Wanted

I thought I'd better spread the word.  If you have seen this boy, please call right away.  Thanks.

Mothers

After yesterdays post about mothers... I came across a blog post from one of my favorite bloggers called
I Don't Know How She Does It: The Real Truth

In it she writes about her conviction that to be a mother and wife alone... is simply enough.  She talks about the trend for Mom's today to "do it all".  A full time business, immaculate house, hobbies galore and some mothering on the side.  She is convinced (and I am too) that motherhood alone requires all we have to give,  all of our energy, all of our patience, all of our love.  And there is not a whole lot left over for the rest of stuff.  The perfect blogs and magazines who seem to imply that we can "do it all" are simply lies, because we can't do it all.  Being a Mom and wife... and doing it right... takes all that one woman can possibly give and the rest is a sad illusion.

The comment section after the post was full of interesting comments, but this one was my favorite.  I don't know if it is okay for me to borrow from a comment, but  I did.  Her name is Ruth and here is what she said:

This post reminded me of something in my files: Jaroldeen Edwards, mother of eight and an author, was once interviewed in her home by two sophisticated women reporters. At the end of the interview, the younger one went to make a phone call and the older one (30+) said intensely, "When I went to college they lied to us. They told us we were brilliant, and that we had the obligation to seek success. We were told not to throw our lives away on husbands and children, but to go out into the world and to succeed. We were told that only through a professional career could we 'find ourselves' or live a worthwhile life.

I just want you to know that this morning I have realized it was all a lie. I have come to know that a career is not a life - it is only something you do until you find a life. Life is what you are.

I would like to tell you I would trade all my so-called worldly success for one day of living your life."

Re-reading this, and your post, reminds me that I would do it ALL again. All 7 children, all 20 moves, all three countries, ALL of it. Mothers are so important.

Quote of the Day

  

"Had I life to live over, I see now where I could do more; but neighbour, believe me, my highest aspiration is to be a clean, thrifty housekeeper, a bountiful cook, a faithful wife, a sympathetic mother. That is life work for any woman, and to be a good woman is the greatest thing on earth. Never mind about the ladies; if you can honestly say of me, she is a good woman, you have paid me the highest possible tribute..... To be a good wife and mother is the end toward which I aspire. To hold the respect and love of my husband is the greatest object of my life." 

Gene Stratton Porter

Glasses

Several weeks ago, the kids and I sat down to watch a movie.  Lizzy was controlling the selections with the remote and asked me to read the menu for her.  I was surprised and asked if she was quite serious that she couldn't read it.  One trip to the eye doctor later and whamo... this girl will have glasses for the rest of her life.  Her vision is 20/80 in both eyes.  I was so surprised I had to quiz her the whole way home from the doctor.  You mean... you can't see that sign?  What about that one?  Not even that one?  Lizzy is thrilled.  She thinks it is the most exciting thing since Christmas.  I hope the excitement lasts.  She does look cute though, doesn't she?

Cellulitis

My foot 3 days after the ER trip.  Sexy... I know.

A few weeks ago I cut my ankle while shaving.  I slapped on a bandaid and continued with life.  A week and a half later... it had become infected and spread all down my foot.  Walking became impossible.  Turns out cellulitis can be scary if it's not taken care of.  After a trip to the ER, lots of medication, meals from friends and almost 4 days doing nothing but sitting on my couch... it is getting better.  :) 

Here's the good stuff:

I love to clean my house.  I don't always love to clean my house, but when I literally couldn't do it and had to sit and watch it deteriorate for a few days, I realized what a happy thing it is to be able to cook and clean for my family.

Every so often I have an experience like this in which I am forced to accept the help of friends and neighbors.  It always puts me in a position where I realize that I need to get outside of myself and my little world more often to see who needs help around me.  Surely I can do more to lighten someone's load like someone did for me.


I have sweet good kids who I appreciate more this week than I did last.  They were so willing to run errands for me and pick up when I asked them to.  Perfect... no.  But good... yes siree!

Aaron.  He is great.  Always great.  Always kind.  When it all happened, I was so worried that he'd be upset about the expensive trip to the ER.  Wrong.  He was upset, but it was for very different reasons and I'm so glad to feel so loved. 

Thanks everyone.

San Antonio

Ever since we moved here I have been wanting to visit San Antonio and see what all the talk is about.  I've heard from many people how beautiful the city is.  We had our chance this past weekend when Aaron had a conference in San Antonio.  It ended up being a wonderful "all expense paid" vacation.  Only down side was of course that Aaron had to be in conference for part of it.   Eh... that's life... right.  We had a great time.  Here are a few pictures.

At the Riverwalk

The Alamo

The fountains at Hemisfair Park

Dining at Rainforest Cafe

Hiking at Government National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't remember what this mission was called... but it was a mission.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I think I love San Antonio.  It really is beautiful.  We also had a great time dining with friends from Aaron's program.  He has the greatest group to work with.  Thanks MD Anderson!

Andrew

 A few days old.

 1

 2

(oh... he melts my heart)

 3

 4

 5

6

Goodness, he is growing up.  I love him so dang much. 

Here are a few pictures from our family celebration.  Andrew got a bike.  It's kind of big for him but he hopped right up and rode away.  He seems even more grown up on the big 'ole bike.

For Andrew's birthday this year he had a few friends over and decided on a Wild Kratts theme.  The Wild Kratts are a cartoon that Andrew loves.  It is a pair of brothers who go about learning about animals. They wear cool creature power suits that transform them into different animals so they can go where they go. 

I made a simple creature power suit for each of his guests. And those badges were the animals that they could transform into. 

Here they are... ready to go out in the wild.

Here they got to be butterflies breaking from the cocoon. 

I neglected to take picture of the cheetah races, bat hide and seek and firefly flash games.  I guess that can happen when you are trying to manage a bunch of  6 year olds and take pictures at the same time.  We had a great time and love Andrew's super sweet friends. 

Happy Birthday my boy!

10 Years

Today I must express my tremendous gratitude to my wonderful in-laws.  Seriously, a girl couldn't ask for better.  My in-laws are two of the most accepting, non-judgemental people I know.  Oh and they're WAY nice.  They came to watch the littles while Aaron and I went off to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.  It was a much needed break. 

So while they were doing this......

 

 and a bit of this.....

tea party with Grandma Brown

Aaron and I got to do some of this...

 and this....

And my favorite part..... this!

In honor of our 10 year anniversary... here are 10 things I love about my man.

1.  Aaron is good at loving me.  He always just takes me as I am... as flawed as that may be.

2.  Aaron makes me laugh. All the time.

3.  He is a hard worker. 

4.  Aaron appreciates the outdoors. 

5.  He loves his kids so much.  And he takes the time to show them.

6.  Aaron is wise.  He is thoughtful in the the things he chooses to say and do.

7.  Aaron has the ability to get along with everyone and anyone. 
8.  Aaron honors his priesthood.

9.  He loves learning about things.  He likes to know everything about a city we are visiting and the history behind it and where the locals like to eat.

10. Last but not least... he is one good lookin' man! 

Happy Anniversary!