Bedtime and Naptime...

To most mothers the words "bedtime" and "naptime" are music to the soul, I know they are for me! BUT today for various reasons maybe like peeling cheese, duct tape and other unidentifiable objects off my carpet while vacuuming or scrubbing toilets with a screaming baby in my arms all while trying to not get plastered in the face with toilet water, I have thought a lot about what it means to be a "Mother". The familiar quote came to mind "I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it". It truly is worth every second.

Nathan turned 5 months old today and I know we hear it ALL the time, but time really does fly. I can't believe how big is has got. Not only is he growing in leaps and bounds (or maybe I should say rolls and crevasses) but his sweet spirit is growing more mature everyday. He is such a delight to our family!! I love Hillary Weeks, she sings songs that I can relate to and apply to my life one of her songs says:

If I only had today

I'd hold you and listen

I'd memorize every detail of your face

I'd tell you I loved you over and over

I wouldn't let excuses get in the way

Then I'd remind you of forever

And how our love would never change

If I only had today

Sometimes I overwhelm myself with useless things and very rarely do I pick my battles wisely!! More often than not I find myself lying down and night rehearsing ALL of the MANY things I have done wrong and then end up pleading with my Father in Heaven for help and forgiveness hoping for a better tomorrow. But in the end I know I am human and am thankful for another busy, crazy, wonderful day with my children.
Speaking of which I love to hear my kids talk and believe me they do a lot of it. I love to hear them be excited over something silly or simple, but rather large to them. I love to learn from my kids. I know the is a reason why we are counseled to became as little children. In Alma 7:23 he gives a list of things we should do. All of them describe my children. M. Russell Ballard also gave some advise on motherhood. He says:  "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...families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together."

I have learned and continue to learn that "extraordinary moments happen in the middle of ordinary days" like today. In a book called Bedtime and Naptime by Hillary Weeks she writes: "I will spend eternity knowing my children as adults. But today, right here, right now and for the next few precious years, I have the rare privilege of knowing them as children." How true and how heart stirring. I will MISS these days!

Another quote I have loved is by Julie B Beck. She said:

"When mothers know who they are and who God is and have made covenants with Him, they will have great power and influence for good on their children."

How reassuring it is to know that God is on our side and is our biggest fan. He is cheering us mothers on everyday whether we have babies, toddlers, teens or adults as children. He knows what a powerful works we have chosen to participate in and knows it will take every ounce of strength we have to make it through some really difficult days. 

Here is a song that I love and listen to often: (the video is not my family obviously, but cute none the less)

So for today I will believe in what I have been called to do and believe that I am entitled to make mistakes. I will testify to my children of their infinite worth and hope that I can make a difference in their lives. I will believe that underneath the apple juice spills, the scattered toys and the never ending laundry there is a purpose more divine than I can comprehend and that in the end EVERY moment will be worth it.