MMM post # 16

Linking you up today.

Happy Eve of Christmas!

MMM post # 15

Mary, Mother of Jesus 

When the virgin Mary was made aware of her pregnancy, she journeyed to the home of her friend Elizabeth who was pregnant with John the Baptist, and there sot comfort and acceptance in her condition. Upon her return home she was further along in her pregnancy and sure to face opposition.

During this season through my mothering years, my mind has often reflected on Mary's possible emotions, her mortal worries and fears surrounding her condition, and on bearing and rearing the Son of God while barely being espoused to Joseph in her society. No doubt her belief in God, her acceptance of His divine role for her, and carrying the Christ child bolstered her faith and drove her onward.

Her example of faith was evident in her conviction to "fear not" when the threat of stoning followed her for conceiving out of wedlock. When she awaited Joseph's confirmation of his divine role as Jesus' earthly father. As her and Joseph made there arduous trek to Bethlehem, the Holy City, to seek refuge. And finally, when at the moment of delivery, lying in the only shelter that could be found, she suffered through the pains of child birth knowing that the Son of God, the Prince of Peace, would begin his mortal ministry on this Earth being born in a stable.

How blessed we are for the example of fortitude and more importantly, the faith of Mary. For her devotion to her calling as the Mother of Jesus Christ. My heart is full of gratitude for her sacrifice in the birth, life and death of her Son and her role as His mother. May we cherish and immulate Mary's faithful example at this Christmastime and always. 

Cold, White and LOVELY!

Snow is here, and I LOVE it!

Can't wait to head out snow shoeing this season. The few times I have been, I fell in love with the peacefulness and beauty of winter in the mountains. Mick even promises to come along. Tawna, are you up for a couple all day Saturday dates with Aspen, Lib and Ab?

I was hoping to get the girls to the slopes for lessons and such, but that might break the bank this year. I need all of next year to start saving. I on the other hand- WILL be going at least TWICE. Mark my words! Even if I venture by myself, I'm going. Between babies and nursing it has been a few too many years since I strapped on a pair. Can't wait. Mom, Dad, are you up for a few runs at the Beav? I'd like to see if dad could break some more old ski boots!

I wrote this post for MMM a while back. It has not been published yet on that site. These are my thoughts on winters past, and present.

Where I live winter is long.

 Long, dark, bitter cold, full of smog and down right miserable. I'm not the first to admit winter is my least favorite season. Fortunately, natures trade off for enduring winter hardships are her other seasons: spring, summer and fall. No waking up early to slip and slide to a snow drenched car only to have my covered hands, nose and ears lose feeling and threaten to fall off in a matter of seconds. No slippery roads and crazy drivers. No back breaking shoveling. Yes, each year when winter harshness fades into spring, I have found myself happily anticipating the arrival of three seasons of bliss!

Over the last ten years I have wished winter away. Ignoring all of winter's goodness and focusing on its negatives have not elicited an attitude of gratitude, but rather, an attitude of annoyance- hatred even. This ungrateful attitude was beginning to transfer over to other areas of life, challenging my faith, and creating an unhappy, slightly annoyed, ornery me. Knowing that winter would once again make its yearly return, I had to make a conscious decision that I was going to change my attitude. I was bound and determined to love winter. With all it's annoyances, I was once again, like I did as a child, going to be grateful for winter and enjoy it's bounty. All of it. The good and the not so good.

 My attitude for the upcoming months has improved. I've found myself eagerly awaiting snow to pour from the skies. For the sensation of flakes falling on my face while trying to catch at least one on my tongue. For the cold outside air so I have a good excuse to make a baked sugary treat, snuggle in my blanket and have a read-a-thon. For hot chocolate coating my stomach after enjoying magical snow time with my children. For exhilarating rides downhill in the toboggan, peaceful ski lift journeys, sailing down groomed mountain slopes, snow angels, and my new favorite- snow shoeing. Winter cannot come soon enough.

