THE BEST EVER!!!

One of my favorite phrases to hear my kids say is... "that was the best ____ ever!" For example, I blogged about Natilee's statement once, "that was the best snow trip ever!" It fills my soul with joy to hear those words! We had a family reunion camp-out this last weekend and Ramsay took a really long nap. When she woke up, she declared... "That was the best nap ever!" and it was!!! It brought out something in her that is rare to see. Later I introduced all the kids to my cousin, Sue. Ramsay stepped forward (with no prompting from me) and shook Sue's hand and said, "hi, nice to meet you", which is quite out of character for her. Then Sue said, she'd like to have all the kids tell her their name and whose child there are. Ramsay was the first to chime in and she said, "my name is Ramsay and I belong to Amy"... Ha, ha! Amy and I both dropped our jaw in astonishment! Who is this kid?! besides the fact that it's a really funny story about Ramsay, I think I'll make that my new motto!

"THAT'S THE BEST EVER!!!"

What I've learned as a mother...

I was asked to speak in church on Mother's Day.  It seems to have gone over pretty well.  Some of you wanted to read it, so here it is...    

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!     J

I am so blessed to have 6 incredible children, and 1 fantastic son-in-law… I’m so happy to have all of them here today, except for my son, who is finishing up his last week at college for this semester. Heavenly Father new I needed so much help that he blessed me with the very best!  They’ve tolerated and survived my many mistakes and weaknesses and they love me anyway.  I am truly grateful to them for that!

In THE FAMILY PROCLAMATION, it states: “the first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood and… that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.”  Heavenly Father has commanded us to become parents!  This applies to both men and women, but since I am a mother and today is Mothers Day, I’ve been asked to share What I’ve learned as a Mother.  

On sharing what I’ve learned as a mother, my disclaimer is that I have learned so much but I have definitely not perfected these qualities, and as my children can attest, I am still very much in the learning stage.

As I discuss these things, I also want to be sensitive to those who have not had the opportunity to have children of their own by emulating the words of our prophets and apostles in saying that such childless women have the opportunity, privilege and obligation to love and serve the youth of the world by mothering in their own way, to lead and love and teach in whatever way they are able.  As they use their talents and abilities to assist in bringing up the next generation, they will ultimately have all of the opportunities, blessings and privileges that come with motherhood.

Our Heavenly Father’s plan is perfect!  He knew there was no better way for us to learn and grow, and to develop God-like qualities, than by becoming parents.  Parenthood gives us the opportunity to develop and practice the skills we need to become like Him, to become God’s and Goddesses.   

As a mother, I’ve learned to appreciate diversity and to recognize divinity in others:  My oldest daughter, Claudia, once told me, (and yes, it was in a moment of frustration for her) that just because a parent is older than a child, doesn’t mean that their spirit is more mature… and I have humbled myself to believe that this is true.  All spirits come to earth with different strengths and abilities, different spiritual gifts, “that all might be profited thereby”.  I have learned that if we will observe and acknowledge the innate strengths that our children have, there is much we can learn from them.  Because some of my children don’t necessarily fit into, what I call, the “normal” peghole, I’ve grown to recognize the talents and qualities that are uniquely theirs.  I’ve been able to learn to appreciate my own talents and to be more accepting of myself and others because I see that we don’t all fit into the same peghole.  As children of God, we all have something valuable to contribute in our own special way.   Because of the wonderful and unique qualities that my children have, I have a desire to be a better person and develop and share my talents with others.

As a mother, I’ve learned to serve:  There is much work involved in being a mother.  You start out with a little infant and they depend on you for everything!   It can be exhausting at times caring for a young child and when you add multiple children, older children with bigger problems,.. etc… it can still be very emotionally and physically exhausting.  With the work that is required to care for and raise a family, a mother can feel overwhelmed, overworked, and under appreciated… I’ve felt that way at times… but I’ve learned that when you serve your family with a cheerful heart because you love them and because you want to serve them, the job becomes more pleasant.  As I’ve served my children and my family I’ve been able to develop my skills and that has increased my ability to serve others.

As a mother, I’ve learned to be grateful:  The Lord is so mindful of our needs and the needs of our children, there have been so many times that He has blessed and protected and watched over my children.  I am so grateful for his tender mercies as He blesses and watches over our family.

