far greater and more important....

It's not an easy job...being a mom.  I was reading some quotes by a great man named Spencer W Kimball who had some incredible a powerful things about motherhood.  It seems that he understands what a lot of people in our day and age have forgotten...that motherhood is one of the most important jobs on earth.  To women, he said, "...you are to become a career woman in the greatest career on earth--that of homemaker, wife, and mother."  He went on to talk about how the home is the best place for us, and when compared to working outside the home or for pay his response was, "They have a far greater and more important service to render".

I think that sometimes as full-time wives and mothers we feel like we have the "easy job".  The one that doesn't contribute as much because we don't bring in a paycheck.  I felt so encouraged and inspired by the words "they have far greater and more important service to render."  When I really work at it, I feel the divinity of my job as wife and mother in my home.  I feel like making my house a clean, organized, happy haven for my family, making sure everyone has wholesome food to eat and clean clothes to wear; and making sure my baby knows his mom will always be there with smiles and kisses...those are important things.  But when you're knee deep in laundry, up to your elbows in dishes and behind on everything else it's hard remember that there's some divine role stuck in all of it.  Hope this serves as a good reminder - I know that's what it did for me.

"Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world...This ability and willingness properly to rear children, the gift to love, and eagerness, yes, longing to express it in soul development, make motherhood the noblest office or calling in the world. She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, . . . deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God..."    

-David McKay

well....

So my cousin has 2 little boys ages 4 and 7 months.  She just went back to work, and I've been watching her kids while she figures out a permanent solution for them.  They are both as sweet as sugar, but the 4-year-old has got enough personality to go around.

The other day he was eating his highly nutritious lunch of mac n cheese and carrots, and when I thought he was all done, he asked for more mac n cheese.  My most responsible answer was, "I'll give you more carrots..."  to which he replied in his sassiest voice, "Well I'm not hungry!"  He sure told me.  humph. ;)

Best Quote on Motherhood

The best quote I have ever read on motherhood was this one from Marjorie Hinckley, mother of five. She was speaking to teenaged kids about life and said:

"Did you ever stop to think what a terrible responsibility you are to your parents? Not only are they required to feed you and clothe you and educate you, but from the moment you were placed in their keeping it became their responsibility to see that you are taught to live a life that is fitting for a child of God...What a staggering responsibility! We feel it. Most of the mistakes we make are because we love you so much. We are so anxious for you to do your best that we get clumsy in our anxiety. We don't know how to communicate with you and we bungle. But it is only because we love you. And you had better appreciate it, because no one will love you as much. Your husband will love you, your wife will love you, but let me disillusion you right now - it will not be the way your mother and father love you. Theirs is as close to an unselfish love as we know on this earth."

I'm not sure exactly why I love this so much. I guess it makes me think of my own mom and dad and the great love they feel for me. It gets me thinking about my mother-in-law. I love my husband very VERY much, and this post makes me love her more because of the enormous amount of love I know she feels for him.

To me it is easy to love my son unconditionally, and sometimes I feel guilty for not feeling that way to more of the people I know and love. The way Marjorie Hinckley puts it, I feel like I'm supposed to feel the way I feel. There really is nothing like the love of a mother and I am so so so happy to be on both ends of that love.

Leto - goddess of motherhood

There is nothing like being a mom. I have never sacrificed so much, slept so little or loved so deeply as I have as a mother. I'm sure I'm not very different from other moms. I love my baby so much sometimes that I almost feel like I'll throw up. I feel so much anxiety about feeding him the right things, making sure he gets enough sleep, enough attention, enough 'tummy time', and I constantly worry about his safety, health and I'm sure everything else. I plan my life around nap time and feedings because to me life is just easier and happier with a content baby than with a grumpy one.

Hopefully you can find some advice that helps you in your mothering, but mostly I hope you can find companionship and an encouraging word once in a while. Cause you know as a mother we all need it.