On another note. My good friend Jennie had this quote on her blog and I just wanted to post it here because I love it. It makes me want to serve more and know that being a "nurturer" and a "homemaker" (see comments on previous post that Nates posted) is what can make me closer to God than anything else in the world. I do realize that not everyone reading this is a mother but I do know you can and are nurturers and homemakers to others. I've seen it. Enjoy!
"I REALLY LIVED"
By Sister Marjorie 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 long, 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 Sister Schenk'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 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."
4 comments:
So this post is a little late, but I haven't really been up to commenting on having quite a few kids in my mid 20's and fending off unwanted comments, stares, and gasps (and hearing the word "quatro", or however you spell "four", in spanish...)from people. I guess the twin factor brings alot of attention in and of itself, because even while in Utah for the summer, we got some crazy looks. And it gets old having people comment why I don't have a nanny, or how I "homeschool" Marissa and Shem(remember, Shem is only 2..)because why would I possibly WANT to be at home, all day, with 4 small kids, when there are so many "options" available now(including birth control, as told to you by the clerk-right?). Why do yourself what someone else can do for you, right? And I'll admit, there are days when it is so flipping overwhelming and physically exhausting that I'd rather just stay in bed:) But then a minute later, Shem will do some sort of dance or something so werid and bizarre that is just so him, that I'll bust up laughing at the fun little guy. Or Owen will give me a raspberry on my back(his new "trick"), or Hudson will do this little rock-it thing, or Marissa will tell me that she wants to read the whole kid book of mormon scriptures (and we actually will, strange enough..), and it truly becomes a joy and a privivelge to be not just the caretaker, but the mother of all these precious little spirits we've been entrusted with. And it really bugs me when people say comments, or stares, etc, and I must admit I do say things sometimes or at least under my breath, or "bump"(oopsie!) their heels with my mammoth SUV stroller, but I think that under the anger isn't self doubt, but more hurt that someone would criticize or demean the thing(s) that I hold most dear to me. I actually enjoy hanging out with my kids. -now for the cleaning, laundry, etc, of "homemaking", it just doesn't get done, so I don't know if I like it or not:):)
I do think it will be nice to be somewhere more "normal", as it sounds like LA is like NYC with nannies, small families etc.
So this is a totally rambling post, and I probably just took up the whole page, but I want to say that you are an awesome mom. You are so into your kids and really enjoy them. You are doing an awesome job, and you are a great example to me. You are willing to make sacrifices and make others ahead of yourself and you have kept your sense of humour along the way-the key to survival with young children. You are also one hot mama! You are also a really good friend and concerned about those that you think may not be feeling included. You are awesome and I appreciate the post from sister Hinkley. It's so nice to be reminded that being covered in blood, poop and pee are desirable at the end of the day(well, maybe not to my hubby, but I should have time to change:) )
Love you!
PS, and just to test if what I posted I really meant, while I wrote my long post, Shem put lotion all over the mirror in the bathroom, then put "salt"(smashed up cheerios) on top of the lotion. He said it was corn on the cob. AHh, the joys:)
I agree. You are a fantastic mom, and you're doing the world a favor by raising your three boys in a loving home.
Deanna...I love you! That is one of my favorite quotes...it gives me perspective when I'm feeling down. You are wonderful! I love that we can read each other's thoughts--and perhaps lift one another in our bad days. Have you heard that song..."I had a bad day..." That's one of my favorites. We all have them but we get up and make tomorrow better.
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