As a mother, I’ve learned humility:  As I’ve lacked the skills or the confidence to accomplish motherly tasks, I’ve had to turn to the Lord for strength.  I’ve been strengthened in receiving help from others.  I’ve had to admit many times when I was wrong… many, many times.  I’ve had to repent and humble myself to ask the forgiveness of my children… and they are so generous, they always forgive, and continue to love me despite my many weaknesses. 

As a mother, I’ve learned about responsibility and agency:  In helping my children to become intelligent, capable human beings, I’ve tried to help them to learn to make good choices and to take responsibility for their choices.  Proverbs 22:6 reads, “Train up a ^bchild in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  If a parent is too controlling, a child may be less capable of making correct choices on their own.  We can handicap our children by rescuing them all the time.  Sometimes we need to let them fail so that they can learn from the consequences of their mistakes, just as our Heavenly Father lets us make choices and learn from our mistakes.  Agency and Responsibility are an important part of our spiritual development.

As a mother, I’ve learned to pray and to have faith:  When my daughter Ramsay was born, she had some complications and was in the NICU at St. Joe’s hospital for 25 days, struggling for her life.  We were going back and forth to the hospital trying to take care of our other 3 children but wanting to spend every possible moment with her, not knowing if she would live or die.  Up to that point in my life, I had never prayed more or with more sincerity.   I learned a significant lesson to trust in Heavenly Father, to accept his will, to put everything in His hands and have faith that He knows what is best, for Ramsay, for me and for our family.  This is only one of the many times I’ve had opportunity to exercise my faith as a mother and have had my faith strengthened through prayer. 

As a mother, I’ve learned to have joy and peace in my life:  You can go around being grumpy and miserable all the time or you can choose to be happy.  If we focus mainly on the negative events, or the faults of our children, or our loved ones, or even strangers, we will miss seeing all the wonderful joyful things that life has to offer.  By focusing on our blessings and choosing to see the positive qualities in our children, and in others, we will be so much happier and that allows everyone around us to be happier.  A mother has a great influence on the atmosphere in her home.  Gloom and misery, or joy and peace!  It’s a choice!!!

As a mother, I’ve learned the importance of the Atonement:  I have a great concern about the physical and spiritual safety of my children.  I want to protect them from the evils of the world and the temptations of Satan.  I know that the best way to protect them is to help them to develop and strengthen their own testimony of the Savior and His atonement.  As I strive to instill these principles into the hearts of my children, my own testimony of the Savior is strengthened and I am better able to share it with others.

As a mother, I’ve learned to love and to be loved in return:   Mom’s love their kids!  It is said that along with the basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter, we all need love.  As I’ve prepared for this talk, I asked several great women what they’ve learned as a mom.  There were lots of cute answers… my sister said she learned that she was usually not right about anything… most moms can probably relate to that.  But the most common answer was, that there’s nothing better than a hug.  Kids, there’s nothing greater to a mom, than getting a hug from her child.  Mom’s love your little handmade gifts, and even your purchased ones, but think about this… a hug is free!  It doesn’t cost you anything!  And it doesn’t matter how old you are… whatever else you’ve given your mom today, give her a hug!  You will make her day!  And don’t just do it today, do it often!  She does so much for you… because she loves you. 

I’ve also learned that Heavenly Father loves each of his children no matter what!  When we are unlovable to most everyone else around us, Heavenly Father still loves us.  He wants us to be happy and he will help us if we ask Him.  As a mother, I sometimes feel there is a limit to what I can do to help my children.   When I feel that way, I pray for Heavenly Father to help them.  He knows what they need.  They are His children, too.  He has the capability to help them beyond my own abilities.  He can help them to overcome their greatest trials and their darkest moments.  Heavenly Father loves His children, and when a mother’s abilities are limited, she should turn to Him on behalf of her children.

(I then bore my testimony... which I will not share at this time.)

Praying for appendicitis...

