The Words I Would Say

As I was driving my kids to their two-day a week school this morning, this song came on the radio. I looked over at my son who is turning 11 in just a couple of months; I couldn't help but think how fast time flies by and that in 8 years he will be leaving to serve a full-time mission for the Lord. I had a "flash-forward" vision of me writing letters of encouragement to my missionary son.

I squeezed his hand and said, "You hear this song? This is what I'm going to write to you someday when you're on your mission."

He just smiled at me. (I know he loves it when I'm mushy with him even though he never admits it.)

I pulled up to his school and he grabbed his coat and bag. As he got out of the car, we exchanged "I love you's" and I said, "Be strong in the lord and, never give up hope, you're going to do great things, I already know, Gods got his hand on you so, don't live life in fear, forgive and forget, but don't forget why your here,"

He blew me a kiss like he always does and walked away.

..... I think sending him off on his mission will be harder for me than I can imagine... *sigh*

The Words I Would Say, by Sidwalk Prophets

Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the father,

Be strong in the lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
Gods got his hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why your here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say

My Hopeless Romantic

I suppose that most people don't feel very attractive when they are sick. It's hard to keep up appearances when your struggling just to keep food down. Like a domino effect, this flu has gone from each of my children and now to me. I've had it for a few days and by this third day I'm feeling very unattractive.

Despite all my feelings of ugliness..... I have a sweet little 6yr. old boy who knows how to win my heart and make me feel very loved. (My husband likes to tease that my son is the hopeless romantic that I always wanted.) Yesterday, after taking a long bath to help ease all my aches and pains, I returned to my bedroom and found this heart on my pillow.

My sweet boy also wrote this for me on the whiteboard in the kitchen.

Watch out ladies! This boy is bound to break a lot of girls hearts.... because only one of you can have him.

The Other Blog

I've been spending a bit of time catching up on some pictures for my other blog. It's fun to post snap shots of happy moments with my kids and it reminds me how worth all the hard work is that comes with being a mom!

It makes me proud and I feel like saying....

Na na na na na na! My kids are cuter than yours thhhhbbb!.... There I said it :)

Daughters of God

I think most mothers would agree that there are very humbling moments where you feel inadiquate as a mom. I know I do when I've displayed a lack of patience, an unkind word or a short temper. I have much need for improvement... but I am thankful that God is faithful and forgiving. And like Paul in speaking to the Corinthians I too have a thorn in my flesh... yet, Christ's grace is sufficient for me and my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Lately I've been deeply studying Alma 37. A couple of days ago three verses stood out to me very strong that made me think of my children, the way I speak to them, the time and attention I give them and what I truly value.

"I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise....If ye keep the commandments of God, and do with these things which are sacred [my children] according to that which the Lord doth command you, (for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things whatsoever ye must do with them) behold no power of earth or hell can take them from you, for God is powerful to the fulfilling of all His words. For He will fulfil all His promises which He shall make unto you..."- Alma 37:6,16-17

After reading these verses I went to LDS Scripture Citation Index and found a talk by Elder M.Russel Ballard given back in 2008. It fit perfectly with my thoughts on motherhood. I've posted a majority of the talk below.

DAUGHTERS OF GOD (After clicking on this link, scroll down to the bottom of the page it is the second to last talk given in the Sunday Afternoon Session. Here it can be viewed, or listened to as well.)

"After observing and empathizing with three generations of mothers and thinking of my own dear mother, I surely know that there is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood.

There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.

I am impressed by countless mothers who have learned how important it is to focus on the things that can only be done in a particular season of life. If a child lives with parents for 18 or 19 years, that span is only one-fourth of a parent’s life. And the most formative time of all, the early years in a child’s life, represents less than one-tenth of a parent’s normal life. It is crucial to focus on our children for the short time we have them with us and to seek, with the help of the Lord, to teach them all we can before they leave our homes. This eternally important work falls to mothers and fathers as equal partners. I am grateful that today many fathers are more involved in the lives of their children. But I believe that the instincts and the intense nurturing involvement of mothers with their children will always be a major key to their well-being. In the words of the proclamation on the family, “Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World,” Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).

