Secrets of Being a Good Mommy {part 2}

First of all, I thought it was Monday!  =)

Second, when I realized it was Tuesday, I then realized I had an appointment to check the baby's heartbeat and such!  I was only a minute late...literally, I got there at 11:31!

Third, this has nothing to do with my post, but I have officially entered the 3rd trimester!  YAY!

Now, on to the post...the post that's only about 5 hours late...

But it's oh so good!

This is {part 2} to our "Secrets of Being a Good Mommy"...

If you missed {part 1} check it out...

It was posted last Tuesday...

As you know, I didn't want to paraphrase what these amazing mothers said...so I'm quoting exactly what they've said...

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"What's the secret to being a good mommy?"

Lovely mommy #2's response: 

"...The first thing that came to mind when I pondered about a "secret" to being a good mom, especially to young children was something I learned from MY Mom and Dad...that we humans need to learn from the birds, and raise our children to leave the nest.  Thankfully, we get to have our babies in our nests alot longer than birds do, but the philosophy is sound.  Sometimes it seems like parent keep their children's wings clipped, selfishly, in an attempt to keep them near.  Unfortunately, it seems to either cripple them (they never learn to make their own decisions or clean up their own messes) or drive them away.  I think it's better to teach our children to fly and make their way in life.

The next thing I thought of is something that was always important to me, and both of the girls have mentioned to me since they have become independent adults that it was important to them, too...It is simply this:  If you SAY you're going to do something, them be sure you DO it.

Third and last, it's NEVER too early or too late to start reading to your child!  Reading is the basis of all other learning and the key to a whole other universe.

I know these things are not earth shattering, maybe not even unique, but they're the best general advice I can offer..."

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How lovely is that?!  I LOVED her "general advice", didn't you?!

Since reading her letter, I've looked at the birds differently.  Each day I see or hear a bird, I think of how I can teach my sweet children how to fly on their own.  I want them to be functional adults and caring members of society.  Even a corrupt society is a society in which we can teach our children how to rise above and beyond!

I love, "If you SAY you're going to do something, then be sure that you DO it!"...  I'm sure that goes for good ((like Chuck E. Cheese or Dairy Queen)) or not so good ((like timeout or following through with a punishment))...  I think our children will benefit greatly from learning from their parents how to keep their word.  If we don't have anything to give, at least we'll have our word to give.

Reading is one of my favorite things to do with my children!!    Although sometimes I'm not in the mood to read, because I love to really get into it.  And anyone that knows me, knows I'm just a tiny bit on the dramatic side...so I LOVE to really get into their books!  Plus, they have a blast when I do!  So, I'm going to make a little commitment to myself, for my children, that I'm going to read to them...with our without the energy...I'm just gonna DO IT!!  Because I just SAID I would...and I'm also going to keep my word!

So mothers...we can do this!  We can learn to teach our sweets to fly, keep our word, and just read more!!

Stay tuned for {part 3} coming NEXT Tuesday!

Till next week...

the REAL Life: set to music

Here is a bit of fun for all you Moms and Dads! Found these two videos on YouTube and almost peed my pants. So, I thought I would share.


Awesome!

For the Moms

For the Dads

Fun Free Downloads

So I was watching a morning show this morning and saw they had these fun summer downloads on their website. So here you go. I have really been wanting to plan a fun yet organized summer. Anyone have any great ideas for getting the kids to do chores this summer? Post any fun ideas you have for this summer so we can all share!!!!

1. 4th of July Party Favors: Red, white and fun describe these sparkler cards and party favors from the always amazing Twig and Thistle.

Click here to download:

http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2009/07/diy-4th-of-july/


2. Vintage Lemonade Labels: Print these gorgeous labels from J Bartyn on sticker paper and adhere to your glass canisters for a super chic lemonade stand.

Click here to download:

http://www.jbartyn.com/downloads/2010/3/12/vintage-lemonade-labels.html

3. Travel Bingo: Love this car bingo game from Martha Stewart. Print, laminate and play using your favorite candy as markers.

