What do we throw M&M's at?

Every girl knows what makes their mamma proud. One girl said, "My mom always threw M&M's at me when I performed".
What are we throwing M&M's at? What are we encouraging our kids to pursue? Make sure you are a mamma that is encouraging and praising the BEST things.
Some mom's praise working or accomplishments as the ultimate success. I have a mom that has always thrown M&M's at me when I am being a good person and reaching out for others. She would hug me and smile and made me feel special for my accomplishments of being a dancer, a cheerleader, working through high school, playing on the Lacrosse team, or even graduating from college but she never 'threw M&M's at those things'.
I always knew she was truly happy for me but I have always felt that she is most proud of me when she hears my testimony of my Savior or sees me trying my best in motherhood! And that just feels right! Every child should have a mamma that makes him feel like the world for being Christlike. I believe that is ultimate success.

My Traditions

a combo of traditions from pat's parents my parents and ideas i love!

Birthdays-
                  A cake! Never forget. (Bake or buy)
                  birthday breakfast or dinner with hat.
                  birthday wreath
                  birth story (my mom always tells me my birth story and the blessing I am to her. I love it!)

Anniversary-
                  Temple sealings at Salt Lake
                   watch wedding vid
                   Fun activity together (2014- Wicked, 2013-  vespas through Thanksgiving Gardens, Snowbird (slept over, rode a mechanical bull and slides,
                 
             

Valentines-

*chocolate covered strawberries
*chocolate covered raspberries (cluster together in a cupcake filter)
*buy Peter's Chocolate (available at orson and gygi or a place by pa's work that sells wheat)
(first time I tried the strawberries and raspberries was when I was 16, Patrick surprised me with them in the trunk of his sleek silver civic. um ya i was in a total puddle of love)
*grandma's heart shaped sugar cookies with pink frosting and clear crystals
*14 day Countdown for my LOVE. (sticky love notes, goodies, surprises)
                   Chocolate heart PB cookies

St. Patrick's Day- signs of our leprechaun (foot prints, green pee in toilet, green milk, switch chairs)
                             Make a green dinner

April Fools-


Easter- Rent Easter Bunny Costume
            Savior FHE/ lesson


4th of July- wear red white and blue
                   BBQ and fireworks

Halloween- witches night
                    Boo our neighbors
                    give out squeeze-it's


Thanksgiving-  Thankful tree all month
                          thankful poster

Christmas- Track's and SL Temple
                   2 night's before christmas pull mattresses into front room- family sleep-over
                   Elf & popcorn
                  make fudge and toffee
                  Service Project
                  Sledding & Hot Cocoa
                  cut out snowflakes
POLAR EXPRESS PARTY: Hot Cocoa Bar, Book, Polar Express Ride, sledding game
                                                race to put on snow stuff, ski across with wrapping paper rolls
and tissue boxes, jump in sled and be pulled back to finish
               
         

Enduring or Enjoying

I read this and LOVED it! Good reminder and steps that I have tried to live by even before reading it. I'm not great but I sure want to enjoy my role and life as a mom rather than endure it because I know for a fact, the moments that can be wished away are coupled with moments that we will miss and try to relive (in memory, pictures, or video) once they have come and gone.

Living in the moment and keeping in mind that are kids are doing the very best that they know how are things I hope to always implement so I don't have any regret on how I spent my days as a mom… especially in their young years….

"Little kids hate sit-down restaurants, shopping and waiting in line at the post office. Little kids love crafts, making messes and trips to the park. These days I shop and eat out a lot less, and, as much as it pains me, I’ve stocked up on glue guns and glitter."

Link is here

the art of homemaking

This book sounds so funny. A lot of the ideas are so funny, some irrelevant, some brilliant! Here is a write up and summary of this little gem. Got me thinking and left me inspired.

Marriage

When we live by the prophets counsel we are blessed beyond measure!!! 

President Gordon B. Hinckley

“I hasten to add that we deal only with those legislative matters which are of a strictly moral nature or which directly affect the welfare of the Church. We have opposed gambling and liquor and will continue to do so. We regard it as not only our right but our duty to oppose  those forces which we feel undermine the moral fiber of society. Much of our effort, a very great deal of it, is in association with others whose interests are similar. We have worked with Jewish groups, Catholics, Muslims, Protestants, and those of no particular religious affiliation, in coalitions formed to advocate positions on vital moral issues. Such is currently the case in California, where Latter-day Saints are working as part of a coalition to safeguard traditional marriage from forces in our society which are attempting to redefine that sacred institution.  God-sanctioned marriage between a man and a woman has been the basis of civilization for thousands of years. There is no justification to redefine what marriage is. Such is not our right, and those who try will find themselves answerable to God.

“Some portray legalization of so-called same-sex marriage as a civil right. This is not a matter of civil rights; it is a matter of morality. Others question our constitutional right as a church to raise our voice on an issue that is of critical importance to the future of the family. We believe that defending this sacred institution by working to preserve traditional marriage

lies clearly within our religious and constitutional prerogatives. Indeed, we are compelled by our doctrine to speak out.

“Nevertheless, and I emphasize this, I wish to say that our opposition to attempts to legalize same-sex marriage should never be interpreted as justification for hatred, intolerance, or abuse of those who profess homosexual tendencies, either individually or as a group. As I said from this pulpit one year ago, our hearts reach out to those who refer to themselves as gays and lesbians. We love and honor them as sons and daughters of God. They are welcome in the Church. It is expected, however, that they follow the same God-given rules of conduct that apply to everyone else, whether single or married”

(in Conference Report, Oct. 1999, 70; or Ensign, Nov. 1999, 53–54).

