What Did Their Mother's Know?

So, I've been doing some major pondering on what this coming school year will "look like" for our family.  
I was reminded of an entry I wrote last year during our Freedom Project class... 

What Did Their Mothers Know?

     The Family Proclamation states, “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children.”  In the Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary of the English Language, the word nurture is defined as:

noun - that which promotes growth; education; instruction

v.t. – to educate; to bring or train up

Who knew the stewardship of truly nurturing would be so all encompassing for mothers?? 

     I have four boys (and a sweet little girl :).  I love the idea of the key “Inspire, not Require.”  I’ve heard that force trains followers, not leaders.  But, to be a mother who truly inspires her children to become great is hard work!  Good thing I love to work...  I came hard-wired that way.  Elder Christopherson recently said, “All honest work is the work of God.”  I often think of women like Lucy Mack Smith, Margaret Walker Wythe, and the mothers of the 2060 Stripling Warriors.  They raised great men who had a love of liberty and a great desire to serve God. So, what did their mothers know?    

     My son is 9.  He is a thinker.  He is a talker.  He is a listener.  He is a reader.  He has a mission.  One night, a few months ago, after reading about the gifts of the spirit in his scriptures, he was unable to sleep.  We quietly sat together on the stairs next to his room and he said,

“Mom, I finally get it.  Heavenly Father has blessed me with the gift of understanding.” 

     At a recent large family Christmas celebration, I caught a glimpse of my son standing in the center of numerous adults including his Great Grandmother and two of his Grandma’s brothers, one of which was his learned Uncle John.  My son was fluidly speaking for a considerable amount of time and all adult ears were intently listening.  A few minutes later, Uncle John approached me, put his hand softly on my shoulder and with a tender voice and tears in his eyes, he proceeded to share the experience he just witnessed as my son spoke.  Uncle John recalled the information that was passionately shared about love of freedom, gratitude for George Washington’s sacrifice and leadership during the Revolutionary War and of his understanding that many men had to die in order to create a free land and for God to do His work.  My son also shared the importance of Abraham Lincoln’s mission and the men who sacrificed during the Civil War so that many of God’s children could be free of slavery.  Uncle John’s tender voice cracked as he said, “I had an overwhelming sense that this must have been what it was like to listen to the boy Jesus, confounding the learned with his pure spirit and understanding.”  

     Elder Neal A. Maxwell once stated, “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?..”

      So, what did their mothers know?  I like to think they knew their children had a mission.  My children have a mission.  As we create an environment of self-governance and love of liberty within the four walls of our homes, our children will become great men and women, our communities will be strengthened and our liberty will be preserved.

Ideas are still rolling around in my head and I hope to solidify them soon! :)
But, in the mean time, the kids and I have created an Exploring Room!  (It's our same old "school room" we created years ago, but with a fun twist for the hot summer afternoons)

What are we exploring each afternoon?
1.  Classics
I love Heather Burton's definition of a classic:  "A work or experience worth returning to again and again because each time we do, it deepens us and leads us to be more of what we hope and need to be."
We just finished exploring the Secret Garden and Misselthwaite with Mary, Dickon, Ben Weatherstaff, and Colin.  We pondered and discussed the transformation of character in Mary and Colin as the story unfolded, which prompted a discussion about our own assumptions and attitudes about ourselves and others :)
We just started Little Women...
2.  Geography 
Through Literature, Biographies, and Lewis and Clark, of course!
Some of our favorite Classics we've read over the years and are considering reading again:
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnette 
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare 
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Motgomery
Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnette
Carry On, Mr Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham

Women were made to be Strong and Immovable

This angel baby is literally seconds old in this photo.  I experienced my first home birth as my sister and her husband welcomed little Micah into the world.  Wow ~ Women were made to be strong and immovable.  If I didn't truly understand it after the births of my own children, I see it clearly now.  As my sister labored, I had visions of the generations of women who have come before us.  Women who sacrificed everything to bring precious children into this world.  Pioneer women who gave birth and buried children along the trail side.  And women today, who continue to choose to bring children into this world.  

