Last night at dinner I told Maryn and Brynna I needed to talk to them about something. During the car ride to school, one of their friends was telling a story. He described how he walked into a room at a recreational facility once and it was "full of nothing but fat nerds." I didn't feel it was my place to censor him, but I made a mental note to talk to the girls later about it. My exact words later that night were "Please do not say anything to your friend about this. I know his heart is good, it was a mistake and it is not your place to tell your friend what to say anyways. But I hope both of you know that I never want you labeling people like that or describing them in such a mean way." I asked them how they would feel if someone took one look at them and labeled them in such a negative way.
I thought it was a good teaching moment...fast forward to this morning. Justin got home from doing the carpool run this morning and said "Maryn threw you under a VERY heavy bus this morning!" I wondered what she could have said about me? Apparently as soon as she had her friend's attention this morning she said "My mom doesn't like the things you say!" Nice. Maybe she forgot the first request before the conversation was not to say anything to her friend. Turkey. Now I look like the bad guy!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Different In All The Right Ways
My daughters' education is really important to me. I have tried to do what I can as a parent to facilitate the importance of learning being imprinted in their young minds. I am no rocket scientist. But over the years I have learned that I am a whole lot smarter, stronger and tenacious than I ever gave myself credit for growing up. I wonder what could have been if I would have believed in myself? What potential I could have tapped? (With that said, I firmly believe it's never too late to turn a new leaf. I don't live in the past.) So when what is coming home from my daughter's school is invitations to test for the gifted program or straight A report cards, I find myself proud of them. Proud of them for taking the wonder of learning seriously. For caring to give their full potential a chance at coming to fruition.
But then I have those moments where my pride is magnified even further, when I realize that my girls are growing not only into good students, but good people. They are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. None of us are. But their cores contain amazing goodness. In them I see people who aren't afraid to march to the beat of their own drum, regardless of what the crowd is doing. I see people who are willing to do the right thing. People who have their priorities, even at this young age, straight.
One night as Justin and I were sitting on the couch, after the girls had gone to bed, we talked about all the ways they were different than other kids their age. Like how Maryn isn't concerned with being popular, she is concerned with being herself and seeking to be a friend to the friendless. She had a tough time last year navigating the social world of school. This year she made the decision all on her own, to go into this year with her head held high. Confident in who she is. It doesn't bother her if girls are dramatic or if her best friends at school are guys. She is comfortable with who she is and what she does.
Brynna wondered out loud one day "Why do people make a big deal out of what you wear? You go to school to learn. It's not a fashion show!" This is the child that fought me on uniforms last year and now loves them. I have had people tell me years ago "Oh wait until they get to those years where all they want is Abercrombie and Justice!" I got sucked into the labels when I was younger and the labels never brought me happiness. I am glad that Brynna is learning that what is important is not what is superficially projected from the outside, but what we are nurturing on the inside. One of her goals this year is to be a STRIVE student. STRIVE is a program at the kids' school that seeks to teach and develop positive character traits. STRIVE students are those chosen out of the student body that exemplify the purpose of the program. I'm glad Brynna knows that it's important to take care of our bodies and our appearance. But what we look like doesn't make us a better person.
One day the girls and I were watching videos about an outreach in India that supports leper colonies in bettering their lives. (Rising Star Outreach) When Maryn was a baby I sponsored one of those sweet kids and yearned to be able to go to India and volunteer. As our family grew and my focus turned to them, that dream grew distant in my mind. So it was really cool, all these years later, sitting there with my daughters watching these videos and seeing the same spark ignited in them. Maryn said it would be good to sponsor one of those kids for Christmas instead of getting a bunch of presents. We talked about how we could develop our talents to help bless the lives of others. We daydreamed of all of us going together someday. That moment made my heart full.
And grateful.
That in a world that tries to pigeon-hole you, define you and tell you who you are supposed to be, I have daughters who are learning to be themselves. To be different in all the right ways.
But then I have those moments where my pride is magnified even further, when I realize that my girls are growing not only into good students, but good people. They are not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. None of us are. But their cores contain amazing goodness. In them I see people who aren't afraid to march to the beat of their own drum, regardless of what the crowd is doing. I see people who are willing to do the right thing. People who have their priorities, even at this young age, straight.