We need to remember that the full commitment of motherhood and of putting children first can be difficult. Through my own four-generation experience in our family, and through discussions with mothers of young children throughout the Church, I know something of a mother’s emotions that accompany her commitment to be at home with young children. There are moments of great joy and incredible fulfillment, but there are also moments of a sense of inadequacy, monotony, and frustration. Mothers may feel they receive little or no appreciation for the choice they have made. Sometimes even husbands seem to have no idea of the demands upon their wives.

As a Church, we have enormous respect and gratitude to you mothers of young children. We want you to be happy and successful in your families and to have the validation and support you need and deserve. So today, let me ask and briefly answer four questions. While my answers may seem extremely simple, if the simple things are being tended to, a mother’s life can be most rewarding.

The first question: What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?

First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.

Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. … I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less” (Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).

Second, don’t overschedule yourselves or your children. We live in a world that is filled with options. If we are not careful, we will find every minute jammed with social events, classes, exercise time, book clubs, scrapbooking, Church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows. One mother told me of a time that her children had 29 scheduled commitments every week: music lessons, Scouts, dance, Little League, day camps, soccer, art, and so forth. She felt like a taxi driver. Finally, she called a family meeting and announced, “Something has to go; we have no time to ourselves and no time for each other.” Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together.

Third, even as you try to cut out the extra commitments, sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children. Avoid any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking that it will help you accomplish more. And don’t allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it.

Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother. Parents can offer a unique and wonderful kind of prayer because they are praying to the Eternal Parent of us all. There is great power in a prayer that essentially says, “We are steward-parents over Thy children, Father; please help us to raise them as Thou wouldst want them raised.”

The second question: What more can a husband do to support his wife, the mother of their children?

First, show extra appreciation and give more validation for what your wife does every day. Notice things and say thank you—often. Schedule some evenings together, just the two of you.

Second, have a regular time to talk with your wife about each child’s needs and what you can do to help.

Third, give your wife a “day away” now and then. Just take over the household and give your wife a break from her daily responsibilities. Taking over for a while will greatly enhance your appreciation of what your wife does. You may do a lot of lifting, twisting, and bending!

Fourth, come home from work and take an active role with your family. Don’t put work, friends, or sports ahead of listening to, playing with, and teaching your children.

The third question: What can children, even young children, do? Now, you children, please listen to me because there are some simple things you can do to help your mother.

You can pick up your toys when you are finished playing with them, and when you get a little older, you can make your bed, help with the dishes, and do other chores—without being asked.

You can say thank you more often when you finish a nice meal, when a story is read to you at bedtime, or when clean clothes are put in your drawers.

Most of all, you can put your arms around your mother often and tell her you love her.

The last question: What can the Church do?

There are many things the Church offers to mothers and families, but for my purpose today may I suggest that the bishopric and the ward council members be especially watchful and considerate of the time and resource demands on young mothers and their families. Know them and be wise in what you ask them to do at this time in their lives. Alma’s counsel to his son Helaman applies to us today: “Behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” ( Alma 37:6).

I hope all of you dear sisters, married or single, never wonder if you have worth in the sight of the Lord and to the leaders of the Church. We love you. We respect you and appreciate your influence in preserving the family and assisting with the growth and the spiritual vitality of the Church. Let us remember that “the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”). The scriptures and the teachings of the prophets and apostles help all family members to prepare together now to be together through all eternity. I pray that God will continually bless the women of the Church to find joy and happiness in their sacred roles as daughters of God."

God is He that goeth with you...