As stated in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3).  

Welcome, little Micah!

One of THOSE days : )

I haven't had one of THOSE days for a while.  I've loved the past few years of having my children home with me each day, working along side them, reading with them, wondering with them, discovering new places with them, and learning patience and forgiveness with them.  But, I have an occasional day when the chaos gets under my skin ~ I'm only human.  I've learned that it is usually only for a moment, or a day ~ the kids and I call these "Crazy Mom" days.  So, it was the beginning of June, one of those unstructured, lazy summer days.  The baby was sick, the oldest three children were fighting over everything it seemed, and my husband and I were in the middle of discussing the monster task of selling our business. Yep, it turned into a "Crazy Mom" day!  After my impatient mother's heart was softened, I was reminded of the recent General Conference talks that I just listened to on my ipod.  I had an overwhelming sense that I should study them so that I can remember them always.  So, I've been studying the beautiful talks referencing teaching our children and I have a renewed sense of my role as mother in our HOME.  My quotes to remember...
  

Mothers Teaching Children in the Home

By Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society, even the family. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility... Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home."

That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior
By Cheryl C. Lant   Recently Released Primary General President
"It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might see His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. If we want our children to come to Christ so that they might see His face, it is important that we seek to see it as well."

Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation
By Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"For all of us, doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence... When we have a family home evening, a family council, or a meaningful gospel conversation with our children, we have the opportunity to look into their eyes and tell them that we love them and that Heavenly Father loves them. In these sacred settings, we can also help them understand, deep in their hearts, who they are and how fortunate they are to have come to this earth and to our home and to participate in the covenants we have taken in the temple to be a family forever." 

Help Them on Their Way Home

By President Henry B. Eyring  First Counselor in the First Presidency
"So we help God’s children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young... The family has an advantage in the first eight years of a child’s life. In those protected years, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan’s use of the mists of darkness to hide the path to return home is blocked... They realize that if the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescue as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime."

Mother Told Me
By Elder Bradley D. Foster of the Seventy
President James E. Faust said: “There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation”

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
By Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"The stories of Jesus can be like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The stories of Jesus shared over and over bring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strength to the foundation of testimony. Can you think of a more valuable gift for our children?
Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior’s life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead." 

Back in June, I spent a day (something like13 hours!) with these lovely ladies, creating a vision for our new CoOp and discussing the needs of our 45 precious children. I loved getting to know each one of the children through their mother's eyes. Grateful to have these amazing women in my life!

Inspired by Stitches, the Stomach Flu and The Sound of Music

How can I use the words stomach flu and inspire in the same post?!? Doesn't the flu mean extra loads of laundry, sleepless nights, and three boxes of Clorox wipes?!? Yep. But, because we were all forced to stay home together as the flu rotated through seven people (we couldn't all get it at once, that would be too easy!) it also meant five days to be together. So, what do we do when it's HOT outside and we can't go swimming or play with friends??

Inspiration #1 The Sound of Music

I pulled out this family classic a few years ago and the kids fell asleep before the first half hour was through. But, this week I figured it was time to try it again. Magic. The kids begged to watch it again... and again. Three times.   All 175 minutes. It sparked amazing discussions about the von Trapp family, Nazi Germany, and Agency.

Inspiration #2 Paint

It's amazing what fresh paint and brushes will do to inspire my kids BIG imaginations. For as long as I can remember, the twins have LOVED to paint. Their latest masterpieces...

Inspiration # 3 Stitches 
The late night ER trip, you know, when the 3 year old silently snuck out of bed at almost 10PM and hit his chin on the counter while playing in the bathroom :-) Funny, but I really cherished the time I had to hold him while we waited to be seen by the doctor. I will always have the memory of laying in the hospital bed next to him and talking softly with him... an unsual charactaristic of my tenacious, active, loud 3 year old. Of course, to stitch him up, he had to be sedated because of the location and size of the split. 7 hours and 7 stitches later... still smiling. 

