JUST BE

I have a great friend who I attended school with whom I look up to as a wonderful inspiring woman and mother. She has made me do a little soul searching with some of my day to day activities and obligations. I have used a few words from her great post and hope she doesn’t mind. Thank you for the little reminder of living each day to JUST BE!

One of the things that I have always been sure of is that I don’t want an overscheduled family. In April’s General Conference, Elder Ballard gave a poignant talk that empathized with young mothers. In it, he quoted the author Anna Quindlen, who 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.” (Loud and Clear [2004], 10-11) (M. Russell Ballard, The Ensign, 2008 General Conference address, 108 – 110)

This makes me cry. With a new one week old baby (Molly) and a 2 year old (Ella), I am aware that each day their babyhood, their childhood, is fleeting, I also know that life as a young mom will never be enough to chase away the yearning I will have when I am much older to see my babies as babies again. I have learned you will constantly be battling between maintaining and enjoying. I remember this as I am outside swinging at the park with Ella Jane and telling her it’s time to go home to take a nap or make dinner, or have a bath.

I need to SIMPLIFY! What does it mean to simplify my day-to-day life? I think it means, planning ahead household cleaning and other responsibilities, compounding all errands into one afternoon and forgiving and forgetting the things that don’t go as I had planned. I can’t change the fact that my husband, Spencer will spend a good portion of time at school or work; what I can affect is the carefree, childhood days my children have.

“I know that there can be joy in the doing and maintaining, but I want to create for my kids the opportunity to just be.” To take a walk to the park or blow bubbles in the backyard with no plans to go inside. To read stories and play pony’s and barbies without letting my mind wander to the heaping pile of dirty laundry that needs washed and folded or the bathroom that needs to be cleaned. To pull a stool up to the counter while making chocolate chip cookies (Ella’s favorite!) to teach them that responsibility is more fun when we do it together. To go to the park and wrestle and play when dad gets home, rather than run errands or participate in too many organized activities. This is what I want to do. I feel very satisfied with my life. I know it’s only going to get busier and more complicated so for today, I’ll make the decision to “JUST BE.”

Our Little Girls

Baby Ella Jane November 16, 2006
Baby Molly Ruth August 23, 2008
Ella Jane was 7 lbs. 15 oz and 19 inches long
Molly Ruth was 7 lbs. 14 oz and 20 inches long

We think that Ella and Molly look pretty similar except that Ella was much more chubby and Molly is a little skinny girl. We love having two little girls.

Kary-Ing Kitty

Angel's Snot continued...

A few minutes after sharing his moment with Sally, Travis got bored and decided to chase the cat.

Is it Love?

Travis has a lot of friends in our apartment building. In this pic, he is sharing the hose with a girl named Sally. They are covered in Angel's Snot (corn starch and water) and fighting over the hose. However, when viewed afterwards, the picture (look, they're staring deep into each other's eyes) may suggest a hint of Romance:)

Congratulations!!

Thanks for sending the text message Spencer, she's so cute!  Another grandkid with the Clark cheeks :)

Fat Cat's Bowling and Pizza!

What a fun family outing. Julie and Clint were down from Idaho so my family went out to fat cats and did some fun bowling. Ella had a great time. She actually bowled well....with a little help from the kid ramp they have.
And yes....if any of you are wondering....I am still sporting a big belly with great bowling shoes in this photo...not my best modeling shot sorry! I was hoping bowling would help move things along...I am ready to pop any day now....hopefully sooner than later!

Great Movie Line...

Who Are You?

For all the Jane Austen fans out there, this is for you...

Take the Quiz here!

Vampire Baby

Look close, can you see his fangs?