Motherhood: The Best Job

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

I recently finished reading Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (on my new Kindle  :) What a wonderful classic! I thoroughly enjoyed it...but I wonder if most teens today would struggle with it. It is long, and it isn't particularly exciting. It's just a picture of life in the 1800's. An idealistic picture full of morals...which might be unwelcome to some...but turned out to be just what I was in the mood for.

Page after page, I found myself drawing welcome advice from Alcott's wisdom. I almost saw it as a manual for motherhood hidden within a fun, romantic story.

Four daughters are being raised by their mother while their father is away fighting in the Civil War. The family struggles with poverty but tries to make the most of what they have. The sisters and their mother are close and loving as can be as they face trials together.

Here are some quotes that stood out to me...

Marmee (mother) was a "tall, motherly lady with a 'can I help you' look about her which was truly delightful. She was not elegantly dressed, but a noble-looking woman, and the girls thought the gray cloak and unfashionable bonnet covered the most splendid mother in the world." The maid said of her, "Some poor creeter came a-beggin', and your ma went straight off to see what was needed. There never was such a woman for givin' away vittles and drink, clothes and firin'."
-Wouldn't you like to have such things said about you? I would.

The girls often put on plays. What could be better, honestly? "It was excellent drill for their memories, a harmless amusement, and employed many hours which otherwise would have been idle, lonely, or spent in less profitable society." Yes! The value in spending time with our families and amusing ourselves together.

When the girls left the house, "they always looked back before turning the corner, for the mother was always at the window to nod and smile, and wave her hand to them. Somehow it seemed as if they couldn't have got through the day without that, for whatever their mood might be, the last glimpse of that motherly face was sure to affect them like sunshine."
-I want to be sunshine to my kids...not the tall person that growls when they don't make their beds.

"For love casts out fear, and gratitude can conquer pride."

When the youngest sister, Amy, is punished for something at school with a strike to the hand, it says, "She had been governed by love alone (at home), and a blow of that sort had never touched her before. The smart of her hand and the ache of her heart were forgotten in the sting of the thought, "I shall have to tell at home, and they will be so disappointed in me!"
-This is ideal, I think...getting our kids to want to do what is right. Not because it will free them of a spanking, but because Mom (and their Father in Heaven) will be disappointed...though always loving.

Marmee tells her daughter, Jo, how their father helped her by saying, "He never loses patience, never doubts of complains, but always hopes, and works and waits so cheerfully that one is ashamed to do otherwise before him...he showed me that I must try to practice all the virtues I would have my little girls possess, for I was their example. It was easier to try for your sakes than for my own." Later, in another teaching moment, she says, "If I don't seem to need help, it is because I have a better friend, even than Father, to comfort and sustain me. My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning and may be many, but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother."

"I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace."

I like that Marmee allows the girls to make some mistakes. When they desperately want a week off from their responsibilities, she allows them to make an experiment of it. She says, "I think by Saturday night you will find that all play and no work is as bad as all work and no play." To solidify her point, she and the maid take time off, too. As you can imagine, things don't run very smoothly when no one is cooking, cleaning, and making fires.

"The clocks were striking midnight and the rooms were very still as a figure glided quietly from bed to bed, smoothing a coverlet here, settling a pillow there, and pausing to look long and tenderly at each unconscious face, to kiss each with lips that mutely blessed, and to pray the fervent prayers which only mothers utter." Sound familiar? It's a special time at night, isn't it? Before mother snuggles into her own rest, she checks on her babies, makes sure their warm, uttering silent prayers for them?

Anyway, this post is super-long...but I wanted to share the inspiration this book brought to me.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

Happy Mother's Day, Mom. With Love.