Marriage

EMAIL FROM MY MOM!… good tips on marriage :)

Thank-You Awesome Kids for coming to the temple that day meant more than I could ever express.  Just like when Jesus spoke to the Nephites and told them, "Because of your faith..., my joy is full.  And when he had said these words, he wept."  3 Nephi 17:20-21  I too felt that joy over each of you at the temple.  I could not have felt any greater joy than to witness my children's faith by being worthy to be in the House of the Lord.  Building and strengthening your faith is the greatest gift you can give your parents.  And each of you did just that as we watched each of you come into the Celestial Room.   I have been blessed to watch Tess and Matt as they cherish each other (before and now after marriage, last night they came by and it was fun to watch their joy and happiness with one another) my heart is so grateful and joyous.  I just want to remind you all that your marriage relationship is truly something to treasure and honor.  Remind yourself to not take it for granted, remember how fragile it is and the way to strengthen it is through 1. Cherish the Lord and the gospel and live the commandments and read your scriptures daily.  2.  Cherish and smile and make time for your best friend. Sometimes we get caught up in life and we think our relationship can endure life without much effort but our relationship will take a heavy toll if we don't do the little things along the way.  Say,"I love you everyday", greet each other with a kiss and tenderness each time you come in the door, or leave. Do something nice for your spouse.  Talk often to your spouse. Smile and laugh often with your spouse.  Take care of your duties and responsibilities. (Your spouse will feel more secure)  I can't believe how critical having a nicely prepared meal for your husband is.  I would say next to scriptures and prayer together and sharing time with our kids together the very next biggest thing I did to show my love and care to Steve and the kids was to have a nice meal on the table almost every night.  Definitely take a night off for date night.  Nothing says love to a man better than having the house picked up and a nice meal on the table. It really says something to the heart of the guy.  This may sound old fashioned but this one is kind of true, "the way to a man's heart is his stomach".   And for the husbands pitch in and help with the kids but do it together.  I feel so sad for the guy that every night he comes home from work and the wife hands him the kids a box of macaroni and cheese and skips out the door with the girls.  Just like I wouldn't like it if the guy, came home each night and took off with the guys for ball.  Maybe once every week or something but the security for the kids and the spouse is in building healthy home habits together.  Dinner and playing with the kids will bring such security and joy.  Clean up the kitchen together after dinner and laugh and talk, play with the kids together and help the kids get ready for bed together if you can.  It will increase your enjoyment of your children and it will increase your love for your spouse.  It is sad that this healthy tradition seems to be disappearing.  I know each of you do this, but I have to add my strong conviction and reminder of this to my kids and to myself.  Just as the scriptures remind us daily to remember important truths- these truths need to be reinforced too.  When your families are young is when you start building these foundational habits.  Make sure you make time for scriptures each day and prayer morning and night.  Your personal direction, spiritual focus, and joy will increase.  Put the Lord first, hold to the rod, cherish the people in your life, and find the joy!  Laura Schlessinger says these same principles but much better.  These are proven principles.  I know you all are so busy but put the big rocks in first and all else will fall into place.  Thanks for letting your mom do her mothering still:)  Have a wonderful day.  We loved having Josh and Crystal, wow they are amazing husband and wife and parents.  And what a joy and blessing having Ryan and Nikki move back to Utah!!!!   You all are such a joy to me, I couldn't be prouder.  Thanks for being the salt of the earth, savoring everyone around you with a righteous example.  Thanks for loving and living the gospel and being faithful to your Heavenly  Father.  Dad and I love each of you and we can't believe what incredible spouses each of you have and are, and what a powerful combination you make together and what precious children each of you have too!
Love, Mom

Don't worry as much as you are..

Had a thought tonight, while I was laying by Easton before he fell asleep. Sometimes our children will take on different roles…
While they are around us they might behave in a different way than we might want. (example: they might throw a fit about eating veggies.)
But it seems to me, that once they are in other settings outside our home… they take on the role we showed them… (if we try to get them to eat their veggies through encouragement and example they will mimic similar reactions between friend or family interactions… if we force and use anger… they will too!)
My mom told me that often times me or my sister's will resist her advice (as wife or a mother) what she doesn't see is the other side of the coin… As soon as we see our friends or peers facing challenges we step into our mother's shoes and are happily telling them what works for us which just so happens to be the same advice our mom thought we were resisting.

the art of a mom

I loved this article. These are skills I have been trying to learn, improve, and hopefully master...

1. The are of saying no.

Saying 'no' to your kids is very healthy for them. They shouldn't get everything.

Saying 'no' to others. You have to be more delicate with this one. But make sure your kids feelings and lives are being put before pleasing neighbors and friends.

2. The art of asking

Put aside your pride. Ask for help.

3. The art of being present

Don't let trivial things take part or all your attention.

Link to Article.

Your greatest challenge, mothers

Incredible Talk from President Hinckley. At around minute 11 he gives advice. Some ideas on what mothers should teach to their children.

1. Teach them to cultivate and search out GOOD friends!

2. Teach them to value education. Acquire learning. It will bless their lives.

The Glory of God is intelligence

3. Teach them to respect their bodies.

4. Teach them to pray.

This list is not new. This is as old as Adam & Eve.

wise words from my daddy!

My dad said remember, 'satan raises cattle to kill. Our father in heaven raises sons and daughters to give him ALL that He has!' paraphrased

Don't believe Satan's chocolate covered lies they will never lead to what he suggests they will lead to!