A Beautiful Day

~ I am incredibly blessed to be the mother of five children who teach me daily about love, patience, wonder, joy, fun, and forgiveness.   My handsome husband and the kids made a yummy Mothers Day Lunch, complete with a show and my very own bowl of fruit :-)  ~ Then, because I've been a busy mama these past 9 months, Jared gave me a few hours to work on organizing my very neglected photos. I love feeling organized, even if it's only the photos on my computer :-) 

Thanks for a beautiful day!

Four Generations
~ I am blessed to have a beautiful mother with so many gifts. She continues to teach me about service through her example and willingness to help when anyone is in need.  She is still always willing to lend a hand when I have chosen, again, to put too many things on my plate.

~ To my mother and all the wonderful women in my life... your endless examples of motherhood inspire me to keep going and become more.

Serendipity

~ We all have one of these family pictures… you know, the one where the toddler refuses to cooperate and simply smile for the camera no matter how much coaxing or bribery you do! ;-) The moment I saw this picture on my digital camera tonight I laughed out loud… It reminded me of something I recently read in 'A Mother’s Book of Secrets' by Linda Eyre.


She wrote, “The definition of serendipity is “Through awareness and sagacity, finding something good while looking for something else. Serendipity usually happens because of a crisis or when you are least expecting it. It might be getting a great idea because of something your kids said or did. It might be taking a minute to enjoy a gorgeous sunset. It might be getting a call from a long lost friend, just when you though it was so important to accomplish something else. An annoying interruption by a child becomes an opportunity! … When you get really good at looking for serendipity, instead of rolling over in the morning with your first thought being a heavy, “What do I have to do today?” you might be able to roll over and think, “I wonder what’s going to happen to me today?”


~ This picture was my serendipity today. Instead of finding the perfect family photo on my camera, I found a priceless memory where everything was out of my control and just the way it should be.

(Christopher Creek this 4th of July weekend)

My Masterpiece

I have some amazingly talented friends... authors, public speakers, singers, teachers, life coaches... they have spent time developing these talents (as well as being born with them:-)  I am grateful to each of them for blessing my life with their talents!  I have pondered this weekend where I am spending my time, being reminded that JOY comes in the smallest moments of my life and that I can have it with me as often as I CHOOSE it.  From the time I was a little girl I have sensed a GREAT calling and mission, I just didn't know what FORM it would show up in! Time continues to open my eyes to one of my greatest purposes and teachers... motherhood:-)

"She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and plaudits of man, but she who rears. a family of beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, long after paintings have faded and books have been destroyed, she deserves the highest honor that man can give and the choicest blessings of God. In her high duty and service to humanity, she is co-partner with the Creator himself."

President David O. McKay

Mama On a Mission

Lately a popular topic of conversation with people is the number of children we will soon have. When my handsome husband and I are out alone, strangers often comment, "Oh, is this your first baby?" (I know, we look young)

The past few years I have felt inspired to teach my children and have strongly felt their individual purposes. Being pregnant again and not always feeling like myself has caused me to ponder even more why we bring these special spirits into this sometimes crazy world.

This morning I was reading a talk by Elder Boyd K. Packer from the 2006 Women's Conference titled 'Children of God.' He quoted the poem ..."the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." He goes on to say, "Now the birthrate is declining in every country in the world. In order for a nation's population to remain stable, the birthrate must be just over two children per woman of childbearing years... worldwide, the birthrate among members married in the temple is notably higher than in the world, but this rate too has been declining... we face a particular set of issues because the pool from which missionaries are drawn is in steady decline."

I never imagined I would be the mother to so many boys... but I know that there is a purpose for them to fulfill. I hope to be more aware of my own purpose in preparing them.
Who am I BEING when I am with them?
How do I speak to them?
What true/false beliefs am I teaching them through the things I choose to do with my time?
It can be a little overwhelming to think about the huge influence a mother is on her children and what they will take with them into their own future families :-)

Elder Packer concluded, "The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children can be happy at home, sealed together so that the family can continue throughout eternity."

Thanks for the LIFT Elder Packer :-)