her words

A delightful treat to read on mothers day. Written in their own words, typos and all, with the help of questions to prompt.




Funny, nice, helpful, and silly
Mother of... Megan, Bella, and Tess
Lover of...kids, art, and chocolate
Who feels...loved, cared for, and awsame
Who needs...love, family, and friends
Who gives...kisses, warm hugs, and lovings
Who would licke... to see world, future, and jungle.
Love, Megan

You are special because...you buy our food we need, and you make the food to feed us and be healthy.
I like it when...you help me when I need it, and draw with me.
I think your best at...art, photography, sewing, dealing with kids.
I like to make you smile...by smiling back, making funny jokes.
You are as pretty...as a daisy, sunset, sky on a bright sunny day.
You are smart! You even know...mathematics, what's under my bed, where to put things and what to do at the right time.
When I'm at school my mom...goes shopping, laundry, reads, nap, clean, makes food, pictures, talk with friends, pull some weeds in the garden, call on phone, do her photography class, make plans for the week, make brownies.
My mother worries about...our rooms not being clean, bad grades, me practicing my piano, clean clothes, getting hurt, going places on my own.
The most important thing about her life...is love and her family.
Love, Tess

[I'm sharing the projects they did in school, so the other thoughtful words, including Bella's, I will keep for me]

After I stopped smiling after such a delightful morning with breakfast in bed and sweet thoughtful words from each of my girls -- wait I never really did stop smiling -- I couldn't help be grateful for them for coming into my life and making my dreams come true of becoming a mother. As i assume you mothers know, it hasn't always been exactly what I imagined, how could you really know what you're in for. It has certainly tried my patience, made me question myself, but it has, aside from starting a life with adam, been the greatest thing I've ever had the chance to experience. I am most blessed to have my three and I certainly wouldn't want it any other way.

I hope all you lovely mothers had a fabulous day!

i always want to remember...

[megan's bunny ears]

...what it sounds like when I hear the pitter patter of little feet heading to my door.
...what it feels like to have your smallness snuggle up with me in the early hours of the morning.
...giving you wet face kisses straight out of the shower.
...when you ask if we can paint together.
...when you wrote, "You're nice and kind even when you're frustrated. You appreciate me and my sisters for who we are. When things get hard, I can always turn to you for advice. I would never trade you for another mom."



..your eagerness to help me, even when it's chores around the house.
...they way you stumble over unfamiliar words as you read the scriptures.
...how you open up and share your heart.
...watching you run to the car after school, out of breath, eager to tell me what happened that day.
...your laughter while you play imaginary games outside.



...what it feels like to have the five of us eating dinner together each night.
...the shrinky-dink necklace you made for me.
...the look on your face when you beat me at a card game.
...your excitement when I ask, "Do you want to make cookies?"
...that you would choose a fruit bowl over candy.


[photos taken mother's day morning, straight out of bed, by adam]

...seeing how happy you get when I volunteer in your classroom.
...listening to you make up songs with your sisters.
...the way we dance to Michael Jackson in the kitchen while we cooked dinner.
...that your not afraid to ask me about anything.
...that I'm the first person you come to for comfort when you're sad.
...when you said, "my favorite thing about my mom is that she is my mom for eternity."


I wish I could slow down time, just a bit. I'm loving where we're at right now.
Life is good.

monday miscellany | photos

Right before I took this she was singing at the top of her lungs One Day by Matisyahu. Happy memory of her.


When I got home from St. George Adam had completely change our living room around. He removed our non-dining room table and rearranged the furniture to add more seating. I liked his changes, but there is a little something that doesn't quite feel right to me...can't figure it out though.


There's a little mama robin right outside my bedroom protecting her soon to be born babies. We are all looking forward to their birth-day.


Friday night we went to the girls art night at school. It's a fundraiser where they have a silent auction and you're able to walk through the school and see a bunch of the art projects they have been working on. Shown here is Tess' mask, apparently they hung it upside down, Bella's beehive and Megan's drawings of animals.


Saturday before mother's day the 5 of us went out to celebrate. So grateful to have the four of them in my life.


I received 25 thank yous from Tess' classmates for helping with junior achievement teaching them about how communities work. It totally made my day.

no one perfect way...

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children...What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." ~Elder M. Russell Ballard

[self portrait | 8 May]

There have been many years where the weight of motherhood pressed heavily on me. I never felt like a good mother. Never felt I measured up to this sacred roll I was given. I've definitely grown a lot as a woman and mother these last 10 years. I'm not perfect, never going to be perfect, and I no longer feel the pressure that I have to be. I love my three girls completely and that love is what motivates me to do my best and keep going even when I think I can't. Bella sent me an email a few months ago asking me, "Is it hard being a mother?" It really made me think. I didn't know what to say so I told her the truth. Motherhood is the most challenging, yet greatest thing I've ever done in my life. I wouldn't change it for anything.

I am who I am today because of them and what they've taught me. Girls I love you more than words can express and I thank God daily that they're mine forever.

I love girls.
I love you mom.


Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there fighting the good fight!

a day to celebrate.

My sweet husband made me this card that I love. I always love the cards he makes for me. He also gave me the new Jewel CD which I have heard is good. I haven't had time to listen to the whole thing, but will give my review when I do. I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband that is willing to work with me and love me through it all. Love him dearly and couldn't do this life without him.

Here are the gifts from my dear sweet girls. Getting a homemade gift just couldn't get any better. I remember making things for my parents and being so thrilled to give it to them. I also was excited when I would go to my dad's office and see them on display. So receiving them now is such a treat.




from tess


























from megan








Mother's Day has always been the holiday where I reflect on how I am doing and what I could do better. All I will say now is I am pleased with my outlook on the coming year. I know what I need to do. I feel confident. Of course I am no fool. I know it is very hard...they sure can drive me nuts, but they constantly keep me laughing. Constantly keep me feeling loved. Constantly pushing me to be the best mother I can be. And that makes it all worth it.

Today has been full of all good things.

It's amazing what happens when you are ready to hear something. When you've allowed the spirit to touch your soul. Couldn't have had a better day so far and looking forward to spending sometime with my mother.

The YW lesson today was about individual worth, but more specifically about our purpose in life. We all have been brought to earth at this time for a reason. I have been thinking a lot about this as I feel like I may know what my true purpose is and have been fighting with myself about it do to my own selfishness. It feels good to surrender. To listen to my heart. Focus on the things that bring me happiness.