Thinking of Our Heavenly Mother

This was a thought provoking article that I'd like to share with the best mothers I know:

The Other Half of Heaven: Debunking Myths about Heavenly Mother

I thought this guy (an independent researcher for the Maxwell Institute at BYU) was right on target, and it is inspiring to take time and reflect upon who our Heavenly Mother is, her role in the eternities and our relationship with her. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Love you all this December evening.

Delayed S.O.S. Response

And now that I have finally joined the party, I can't help but feel humbled by all of your wisdom and understanding of this divine role of motherhood! I don't' know why I didn't get your text about your last post Sar, I promise I was not ignoring you! 

I have done some soul-searching myself since our talk last Saturday night, and your post and comments have supplemented my thoughts perfectly. I don't yet have them compiled to a point where I can offer the profound insights of Amanda or Emily, but I do want to share a conference talk that has uplifted me recently and reinforced the importance of our work as moms. It was given before any of us had begun this motherhood journey (Shelby was still tucked away in Amanda's tummy). 

I do like how Emily explained that Motherhood is like being your own boss and running your own family organization (and like she said, that organization needs some structure in order to be successful). The problem with being your own boss, is that you are also in charge of figuring out your own rewards and compensation for your all hard work! So I echo Amanda, you need to do some soul-searching of your own to find those things that fill you up and rejuvenate you, and then make sure they are happening!

I was lucky to attend TOFW a couples weeks ago in Denver. Julie de Azevedo Hanks (a Studio 5 regular) asked us all to think about those things in life that bring us JOY. Make a list of those things, and that list will give you information about your individual life's mission and your true authentic self. Maybe there is something on that list that you have neglected or given up -- If so, she stressed the importance of not giving those things up, but to pay attention to those things because they are a part of our true identity.

She then went on to explain the many of us moms feel guilty or selfish for taking time to focus on and develop the things that bring us joy. She explained the difference between selfish and self-care:

Selfish: Doing what is in your best interest without regard to others.
Self-care: Doing what is in your best interest with regard to others.

So when we pay attention to self-care, we are more able to focus and attend to the needs of others (like the 10 virgins example Amanda gave).

Finally, let's consider the two greatest commandments: Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and then thy Neighbor as thy Self.  If you will notice, WE are also included in commandment #2: we are to love and care for ourselves on the same level as we do for our neighbors (hubby and kids). It is the quintessential triangle relationship between the Lord, neighbor, and self - and if we neglect any point of the triangle, we are not living up to the two most important commandments.

Well, the novel tendency just must be genetic - I don't think any of us can communicate all we want to in a single sentence! And why should we? We are Naegles after-all. Love you sisters! 

S.O.S. to my Sisters!

I have to be honest, sisters, I have been feeling overwhelmed with being a stay at home mom for the past month! I know I should suck it up, but you girls are amazing examples of stay at home moms and I am realizing that I don't know how you do it. I am so used to going into the office three days a week, and coming home to a clean house and happy kids (most of the time). I have been home with the kids and my project of a house now for a month, and just broke down last night to Cesar about how hard it has been! Don't get me wrong, it's all I've ever wanted. As a kid I saw how much Mom wanted to be there for us, and how it broke her heart to leave us, and ever since then my aspiration has been to be there for my kids and not work outside the home. I am realizing I should be careful what I ask for, because sometimes Heavenly Father gives it to me! :) I guess I've been feeling like a little 50's housewife, where my sole purpose in life is raising kids and cleaning house and cooking dinner and sewing little projects, and I need to get used to the different way I am receiving thanks for the the work I am doing. At work I would get praised for my work and effort, and there was always a smile and a pleasant "thank you" for a job well done. I put the same effort in at home and what thanks do I get? Another mess, another sink of dirty dishes, another temper tantrum or crying/whining from the kids, another poopy diaper, another day of feeling overwhelmed with this thankless job of being a mom. There are definitely moments where Maya will snuggle into my shoulder, or Rosie will tackle me with a hug and a kiss, and I am happier than I ever thought possible. I suppose I just struggle with making those small and fleeting moments sustain me in feeling thanked and fulfilled to give me the gusto to keep doing it all. Since I know it will be a while before we can get together I wanted to tap into the best network of amazing, loving moms I have: my sisters! Any advice you can give, I will soak it up...

Summer Daze

What a summer... It has been so full of family fun that I feel like I haven't spent enough time with my friends. Even though most of you have been at the family functions it's like passing by on the freeway :) Kids sure consume our lives now, don't they?

To tell you the truth I can't imagine being happier living my life any other way. I mean, I get to spend my days with little friends I love so much it almost overwhelms me when I think about it. But it definitely leaves little time for the old fashioned emotional tune up of spending time with my girls.

Just thought I would get on here and thank you all for being so important in my life. I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see Amanda, Sarah, and Jessy in the delivery room after surgery. I knew that Lizzy, Mom and Matt were there in spirit. Its like the other sisters were representing you because you guys belong at the most important moments in my life.

I am so lucky to have you. Just wanted to remind you how important you are to me individually.

Your Children Want YOU!

In this Pinterest world, may we remember the wisdom discovered by this mom found here. And may we make it a point to enjoy both Mom and Grandma while we have them (that part made me tear up).

Just wanted to share something that brightened my day!

Flash Forward

Here is today's poll: who is this? Emily and Liz?

Thanks for doing the girls night last night everyone.

I am so grateful to be surrounded by such positive influences.
I am so grateful we can make each other laugh.
I am so grateful that you all make me feel safe enough to cry.
I am so grateful to know I will always have my crazy ol' sisters
who can make my life's challenges
seem not so bad.

What a fun life we have ahead of us, as long as we have each other. :)