Click here to download:

http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2007Q2/ka0507_carbingo.pdf

4. Jam Labels: Give the gift of your favorite strawberry jam with these darling labels from How About Orange.

Click here to download:

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2010/07/printable-jar-labels.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HowAboutOrange+%28How+About+Orange%29

5. Calendar Canning Labels: Unique and practical describe these canning labels from Sweet Preservation that let you both organize your pantry and commemorate your canning date or another special event.

Click here to download:

http://www.sweetpreservation.com/labels-crafts

6. Grass Clip Art: This Martha Stewart download makes the perfect background for a daisy sugar cookie. Packaged in cellophane and tied with a lovely ribbon, it makes a charming favor for a wedding shower or summer party.

Click here to download:

http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2011Q2/msl_0411_lemon_meringue_flowers.pdf

7. Summer Floral Gift Tags: These beautiful gift tags from Eat Drink Chic add the "wow" to a bouquet of flowers or a hostess gift.

Click here to download:

http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/post.cfm/summer-floral-gift-tags

8. Children's Chore Chart: This colorful children's chore chart by ModEco Kids offers a new perspective on "chores".

Note: The original download from modecokids.com is no longer available. The download is currently available from the Sutton Grace blog.

Click here to download:

http://suttongrace.blogspot.com/2011/03/chore-chart.html

feel good feeling

i am sure most of you are aware of the devastating tornado that ripped through joplin, missouri on sunday evening. if you didn't already know, a few of us s@hm's are just an hour away from joplin. the people of that community are our neighbors, and our hearts hurt for their losses. we live every day knowing what tornadoes can do, but when it really hits, so massively, this close to home...there are really no words.

on monday, s@hm sunny came up with the brilliant idea of kid fun paks...check out her post if you missed it! there is a lot of help and love pouring into the joplin area, and we wanted to pitch in as well...as moms, our lives revolve around our children and much of our day is consumed with playing and fun. these fun paks will be donated to the children of the joplin tornado, to give them a little something that is theirs again...and something to do to pass the long hours while they can't play outside or hang out on the couch playing video games. this project will continue well beyond the joplin tragedy...we hope to have a continual stash and be ready to send these fun paks to kids in any disaster.

i gathered my kiddos on monday night and we put together a few of these fun paks as a family. i was going to take pictures...but as we all know, i am the master of missed photo opportunities. if there is an occasion i would like documented on film, i am sure to leave my camera at home...or in my purse...or the car...i have even been known to hold the darn thing in my hand all through a child's performance and never snap a single shot. so you get the point...i didn't take any pictures. however, eventhough i can't photographically prove it, my kids had a good time. they kept saying how good they felt, how they were excited for some kids to have these fun paks. i am so glad i included them in this service opportunity!

so the challenge (and call for your help!) continues!! if you are able to make some fun paks yourself--or with your family--send them to s@hm sunny...if you don't really have time or don't want to mail them but would like to help, cash donations are also accepted. it's a great way to extend our "mothering" to children in need...and i'm pretty sure it will ease the hearts of the moms, too!

Secrets of Being a Good Mommy {part 1}

So I asked 3 of the most lovely mothers I know a question...

It was simply, "What's the secret to being a good mommy?"...

Now, there are SO many lovely mothers I know!  Too many to ask...

The reason I asked these particular lovely mother was because all of their children are grown!

All of their children are just as lovely as their mothers...so their mothers must have done something right!  <3  

I am going to give each of their responses their own day...

Each gave such beautiful answers and I am so grateful to them for taking the time to answer the question!  I love you three women with all my heart!

And I thought over and over about saying what they said in my own words...but decided against that!  You should hear straight from them!  The responses are just TOO BEAUTIFUL!

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"What's the secret to being a good mommy?"

Lovely mommy #1's response:


"Thank you for asking me to comment on this...not sure I am really qualified but I will share a few thoughts.


1) Remember who your children are...remember we admire in adults what we can't stand in children.  They come to us with amazing personalities and each one is so different.  We need to learn to see, love and appreciate each child and nurture their tremendous potential.


2) Take time with your children...nothing will make up for the time you did not spend with them. Time spent developing talents, really listening to them, not judging, playing and laughing will never be regretted.  Time spent away from our children chasing after selfish desires will always be regretted.  


3) Never miss prayers, scripture study, and FHE (Family Home Evening)...the very fabric of our families testimonies.  These times should be regarded as sacred and essential to the entire families welfare!