Is it wrong to pray for my son to have appendicitis?!  Did Alma pray specifically for his son to fall to the earth and to be struck dumb?  (that would work too)  You know they tell us to be specific in our prayers... but how specific do we need to be?  Now mind you, my son is not out there trying to destroy the church... but this new crazy idea of his, to hitchhike across America, terrifies me!  Did Alma pray for that specifically or did he pray for the wellbeing of his son and put his faith in the Lord, knowing that He knows what is best and that He will help your son to have the experiences necessary to learn what he's supposed to learn?  These are things I ponder when I feel worried about my son.  I know he is strong and smart and capable but there are a lot of crazy things and crazy people out there.  So... I have told him how I feel about this adventure... and then his wise older sister suggested that it might be best to not give him too much opposition or he would be all the more determined to do it.  That sounded like good advise to me so I have backed off a bit at telling him how much I don't like that idea.


We were recently at a wedding reception for a young lady from our previous ward and it was so fun to see so many people from that era of our lives.  Anyway, Kendon went to the reception also and people were giving their input on his plans to hitchhike across America.  Most of the women were saying "that's crazy... or dangerous... or scary!"  Most of the men were saying... "that's so cool!"... (trying to be all macho with one another... ...men!  ...seriously!  Are you encouraging this behavior?!)   I heard at least one person say they wanted to go with him.  Anyway, I just told everyone I was praying for him to get appendicitis.  Everyone thought that was so funny, but what they don't know is that I am serious!!!


So I decided to pray for him to have a positive experience that would deter him from this hitchhiking trip.  So now he is talking to these coaches from Concordia University in Wisconsin.  They have a great wrestling program and they are very impressed with Kendon's HS wrestling record.  The coach said, "so you were a 2 time state contender?" and Kendon told him he was a 4 time contender and a 2 time placer at state... then the coach was even more impressed!  Kendon has continued since high school to participate in wrestling programs, starting a remedial program when he was up at BYU Idaho, helping to coach the Thatcher HS team down at EA and also starting and coaching a program for youth in our area.  Anyway, he has decided to apply for a wrestling scholarship at Concordia University... I think he is really excited about it!  That would mean... no hitchhiking trip!!!  He'd have to start training during the summer.  He wasn't fat by any means, but he's already cut about 10 pounds as he has started working on training for this new much more positive adventure, feeling good and fit!  Don't know how it will all end up because the University tuition is really expensive if he doesn't have a scholarship, but for now things are taking a much more positive direction, I hope.  Concordia has a beautiful campus overlooking Lake Michigan.  One of the coaches told him when he comes out this summer they'll have to go ice fishing... :)    Ice fishing in the summer!?


Hitchhiking?   Appendicitis?   Wrestling scholarship?  .... I think I'll pray for the wrestling scholarship!!!

What I learned as a substitute primary teacher

Today I taught as a sub for the CTR 5 primary class.  It's been a few years since I've had much to do with a group of that age, (5-6 years old).  There were 9 children in the class and they were just so sweet and precious.  It was a very wonderful and touching experience.  Our lesson was on repentance.  I taught the steps of repentance which are, 1: feel sorry, 2: ask forgiveness, 3: right the wrong, 4: don't repeat the wrong.  We talked about how a bandage can help us to heal quicker after we get a cut and repentance can help us heal spiritually after we have done something wrong.  We talked about how it feels when we do something wrong and how we can feel better after we repent.  


There were some really funny moments; they got a little side tracked on what happens to a bad guy who murders someone... I had a bit of a challenge getting them back on track but I finally just said, "we're not going to talk about bad guys, we're going to talk about how we can repent".  I told a story about a boy who stole some candy and ate it.  They had a tough time figuring out how they could right the wrong in that case since the candy had already been eaten.  Some suggestions were less than desirable... such as, puking the candy up and washing it and taking it back to the store.  We finally decided they could do some extra chores to earn money to pay for the candy.  


I had them draw a sad face and a happy face on a paper that said, "I feel happy after I repent".  I let them draw whatever they wanted on the other side of the paper, suggesting they draw a picture of someone repenting by saying they were sorry or by praying.  


These are some of the things I learned from them as the lesson went on:  

• They all wanted to know how to spell S-O-R-R-Y and almost all of them put the word sorry on their paper.  
• One little girl said she wanted to write something nice you could say to someone... she wrote "I (heart) you".  
• Another little girl said "when you have a cut you should put Neosporin on it".
• One little boy was so anxious to say the prayer and when he prayed he asked for his Mom to get well... I found out that his mom had been in a car accident.   
• One little boy asked if he could give his picture to one of the girls, I said "yes" and when he gave it to her, she said so sweetly, "thank you".  
• One little girl had so many great answers including, " we can pray when we do something wrong and then Jesus will not remember it any more".  
• Other comments from some of them were that we repent so that we can be with our family forever and so that we can return to live with Heavenly Father.  
• When I read a scripture from 3 Nephi 9:22,  "Therefore, whoso ^arepenteth and cometh unto me ^bas a ^clittle child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have ^dlaid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved."  and before I said anything else one girl said, "that's Jesus Christ".  