I am thankful for a mother who continues to mother me; who even now, makes herself available when I need her (which is often). I am thankful for her example to me of a woman who desires to be home full-time for her children, who has the necessary education and skills to work outside the home but chooses to put the needs of her family first. I am thankful for all the times she sat on the edge of my bed late into the night and listened. I am thankful for her joy in womanhood, and for her example of being a loving wife. My mom never says a mean thing about anyone. She genuinely cares about every soul she meets, and it shows. She is a beautiful, energetic grammy, and my children adore her. She is also an example to me of faithfulness. When times get hard, she puts her trust in the Lord. And He hears her prayers. I am thankful for her friendship and love.

I love you, Mom. Happy Mother's Day.

Taking My Own Advice

When Bubs and his friend, Ben, wanted to cook up some weed paint in my kitchen, my knee-jerk reaction was to say no. And I almost did. But then I remembered that I want to say yes when possible.

I'm so glad I did. It turned out to be a wonderful little homeschool project.

Here's their process...

1. Collect weeds that leave marks on the sidewalk when you rub them there. Mash up the pieces.

2. Boil in a small amount of water, stirring frequently.

3. Use a collander to separate the chunks from the paint.

4. Paint!

Here's a sample. It turned out like watercolor paint. They made yellow out of dandelions, too which made me sneeze like a maniac...but still...

I'm glad I decided to swallow the 'no' and go for 'yes' instead.

At the Feet of Angel Mothers

"All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life." -Abraham Lincoln

"Heaven liveth at the feet of mothers." -Muhammad

I have an angel mother. As a child, I used to sit on the sewing machine cover next to her while she sewed. I liked to be with her. When she came to tuck me in each night, she'd often spend an hour on the edge of my bed. Listening. Advising. Just being there.

My mother still makes herself available when I need her.

I'm feeling grateful for her, as well as for other amazing women who I look to as examples.

That's the thing about mothers. Nurturing is in their hearts.

I still enjoy sitting at the feet of great women and relishing in their spirits, in the way they define motherhood as the holiest of callings. I feel perfectly content, kneeling on the floor, looking up to these women who I am lucky to call friends, lingering as long as I can, hoping that their greatness will rub off on me.

Today, happiness is nurturing and being nurtured.



*One of the wonderful mothers that inspired this post, Shauna Dunn, has recently been named the Utah Young Mother of the Year. For lots of good ideas, check out her new blog, Utah Young Mother 2010. Be sure to scroll back far enough to see her portfolio answers!*

Motherhood: Greater than Rubies

In the intro to Stephen R. Covey's book, EVERYDAY GREATNESS, he says something that I love, something that I quickly put up in my kitchen. He says, Live Life in Crescendo. Do you know what a crescendo is? It looks like a less than (<) symbol and is used in music to show a gradual increase in volume.


To live in crescendo, someone must be constantly progressing, improving, learning, growing. Many women believe that becoming a mother is the end of their personal lives. They must fit as much 'life' in as possible before starting a family.

But I believe that you can be a mom and live richly, deeply.

In Proverbs we read, "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. She worketh willingly with her hands. With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor. Strength and honour are her clothing. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness."

It is easy to think of ourselves as "just moms", but we must remember that we are doing important work. Mothers should be cherished above rubies.

President Gordon B. Hinckley of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has said, "Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels."
 
I agree with this. My mother is an angel.
 
I am grateful to be a mother. It is hard. It is wonderful. It is challenging. It is rewarding. It is exhausting. It is exalting.
 
My hardest mothering moments are when all the kids are upset. My favorites are when we are happy together, whether we are laughing, reading, eating, or just being.

I hope to model to my children a life lived in crescendo. A life filled with a love of learning and an ever increasing love of those around me.

An Organization for Women: American Mothers, Inc.

Me, Sarah, Mom, and Marissa-all the ladies of the fam.

Have you heard of American Mothers, Inc? It is a wonderful, non-denominational organization that I have become a part of recently. Check it out.

The Purpose: To strengthen the moral and spiritual foundations of the family and the home.