This morning I was reading Deuteronomy chapter 20 and I couldn't help but apply this to our day and the battles we are facing to keep our religious freedom and our rights as parents. These verses gave me hope and I wanted to share them:

"1 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the Lord thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
2 And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people.
3 And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;
4 For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." - Deuteronomy 20:1-5

It is also interesting to note that in the next 5 verses this counsel is repeated 4 times, "let him [the soldier] go and return unto his house." to do what? to dedicate it to God and to be with his loved ones and property so he can defend them from others coming in and stealing it all away from him. see Deuteronomy 20: 5-8

The greatest and most important battles, I believe will be fought within our own homes... not against our own flesh but "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

Chin Up, Hold Your Head High in Meekness

Sometimes I fall into the temptation of beating myself up, of picking at every little flaw and putting myself down saying things like, "Why can't I figure things out?" "She seems like such a better mother than me." "When will I learn to hold my tongue and be more patient with my kids?" "I wish I were prettier like her... I wish I were smarter like so and so... I wish I could somehow keep at least a little order in my house instead of this chaotic mess all the time..." and on and on I go viewing myself so negatively.

Pretty depressing ha?

So in my little slump I turned to some talks that were given at a women's conference a few years back. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Maybe someone else needs this pep talk too... so here's a few clips from it.

"We are all pretty hard on ourselves, but it seems to me women are harder on themselves than men will ever be. Why is that so? We ask you not to do it. Repent when or where that is necessary, but then honor that other “R”—Rejoice!" - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

and then Sister Holland adds...

"Sisters, may I make an appeal that it is a time for us, especially as women, to try to strip ourselves of something else that also seems so prevalent among women. I suppose men suffer with such things, too, but it seems to be particularly evident, and particularly painful, among women. It is closely related to the things my husband just touched on. I speak of the constant feeling we seem to have that what we are or what we have is not enough. That is Satan’s demonic chant sounding continually in our ears. It is not true! We are more intelligent than this. We are stronger, much stronger, than this! Constantly comparing ourselves with others leaves us feeling so weak and worthless. It taps into our pride and poisons with jealousy. Let’s start a new “chant”— that we are women of Christ, that we are spiritually strong personally, and that we will prepare the next generation for their opportunities. Let us strip ourselves of pride and vanity and envy forever.

Heaven only knows how much the world uses envy and pride and worldly glamour in our society. We have to walk away from these things but this will not be easy to do. We will need these gifts of heaven of which we spoke earlier, the power of God’s grace and priesthood, the atoning power of the Savior, which compensates where we try and try but seem to fall short.

James knew all this. He said: “The spirit which God implanted in us [all of us] turns towards envious desires. Yet the grace he gives is stronger. Thus the scripture says, God opposes the arrogant and gives grace to the humble. Be submissive then to God. . . . Come close to [him] and he will come close to you. . . .Humble yourselves before God and he will lift you up” (James 4:5–6, 8, 10, New English Bible;
emphasis added).

Isn’t that a tremendous thought? If we would not “lift” ourselves up with these cursed temptations of envy and pride, God would gladly step in and do the “lifting” for us! Only He can lift us up where He wants us and where we really want to be. We can’t get there by clawing or clamor, by cattiness or cutting others down. We certainly can’t get there by vaunting ourselves “up.”

Furthermore I believe with all my heart that this is a challenge we will face again and again. We should not be discouraged if the challenge returns tomorrow just when we thought we gave it such a good effort today. I say this out of the honesty, and experience, of my own heart. I struggle with these issues just as you do, and just as everyone does. So don’t give up hope and don’t think you are the only one who feels these things or struggles with these temptations. We all do, but every effort is a godly one, and every victory is counted for our good. And if we turn around to face the same challenge again tomorrow, so be it. We will work again, with all our heart, to strip away anything that keeps us from truly being “meek and lowly”—in all the right ways—before God. His grace is sufficient to help us succeed at that."- Patricia Holland

I want patience....And I want it NOW!!

I'm feeling a little impatient with my lack of patience today. Oh the irony! :P

I get impatient with my children for their lack of patience and in turn show absolutely no patience for their impatientness. Did that make any sense?.... because I think I'm dizzy from saying it. ha ha.

