The Deeper Meanings of Motherhood

On Sunday I was out doing my visiting teaching. I was talking about motherhood with these two other women in my ward. I was reading a quote from the visiting teaching message by Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president:

"As spirit daughters of God, women 'received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth' (D&C 138:56) on the earth. They were among the 'noble and great ones' (D&C 138:55) who 'shouted for joy' (Job 38:7) at the creation of the earth because they would be given a physical body with the opportunity to be proven in a mortal sphere (see Abraham 3:25). They wished to work side by side with righteous men to accomplish eternal goals that neither can attain independently.

"Female roles did not begin on earth, and they do not end here. A woman who treasures motherhood on earth will treasure motherhood in the world to come, and 'where [her] treasure is, there will [her] heart be also' (Matthew 6:21). By developing a mother heart, each girl and woman prepares for her divine, eternal mission of motherhood. . . . ("A 'Mother Heart,' " Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 76).

The words came to my mind "There are deeper meanings in motherhood." I love my children, and they bring me joy everyday. I stay home because I think it is the best thing for my children. I think the spirit was trying to tell me that it is also the best thing for me, but I wonder what are the deeper meanings. What are the personal blessings I receive. It sounds selfish. I don't know. If anyone has anything they can share that would enlighten me I'd love it.

The Project

I don't know where the "project ideas" come from. Nathan and I seem to have about one project about every six months. Our last project was to remake our old, over-sized coffee table into a play table for the kids, complete with storage. Well, about six months ago I decided it was time to make a nice snuggle blanket for Rachel. I made Ben one when he was two, but I never got around to Rachel's. Rachel and I went shopping for material, then nothing happened. Rachel kept asking me when I was going to get her blanket done. I promised that I would have it done by Christmas. Lucky for me, children are forgiving. Anyway, I finally finished it this week thanks to a "complete unfinished projects" Relief Society activity. Rachel loves it. She doesn't take in it's many imperfections. The night I finished it she had already gone to bed, so I went and put it on her. In the morning she ran up to my room and said "Thanks mom, I love my blanket!" She was beaming. What more could a parent ask for.

Extra, Extra, Sugar Causes Contention, Family Fights

So,here was the scene last night at Walmart. We are in line to pay. You've all been there, stuck next to candyland, with no escape. Ben says "Mom, can we pleassssssse get candy?" "No" I repeat for the tenth time. Emily walks up to me and hands me a reeses peanut butter cup, which I secretly put back while she's not looking. Then Rachel says "But Mom, we are reeeeeally hungry." "Have a banana" I say. Emily notices I don't have the reeses anymore so she grabs another and gives it to me. Once again, I put it back when she is not looking.
"Finally, we can pay and get out of here" I think. As my items are moving forward I notice a couple bags of pop rocks. "What are those?" I ask Nathan. "Nothing" he answers.
We pay for our items and head out to the car as Dad announces that he has bought a treasure for all to enjoy. "Yeah!" they all scream. As the first popping begins in their little mouths, so begins the endless begging for more. Rachel and Ben begin to fight over who is getting more pop rocks, and Emily is quietly adding her feelings with "MMM. MMM. MMM" Nathan loses his patience. "That's it. No more pop rocks. Only Emily can have more because she didn't complain or fight."
"That's because she can't talk," Ben retorts.
I laugh inside. Nate should have never bought those pop rocks.

Church Vocabulary

Nate had to stay after church yesterday to help input tithing donations on the computer. When we got home Rachel asked "Where's Daddy." Ben quickly responded, "He is still at church paying his testimony." So many church words, who wouldn't be confused?

Were my children born in a barn?

I'm not sure, but I've started to wonder if I might have missed some important thing when teaching my children the beauty of good hygiene and manners. Last night I walked into the kids bathroom and stepped on a pair of soiled underwear. A very unpleasant experience, I must say. This morning Emily refused to put her diaper on. As I sat trying to coax, hoping I wouldn't have to force her, she relieved herself on my foot. And, I have a lovely daughter who thinks talking about flatulence and the p-- word is the funniest thing ever. I fear what our dinner conversations will be in a few more years. They grow out of these things, don't they? :)

Snow Day

Well, surprisingly, we had non-stop snow at our house for 24 hours. In the end we had about 2 feet. We enjoyed every minute. . . wait, I must have blocked out the shoveling part. . . and the nearly getting stuck part. . . and the part where they didn't even cancel school. But, otherwise, it was a lot of fun.

Snow Play - Not just for kids.

We have had a nice amount of snow here since Christmas. That means playing in the snow. Building a fort for Ben and a new Frosty the Snowman with Rachel. Our first Frosty melted. He literally bent over backwards to a 45 degree angle before he finally gave up. So, the new Frosty had to be strong.



The big question is, who loves the snow play more? Nathan or the kids. Nate threw a shovel full of snow on Ben. To say the least, Ben was pretty ticked. I'm not sure what Nathan was thinking with that one.