Mothers

Last weekend I watched and listened as leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gave us messages from our Lord. I was particularly drawn to a talk by Elder J. Holland. He is a powerful speaker and I always feel such a strong witness of truth when I hear him speak. And yes, my cheeks were wet with tears by the end. 

I had a particularly trying day yesterday, and these days seem to be a little more often lately. I had just returned from taking Tinker Bell for a lab test that was required by the state. I was taking a few minutes to nurture our sweet Tinker Bell who has had some significant feeding issues. She has been refusing to eat, and often will vomit not long after just a few ounces of formula. I sat down after a long morning and the phone rang. It was Madi letting me know that she hurt her wrist while playing volleyball in P.E. I put the nearly full bottle in a bag, and rushed to the school to pick up Madi and her distorted looking wrist. We went straight to the prompt care office and was told that they don't accept our insurance, so I packed us up again, and went to the urgent care across the street. We waited for about 20 minutes for them to even register us. The wait times were over an hour. I decided to go back home to take care of my two middle kids to get them off the bus. I was fortunate (or not so fortunate) to get a call in that window of time from Gavin's teacher that she would like us to address a small attitude issue. I was able to wait for my husband to get home from work, and pass that information off to him to help me. We went back to urgent care and took a few sets of X-rays. Nothing broken was a relief to hear. The nurse wrapped Madi up with a half cast, and we grabbed a few pizzas to cook at home. While I was away my 2 year old Tommy Boy had screamed for hours, and had passed out on the couch asleep. Tinker Bell had thrown up multiple times while I was away. Needless to say Joe needed a break. We got the kids down for bed, and Tommy Boy woke up!

I write this as an exhausted mom. I often think, "Can I do this?" or think wouldn't it be so much easier if it were just our kids. Then I remember Elder Holland saying, "To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle—and all will—I say, “Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are. In fact, you are saviors on Mount Zion, and like the Master you follow, your love ‘never faileth.’ ” I can pay no higher tribute to anyone."

Yes, most definitely the stress, heartache, physical demands 5 children can have would be reduced. I also think that no matter what our circumstances we will have hardships, difficult days where you think shouldn't this be easier. I believe that we come here to this earth to gain a body, have experiences, gain knowledge of pain and joy, and to become like Christ. Being a mother is one of the greatest honors that can be bestowed upon me. I am deeply grateful for my role. I know there are days of pure chaos, or just plain hard days. I just like to remember that hard works begets great rewards. I am also thankful to Elder Holland for giving us the Lords words when he said, "I can pay no higher tribute to anyone."

Link to Elder Holland's talk:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/10/behold-thy-mother?lang=eng

P.S. I have committed to one blog post a week for the remainder of the semester.