Thoughts coming together

This post has been in the making for some time now. It came together today. I'm not sure of all the future a-ha moments I might still have regarding these things, but I wanted to write a few thoughts so that I can remember them.

I often grumble about the small mundane tasks before me each day. You have no idea! I could fill a book. Most days, I'm holding on by a thread. That single thread has recently joined forces with a few more threads. From a book called "I am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson I am learning that my role as a mother is a powerful tool to bring great happiness in the lives of those I influence. So, I get to shape the lives of my family and hopefully do so without lasting damage (no pressure).

Last Saturday night at the General Relief Society Meeting, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught me that I could be a creator like my Father in Heaven. Not just in creating life, but in creating love in my home, beauty in my yard, kindness in my words, a strong family, a growing testimony, etc... Even this blog is a way that I can create and something that I can enjoy. So, I get to be a creator of life and in the lives of those around me (i.e. my children).

In Relief Society on Sunday, we talked of the beauty in each of us and how we are all different but contribute to the whole. It's not one big thing that we do to make a difference, but several small seemingly insignificant acts that come together over time to make something beautiful. “Behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6). So, through the small and simple acts (the mundane stuff) great and beautiful things can be created.

Elder Ballard in last conference said "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." Elder Ballard also taught me that I should develop my own talents. He said "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." So I don't have to be just like other mothers, I just need to be the best mother I can be. Also, I get to develop my own talents! Right now I'm focusing on pilates and reading, but in the future maybe I'll pick up the violin again.

So there it is, my a-ha moment.
Being a mother is a powerful role in which I can create something of beauty through the small and simple things I do each day in caring for my family. I will try to remember this when B writes with permanent marker on the walls again. Also, I am going to focus on the things that make me happy: My boys in white shirts and ties on Sunday, a good meal, working out at the gym, crafting (beading, braiding, scrapbooking, painting), reading a good book, talking with friends, my flower garden, kissing my husband in the kitchen, clothes shopping with Boo, reading blogs, organizing my home, laughing, seeing a child learn something new, snuggling with my little ones.



The pictures are flowers in my garden! I have enjoyed them all spring and summer and now into fall. I love looking at them. I will miss them dearly in the winter.

Boo Turns Nine!

The Beginning ...

We were so excited to have this little girl! She tried to come early and I was stuck in the hospital for two weeks. For those of you who have ever experienced Magnesium Sulfate you will understand me when I say "I'm burning up! Make it stop!" and the two amniocentisis' were a bit scary, but all worth it when Boo was born 6 weeks later healthy and strong. She is beautiful at every age. She's almost 2 here. She rarely left my side.

Almost 3 years old - 4 years old - Look at that smile! And she's always been a fabulous big sister. The Late Night Pajama Birthday Party ...

We decorated bags, ate pizza, danced, sang songs, made home-made jump ropes, learned skipping rhymes, played games, opened presents, had ice-cream and cake, watched a movie, and acted silly the whole night!

The Princess for a Day ...

Breakfast in bed-

Opening presents -

Boo requested Top Ramen for dinner - easy peasy.

Who would've guessed when she was born that she'd be my only girl. She has been an absolute joy! She is a selfless person who is keen on making others feel happy. She is quick to console and great at being silly. We love her to bits!

The making of Boo's birthday cake -

I had so much fun making this cake -

I've never done anything with fondant before, but my niece inspired me when she made two gorgeous cakes for her daughter's 1st birthday and her sister's baby shower. I decided to try it out - with a back-up plan to get a cake at WalMart when I failed.

I made 4 - 9" round cakes from a couple of mixes (I only needed 3 but each mix made 2 - I have an extra unfrosted layer if anyone needs it!) I cooled the cakes and wrapped them in plastic wrap and put them in the fridge overnight. I made the fondant next. A found this Butter-Cream Fondant recipe for me at allrecipes.com. I doubled it for fear that I'd run out. In hindsight, I think I could have done it with a single recipe. I put it in the fridge overnight too. The next day, I leveled the cakes and frosted each layer with a light layer of store bought frosting. This gives the fondant something to stick to.

Now the fun begins! I rolled out the fondant and cut out the shapes I needed.

I couldn't believe how easy this came together. Boo did all the stars, dots, and the face of the moon.

It even looked pretty when we cut into it!

Boo's birthday party theme was a late night pajama party! Here's her invites (Thanks grandma L for helping with those).

I can't wait for the next birthday!

Museum of Fine Arts

On Friday, DH and I took the three oldest to the Monet to Picasso exhibit at the U. Wow! It was amazing! It is one thing to view these pieces of art in prints, but to be up close and see the brush strokes and details was awesome. There were several of Rodin's bronze sculptures. "The Thinker" was beautiful. The size of the sculpture was much smaller than I had imagined. The exhibit was easy to view and each person had a personal tour guide (via headset) that the kids could program themselves and listen to information about the art work in a fun kid friendly sort of way. This was one of A's favorites:

And this one by Van Gogh: "Poplars at Saint-Remy"

Here's A's own version of "Poplars" with a hint of Monet "The Red Kerchief: Portrait of Mrs. Monet,":

This was G's favorite:

And Boo's favorite by Renoir:

Go - if you can!