Having an attitude of gratitude about winter has worked so well that this morning I even found myself thankful for the cold air just so I could appreciate the sun's rays as they streamed in through my kitchen window and warmed my face.

Bring on the snow!

 With this attitude change, I'm reminded of the scripture passage 2 Nephi 2:10-11 &15 in the Book of Mormon where Lehi is speaking with his son Nephi, and explaining how opposition is a necessary part of eternal laws. It's true that to each, there is an opposite. Just as the seasons and their parts are opposites. The most integral part is that to truly enjoy the good, we must be grateful for the opposite of that good. Grateful for the bad and how great it makes the good! My winter attitude of gratitude is just a minute example of how embracing this principle of opposition has helped me look forward to winter and is precisely how I plan  to endure it.

 How has having an attitude of gratitude helped you in your life?

 

MMM post #13

True story, and I loved every fleeting second of it.

Isn't Mick the sweetest?

Let's hope he still feels that way today since I'm still stinky from working out this morning and haven't even had a shower yet.

MMM Post #11

It was during one of the sour times when I wrote this. Nonetheless, linking up as I have committed.

MMM post # 10

Linking you to my newest MMM post here.
Pictures are the same, the message slightly different.

MMM post # 9

Dear Mom,
This is not an attack on you per say, just a girls influence from mothering. I love you...and your influence. A lot of you has made me me.

I am Who I am (link to Modern Molly Mormon)

I wrote this little ditty many years back when I was finding my way. I dedicated it to all the women in the world, and I still do. Today, I like to break it out when the pressures of life make it hard to be myself and easy to start apologizing for my inabilities. Hope it makes an impact in your life.

I am who I am

I am who I am

Because my mother told me to be that way,

And if I was not,

Then I would surely hear about it!

I am who I am

Because the world around me told me I ought to be,

And without the world telling me

Who, in the world, would I be?

I am who I am

Because I was shown I was beautiful.

Not only inside and out

But everywhere, throughout me.

I am who I am

Because the associates around me

Are who they are,

And that is who I should be.

I am who I am

Because I discovered what was wrong with this picture.

Why I could not, would not, and should not

Be anything but me.

And so, I am who I am

Because I chose to be;

Not because something or somebody told me that

This, is how I should be.

I am who I am

Because the sun set one day,

And it cast colors of my life that had been seen

And many, that had yet to be seen.

I am who I am

Because that day when the sun set, I contemplated

What it meant to be me, in such a homogeneous,

Almost colorless society, in which I had created.

I became who I am

Because I found that different is good,

And that I don’t have to have my hair done, and my make-up on

To be beautiful.

I am who I am

Because my life has embraced me with strength, courage and ambition,

to be anyone and anything,

And still be proud of being me.

-Jennifer Brown Perkins-

Mountain

Molly

MMM post # 8

Tip for Turning Green

Go bagless!

Or at least plastic bagless.

For a while now, I have owned six of those handy little green canvas bags you see hanging out by the grocery check out. I keep them in my truck so they are readily available for any store outing that may arise. With a family of five I'm constantly running errands and stocking up on needed supplies for the home.

Next time you plan a grocery trip set aside a few dollars to purchase one or two and then get a few more on your next trip. I realize grocery budgets are tight. Trust me though, you need some. They are the best dollar investment and will not disappoint. Not only will they save our landfill, waterways and wildlife from waste, filth and harm caused by plastic bags; but they provide many perks for consumers.

On average, I've found I can fit about three plastic bags worth of goods inside one green bag, and still carry it with ease. Most come with a sturdy insert on the bottom which helps stabilize the base so the cashier can stack nicely while insuring no bread is crushed. They have long durable handle straps that do not cut into hands, and stay in their rectangle shape. We've used our for a soccer bag, beach bag, library bag, overnight bag, church bag- the list goes on. And the best thing, they don't roll around the back of your car/truck so groceries stay put while making turns on the way home. Glory Hallelujah! I can't tell you how many times I used to have to climb in the back of my truck to find a lost can of beans that had rolled out of it's plastic bag, or worse, left new refrigerated groceries in my truck bed.

