Thoughts on Mother's Day, Belated

There are two camps of thought on Mother's Day: those that want to be showered with affection, validation, appreciation, and worship and those that use the day to appreciate their children.

I don't mean to make the first one sound bad at all. I want those things too, but really I feel an overwhelming affection and appreciation for my children on Mother's Day.

What I thought about this Mother's Day: Being a mother is the hardest assignment I've ever been given but I don't expect my children to ever understand this. I am fine with them thinking that being their mother should be easy, because it should be if I was perfect. In reality, it's not easy at all. Being a mother stretches me and makes me grow in ways I never thought possible (kind of like how your muscles feel after the first time snowboarding...what!? I didn't even know I had muscles in those places!). After particularly hard times I realize I am smarter, stronger, better, wiser, and closer to perfect than I was before the hard times.

Being a mother is a gift for two main reasons: children's laugher and happiness and hugs and kisses are better than money, chocolate/cheesecake, big houses, fancy cars, or pretty much anything; and being a mother makes me a better version of myself every single minute of every single day.

Moreover, I am in the second camp of thought. Mother's Day should bring me a bit of relaxation, nice words, and maybe a gift or two but really I will always be celebrating my children that day.

Book Review

I am going to make an effort to document every book I read. I will start with the last three:

"Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand

By the author of "Seabiscuit" "Unbroken" is a historical account of Louis Zamperini who survives incredible circumstances in WWII including a plane crash, 40+ days in the Pacific Ocean on a life raft, and three Japanese prisoner of war camps. The story is captivating to say the least; I was completely engrossed by this book. I was left with a lot of feelings as I finished this book including reverence, gratitude, admiration, anxiety, anger, sadness, and love. Hillenbrand's account of Louie's war experience and life are an incredible tribute to not just Louie but those he came into contact with that helped him "survive." This book made me want to hug my children a little more, for a little bit longer, and a little bit tighter. Like Louie's mother, I can't stand the thought of my boys suffering and the reality of WWII to so scary and the idea that war is occurring right now makes me physically ill.

"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" by Steig Larsson

If you haven't heard about this book/series where have you been? The first of three, which I plan on reading, is good. It is a thriller and it is quite thrilling. Here's the catch: the first hundred pages or so are a little dull as the story is set in Sweden and there is a lot of talk about Swedish industry and politics. Once the plot gets going, however, it's a page turner. One more warning: the crimes are grizzly and difficult to read about. A journalist and a hacker set out to solve a mystery and end up solving a few mysteries. The hacker is quite awesome...you'll have to read it to find out why but here's a hint: girl power!

"The Graveyard Book" by Neil Gaimen

This book is good for two reasons. 1) It is written with a unique style. 2) It is an interesting idea. The idea is that a boy is raised by ghosts in a graveyard. I had a hard time really connecting with most of the characters, however, besides the main character and his "guardian". I wonder if Gaimen did this purposefully, however. I also didn't think the antagonist/climax (it was slightly anti-climatic) was executed as well as possible as I was left with unanswered questions. I wonder if Gaimen intends to write a series which may answer my questions. Neil Gaimen also wrote the popular "Coraline."

My next book: "Sarah's Quilt" which is the sequel "The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine" by Nancy E. Turner. I haven't reviewed the latter book but said simply, every female book lover will love it.

Obedience At Age 3

Play-Do + Hip = Tons of Fun and Happiness

Play-Do + Mom = A Lot to Clean Up

Me: Go potty please.

Hip: There's no pee coming out.

Me: Good. The idea is to go before pee comes out.

Hip, after several minutes of not going potty: Mom? Can I be obedient like Nephi?

Me: I would love it if you would be obedient like Nephi.

Hip, jumping up and down: I can be obedient like Nephi! Goes potty. I like being obedient.

Me: I like it when you are obedient too.

Hip: Was Nephi obedient?

Me: Yes he was. And his mother Sariah and Heavenly Father were very happy when he was obedient. Just like how I am happy when you are obedient.

Hip's favorite song, besides K$sha songs, is "Nephi's Courage". We've been reading First Nephi in our family scripture study and we have been emphasizing the importance of Nephi's obedience to God's commandments, especially when facing adversity. Someday I will post a video of Hip singing "Nephi's Courage" as it is totally awesome.