The Pledge: I Pledge... To ask God's help as a parent in today's world... To encourage honesty, integrity... To ask God's help as a parent in today's world... To encourage honesty, integrity, patriotism, and the application of moral values in every area of American life beginning in my own home... To enhance the spiritual foundation of my home by precept and example... To love, nurture, and educate my children remembering the power and influence of a joyful home... To seek opportunities to strengthen my family by working, playing, serving and praying together... To foster personal responsibility and respect in my home and community... To serve my family and community through personal development as an individual, parent, and citizen... To support and promote positive programs for children and families... To wage a vigorous campaign against abuse and violence in all its forms.. To remember that with God, all things are possible.

Yay for Ladies!

A Long Line of Love Lyrics and "Being a Mother Through and Through"

Bought a beautiful diamond ring

I offered it to the sweetest thing I know

And she said she would take it.

We started making some wedding plans

She looked at me and she took my hand and said

Do you think we can make it?



I said my granddad's still in love with my grandma

I said my dad still thinks my mom's the sweetest thing he ever saw

You see I come from a long line of love

When the times get hard, we don't give up

Forever is in my heart and in my blood

You see I come from a long line of love.



The years went by and we had a son

Now he thinks he has found someone for him

And they're planning a wedding

He called me up on the phone today

Just to see what I had to say to him

Did I think he was ready?



I said what his grandfather used to say to me

It's been handed down for ages

It runs in our family.



Son, you come from a long line of love

When the times get hard, you won't give up

Forever is in uour heart and in your blood.

Son, You Come From A Long Line of Love

Yes you Come From A Long Line of Love.





For the most part, I'm not a huge fan of classic country...unless, My Bebe and I are in the mood to play hicks. This song, A Long Line of Love, is one I remember singing countless times in the car with my dad.


I've been thinking lately about the chain of love I come from. My mom's birthday was last week. She is truly an angel on earth. Even as a teen, I used to say that if we didn't need her, she'd be taken straight to heaven. I called her on her birthday and told her what a wonderful mother she is. After blowing off the compliments, she began complimenting her own mother.

They are the kind of mothers that keep mothering long after their children are out of the home. They are always there. My mom called her mom "a mother through and through".

This is the line of love I come from. I feel so blessed. I feel like mothering is what I was made for. I love it and find my fullfillment in it. I owe this to my mother and the long line of love before her.

And me, at the center.

I look in your eyes
and see myself reflected there
surrounded by your love
and trust.
You cannot speak,
but your eyes whisper novels to me
I hear them with my heart...
a Heavenly language of love.
Reflecting
Surrounding
Speaking
Soaking in light
and my love.

The Girl I Used to Be

The Girl I Used to Be
Author Unknown

She came tonight as I sat alone
The girl I used to be.
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully:

Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame,
All the wonderful things to do?

Where is the mansion of stately height
With all its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the shining jewels in your hair?

And as she spoke, I was very sad,
For I wanted her pleased with me,
This slender girl from the shadowy past,
The girl I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand
And guided her up the stairs
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay,
Innocent, sweet, and fair.

I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;
The silken robe is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls
For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl I used to be.

Job Description for a Mother

NEEDED: an appointment arranging, baby bouncing, chocolate craving, duty delegating, excitement evoking, finger feeding, garden growing, home heartening, IQ increasing, job juggling, knee kissing, leftover loving, milk mopping, naptime needing, object organizing, peek-a-boo playing, quiver quieting, rhyme reading, stain scrubbing, temperature taking, ultimatum uttering, vomit vanquishing, wound washing, x-ray examining, yip yapping, zipper zipping woman.

NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. However, interior design skills are useful. Anger management courses are helpful. Emergency Medical Training is essential.

HOURS: 168 hours/week. 52 weeks/year. Holidays are especially busy.

SALARY: N/A

BENEFITS: immeasurable love, joy and fulfillment.

(PS. I wrote this for a little writing contest a while back.)