Remember, at first you may find yourself forgetting to bring your bags, I know, I've been there done that, even on my best days. Don't get discouraged or down on yourself. Little steps in the right direction over time create a good habit. What helped me was getting my kids and husband involved. My children never let me forget...anything. Plus, they love a new chore to help mom out. I like that they are conscience of their impact on our beautiful earth.

Happy Green bag shopping!

Modern Molly Post # 7

Ever Had One?

It was one of those days.

The baby woke up cranky and earlier then expected, eliminating my shower time. My Husband was sitting somewhere on campus in his early morning class with our only car parked in student parking. Full diaper boxes usually stored under the crib had miraculously disappeared like a thief in the night. Remembering the diaper bag, I checked it. With a sigh of relief I saw not one, but two diapers to get my daughter by for a few hours, baring no serious output problems. Yes! Score one for the mom!

A few hours later with the car in my possession and hubby off to work, I was free to run to the store. Still no shower. The minute I strapped the baby in her car seat the wailing began. I had to remind myself it was one of those days, and that it too would pass. Just seconds after we passed over the threshold of the super market my oldest, being three, proceeded to throw a temper tantrum about every item in her eyesight which I refused to buy her. With both children loudly blaring a siren of screams as our shopping cart careened down isles to the massive diaper selves, I felt my hopes of 'this too shall pass' slowly fading with their echos.

I knew I had to be in and out. In a lickity split I flung masses of diapers in the cart and hurried to the check out. Line upon line was all I could see through my daughters flailing arms and legs. I eyed the shortest one and made a beeline for it. With only two people in front of me and my children's cries piercing every persons ears within a 2 mile radius, I was out of parenting tricks and feeling mortified. I also knew I could not leave without my diapers. So, I stood there with my face to the floor praying that the line would move quickly, while the children continued to scream. Just then the lady ahead of me put her arm around me.

"Sister, we've all been there and it gets easier" the blond haired angel said to me with a smile.

I felt relieved, my embarrassment ceased and her friendly service gave me just enough motivation to carry me through the day. Since then, I make it a point to look around and pass a smile to frazzled moms in the grocery line or maybe lend them a sympathetic voice that says "I've been there too, your doing a great job as a mother, this too shall pass".

Link to Modern Molly here

Modern Molly Post # 6

"Kermit?"

Read it here

Beware of my other side!

MMM post # 5

Link to Modern Molly here

This Brought on by the Graduation of My Preschooler...

Lately the winds of change have seared though my quiet life and thrown me around like a tumbleweed. I knew they were coming. I'd been watching the weather, sort of speak.

Change is great, don't get me wrong. I often express that I love it, and I'm open to it, but at times it moves my sedentary parts of self forward in a pace that makes me want to scream out for someone, anyone to stop the wind! The storm continues and then I'm forced to roll with it and embrace where I end up.

When I started out as a mother is when I experienced my first real tornado. It was a natural occurrence I had asked for and wanted though I sure could not, or rather, did not possibly know how to deal with the aftermath. It took me three years and an additional tornado later to feel comfortable in my role as mother.

Thankfully with three children under my belt, the F5 tornadoes have ceased. The winds have whipped up every once in a while but the category of the storm has only been around an F0. I can handle these! Only light branches have been broken in the wind and I've managed to pick up the scattered pieces with relative ease and with slight change in tree structure.

Motherhood with all its storms is expected. I watch the weather channel remember. I realize that changes made and changes to come are necessary. My children have grown and changed so much. I relish in their growth, but as of late, it frequently induces tears. I wish I had enjoyed the tornadoes, winds and storms of life more fully while in the thick of them. Or did I? As I tumbled idly by in the winds of change that came as my children grew, I never imagined that I would now wish for the good old days of F0 or even F5 storms. To do them over again would be a dream!


