How Could I forget?

I'm not sure how I manage it, but somehow I frequently forget how blessed I am.Today my little reminder was an article by an Atheist woman talking about "Mormon mommy blogs" She said she read them because "...they help women like me envision a life in which marriage and motherhood could potentially be something other than a miserable, soul-destroying trap," But she wondered if life was really as good as we portrayed it. I say we because I am a Mormon Mommy blogger. To answer her question, yes, life can be and is that good, for me at least.

I can be honest and still tell you that there are days when I miss being single, when all I had to worry about was me and not a huge pile of bills, kids, meals, house work, finances and so on. But Most days, yes, most days I love my life. I have a good life. I have a wonderful husband who is patient, kind, loving and works really hard to provide for us. I have two sweet, rambunctious little boys who bring me more joy then I ever imagined possible, we have a home, and we have the gospel in our lives.

Yes, we have a wonderful life. I often forget how wonderful. Lets face it, being a mom is not easy, it is no walk in the park. Even on the easy days, like today, I am exhausted, losing patience with a two year old who wont go to bed, and wanting to escape into a good book. But I have so many blessing that I was reminded of in reading this article. Elder Eyring promised in conference once that any faithful couple who paid a full thithe would be blessed to find a way for the mother to stay at home. We took that blessing to heart and put it to the test. And believe me it has been tested. John goes to school full time and works part time. Most of the time we are scraping together at the end of the month, but somehow we always make it. We make sure to pay our tithing and somehow there is always money when we need it. More then that there has always been a box of clothes or toys handed down to us form a friend or neighbor right when we needed it. We have all that we need and so much of what we want I cannot complain.

I had one woman say to me that she is so glad she is past the newly wed with kids stage because it was so hard on she doesn't know how she survived. She told me she was sorry I was in that stage, my response to her? I love it. Life is good. It is all in the way you look at life. If you can be grateful foe what you have, enjoy the life as you live it then life will be good no matter what. On the other hand if you keep saying to yourself, I will be happy when...life will be easier when... then you will always put off being happy. I choose to be happy and love life. I choose to remember my blessing and be grateful for every day, and I choose to life life, whatever the Lord my toss my way.

Mother Daughter retreat

The last week of December all of the Hansen women, Mom Hansen, her three daughters and two daughters in law, went up to East Canyon Resort for a mother daughter retreat. At first I was a little worried about going and though I shouldn't, but i really wanted to. After praying about it I decided to go, I felt like it would be good for me, for my kids, and for my husband. Tuesday afternoon rolled around and my best efforts to prepare Glen for my going away seems to dissolve. He cried and hugged me and begged me not to go. Oh my heart nearly broke, if I had not already decided I was going no matter what, his tears would have kept me home.

But I went and I am so glad that I did. I had so much fun with my mom and sisters, it was relaxing, and I learned so much. I think the reason the Lord wanted me to go is so that I could learn some really important things.

I learned how to make scripture study more meaningful and developed a great desire to study the scriptures. I mean really study, not just scratch the surface. I want to truly understand the scriptures and the gospel. I have been blessed with a great desire for leaning and knowledge and I want to learn all that I can about the gospel.

Oddly enough I learned to appreciate, and even missed house work. I still dislike cleaning. It is frustrating to wash the same dishes, put away the same toys, wash, dry, fold the same laundry, and sweep up the same floor every single day. But even though I do not like to do it I know that it is important and I am beginning to find joy in my duties as a mother and wife. To use one of my favorite quotes from Song of the Magdalene by Donna Jo Napoli "I discovered spirituality in being diligent, in creating a home where Faith cold find a firm footing."

The most important thing I learned up at East Canyon was about motherhood. I have been told not to loose myself in being a mom, not to forget who I am. But being a mom IS who I am. Being a mother is part of my being, it is the core part of my being. Motherhood is eternal. I may not have time for some of the hobbies I like, like scrap booking or crocheting, and maybe I do not get to read as much as I like, but that is what I like, it is not what I love, nor who I am. I a ma mother, I will be a mother for time and all eternity. Some day when my kids are grown I will have tons of time to scrap book, crochet and read, probably more time then I want. But compared to being a mother that will be boring. I will still be a mom too, even when my kids are grown, and being mom will always come first.

I am so grateful for the time I spent up at East Canyon with my mom and sisters. I cherish the memories we made up there playing pool, building an 8 foot snow queen, watching movies 'til my brain shut down, eating more junk food then we should have, and laughing together. It was wonderful, I am already looking forward to next years trip.