Help Me to Be What I Am Not

I've never done this before but this year I've been doing an online school with my kids through k12.com I've chosen to do it for several reasons... one is because we move alot and another is because my son has asperger syndrome. I also like the fact that my kids can pray in school and use Scripture for part of their study. My children will still take a few classes at a regular school as they get older but I will teach the core ones.

This has been both rewarding and very challenging. Today has been very challenging. We all woke up on the wrong side of the bed and have been irritated, rude and impatient with each other. It's days like these that I feel like I am doing more damage than good by homeschooling. uggg!

I was getting so impatient and so irritable with my kids that finally for their safety I sent them outside for an hour long recess from me!

I went to my room and knelt down completely overwhelmed by my own weakness. I prayed for patience. I know about patience, I can talk about patience. I read scriptures about patience. But I don't feel like I AM patient... I know I'm not. So I prayed for GRACE! "Dear Father in Heaven please help me be what I am not." As to my own strength I am weak... I need strength beyond my own to accomplish this God given assignment as mother.

Every day I pray to improve but most of all I pray that He will help me see what I don't see.... in myself and in others. I pray He will help me be what I am not.... Because so often I am not forgiving, I am not gentle and I am not compassionate....the human nature side of me isn't.

But He knows my divine nature. I know our Father in Heaven is so anxious to bless us and he will give us what we ask for if it is a righteous request. I feel better now that I've given myself a "time out." I'm thankful to know that I can pray anytime, anywhere and seek for the powers of heaven to assist me. Our Father in Heaven is faithful, as I seek Him, He is always there. Oh how I need Him.

He never gives up on us.

I was listening to some talks from last conference today and I really like this part. This is very comforting for me when I have had a day or days where I feel like such a crappy mom.

"There are some who believe that because they have made mistakes, they can no longer fully partake of the blessings of the gospel. How little they understand the purposes of the Lord. One of the great blessings of living the gospel is that it refines us and helps us learn from our mistakes. We “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,”11 yet the Atonement of Jesus Christ has the power to make us whole when we repent."
- President Dieter F. Uchtdorf Second Counselor in the First Presidency

“Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will.

“We [might] see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever. . . .

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of transformation. It takes us as men and women of the earth and refines us into men and women for the eternities.”- Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

Watch Out!!

On memorial day my two little boys discovered that the cars driving around the grounds of the cemetery were driving extremely slow. Traffic was almost at a standstill, mostly because of the crowds there that day.

My two boys began to play a game of holding up their hands, signaling for the slow moving cars to stop and then cross to the other side. They were amused at their strength to "stop them".

At first I thought it was cute but soon my protective instinct set in. "You guys.. this really isn't a good game to play, you could get hurt... I know the cars are going very, very slowly but please just stay on the grass."......

Later that day, we went up to the canyons with a group of friends for lunch. I had forgotten about the game my boys were playing with the cars. The traffic along the canyon road was critically faster than that at the cemetery and there were blinding curves coupled with steep slopes. Most cars were going about 50 mph. It was a beautiful day, and the weather was perfect. We were sitting in the shade enjoying our lunch when I looked up....

To my horror... there was my little 4yr. old boy standing in the middle of the canyon road with his hands in the air waiting for the cars to come so he could "stop them." I had only a split second to rescue him. If a car came at that moment it would certainly be going fast enough to kill him and if the driver saw him they certainly wouldn't have been able to stop in time because of the steep, blinding curves. I yelled out his name as I ran to him and pulled him out of the road just in time... for only seconds later there passed a speeding car. He was angry at me because he couldn't see the danger. To him, I had spoiled his fun and ruined his game.



.... I have thought about this situation with the cars many times since and have thought how God must feel sometimes when his children insist on having dangerous "fun" and how we as His children get angry at Him because His commandments are too "restricting."



This little experience helped to solidify that God gives us commandments because He loves us and to protect us, they are there to prevent unnecessary hurt and spiritual death to our souls.