If only my children could stay stagnant as a rock, never changing. Just for me, please? What a blessing to be a mother. What a blessing to raise children and partake in the joys that come from these F5 tornadoes of life. With that said, the change and growth in my children's life is equally as difficult for me as it is enjoyable. I cannot fathom choosing to forgo this divine experience that so many women in the world are passing up. I am grateful for my role as mother. Grateful for the many lessons motherhood teaches me.

Now, could somebody, anybody, please cease the wind before my children blow away?!

MMM post # 4

Little Black Books

Scriptures are often referred to as the Word of God.

What a powerful tool we possess in having the scriptures in our homes. The word of God is given to everyone if we will but seek it.

Quite often, I look at my scriptures (I try to have them visible as it aids in my resolve to read them), sitting closed on my nightstand or desk but I do not always pick them up. Am I thoroughly taking advantage of the words of God? I like to remind myself of the lessons that I am missing as I leave them undisturbed.


Each time I do open them, I am refreshed, spiritually in tune and feel lighter along my journey. Often they have answered my prayers, brought me peace and comfort, taught me historically, and introduced me to new found hero's. They have instructed me on how to be a good mother, wife and individual, and have needfully humbled me in this ever prideful world.

In all, what I love about the scriptures is that they possess the power to unfold unto us the mysteries of God.

In the Book of Mormon, the Prophet Nephi promises us in 1 Nephi 10:19 "he that diligently seeketh shall find: and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old...". If we 'diligently seek', ponder and pray about the scriptures we are promised that the mysteries of God will be revealed unto us. What a great blessing we can all receive just by picking up and opening our scriptures.

I have a testimony of this great power in my life. I have seen the mysteries of God unfolded unto me in my personal life, as well as within his gospel of Jesus Christ. Each time I question I know I can go to the scriptures, open them and receive much more than my mind understood previously. I'm grateful for the scriptures, the lessons they afford me, and the spirit that witnesses to me of their truthfulness.

To have your questions answered search this site or the scriptures.

Jen is the wife of one, and a mother of three, who keep her a very busy little bee. When the hive is happy, she is happy. Find her daily musings at www.memoirsofmommy.blogspot.com.

Experiment- MMM Post # 3

Too often as women we burden ourselves carrying around negative thoughts and images of ourselves. Whether we voice them or not, these thought processes bring us down, destroy our confidence and threaten our divine role as a daughter of God. It is far to easy, especially with the help of the adversary, to focus on what we do not have or what we do not look like or what we hate about ourselves. We must take the hard road and purposefully retrain our thought process.

How?

We all have things we love and appreciate about ourselves. We just rarely give a voice to them, or maybe they go unnoticed so no compliments are given them. Some of you may question this, but I guarantee by experience, that as you reflect upon this the next time you are doing dishes, folding laundry, or any mundane part of life, that you will come up with more qualities you love about yourself than you thought possible. Try this and write them down if it helps.

Next, we need to build upon these strong points and quit apologizing for what we don't have. Start small with just one hour or one day. Catch yourself before you say something negative, and replace it with something you love about yourself and your life (something from your list). It's not even required that it be the same subject matter as the previous bad thought. After you consciously do this for a day, notice your mood and how you feel as an individual, then try it for the next three days, or the next week for that matter!

Only a short while will retrain how you think about yourself, and will improve your life greatly. Negative thoughts will be harder to creep in. The gratitude you will feel upon accepting and loving yourself will be huge! Not to mention the gratitude is shows our Heavenly Father for the gift of body and life which is indeed very precious.

I would love to hear back from you and learn how this experiment has helped you.

A Du Da Lv Di - Post #2 on MMM

"INDIVIDUALITY colors life.
Our moods have color, our clothing, our skin-tones, our ideas.
We were not created to be all alike, but we were created to be ourselves-
to fill a place that no other person could fill.
The earth would be a dull place if every hill and tree and valley were in a line and nothing could ever be different.
If everything had one drab color or was totally flat, we would follow suit and be just as dull.
No rule exists that we have to be like everyone else.
We don't have to follow trends and do unwise things because someone else is doing them.
Our lives are separate entities- apart from the crowd.
It is our a du da lv di, our personal responsibility to keep self respect without question.
God almighty has made us all."
By Red Cloud

This little ditty hangs on my fridge. It is crinkled, discolored and stained from my greasy kitchen fingers that stop to review it on needed occasions. It has been there for some time. I'm not sure how I came upon it. All I know is that it touched me the first time I read it, and it continues to reinforce my motto of "different is good", which was coined by Arby's restaurant in the ninety's.

