The recovery

Okay, I've had my moment and now I'm back! :-)

Thank you to everyone for your emails and thoughtful advice...in fact...this past week reminded me of a life lesson story.

We'll call it -- THE TUTU

For my oldest daughters birthday she asked for a Tutu to dance in. I watch way to much project runway and assumed my sweet skills I acquired from 'Sewing in the Fastlane' (a class I took in High School) were still sharp and ready to wow. So I bought everything I thought I would need and decided that I would whip up one of the most amazing Tutus my daughter had ever seen, but at the end of my 3rd day...I was left with a mess. A flat, 10-gallon, non-stretch elastic waisted mess.

I was going to burn the thing -- but my husband insisted that after all that work I should still give it to her. When she opened her gift, she cheered "A TUTU!" then when she pulled it from the box she said,"Wait? what is this?"

I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. I was glued to the couch in complete disappointment as I looked on. My hubby spoke up for me and told her that it was a Tutu that I had made for her.

This is when my amazing daughter said, "Oh I love it!! You would make something for me? Wow, its perfect!" Then she tried to put it on and she looked like a....well......I don't even have words for it.

(Poor girl)

Needless to say -- she never wore it and a few days later I was sharing this tale with one of my dear neighborhood friends when she said, "Oh you should have just called me, I know how to make easy Tutu's where you just tie and go - no sewing."

I took from this life lesson the idea of never trying to tackle things on my own, no matter what it is. I realize now that no matter what I'm faced with, some one I know will always have a way to over come or some advice to help improve my situation. I hope you will do the same, don't try to tackle tasks on your own, that's why Heavenly Father gave us family and friends!

And that is why I posted the last post and asked for you to help-- and you pulled through just like I knew you would. I actually received a quote from a few different ladies that I wanted to share.

""People are often unreasonable and self centered.  Forgive them anyway.  If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.  Be kind anyway.  If you are honest, people may cheat you.  Be honest anyway.  If you find happiness, people may be jealous.  Be happy anyway.  The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.  Do good anyway.  Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.  Give your best anyway.  For you see, in the end it is between you and God.  It never was between you and them anyway."  (Mother Teresa)

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR UPLIFTING ME AND CARRYING ME WHEN I NEEDED YOU.

The Table has turned...

I know many of you come to visit the blog looking for a little pick-me-up...we'll today I am asking you to pick me up.

I was confronted with a little situation the other day -- where I was approached by someone with an usual situation, one that left me in awe at the moment but as time passes...I'm beginning to be unsure about how to address my own problems. So now I turn to you....my mediocre mom advice may appear at times to be helpful,  but I am discovering that when it comes to advice on life in general...that is where I'm lacking.
--------------
The other day I had a knock at my door where I welcomed in someone who asked to speak to me and my husband about some things that were weighing on their mind. They took a seat and over the next while proceeded to address issues that they had with me and my family. We responded to them the best we could on the spot, and at the end of the conversation, we were asked (in a non-offensive way) to leave them be...we shook hands and they left my home.
------------------
I've laughed, I've cried and I've questioned....What do I do from here??

I know the details are vague -- but only because I still hold feelings for this family. I do love them, I wish my kindness wasn't perceived as acts of pity upon them. I wish my decisions (unknowingly) wouldn't have affected their family they way they did.

I've decided for now...the best thing for me to do is to just smile, pray for understanding (on my part) and for their family as well.

The world is a strange one at times.....isn't it?

If you have any advice or anything to help me understand how to handle such a situation...please share your thoughts....I would love to hear from you, you hear enough from me as it is.

The Reality is...

I was told something yesterday that was a small piece of advice - yet rang enormously in truth.
When it comes to raising children in the gospel today....One of the counselors in my stake presidency stated:

"What we have to realize

is that our kids are better than we are.....

They just need to be taught."

Live today in a way that allows your children to become the best they can be, and don't be afraid to be one of the M.E.A.N.E.S.T moms around -- allow them to stand firm on your unwavering testimony until they are old enough to stand alone. 

 

The Apology

After surviving a long, painful day of emotional mayhem (from myself) -- I went in to my little boy's room to tuck them in for the night, While kneeling by Corby's bed I told him I loved him and that I would try to do a better job and that they all deserved more from me.

While I was pouring my heart out to the boy, Dewie walked in, over hearing the last little bit of my lengthy apology regarding my failed day.

She didn't say a word. She hugged me silently and left to get into bed. I kissed my boys and headed over to the girls room. Where I kissed them, told them I loved them and tucked them in for the night. I turned to walk out of the room when Dewie called me back...

"Mom?"
"What."
"Aren't you going to tell us a story?"
"No, no stories tonight."
"But Corby got a story."
"No, Corby didn't get stories."
"Yes he did...the story about how mean you were today. Will you tell that one to us too?"

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

YES - They all deserved to hear my apology
YES - I shouldn't have yelled and should have been more patient
YES - They are good kids
YES - They needed to hear it...(how much I loved them)
YES - They will forgive me and love me for who I am
YES - I am human
YES - My personal demons will try to convince me that I failed
YES - there is room for improvement
YES - I'm mad at myself
YES - They need me to be stronger
YES - I'm doing the best I can right now
YES - My Heavenly Father knows that
YES - He has already forgiven me
YES - He is willing to help
YES - He loves me still

 -- You can never out grow it and there is no shame in an apology -- And after you have apologized, don't forget to hug, kiss and tell your kids how much you love and appreciate all they do for you. --

Its sounds like...

A while back I had company over. They spent the afternoon with us and by evening, after I had finally settled my crazy crew down in their beds, I sat down next to our guest on my couch and they breathed an exhausted sigh and ask, "Is it always this crazy around here?" (odd, why were they exhausted? Shouldn't I be the worn out one?) I smiled back and said, "This isn't crazy, this is every day fun."

Maybe they were referring to the blaring voices of my girls as they sang and danced to their favorite songs down stairs.

Maybe they were referring to the clicketty clack chatter of my boys and their WHOOoo WHooo sounds as they pushed their trains around our feet as we sat around the table chatting after dinner.

Maybe they were referring to the squeals and giggles from tickles, the ruckus of wrestling and chasing each other from room to room.

Maybe it was the fact that more often than I would like to admit one kid was coming up to me whining their complaints about what someone else had done or frankly wasn't doing.

Maybe it was the kerplunk kerplunk of piano keys from inventive, beautiful music played by a 3 year old and a tip toeing, stretched out, one year old who could only reach a few conflicting notes.

Maybe to others it could sound like racket, commotion, disorder, mayhem or simple chaos.

But to me....It Sounds Like HOME,

I'm grateful for the noise that rebounds off the walls of my home, the good and the bad...I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

What keeps you grounded?

Just a quick reminder of what we need when times get tough...

A TESTIMONY

(With one, we can overcome anything)

 Don't just keep a testimony....let your testimony keep you!

  M - Moms

          E - Everywhere

    A - Always

N -Need

       E - Extremely

  S - Strong

          T - Testimonies

Thats what we do (part 2)

Just to clarify -- there are a lot of moments as mothers that we will look back on and miss...

THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM

Thank you, Amoxicillin, for bringing to pass one of the greatest blow-outs in Collard history!

While out shopping; with not bathtub; no change of clothes....nothing but sweet memories.