Their answers were so honest and innocent and insightful.  The parents of these children are doing a great job teaching them.


When we were ready to finish up and I happened to be kneeling on the floor, one little girl was sitting close in a chair next to me and a very quiet little boy came and stood next to me and just leaned into me... I hugged him and as I started to bear my testimony, I was so overcome with emotion.  I didn't cry at that moment but I could feel so intensely the Saviors love for them and for me.  I told them that Heavenly Father loves them and that Jesus loves them and that Jesus had suffered and died so that we could repent and be happy.  In that moment I just wanted to soak up their sweetness, relish in their innocence and purity.


Just as stated in the scripture from 3 Nephi 9:22 "... whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child"... like these precious little innocent children who surrounded me in that classroom, "him will I receive, for such is the kingdom of God."  Won't it be glorious to live in God's kingdom where all are as pure and perfect as they are!


As their parents came to get them, I tried to tell a few parents how  much I had enjoyed being in their presence and how sweet they are, I just started weeping and couldn't stop.  What a wonderful experience!  How precious they are!!!  I want to be like them someday!!!

Status

"watching Napoleon Dynamite and eatin' tots!"

So Proud!

Roo just got a certificate for making the honor roll!!! That is quite an accomplishment for her.  She has worked hard to keep her grades up and it payed off.  I am proud of her for putting forth such great effort.

recent sports

Ali played basketball with the school team.  Unfortunately, to be perfectly honest, their team didn't do too well.  However, in their last and final game, Ali scored almost 60% of the points.  I will be posting photos soon.  It was fun to watch her improvement over the season.  Em is playing on the HS JV softball team.  They have only had 2 games so far.  They lost quite significantly the first game but their most recent game was quite entertaining.  Their pitcher wears sunglasses and her dad says she considers them lucky.  Well, she got hit in the face with a ball.  Actually it hit her sunglasses and gashed her forehead over her right eye requiring stitches.  She was bleeding and this put her out of the game quite early on.  (It is my opinion that her sunglasses are lucky because I think it helped decrease the impact of the ball directly on her head/face/eye which could have caused a concussion or more significant damage.)  Anyway, I felt so bad for the poor little old umpire guy.  He was just making some really poor calls, not to anyone's advantage, just in general.  Once our 1st baseman pulled her foot... it was so obvious, but he called the runner out.  Another time, one of our girls was forced to second, it appeared that the second baseman tagged her, then threw the ball for an out at first.  The ump called the out at first but didn't call the out at second.  Spectators from the other team were shouting that she was out on second... the runner said the fielder hadn't tagged her.  The fielder didn't say anything.  Ump said, I didn't see it so he left it as is.  I assume if she had tagged her, the fielder would have spoke up but from the stands it looked like she should have been out.  Later on we had a girl get a triple, then Em came up to bat.   She hit a really nice fly right out between left and center.  The fielder hit it with her glove but actually knocked it out further into the field so Em got on base.  Meanwhile, the runner on third came in and the ump called her out saying she hadn't tagged up.  People tried to point out to him that the ball wasn't caught and that she wouldn't have had to tag up but she was still called out.  It left a lot of people feeling baffled and confused.  We all agreed at least the calls were bad on both sides and it probably all evened out in the end... although for us it should have been a scoring run.  Anyway, then Em stole second, and with a couple more batters, she scored a run for her team!!!  I wasn't even sure she would make the team but she is doing very well!!! :) pics coming soon

