in all that you do. Especially with school, and in growing up to be one of the most successful people i know you can be. 

xo, 
mom

potty training advice anyone?

Noah is three years old, my first boy, and to tell you the truth I haven't been in the mood to fight with him on teaching him to use the potty. Sometimes I wonder if there is a reason why I had three girls first. To teach me patience for when it was time to have and potty train Noah.

God knows what he was doing and I'm glad that I had the girls first! No stress was involved, and they were so easy to potty train. They also learned at a very young age!

You would think that Noah would be so interested since there is like five of us that he knows sit on a toilet to use the bathroom, but to no avail.

He has begun to say "I need to go potty", but when he says that it means that he already went in his diaper, and that he needs to be changed.

Maybe I'm being lazy, but I truly need some words of wisdom here. Especially for you mothers who have boys.

I did buy him the cutest Osh Kosh underwear for Christmas, and even though they have trains and cars on them, he would rather hold them in his hand guard them with his life (as if the trains and cars were real) than wear them. 

Maybe I need to be a little more firm, but I don't want to be mean like that. 

I really don't want to push the issue. 

I'm glad that Noah is a petite boy, and that he isn't wearing ginormous diapers! I'm getting to the point where I am getting tired of changing him though.

Hopefully by the time spring arrives, and the weather being warmer he can run around butt naked. It doesn't matter to me if he has accidents. 

Luckily hardwood floors can be easily cleaned! 

Funny how I want him to be potty trained already, but I don't  want him to grow up too fast.

Any advice would be helpful! 

Thanks.  

The night before school began.

After reading this post I was inspired to start a new tradition with the kids by choosing a 'back to school" quote with inspiring words that will help them spiritually thought the school year. I wish I would have thought of this tradition thirteen years ago, but better to start it late than never!

 I am grateful to start this tradition with our kids, and although Sierra will be in college next year we are going to strive to carry this tradition each year! So this is the quote that I chose for our family theme this year:

"The spirit is pure, 
and under the special control & influence of the Lord."
~Brigham Young

Last night Jon also said the most beautiful blessings to our girls, and this is one reason why I love being a member of this church. 

One thing we do as a family is have discussions about how to deal with certain situations. Because each child has their own individuality, and personality the advice that was given to comfort them is always different. As we were sitting down last night preparing for school, I really enjoyed the words of comfort that my better half advised them.... 

He mentioned to Chelsea that she should be wise in the friends she chooses, and to not judge them, but know the good side of them.

The advice he gave to Alexandra was that he hopes she will enjoy the companionship of her friends and to know that she is a daughter of Heavenly father who loves her very much and that we are pleased with all that she's accomplished thus far, and to continue to keep it up.

With Sierra being the oldest we really had a longer discussion, and the words that her dad said to her warmed my heart. 

His advice to her was to be mindful of others as she is going to be teaching the freshmen about morals. He also said for her to always have the courage to stand up in what she believes in and that as she teaches others in school that she will not be a wallflower, but a voice of reckoning and reason, and hopes that others will understand the truths that come from her heart.

Yeah...my better half gives really great advice, and the blessings that were given to them were so beautiful! 

The girls all came home from school with smiles on their faces and a lot of papers for us to fill out. It's always the parents that have homework the first day of school...not the kids. 

I'm so grateful for the tradition we have in giving a Father's blessing to our girls, and for the advice that was given to them. It keeps them grounded , and truly brings them comfort that'll last all year long!