Someone once said, "God made us free and He gives us commandments to keep us free." I testify that this is true! He sees the bigger picture. I know He loves us and wants so much for us to be happy, to be free... but we must understand that "His ways are not our ways." I testify that it is only His way that sets us free.

I am thankful for the experience I had that Memorial day... for it taught me a valuable lesson.

God bless you,
Alicia

So Blessed

I had such a wonderful day with my husband and my little children today. It's not all the time that things go this smooth, it was great. So many times today I just stood back, looked at my little family and thought, "I am so incredibly blessed!!" I love being a mommy and I love sharing these experiences with my husband.

I thought this quote would be fitting for today:

"Behold your little ones. Pray with them. Pray for them and bless them. The world into which they are moving is a complex and difficult world. They will run into heavy seas of adversity. They will need all the strength and all the faith you can give them while they are yet near you. And they will also need a greater strength which comes of a higher power. They must do more than go along with what they find. They must lift the world, and the only levers they will have are the example of their own lives and the powers of persuasion that will come of their testimonies and their knowledge of the things of God. They will need the help of the Lord. While they are young, pray with them that they may come to know that source of strength which shall then always be available in every hour of need." - Gordon B. Hinckley

I saw an angel today...

See, that is an angel!

Does this happen to you?

I go to do a quick check of my email,

I plan to be there for just a second but then I pass by the news on yahoo and something catches my eye leading me to more news that is usually just plain depressing or totally useless.

Then I forget checking my email and end up going to blogger and check out what's on my dashboard which can lead me from one blog to another in an endless sea of blogs.

After viewing so many other blogs I begin to think of fun or different things I can add to mine or what my new post will be about.

So I'll work on my blog only to remember I never got around to checking my email.

I stop by at my email and find my inbox full of messages, some forwards, some stopping by to say "hi", some long, some short so I take a bit of time to respond to them.

I had only "planned" to be on the computer for just a couple of minutes and before I know it, those couple of minutes have turned into a couple of hours!!

I turn around from the stupid computer and see I have 10 min. or less to get my kids ready for school, their hair is a mess, the house is a mess, I am a mess, they aren't dressed, I'm not dressed, they aren't fed and I'm not fed and the baby is screaming. This is where I usually end up in a full scale panic, usually blaming my kids for playing all morning, instead of getting ready (duh. hello! who is the real one to blame?)

Now this doesn't happen to me every day... but it has happened to me and it's an awful feeling. Maybe I'm the only one who has experienced this... Either way.. I have decided to exercise more self control, to exercise a little more self restraint.

Yes the Internet can be used as a really great tool for education, for learning, keeping in touch with family and friends, for downloading yummy recipes (wonderful tool for this)... and my personal favorite thing the Internet can be used for is sharing the Gospel.

A web can be used for two things to capture or to be captured. So the internet must be used wisely.

So I think it's a matter of making the decision of what is most important at the moment and taking care of those things first. There are many things on the Internet that can wait and will still be there moments or even months later. But some things won't be there at the next moment or months later... and it is usually those things that are most important.

There was a really great talk given not long ago that helps to emphasize and clarify where I'm coming from called... Good, Better, Best

I am going to limit my total screen time, (television, Internet or whatever) to absolutely no more than one hour a day. Occasionally there will be those weekends where I might put in a movie. But during the week I am putting my goal to have absolutely no more than 1 hour of SCREEN time per day.... Because I've just got "Better" things to do.

Reason #1 to limit my screen time: So I have more of this little miracle...

Reason #2 to limit my screen time: So I have more of this little miracle...

Reason #3 to limit my screen time: So I have more of this little miracle...

Reason #4 to limit my screen time: So I have more of this little miracle...

Reason #5 to limit my screen time: So I have more of this...

I Want...

A friend of mine shared this with me. I just love it! What's really important, eh?!

