This might just be my answer?!?!?

April 2008 LDS General Conference talk
"Daughters of God"- Elder M. Russell Ballard Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

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. 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.

Second, don’t over schedule 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, scrap booking, Church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows. 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.

Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother. 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."

Summer fun with Hunter - Free Movies

Hunter and Mommy are going to go on movie dates this summer. Regal Cinemas shows FREE movies all summer... here is the link. Have fun at the movies.
http://www.regmovies.com/nowshowing/familyfilmfestivalschedule.aspx

New calling in Church!!

The past year in church I have been teaching the gospel doctrine class.. it was rewarding to learn the scriptures and gain a stronger testimony on the other hand I was so scared to teach adults, I felt like they knew so much more than I could ever teach.. it was very intimadating, and embarrassing when I did cry. To my surprise this Sunday I was called to be the first counsler in the Young Womens Presidency. I will be working with the miamaids (14-15 yr old). I'm so excited to grow and love these young woman. I also desire to become a more valient mom, sister, friend, wife and daughter of god. I hope I can be an example for these young woman and strenghten there testimonies and HAVE SOME FUN. What a great gift and blessing this is in my life, just knowing this is where the lord wants me is pretty cool to me. What a fun new chapter ahead. :) AND I CAN CRY IN YOUNG WOMAN'S>> it won't be so bad in front of girls... ;) LOL!











The theme for the young woman is:

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice and Accountability
Good Works and
Integrity

We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values,
we will be prepared to
strengthen home and family,
make and keep sacred covenants,
receive the ordinances of the temple,
and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

Rollercoaster of motherhood!!!

What a rollercoaster of emotions I go thru as a mom. I feel sometimes that I struggle SO much having frustration and happiness, .... and today I just cryed it seemed to be the only thing that did make sense. My little guy is going thru the toughest time with Hitting and yelling back at mommy (not to mention other kids) and today was just the straw that broke mommies back. Hunter hit mommy in the face and I just was so frustrated and helpless in what to do. I just wanted to walk away and keep walking, my heart just hurts. Yet the other day Hunter wasn't feeling good and all he wanted was mommy to hold him and rock (which is very rare, he is always on the go) and I just loved and treasured that time that he needed me and wanted me. I know this little guy is learning and growing trying to figure out his emotions... I just pray that I will get thru this season of child raising with flying colors, my sister said to me the other day that we only have one chance to raise our children.. boy this has got to be easier than this... Thanks for letting me vent.. I just had to get it out and have a good mommy cry.

Hangin with the Blackwelders!

Hunter had a blast with his cousins, playing in the pool, riding the 4-wheeler and doing fun crafts. Alicia and Bethany enjoyed fun sister talks. We even had papa come over and play with the kids and then a fun game of spads with Steve, Bethany, Dad and Alicia. (Steve and Alicia won - yahoo!) I sure miss my sister a ton.. so I enjoy our times when we can just enjoy fun times together.

Compromise in Marriage

So this is the deal, I have been throwing out the idea of a pool to Steve for a month or so because it is so hot.... I said we could have it built by next summer if we plan for it and he said yeaaaaah we can start talking about it next summer... hummm I don't think my idea worked.. SO this is what we have ended up with. Happy Swimming! P.S. it is bigger than last year!! LOL

Steve's got the green thumb in the family!

Check out our new garden, We have corn, green beans, squash, & zucchini. This is Steve's passion... that along with Hunting & FSU football. Steve picks all the food every day and doesn't want me to worry about (I think he just doesn't want me touching his precious little garden)... hummm that works out good for me I guess one less thing to worry about.... Enjoy the pics...