What a blessing it is to be our unique selves and possess qualities that make us different- "apart from the crowd"! The sooner we embrace this principle the sooner we begin to stop shying away from loving and appreciating our life, our purpose, our abilities and who we are as an individual on this earth. It also shows to us the beauties of others and helps us accept people for who they are regardless of demographics, circumstances or choices.

Picture Courtesy of Willis Orchard Company

I am grateful for this affirmation I hold so dear, the road was bumpy in reaching this milestone. I am constantly reminded of what turns it took to get here and I am aware of the stop signs and speed bumps that continue to interrupt my ride and get me off track.

My wish for all women is that they "keep self respect without question" and realize that "different is good" and choose to embrace themselves for who God has created them to be- "separate entities apart from the crowd".

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God (D&C 18:10)".

Post #1 on MMM

It's official! I've written my first post on Modern Molly Mormon(MMM). Here is a look see. It does not go along with the monthly theme, but I did not realize there was to be a theme when I wrote it a few weeks ago. Oh well! What's better is that I wrote the one scheduled for next week a while before the theme was announced, and it follows the theme to a T. Weird how that works. Anyway, let me know what you think- honestly. Constructive criticism helps me with my writing. I can take it, I promise!

Glitches
Plans. We all make them in some respect or another. It may be today's plan, tomorrow's plan, or a plan that seems a million miles out. Nonetheless, it is your plan, and it is important!

Maybe yours is written on something tangible; note paper on the fridge, pink lipstick on the bathroom mirror, or on a torn envelope left over from the mail. Or maybe you, like me, keep your plans in the dark recess of your mind; secret from the world out of fear of judgment, glances from your relatives that drop in or the all too sweet neighbor lady that pops in with a welcome goody and a chat at the kitchen table. Either way it's vital to our progress as woman to make and keep those plans. It keeps us focused in the right direction and smooths out the wrinkles in our lives.

Just when we make our plans is when the glitch happens. Some individual, an organization, a pressing need, clamors for our attention and demands our time. The age old decision- do we say 'yes' and plan right then and there to do it whole heartily with optimism for the situation, or do we say 'no'?

If you have said 'yes', I dare say most of us have begrudged this glitch for messing up our plans and have not embraced it optimistically. I know I am guilty. Guilty, and fairly normal I am assuming!

This is precisely the beauty of the situation!

In my experience, it is at this particular time, in this crucial choice when our plans are put on the back burner and we say 'yes', begrudgingly or not, that the Lord tosses us an amazing teaching moment from individuals who can change our lives for the better. What a miracle these glitches can be when we look at them from a positive perspective!

When it is all said and done, is this simple to do? No. Does this mean we should never say 'no' when faced with a glitch? Heavens no! Saying 'no' is an important feat for us as women to master, and it is necessary in many circumstances of our lives. We should never feel guilty for saying 'no'. We should only be grateful for the opportunities when we are able assist others, and let those moments teach us in the way the Master intended.

Tomorrow's plan: Glitch may happen. Be optimistic and see what happens!

Give away on MMM

Go here to check out this great give away!

Modern Molly Mormon

(www.modernmollymormon.blogspot.com)

My wishful writing career is taking off on Modern Molly Mormon (MMM), as I have just been introduced! Check me out here. I'll link you each time I post, but I'm certain you'll just want to get MMM's button when you read all about it! This truly is a wonderful site for LDS and non LDS women to be reading. There is great spiritual insight, interesting topics and motivational words to be had by all. I'm exciting to be starting this new writing adventure!