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed,

and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails...
...I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

—Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Brokenhearted

I stumbled across a couple of blogs the other day. http://ekrausch.blogspot.com/ and http://cynthialovespictures.blogspot.com/ These sweet mother's have lost their little babies. I ache for them because even though they haven't been able to keep their little ones, you can see they have a mother's heart and how painful this must be. I will keep them in my prayers.

I want to thank these two women for opening my eyes to the miracles I have... today I will try speak a little softer when the house is a disaster, today I will play with them more before I ask them to put their toys away, today I will laugh more when they are being "too silly", today I will stop what I'm doing and listen to them tell their stories, today I will hold my children a little tighter and love them a little more.

Thank you Emalee and Cynthia! Thank you for teaching me today.

Here is a song for you! May the Lord bind up and heal your broken heart.

"Only the Brokenhearted"- By, Cherie Call

Who can hear your sorrow?

Who can listen right?

Who can tell you stars shine

Through the darkest and the longest lonely night?

Only the brokenhearted can

Who can feel the fire?

Who can taste the rain?

Who can laugh till tears fall?

Who can know your pain and take your hand?

Only the broken hearted can

How are you gonna take a stand?

How are you gonna hear the band?

How are you gonna love the sunlight

If those precious summer days never had to end?

You have to learn like only the brokenhearted can

Broken hearts are deeper

They've been open wide

And the tears become containers

To hold more love inside

And truly feel what only the brokenhearted can

If you need a shoulder, bow your head and pray

And He'll wrap you like a blanket

With love to face the day

Because He knows like only the brokenhearted can

How are you gonna comprehend

Love that has no end?

Why'd you ever have to leave Eden

If you were never truly meant to understand?

You had to live like only the brokenhearted can

Who can love you deepest?

Who can hold you tight?

Who can tell you stars shine

Through the darkest lonely night?

You know I can

Like only the brokenhearted can

Lyrics by Cherie Call, from her album "He Gives Flowers to Everyone."

Painting by Adam Abram

I laughed until I cried!!

My sister-in-law sent me this video. I laughed so hard!!! Ahhh, laughter is such good medicine for the soul. Hope this makes everyone's day, It made mine!
**Remember to mute the music player on the left and then click on the video.

Why throw a tantrum if no one can see you?!


Here's a couple other videos you may have seen before. My kids really like these ones. Enjoy!

If you are raising children...

I enjoyed General Conference so much!!! It is my favorite time of year. I know we have a living Prophet of God to guide us and direct us. I know that Thomas S. Monson has been called by God to lead us all, I know it with all my heart! I love to sit at the feet of these great leaders, The First Presidency, The Quorum of the 12 Apostles, The Quorum of the Seventy, The General Relief Society Presidency etc. I love to sit at their feet and be fed spiritually, to be counseled, warned, guided, encouraged and uplifted. For this blessing alone I am RICH, my cup is overflowing... for they lead me to Christ, the one and only way to God. Thanks be to my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ for this TRUE and restored Gospel on the earth today!

I want to share just a small little portion of what the Prophet of God said this most recent conference. I really needed to hear this!

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.” We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

- President Thomas S. Monson - Prophet, Seer and Revelator of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

This is a world-wide church. To listen to conference in almost any language click on this link: http://www.lds.org/conference/languages/0,6353,310-1,00.html

Bring on the Jr. Leagues

We started my son on a Jr. basketball team. We thought he could use a positive way to release some of his ENERGY!! Plus, I think it does alot to help build his self confidence. He's a great kid and it was so fun to see him play.

Two of my other kids were getting bored of the game. They wanted to be in it, not watch it! I gave my daughter paper to draw on to keep herself busy (I think it's a picture of a bird?... muscle man?...no it couldn't be a muscle man.... hmmm.... a plane?... oh well it kept her busy anyway.) In the background you can see my son trying to entertain himself by rocking himself in his little sisters car seat... (the baby isn't in it of course) doesn't take much to entertain my kids!! gotta love them.