Anyway...just a few quick thoughts..."

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How beautiful was that, ladies?!  

I particularly took some time to ponder, "we admire in adults what we can't stand in children"...

What does that really mean?  Maybe it's something different for each of us...personally...it was about how I look at my children's behavior.  I love a girlfriend that will just sit and talk with me!  Absolutely love it!  Sometimes when my kids want to talk to me it drives me crazy and I tell them to be quiet...  I love a girlfriend that will tell me the truth and help me be a better mommy!  But when my children correct me I snap at them and tell them how disrespectful they're being...  

I've decided I'm going to admire those qualities in my own sweet children!  I LOVE THEM!

I also have been taking extra time to let the advice "nothing will make up for time you did not spend with them...time spent away from our children chasing after selfish desires will always be regretted..."...  I don't want to regret any time away from my children.  I want to appreciate each mommy moment with my children even during hectic times!  

I can 2nd her advice to never miss prayers, scripture study, and FHE!  Our family is just not "on track" the days we miss any of those!  I've seen and felt how much we need those in our lives to bond as a family and grow individually!  And we have been told so many times that our children may not remember exactly what was said or taught...but they will always remember the spirit and feelings they've had!  What a sweet blessing...

Stay tuned for lovely mommy #2's response next Tuesday!!!  =)

Kid Fun PakS

In an effort to help out the families in Joplin Missouri we are making Kid Fun Paks! If you would like to help in these efforts please contact me Sunny via facebook or email.

Also, my friend Janessa Winter is collecting childrens clothing, labeled by size and gender 2-3 outfits to a baggie.

We are excited for this opportunity to serve and hope that you along with us will include these individuals in your prayers and thoughts.

Just some thoughts

I watched Oprah today. I mean I record it everyday, but today was a part II to yesterdays show and I purposefully sat down and watched it today @ a little after 4. It was an extended interview with James Frey. You may remember all of the crazy that came out when he wrote a book called A Million Little Pieces. Oprah made it her book club selection and then come to find out it wasn't a memoir and everything just exploded from there. I don't think his initial intent was to harm or deceive anyone. I think it just happened and before he could stop it, it was outta control. However, regardless of all that mess it was what happened during the interview this time that really got me teary eyed.

Oprah seemed so humbled and Mr. Frey also. It was a situation where you could see pure forgiveness on both parts unfolding before your eyes. Have you ever seen or maybe been in a situation like that? I mean to give forgiveness and to receive it in the same moment? It was beautiful.

It made me of course think about life...in general how we treat others, respect, love etc...it made me want to be better, to have more compassion...it made me realize there is always more to the story and more to a person than I might initially see. One person may struggle with something that just comes naturally to me and that's ok. I can still love and accept them without understanding fully. It doesn't mean being blind or acting as though you are ignorant to those issues. It just means, for me, letting a person be... and allowing them to discover themselves at their own pace. I could let go of expectations and enjoy them more for who they are and not what I think they should be.

Simple thoughts really, but I guess if I allow myself to live by them I'd be so much better of a daughter, friend, sister, wife and mom.

What happens when two S@HM's take a vacation together?

 Well first, we remember...we are two HOTT mama's!

 We then learn that I am afraid of snorkeling and swimming with STING RAYS...and Jill is just a natural!

so hilarious

However, I do believe I beat her down the water slide!

Also we realize, a floatation device in the middle of the ocean is a lot harder to get onto than it appears...

Only a woman with extreme upper body strength and the will of steal could overcome...which you can see, we conquered...completely exhausted of course.

 In the end, we missed our babies and we were so ready to get back home! Thankful for the break from our reality, but anxious to get back to being a  S@HM!

just proof that we brought the guys along...





recycling war

"mom, can i dump out all the granola bars and take the box to school to recycle?"

"sure, babe."

"mom, can i take all the jello boxes to school to recycle? that way you won't know what flavor of jello is in the package!"

"sure, babe."

"mom, can i have all the rest of the boxes in the pantry?"

"sure, babe."




"mom, can i recycle all the cereal boxes?"

"sure, babe."




is this a recycling war between classes...or between me and the school?