a good weekend

we enjoyed a wonderful weekend.  Friday afternoon Kendon came home... I haven't seen him since he was here for Christmas. Was able to spend a little time with him before we left to go meet our neice Brittany at the airport, returning from her mission in Italy, she looked "fantastico".  Had a little get together with the Hatch family at Bly's sisters home in Mesa.  Our family is the greatest!  Saturday morning some of us went and helped some friends move.  Then we kidnapped some other friends' children, ages 2, 5, 7 and hung out with them for about 8 hours.  Bly took the boys to the sportsmen's expo, I drove to Peoria to meet up with them and get Ali and Roo to take them to a baptism, went grocery shopping, fixed dinner for our family and another family... focusing on a high fiber diet, some great recipes at  http://www.high-fiber-health.com/high-fiber-recipes.html .  Had to pick up some stuff at costco and sams club.  Em had a choir/spaghetti dinner, which by the time we got everything else done, we completely missed her program.  Anyway, it was a very very busy day, but a good day.  On Sunday we did nothing!!!  We blew off stake conference and stayed in our jammies all day, watched 5-1/2 movies.  Bly cooked ribs and chicken.  We enjoyed hanging out with Kendon.  Claudia was ill and Josh was busy with church stuff so we didn't get to see them, (except on Friday night).  It was just so nice to take a break and do absolutely nothing... together!

2010 Review

Okay, so I know it would be nice if I posted blog updates more frequently than once a year... I have a goal to do better.  But as it is now, here are pics from some of our favorite activities of the year... and as it turns out, most of it is kind of going backwards in chronology so you could start at the bottom of the post and go up... or, if it doesn't bother you, start here!

 Bly's family came over the day after Christmas to hang out... played some games...

 watched some football...

 played some guitar...

 ate some food...

 played with babies...

 played some rugby...

 listened to a story... candy bar game!!!

 Love this family!!!  Sure enjoyed our time with them!

 Our own family played rugby on Christmas day with Kendon's new rugby ball.

Here's my five girls in their new Christmas jammies!  We enjoyed our holiday together... Claud & Josh stayed the night and spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with us.  Kendon didn't get here until late Christmas Eve.  Sure do cherish these times with our kids!!!

 Nat with her new pillow pet monkey!

 Em seemed almost more excited about the mini tripod than the camera itself.

 Josh got flashlights.

 Claudia shows off her new jewelry.

 Kendon got his much desired rugby ball!

 Roo with her new hunting knife.

 Ali with her new weird book...

In October we went conference camping... haven't been able to do it in a few years. It is really awesome to listen to the Prophet and Apostles in the peaceful setting of nature.  We had a great time and hope to start doing it more regularly. You should all come with us!

 Friends from our ward, Dodd's and Breedlove's went with us.

 Grandma and Grandpa Hatch were there also.

 Em played powderpuff football.

Claud & Josh hiked Havasupi.

 Kendon brought home this mutt.  I was so not happy with him... (Kendon, not the dog).  We tried to find someone to take him... (the dog, although it wasn't a bad idea to get someone to take Kendon). but we ended up being stuck with him, (the dog).  I have threatened Kendon within an inch of his life if he brings home another animal.  Anyway, he named the puppy Rodeo.  He was a cute little ball of fluff.

 Now here is Rodeo (the smaller dog) with Jet, (the tall one).
Kendon adopted them both.  We actually enjoy both of the dogs and they are part of the family now.

In August we enjoyed the Woodside Reunion!  more pics can be seen on the Woodside Reunion blog - 

just click the link on my blog list at right.

Went fishing with Grandpa Hatch at Mexican Lake.

We've been saying for years that we were going to take a picture of "Papa's Rock Garden"... so here it is!

Spent the 4th of July in Taylor, AZ at Granny and Papa's.

 Took Josh to his very first rodeo... and anvil firing!!!  Claudia woke us all up at 3:30am to go follow the anvil. I know it's a crazy tradition. I think Josh was thinking... I got up this early for this?!!

watched some fireworks.

beautiful clouds over the mountains

 Ali cut off about 10 inches and donated her hair for wigs for cancer patients.

 Here's how cute her hair looked when she first got it cut.

 went hiking at white tanks with our friends the Westovers.  STAYED ON THE TRAIL after we found out it is a crime to go off the trail... Kendon had to go to court and now has a criminal record.

 Roo killed a javelina.

Lou got together with HS friends, May and Viv!

 Roo graduated from 8th grade.

We went to Utah a couple of times and helped build my sister's house.

 I like this picture of my Dad standing in the window.

It has been a wonderful year for our family... full of challenges that have made us grow and blessings that have given us hope!  We are so grateful for our family and for the gospel.