A little "action" shot. I love how these Jr. leagues are more like a free-for-all.

This picture is proof that putting your kids in sports and having the family there to cheer them on helps build confidence. Look at that proud smile on my sons face.

The Month in Pictures

Look at that chubby girl! She's so fun. She loves the bath.

My kids love to dress up. Here is my kindergartner pretending to be a .... hmm... I think she's pretending to be a robot / ballerina? hmmm not quite sure but she's fun to watch.

My son bought this fire fighter's helmet and axe at a yard sell with his own money. He was excited to model for me. Nice action pose eh?

More dress up fun. I just love the glasses my little boy is sporting... he's sure to get all the ladies!

My little boy loves our neighbor girl. All my kids love her. She is so adorable, who wouldn't? Her name is Yarro (it's Mongolian - you flip the "r"). My kids couldn't say her name too well so they would call her Yatto... and now they've evolved her name to Yatto-bot... you know like "autobot" except with a "y". Funny thing is their little "nickname" for her has caught on with all the other kids in the apt. complex.

First thing in the morning all the kids want to hold the baby. She's the center of attention.

My oldest really does a great job with his little sister.

My youngest boy just giggles every time he sees her. Giggles... and giggles... I really get a kick out of watching him interact with her. He's a very proud big brother.

Here is a very loving daddy. It's hard for him to be away so much with full time work and full time school.... so he soaks up every bit of free time he can with the kids.

Sunday afternoon. Just showing off my baby. Who can resist such an adorable girl? She really is just as sweet as she looks.

My little Kindergartner's first day of school.... I don't think she's too sure if she likes it or not... she looks like she's trying really hard to convince herself that she does.

My oldest lost his second tooth. He's pretty proud. His adult tooth grew in behind his baby one so he was happy to finally lose it. I hardly ever get a serious face out of this kid. Never a dull moment.

My little boy has learned how to make himself some toast. He is very careful not to burn himself when it pops out of the toaster and insists on wearing an oven mitt. Ahhh he is so dang cute!!

Speaking of cute... this is my baby in her bathing suit. This is just too adorable for words. Man I love being a mom!!

Eating out.... on the porch...of the apartment.... with a nice view of the parking lot. My kids can make anything fun.

For the Record

I know this will surprise some of you and it might be hard to believe... but here it goes..... I'm NOT perfect!... I know, I know... it's a shocker :)

Seriously though, sometimes I worry that my blog might paint the wrong picture of me. What I mean is... because of the nature of my posts, one might be led to think that I am always so positive, so spiritual or that I live the gospel so naturally.

Just for the record, I'm not a perfect mom, I'm not a perfect wife, I don't have the perfect marriage, and I don't have perfect children. I know it's hard to believe... heh heh. But if you were to live in my house for one week you would come to this conclusion on your own very, very quickly.

The reason I try to keep my posts positive and uplifting is because I have set up my blog with the intent to share the gospel, to share my testimony and not so much as a diary of my life.

This last week was really rough. To make a long story short: my husband and I had some heated arguments, I lost my temper with my kids on several occasions and the whole week I felt depressed and pessimistic.

... All I can say is, I couldn't make it through any of these rough times if it weren't for prayer and calling upon God for strength. I am so thankful for the Atonement, that God has mercifully provided a way for me to be cleansed from sin. I am thankful for His power to heal wounded relationships and bind up the broken hearted. I am thankful my husband and I have a habit of kneeling together in prayer every morning and every night. It helps us resolve conflicts much quicker this way.

I draw strength from prayer, hope from the scriptures, guidance from living Prophets and Apostles, comfort from Priesthood blessings, peace from the promises of the temple and joy from my Savior. My list could go on and on and on. But I feel so richly blessed to have the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ .... I can't imagine my life without it!

I relate to the words of the Prophet, Nephi when he was weighed down with discouragement:

"Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.
Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.
Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. " - 2 Nephi 4: 28-30 & 35

God bless you my friends,

Alicia