One night as Justin and I were sitting on the couch, after the girls had gone to bed, we talked about all the ways they were different than other kids their age. Like how Maryn isn't concerned with being popular, she is concerned with being herself and seeking to be a friend to the friendless. She had a tough time last year navigating the social world of school. This year she made the decision all on her own, to go into this year with her head held high. Confident in who she is. It doesn't bother her if girls are dramatic or if her best friends at school are guys. She is comfortable with who she is and what she does.
Brynna wondered out loud one day "Why do people make a big deal out of what you wear? You go to school to learn. It's not a fashion show!" This is the child that fought me on uniforms last year and now loves them. I have had people tell me years ago "Oh wait until they get to those years where all they want is Abercrombie and Justice!" I got sucked into the labels when I was younger and the labels never brought me happiness. I am glad that Brynna is learning that what is important is not what is superficially projected from the outside, but what we are nurturing on the inside. One of her goals this year is to be a STRIVE student. STRIVE is a program at the kids' school that seeks to teach and develop positive character traits. STRIVE students are those chosen out of the student body that exemplify the purpose of the program. I'm glad Brynna knows that it's important to take care of our bodies and our appearance. But what we look like doesn't make us a better person.
One day the girls and I were watching videos about an outreach in India that supports leper colonies in bettering their lives. (Rising Star Outreach) When Maryn was a baby I sponsored one of those sweet kids and yearned to be able to go to India and volunteer. As our family grew and my focus turned to them, that dream grew distant in my mind. So it was really cool, all these years later, sitting there with my daughters watching these videos and seeing the same spark ignited in them. Maryn said it would be good to sponsor one of those kids for Christmas instead of getting a bunch of presents. We talked about how we could develop our talents to help bless the lives of others. We daydreamed of all of us going together someday. That moment made my heart full.
And grateful.
That in a world that tries to pigeon-hole you, define you and tell you who you are supposed to be, I have daughters who are learning to be themselves. To be different in all the right ways.
Saturday, October 13, 2012
Mental Health Day
It seems like life has been whizzing by at a break neck speed lately. Justin traveling out of town, me coordinating work between two different offices and getting childcare coordinated and lined up while I do so, kids to shuttle all over the place, field trips to attend, bills to pay, appointments to make, grocery shopping, gym time and on and on and on. My wish for today is to slow down and not commit myself to a single thing for at least 24 hours. (Well besides shuttling to and from a birthday party Brynna already committed to.) It's just been insane and so therefore I am officially clearing my schedule, coming up for air and claiming today my Mental Health Day!
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Devy & Lu
I love what good little buddies Devyn and Lauryn are becoming. Lulu just got in trouble for lying to me about eating her lunch and was sent to the corner for time out. Devy, who hadn't done anything wrong, hung her head and followed her sister to the corner. I told her to shoo, that Luey needed to do her time alone. But every time I turned around they were sitting there giggling together. Finally I said "Both of you need to go take a nap." To which they happily complied and scooted up the stairs together. I am not kidding myself. I am quite sure when I go check on them they will not be sleeping. But the fact they were eager to go take a nap, if it meant being together, pulled on my heartstrings.
Monday, October 8, 2012
It's finally here....
I know I have mentioned this on Facebook, but I had the chance to be a small part of a collaborative book on motherhood. The hard copies finally arrived in the mail today. The way the story was edited changed the feel of my piece, in my opinion. I loved my original, which made mention of my gratitude to my Father in Heaven. But the editors wanted the book to feel accessible to people of all belief systems, but who are unified through motherhood. I respected the sentiment, so I consented to some small changes that still left the feeling of my piece intact without overtly referring to Diety. But I did so wish I could have included the source of which my gratitude was directed to. It was such a strong part of the moment I was feeling when I wrote it. More than anything though, being included in this process has given me the courage to not be afraid of someday chasing my dream of writing a book of my very own. It's been a very gratifying experience. One that I am grateful to the editors for letting me be a part of and helping me to see the hope in future dreams.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Conference Thoughts
I am amazed every six months how it seems like the things that are spoken about in General Conference were intended just for me or for someone I know. I had the opportunity to invite one of my CrossFit coaches, Josh, to come to the church building to watch it with us. It's always amazing how much more appreciative I am of the truths I have and enjoy when looking at it through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time. It was just a really great and humbling experience.
