Mothering

This term in my sex & gender class we talked a lot about womanly roles. We had a very intense discussion on women working in the home and the workforce at the same time vs. mothers who stay at home with their children. Most of the people in my class are working mothers and so they believed that a woman can be an effective mother and provider at the same time. Last night I was watching Gray's Anatomy and was very impressed when Dr. Bailey had finally "seen the big picture" and realized she couldn't have it all and get 100% out of all of it. It really impressed me that Hollywood finally showed that we have limits and that sometimes the things that are most important in life (families) are not worth loosing to successes in the workplace.

I believe that no achievement in this life will give me more satisfaction than that of being a mother. I would love to go out in the world and help counsel all the psychological disorders out there, but to do so I would have to sacrifice my biggest priority, my children. I am not trying to say that a person is wrong for wanting to make successes outside of the home, everyone has the right to their opinion. All I am saying is that for me, and I wish more women, my role as mother and nurturer is the most gratifying and sustaining job I could ask for. There are two quotes that I love about mothering. One from J. Reuben Clark,

"motherhood is near to divinity, the highest holiest service to be assumed by mankind."

The other from Jane Clayson Johnson,

"The world can only value mothering to the extent that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so. In our hands we hold the power to transform the perception of motherhood...we should no longer allow a mother to be defined as 'just a mom.' It is on her back that nations are built."

If any of us are doubting our roles as mothers or are, as we all feel from time to time, overwhelmed with this role we have taken on I recommend reading Clayson Johnson's book, I Am A Mother. Motherhood is the most divine calling and I would ask what are we as women and mothers doing to change the perception of mothers in this world? Are we finding joy in our work and showing that joy to others? Or, are we just treading through the muck of daily life? Are we taking on every new day and every new challenge with excitement and inspiration because of the Lord's trust in us as mothers? Or, are we allowing ourselves to feel overwhelmed and exhausted by our challenges? The Lord gives us challenges to show us who we are, are we ready to find out? Sometimes I struggle with these things, but in the end I have realized the joy of discovering just who I am and what I can do as a woman, wife and mother. I am grateful for these discoveries!

Yummy!

Here is my latest recipie. It's pan fried chicken and stuffing with cranberries topped with a garlic and onion sauce with steamed brocolli and cranberries on the side.



4-6 chicken tenders
1tbsp EVOO
1/2 a small sweet onion
1 yellow bell pepper
1 1/2 cloves of fresh garlic (minced)
salt and pepper
1/2 package stuffing
2 1/2 cups chicken stock
handfull of dried cranberries
handfull of honey roasted peanuts

sauce:
3tbsp butter
3tbsp flour
1 clove fresh garlic (minced)
1 tbsp dried chopped onion
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup water
salt and pepper

Cook the onions and peppers in oil til tender. Add garlic and chicken pan fry for about 3-5 mins. Premix stuffing and chicken stock. Add stuffing to chicken and sprinkle with cranberries and peanuts. Cover with lid and cook another 5 mins over med low heat.

For sauce: Start with a rue. Melt butter in pan and add flour. Cook for a few mins. Add garlic, onion, salt and pepper. Add chicken stock and water. Cook about 5 mins or until desired thickness.

Steam brocolli with cranberries.

My Favorite Place

I have blogged about Biltmore House before, but this time I went with the girls and it was so much fun!



At the Biltmore house they have a farm with sheep, horses, and chickens that the kids can play in and feed/pet the animals. It was a lot of fun and the girls really enjoyed themselves.



It was also the festival of flowers so we took some fun pictures in the conservatory and gardens.



There were these statues along the path to the gardens. Aysia wouldn't stand in front of them for the picture because the woman was topless and you could see her "boobs." "Grose," she said!

I have lost something!

I have lost something, rather someone, and would like to get her back. I am friends with a woman who refuses to blog. If any of you know her and can contact her would you please tell her how much I miss her and desperately want her to start blogging so that I can keep in touch with her better. Here is a picture of her(that I kidnapped from Laura's blog, thanks Laura)....


Please note that I am refering to the woman in red. If you know this woman please help me to recruit her to the world of blogging!

The Truths of Nutrition

This was sent to me in an email. I found it so hillarious that I had to post it! I am considering changing my language to Spanish, what about you?

THE FINAL WORD ON NUTRITION

After an exhaustive review of the research literature, here's the final word on nutrition and health.:

1. Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
2. Mexicans eat a lot of fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
3. Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
4. Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
5. Germans drink beer and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than us.
6. The French eat foie-gras, full fat cheese and drink red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than us

CONCLUSION: Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Aysia's Baptism

Aysia turned 8 yesterday and was baptized!! We are so proud of her and her decision! She was able to wear her third white dress that I made for her. (the others were blessing and when she was sealed to Aqeel and I) As with all first borns Aysia's baptism was an experiment in learning for us. Here are some of the things we forgot to plan for... a pianist for the program, an actual program, a camera (luckily someone else brought theirs), Aqeel forgot the words in the baptism prayer, and also Aqeel forgot to iron his pants. So, for Amaya and Jr we will be better prepared, I hope! Here are some pictures of her special day!


Her white dress


Aysia and Daddy!


Aysia and Mommy!

Mother

My Mother was a shining example to me. She was kind. She read her scriptures and said her prayers both day and night. She served both individuals and in her callings with 110% effort all the time. She was a peacemaker. She loved her children even when we made it hard, and we did so regularly. She worked hard at keeping the commandments and other covenants that she made with the Lord. She loved her husband. She taught me many things among which are a love for books and cooking. She always wanted everyone to be happy in their life and in the choices they made. She loved her grandchildren. She was always there at special events when she could be. She was a hard worker. She ran her own answering service and worked 12 hr days five days a week up until the day she died.

I have great memories of my mom, but some of my favorites are hearing her laugh and seeing her holding her brand new grandbabies. She loved new babies. She would hold them on her chest and you could just see a peace come over her and you knew that she was making a special connection with that child. I remember her as my primary teacher. She had such a gift for teaching and every kid in her class loved her lessons(maybe it was the candy she would bring but still she was good). I remember for my first prom, I was a sophmore, I had spent many hours making my dress and it was perfect. Two days before the prom my mother decided to iron it and burnt a hole right on the center of the dress. There was no way it could be hid and so she went over to our neighbors house, who was a pro seamstress, and in two days they recreated my dress. I remember being so mad that she ruined it, but so grateful that she fixed it. I remember when Aysia was born and my mother was there in the hosptial right by my side. Even though the circumstances were not ideal, she was there supporting me in my decision. She was the first one to see and hold Aysia. She sat in the nursery with her until I had recovered from the c-section (about 2hrs after delivery). Because of my mothers actions and support I know whithout a doubt in my heart that she loves me so much and that she loves my children and husband also. So, mom even though you are no longer on this earth your presence is still felt and we love you!!