An Important Lesson

With Mother's Day coming up I know that we all get caught up in things we want and how we want/should be treated. But I ask you to take a step back and think about what your influence is as a mother and wife.
As I stopped to look at my family dynamics I noticed that I have more times when I think that I just need to be more kind and think more about how my actions effect our family.....especially with my husband and helping he to be the Dad that he wants to be.
So, in my thought a friend of mine happened to read me this quote yesterday that fit like a glove!

"Once I learned an important lesson from my wife. I traveled extensively in my profession. I had been gone almost two weeks and returned home one Saturday morning. I had four hours before I needed to attend another meeting. I noticed that our little washing machine had broken down and my wife was washing the clothes by hand. I began to fix the machine.

Jeanene came by and said, “Rich, what are you doing?”

I said, “I’m repairing the washing machine so you don’t have to do this by hand.”

She said, “No. Go play with the children.”

I said, “I can play with the children anytime. I want to help you.”

Then she said, “Richard, please go play with the children.”

When she spoke to me that authoritatively, I obeyed.

I had a marvelous time with our children. We chased each other around and rolled in the fall leaves. Later I went to my meeting. I probably would have forgotten that experience were it not for the lesson that she wanted me to learn.

The next morning about 4:00 a.m., I was awakened as I felt two little arms around my neck, a kiss on the cheek, and these words whispered in my ear, which I will never forget: “Dad, I love you. You are my best friend.”

If you are having that kind of experience in your family, you are having one of the supernal joys of life."

-Richard G. Scott, The Eternal Blessings of Marriage, 2011

As I wiped away the tears thinking about how much I would love to see my husband and son playing on Mother's Day and building a strong loving relationship all because I was willing to serve them....that would be an awesome Mother's Day!

bargain shopping

i love a good bargain as much as the next guy (mom). however, garage sales are one avenue i just haven't figured out how to tap...and i don't lose any sleep over that. waking up at 5am on a saturday to rummage through strangers' junk...no thanks.

my children feel differently. their little blue eyes light up like skee ball at chuck e cheese when anyone in our neighborhood starts to fill tables on their driveway. i gave in the first few times and let them take a quarter to snag some loot. but garage sales became off-limits when they came home with a black garbage bag full of urine-scented stuffed animals and a small collection of spanish war knives. wow, treasures.

last weekend the nice lady up the street decided it was time to redecorate her house. no sense in throwing away perfectly good faded silk flowers...surely someone would snatch them up at only $2 a vase!

and who wouldn't love a picture frame from "aruba"?! i mean, now i don't need to go all the way there to buy the souvenir myself! awesome...

last time i checked, none of my daughters were named "andrea". but maybe she wants to try it out...before she makes it official, you know.



it's about time for us to have a garage sale and unload all these fantastic finds to other bargain shoppers!!

"Chose Your Love...Love Your Choice"

...The Christ centered relationship that should exist between a man and a woman...

I recently got the chance to go to a fireside for couples...
It was lovely...and for the life of me I cannot remember the name of the man that gave it!
((so anyone that was there feel free to comment and tell me his name))

He asked questions that really had me thinking...
((I know, I know, that can be dangerous!))
He asked, "If you were Satan and you had thousands of years of practice, how would you destroy marriages in 2011?"...

Good question, no?!

Answers included: 'make couples too busy'...'financial problems such as debt'...'communication problems'...'convince us to doubt marriage'...etc...

He told us that we needed to be "defenders of marriage" and to live it so our children will see that marriage is an essential part of our happiness and part of our eternity!

That also had me thinking...
((lots and lots of thinking took place!))

I really want to be a defender of marriage!  I want my children to find not only find joy in their marriages but joy in mine!  I want them to see their parents fighting for the sanctity of marriage and to see their parents happy for living the commandments of the Lord!

He stated 3 principles to help build/believe in a good marriage:
(1)  COMMITMENT
     - We must be fiercely loyal to our spouses...
     - We must take the time to nurture our relationships...to make them grow...
     - We must pray for love to make weaknesses in our mate seem small...

*Side Note*  I recently reread in a book, "Love Dare", that patience is "giving your spouse permission to be human"!  How true that is!  We all long to be human and make mistakes, don't you think our spouses feel the same way?

