Where to begin?

It's been a while!

I'll try to catch up a bit...perhaps back-track, then catch-up...who knows!

Today is Mother's Day. I'm happy to be a mom. I'm grateful for my mom (on earth), for my mother-in-law (in heaven) and all those who have mothered me and my children.

There are times that I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job as a mother and then other times (like this entire weekend...) when I feel like I'm completely failing and have no idea what I'm doing.

What I do know is that I love my girls and am trying my very best.
I hope to be the mother they need me to be. 

Today Wes woke up more sick than he was yesterday...too sick for church! (and, anyone who knows Wes knows that he NEVER misses church....so, that means he's really sick!). I told him I couldn't go to church with both children by myself on Mother's day (of all days). I honestly was ready to leave one of the girls home with him. Eventually the girls and I got ready any made it on time. Sacrament meeting started out pretty good...and ended in the hallway, outside, back inside, in a room by ourselves  (more than once) and with a mom ready to just go home. We made until primary (phew!).

I was called today to be the Sunday School teacher for the 16 year olds. 2 in my class today. They are good kids. Quite different from being in Primary. I'm looking forward to it. 

Olivia started soccer 3 weeks ago. She plays on Saturdays. The first week went pretty good. The other two weeks she hasn't been very interested. We asked her yesterday, "Olivia, do you like soccer?" She replied, "No. I want to play soccer by myself." Hmmm. We are working on that one.  She is, however, very excited to play basketball (when she's 5) and we have registered her for Preshool starting in September.

Aubrey is just cute. Say's "ank-you" as often as opportunity allows (for everything), loves to sing, loves to wake up early, and loves to be "cozy"...loves having a blanket...even if it's a fleece one in the sun on a hot summer day! And she is very concerned with how other people feel. For example, at every meal time she'll go around the table and ask, "nummy mommy?" "nummy daddy?" ...I think she'll start asking Olivia as soon as she can say her name! Also, when she thinks I am hurt or that something happened she'll ask me, "ok mommy?". She gives kisses and hugs frequently and readily to   pretty much everyone.

I am 18 weeks tomorrow and have another ultrasound next week. Olivia is certain it is a boy baby and his name will be called "daddy". Today at church she told one of the men that "Mommy has baby daddy in her tummy". I don't think he clued in on what she was trying to tell him. It was pretty funny though.

Wes' painting business is going really well. He has just hired a sub-contractor and will be hiring a few more helpers in the very near future. 

My NuCerity business is going extremely well...couldn't be more grateful. I am closing my Dayhome this week...Wednesday at 4:30. I'm excited. It's time. It was great while it lasted, but now it's time to move on....in perfect timing for summer and the new baby!

My day

[May 13]

I love being a mother. I truly, truly do. My girls light up my life, keep me on my toes, melt my heart, make me laugh, blow my mind, and continue to teach me patience.
I never knew I could love so much....I just never knew. 

My incredible husband let me sleep in on Mother's Day! This may not seem like a big deal, but Wes is on a completely different sleeping schedule than the rest of the people in his family. He was tired, but he let me sleep. He and the girls made a card for me, and Wes just took care of everything. Everything.                    I am a lucky lady!

I thought it would be nice to get some photos in with my girls before church.

In my head, I imagined these photos turning out a wee-bit differently. :)

I wouldn't change a thing.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

I LOVE BEING A MOTHER

There truly is nothing else I'd rather be doing. However, there are days where I feel like nothing I do is making a difference in the world, or our home. At times it's hard to feel like I've been productive when I've only scratched one thing off my "to do" list. 

But, when I take a step back and look at the big picture, I am reminded that I am teaching, and loving, and nurturing a precious child of God. I feel that what she is taught in our home, and how I treat her will impact how she feels about herself, how she looks at others, and the person she will become. 

Being a Mother is HARD WORK. Being a stay at home mom is HARD WORK. And, I was REALLY looking forward to having a Time Out and being uplifted. I got to attend a Time Out For Women with my sisters and Mom on Mother's Day weekend....talk about inspiring and uplifting! 

