Inspirational Thought - Childhood.

"Somehow, in our hurry to steer our children toward accomplishment and independence 
we seem to have forgotten what childhood is all about. 

Preoccupied with managing their lives, and our own, it is so easy to lose sight of our children-their tenderness and innocence, their joyousness, their capacity of wonder, their hunger of enchantment. 

A touch of magic can reawaken the childlike spirit in all of us allowing us to revisit, for a time, the secret realm of childhood." 
-Katrina Kenison, 
Mitten Strings for God

it is always up to me.

Yesterday was a blah kind of day with grey skies, and rainy weather. Stumbling upon this quote in the wee hours of the morning was something that I needed to hear, and I am making this into a sign so that I can be reminded of it every day. 

Sarah was speaking to me as I was reading her post. I wish I would have seen this quote yesterday because I sure could of have used the inspiration. Noah and I were having an iphone kind of day, and wasn't on the computer at all. I actually let Noah play games on my iPhone because I don't want him to think that he can be on the mac all day long playing games. Although the games he plays are educational like learning shapes, and learning how to spell on the endless alphabet app I still don't want him to get hooked. So it's days like today where I just wanted to cuddle with him. I didn't get very good sleep this past weekend or last night, (i really need to lay off the caffeine) and don't want to be grump to my little boy.

Because there are days when I have been, and I don't want to take out any kind of negativity on any of my kids especially our little boy. He is sweet, and innocent and luckily he reminds me of that innocence when he is surrounded by his sisters. They all treat him with kindness, and give him so much love and support. They are mini moms to him, and I can't even begin to emphasize how grateful I am when they are there to help me with him.

I am so glad I read this quote because although it's poignant, it's so common. I am fueled with so much energy by my children, and time passes by so quickly that I don't want to take any of them for granted. Days I spend with them are precious and what little time I have left with Sierra is limited. I need to be a kinder, less stressed mom, and not allow hurtful words to come out of my mouth.

Alexandra's FHE lesson also helped me as well. It taught me to surround myself more with goodness. We all want goodness in our life whether it's friends, or things that are going to help me be a good example to others. Sometimes we are so blind that we don't see the goodness that is right underneath our nose. Our children. My kids are my goodness, and they are the fire that light up my world whether I'm grumpy, or happy. 

You know how some of us say, "at the end of the day what matters is......" Well, I never looked at this way, & although it does matter how we end our day I also realized the importance in how our day begins as well.  

It's up to me to make every day joyful with goodness, and love not only at the end of the day, but to start the day off with pure love in the beginning. 

quotes & thoughts on general conference.

Smooching on my boy!

"Love" and "following the Savior" are two of the things that I got out of the talks that were given during General Conference this past weekend. I look forward to conference every six months, and after everything that life has thrown at us this past year I have realized how important it is to watch and to listen.

"First observe, then serve."

~Linda K. Burton

One great example of the church that I have always noticed is the service that we render to our fellowman, and we do it all in the name of love. I feel that at times when I am feeling at my lowest I want to serve others more. I have always loved doing things for other people, and I truly feel that I am pretty devoted in doing so. I do it out of my heart, and without any obligation. Christ is the perfect example of unconditional love, compassion, empathy, and service in doing good to all mankind, and knowing that gives me a huge desire to serve others until the very end.

This quote was said by Jeffrey R. Holland. His talk was among my favorites.

...We have neighbors to Bless, 

Children to protect, 

the poor to lift up, 

and the truth to defend. 

We have wrongs to make right, 

truths to share, and good to do. 

In short, we have a life of devoted 

discipleship to give in demonstrating

our love of the LORD.

Understanding the atonement is a vital part of my life. Understanding it now humbles me to a level in which I didn't comprehend. Jesus suffered and died for my sins so that I could experience all the heartaches, challenges & trials that come my way. I have experienced them throughout my life as a child, a teenager, a young adult, a newlywed, and now as a wife and mother. I am grateful for the trials that we have gone through as a family, because in the end they only make us stronger.

Having those challenges has helped me grow spiritually through understanding the atonement and in striving hard to live like our Savior. Having that spiritual maturity really grounds me as a mother in raising our children with true gospel principles without judging others. It has made me a better person and my level of joy is at an all time high. I feel that all time high when I am being kind, loving, and in serving others. I feel it most when I am sharing the gospel and/or sharing my conversion story to someone as to how I became a member of this wonderful church. I am deliriously happy knowing that I am doing all that I am supposed to do all in the name of Christ.

"Many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow

 can be resolved by following the Savior today."

~President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Without those challenges I don't think we'd grow as a family, and I certainly don't think I'd be learning anything. Sure there are times when I have felt like an "inexperienced member"of the church, but then I think again, and say to myself, "I am not an inexperienced member, I am an imperfect person who has the truthfulness of the gospel in which I am responsible in sharing, and striving my best to "be of good cheer." I am someone who hugs others because I love, serves others because I love, and forgives others because I love." 

"I am a Mormon.

I know it.

I live it.

I love it."

~Ann Dibb

**To listen and watch general conference you can go here.