Motherhood Matters!

Motherhood matters to me. I am so grateful for all of the influential mothers in my life. I am SO grateful to be a mother! In today's Wednesday's Words I have included several quotes about mothers, a link to the Motherhood Matters blog where you will find more inspiring quotes and great Mother's Day ideas, and a funny little extra link to an article about the regrets we have as new mothers.

"Few of us will reach our potential without the nurturing of both the mother who bore us and the mothers who bear with us." – Sheri L. Dew

“We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as ‘just a mom.’ It is on her back that great nations are built. We should no longer allow any woman’s voice to be drowned out or disregarded. As we affirm other women, and as we teach our sons, husbands and friends to hold them in the highest regard, we honor both the mothers whose shoulders we’ve stood on and the daughters who will one day stand tall on ours.” (Oprah) 

 

Motherhood Matters is a campaign to inspire, encourage, and remind ourselves why motherhood matters. More than just a stage of life marked by the presence of children, we are celebrating motherhood as a way of life that empowers our best selves. The dictionary defines a mother as a female parent, yet we all know female parents who are not mothers and we know mothers who are not parents. The true definition of a mother is a woman who teaches, inspires, nurtures and loves those she comes into contact with.


Need a laugh, here is a funny article 

Now, all you moms, grandmas, aunts, and friends out there, pat yourselves on the back. We may not be perfect. We may have stretch marks and weak bladders. We may have a few regrets. But...we are not "just moms". What we do matters!

Getting To The Bottom of Things

Today I've gotten to the bottom of something.
No, I haven't gotten to the bottom of how to keep my kids from fighting or tattling or hitting or kicking or whining.
No, I haven't gotten to the bottom of how to keep my house clean and organized.
No, I haven't figured out how to get rid of my always present muffin top.
No, I haven't gotten to the bottom of how to make Nathan and Travis take longer naps so that I can have one as well.
No, I haven't gotten to the bottom of how to make the cuddles, compliments, and melt-your-heart motherhood moments last longer and happen more frequently.
And no, I still haven't gotten to the bottom of how to keep my kids motivated with their chores.
But I did get to the bottom of something today....

I know this is a pretty lame excuse for a Tuesday's Triumph...but a triumph it is. I haven't seen the bottom of the laundry basket in a very long time. As soon as I get the laundry caught up there is another dirty batch waiting to be done. So I had to document this momentous occasion. I will get to the bottom of those other things another day.
This is one small triumph for mother-kind. One giant stretch for my blog!

Mr. T is for....

Travis has a nickname of Mr. T and lately it fits him very well...this is why:

T is for Travis

T is for Two

T is for Teeth

T is for Terrible

T is for Trouble

He is cutting his Two front Teeth. It has been Terrible for him...complete with all the Trouble - drooling, diaper rash, fever, swollen gums, not sleeping well, and very fussy.

Poor Mr. T. Your Terrible disposition from the Troubles with these Two front Teeth could not end Too soon!

Humility is Like Underwear

"Humility is like underwear - necessary but indecent if exposed." 

Matthew 23:12 - And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Doctrine and Covenants 112:10 - Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.

 

A Love Story

My Grandma and Grandpa S. are together again after being separated for 7 months when Grandpa died. My Grandma just passed away and they are now reunited and in each others arms again. There's is a true love story. They met in Washington D.C., were engaged 2 days later, got married and stayed married for 64 years.

Right after they were married, Grandpa went off to fight in WWII. During this time they wrote each other love letters. This is a poem that my Grandpa wrote to his bride during their separation:

To That Girl Of Mine

As another day has passed, 

And I'm home again at last,

In my heart I'm thinking of a girl so kind, 

Of my darling LaPriel I left behind.

As I sit here without a letter,

I can't think of anything better,

Than to sit down and write,

Of how I'm thinking of her tonight.

In this big world of toil and woe,

What people are doing, they do not know.

For it matters not to all of them

What the Lord has forbidden unto men.

Today the news says Hitler is dead,

The news is good, someone has said.

Peace on the earth is near at hand,

Were freedom again will rule the land.

I'm praying the day to come to me

That soon again I may cross the sea.

For the thought that I have in mind,

Is to get back to that girl of mine.

Their love story is only beginning as they are together now, never to be separated again. 

Cashew Chicken

This is another GREAT slow cooker recipe from 365 Days of Slow Cooking. This is not your typical slow cooker chicken recipe that is smothered in a cream sauce (which are still delicious). This one is great if you are looking for something different with a tangy, slightly spicy kick to your chicken. Don't pass over this one because it looks like it has a lot of ingredients. I had most everything in my pantry and it was really easy to put it all together!

Cashew Chicken

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thigh tenders (I used chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces and thought that it was fine)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 Tbsp canola oil
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 Tbsp ketchup
• 1 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup chopped cashews

Combine flour and pepper in resealable food storage bag. Add chicken. Shake to coat with flour mixture. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken about 2 minutes on each side. Place chicken in slow cooker. Combine soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, sugar, garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes in small bowl; pour over chicken. Cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. Add cashews and stir. Server over rice. Makes 4-6 servings.
 
Enjoy!

E I E I Oh Baby!

I took my kids to Baby Animal Days at a local farm, and oh baby...it was so fun! The kids actually got to be with the animals and hold them and pet them. Kaylee and Aaron fell in love with the baby bunnies. They had a hard time parting with them.

 Lots of babies were seen at the farm, E I E I O

And on the farm we held some chicks...E I E I O

With a moo moo here,

 And a baaa, baaa there.

 Here a bunny, there a bunny, everyone with bunnies.

 Even baby turtles were at this farm...E I E I O

We also spotted some new colts and lambs near our home. We went on a walk to feed the cute new little babies. I love spring and the life it brings!