When I was younger, I was afraid of opening my mouth and declaring my faith. That I was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I had been the object of persecution for my beliefs and being the shy person I was, it scarred me a little bit. But as I have grown in tandem with my testimony that fear has left me and those wounds of persecution have healed. I no longer fear the opinions of man, because my love of the Savior and His gospel is so secure.
As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland stood to speak I turned to Josh and whispered in my most excited reverent voice, "He is one of my favorites!!" When the talk was through, as I wiped tears of wonder, love and gratitude from my cheeks, Josh leaned forward and said "Wow, I can see why he is one of your favorites." Then he added with a chuckle, "And he has great hair too!" Just one of the many things to love about this special apostle of the Lord. He talked about our commitment to our Savior, Jesus Christ, and recounted the story of Christ's visit to Peter on the shore of Galilee after His resurrection. His talk left me with the determination and desire to be able to say when I someday fall at my Savior's feet and if He asks me "Lovest thou me?" like he did to the apostle Peter, I too will be able to respond, "Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." It is my hope that the sincerity of those words will be reflected in the content of my life.
When I was younger, I was afraid of opening my mouth and declaring my faith. That I was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I had been the object of persecution for my beliefs and being the shy person I was, it scarred me a little bit. But as I have grown in tandem with my testimony that fear has left me and those wounds of persecution have healed. I no longer fear the opinions of man, because my love of the Savior and His gospel is so secure.
As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland stood to speak I turned to Josh and whispered in my most excited reverent voice, "He is one of my favorites!!" When the talk was through, as I wiped tears of wonder, love and gratitude from my cheeks, Josh leaned forward and said "Wow, I can see why he is one of your favorites." Then he added with a chuckle, "And he has great hair too!" Just one of the many things to love about this special apostle of the Lord. He talked about our commitment to our Savior, Jesus Christ, and recounted the story of Christ's visit to Peter on the shore of Galilee after His resurrection. His talk left me with the determination and desire to be able to say when I someday fall at my Savior's feet and if He asks me "Lovest thou me?" like he did to the apostle Peter, I too will be able to respond, "Yea Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." It is my hope that the sincerity of those words will be reflected in the content of my life.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
A Day in the Life
I started out my morning in the gym doing deadlifts, about fifty million walking lunges, kettlebell swings and modified walking handstands. I was sore and tired by the time I got home, but immediately had to shower and get Maryn and Brynna to school. Then rush home get Lauryn ready for Picture Day at Preschool, go to the store with Devyn and then run home to catch my breath. Or so I thought. While Lauryn was at school I decided it would be a brilliant idea to surprise her and set up a big girl bed for her, move Devyn from the crib to the toddler bed and take the crib down to give to Maryn's piano teacher who is expecting twins in a couple of months. This meant rearranging all the furniture and lugging everything up two flights of stairs from the basement to the Littles' room. About half way through it my muscles reminded me I had already done all those deadlifts and lunges this morning. Not smart. I asked the Littles to lay down for 20 minutes, so I could sit, uninterrupted, for a rest. They ignored me and tried to break loose and run outside. Apparently they don't care that Momma's been up since 4:30.
The big girls will be getting home from school soon. Luckily 1st Quarter Robotics is over for the Biggles now, which was their usual Wednesday activity. That means I don't have to drive back down to the school to get them (our school is about 20 minutes away) because my sweet friend Kathleen offered to bring them home after school with her kids. Then it's homework, chores, dinner, jammies for the kids and then I am off to a Presidency Meeting for Primary and may make it home in time to catch the Presidential Debates and kiss my husband. I dare someone to imply mothers sit around and eat bob-bons all day.
The big girls will be getting home from school soon. Luckily 1st Quarter Robotics is over for the Biggles now, which was their usual Wednesday activity. That means I don't have to drive back down to the school to get them (our school is about 20 minutes away) because my sweet friend Kathleen offered to bring them home after school with her kids. Then it's homework, chores, dinner, jammies for the kids and then I am off to a Presidency Meeting for Primary and may make it home in time to catch the Presidential Debates and kiss my husband. I dare someone to imply mothers sit around and eat bob-bons all day.
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