I walked away wanting to be a better mother and daughter of God. I not only want to think that I, as a mother, am in partnership with God, I want to feel it every day....I want to feel Him on my right and an my left as I go throughout my daily motherhood tasks. I want to feel His inspiration and receive specific, personal revelation more. I need to put more effort into being closer to my Father in Heaven so I can recognize Him and His influence more. He wants the best for Olivia, as do I. It was GREAT to spend time with my mom and sisters (just us!) and extra great to be uplifted and inspired at the same time!!

Sunday was Mother's Day and I got to put my feet up and let Wes take care of it all. And, he earned EXTRA, EXTRA brownie points for catering to my every need, wish, and desire having only had 2 HOURS OF SLEEP!! What a great guy!!! On top of that, I know this Mother's Day was particularly difficult for him as his own mother is gone. We know she is close, but she still feels so far away. And, it's still really hard.

I am grateful to the many mothers in my life that I look up to and have taught me so much: Grandmothers, Sisters, Aunts, Friends. And, of course, my mother-in-law and my very own mother. 

I  am always striving to be better and definitely think Mother's Day should be celebrated every month!! I could live with that. :)

Mother's Day

I had a WONDERFUL Mother's day! My little Liv is the sweetest little angel EVER and it is  HONOUR to be her mother. She is the greatest Mother's Day gift I could ever receive. But,  her daddy made me feel really special as well: with Chocolate, Flowers, and a nice card. After church, and an afternoon nap we went over to Wes' mom's house...Tara made a delicious dinner AND dessert...we got to hang out and be together. It was a great day!! We Love our Family!!

We have the BEST!

• "A partnership with God is motherhood"
• "My Mother: when my patience was at the end, hers had just begun."
• A 2nd grade teacher who had given a lesson on magnets gave a test question: "What starts with 'M' and picks up things?". Many of the children wrote, "Mother."

______________________________________________________________________________

We want to give a shout-out to these two AMAZING, DOWN-RIGHT INCREDIBLE, OUT OF THIS WORLD MOTHERS! Karen (L), and Barbara (R). Becoming a mother myself has taught me that the love a mother has for her chid is more powerful that I ever thought possible...and has reminded me that without a mother, there would be no child! We owe you our lives! Thank you for loving us, teaching us, nurturing us, and helping us become the people we are today! WE LOVE YOU!!!

A Special Friend

In heaven before I came to earth

I had a special friend.

The love we gave each other

Brought me joy without an end.

One day the Lord called for her

And said, "Your time in heav'n is o'er

You have a mission down on earth

They need you there much more."

So quickly, quickly she prepared

To heed our Master's word.

She said, "Dear friend, we'll meet again

Of this be most assured."

I cried and cried, "Please wait for me;

I want to go with you."

But it wasn't time for me  just yet

There were still some things to do.

And so we bid a fond farewell

We clasped each other tight.

I didn't like to see her go

But knew her choice was right.

Th time went y and oft I thought

'Bout that choice friend of mine.

Oh how I missed her gentleness 

Her nature - good and kind.

More years passed by and God said, "Now

It's time for you to go.

You too must choose twixt right and wrong

There's so much yet to know.

"'Tis not an easy task ahead

You'll need a lot of love

Just don't forget on thing, my child

You have a God above."

As so I left my heavenly home,

Assured that God loved me,

Would give me parents kind and true

And good examples be.

A helpless tiny innocent

I arrived on earth at last.

I knew not what the future held

Or 'bout my glorious past.

To learn to walk was really tough -

Good thing my mom stood near

To help support my wobbly steps

And ease that childish fear.

As I grew in love and faith

My [mother] taught me true

To trust in our redeeming Lord

And try His will to do.

The teenage  years were trying ones

I leaned so much on mom.

Her faith and love of Christ, our Lord

Gave me courage to go on.

[Adulthood] and marriage next - 

A challenge there indeed!

Always dirty clothes to wash

And hungry mouths to feed. 

Children of my very own - 

What miracles are wrought!

Sleepless night and busy days,

But what a joy they brought.

My mom's been always with me

To counsel, love, direct.

For this and everything she's done

She earned my deep respect.

And now I know that special friend

I treasured 'bove all others - 

That precious, dearest, choicest friend,

Was sent to be my mother.

-Sandra Lynn Johanson