     - We must cleave unto our spouse and non else but God...

*Another Side Note*  He asked what distracted us from our spouses...then to ask our spouse this question:  "Would it help you or our marriage if I give _________ (fill in the blank with your personal distraction) up?"...In my case it would be excessive FB use!  I'm sure that would help our marriage if I left that out!  Everything in moderation, ladies!

(2)  UPLIFTING COMMUNICATION
     -  Find ways to celebrate and make life a joyous experience...
     - "What we need is idealism tempered with realism"...
     - Want to learn and do not resent it...
     - Remember that "a soft answer turneth away wrath"...
     - When your spouse is longing for love and affection, do not keep it from him, freely give it!

(3) SEEK AND EXTEND FORGIVENESS
     - Not only forgive each other out loud but also in your hearts...
     - Control negative thoughts in your marriage...

*Side Note*  With that he said to not say or think things like, "My spouse always does that!" or "I'm not gonna do that because he doesn't do this!"...

*Yes, Another Side Note*  He also said that God gave us families to help us become who He wants us to be!  With our family, we get a chance to forgive and be forgiven every day.  We get a chance to show love and compassion and charity every day!  What a beautiful blessing...

He lastly reminded that in order to become an eternal marriage, we have to become an eternal people!  How will our children know what righteous men and women of God look like if we don't show them?  How will they know how to act and love if they don't learn it from us?  How will they agree with marriage and long for it and look forward to it if we can't show them it's the greatest blessing we've yet received?

I wish you all could have been there!  It was such an informative and uplifting fireside!  We can take that same advice and actually apply it to any and every relationship!  But I think that with our spouses is a good place to start!!

Till next week...

Internet update and a FAB idea!

Ok so I went without the world wide web for almost a whole TWO weeks...I know the first week was totally voluntary and I thought it would do me some good to refocus, really take in my daily activities and such, and well I guess it did. Until that is, I realized that due to our move I wouldn't have Internet for ANOTHER week! Ughh I missed it. It's somewhat of an escape for me. Maybe it is for you too? However, I still stand by the process of making important things come first...you know, the whole do your dishes, throw in a load of laundry, read your child a book and such, before sitting down to chat with your bff on fb after just getting off the phone with her 15 minutes before while doing hohum chores...I don't know, just a personal opinion I guess.

ANYWAY on to more important things...Like my FAB idea, that really wasn't my idea. However it was an idea made for me by one of my besties. And since I actually am the one who has followed through on it... I shall claim it as my own from here on out:) (thanks Angela!)

I LOVE to journal. I have a ton of them. I still have my very first diary from the age of 11, which by the way I may burn on my death bed. They really are so embarrassing, but so very hilarious. I can't tell you how many little boys I proclaimed to "love" and the pure DRAMA that was written throughout the years.

I have a mad journal. Ummm I don't really "encourage" this kind of journal however. It tends to piss you off all over again about things you have long since forgotten.

I have journals filled with my deepest secrets, desires and dreams. I have online journals.  I even have a "spiritual" journal, which lets be honest here...this is the only one I will make copies of for my children when I'm 80.

I also have a journal that is just about my kids. On one side it reads "it was the best of times" and then you flip it over and on the other side it reads "it was the worst of times". You of course would make an entry on either side and then eventually they come together. Maybe you've seen one like this? I can't wait to fill it!

The sad sad truth here is that I don't make as much time as I use to for my journaling. Some days seem to run together and before I know it I've had all these moments that I should have written about, that I just didn't take time to.

This my dear friends is where that FAB idea comes into play. We are all busy! However, I know your kids are just as HILARIOUS and adorable as mine. We have to cherish those moments by writing them down so that we can remember them FOREVER!

Get yourself an index card box. Fill it with blank index cards. Tape a pen to the top of the box and place the box on your kitchen counter, for easy access. Anytime the kids do something that you just don't want to ever forget...a cute smile, nice manners, choice of clothing, funny sayings...write them on a card and date it with the child's name at the top (or somewhere on it), once you fill a box, get another. Eventually you will have enough on each child to fill an individual box of their own individual fun stories from when they were little on up. It will be a cherished item for everyone in the family! Guaranteed or your money back! This idea only takes a few dollars and a few moments. Do it!