About One Month to Go . . .

Feeling as big as a barn!

With my 2nd child coming really soon, the old doubts and fears of whether I am capable of handling all of this has been overwhelming me. I'm scared, it's just that simple. Can I give everything to Zacky that he'll need and be everything to this new little one that I so deeply love already. Poor Ben, he's had to put up with a very tired, grumpy wife. Food is still disgusting to me. (well except for ice cream, some fruits and deep-fried things.) I've started getting terrible cramps in my thighs and I feel as big as a barn. So, I thought maybe I could make myself feel better by better occupying my mind. I found this piece of advice recently. (Okay, I was really looking for a wooden swing set/slide/fort combo but made myself look for something more uplifting.)

In a recent talk, President Monson reminded us of Pres. Benson's advice:

“Thinking of the example of his own mother and that of his beloved and faithful wife, Flora, President Benson has offered ten specific suggestions for mothers as they guide their precious children:

1. Take time to always be at the crossroads in the lives of your children, whether they be six or sixteen.
2. Take time to be a real friend to your children.
3. Take time to read to your children. Remember what the poet wrote:

You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be—
I had a mother who read to me.

4. Take time to pray with your children.
5. Take time to have a meaningful weekly home evening. Make this one of your great family traditions.
6. Take time to be together at mealtimes as often as possible.
7. Take time daily to read the scriptures together as a family.
8. Take time to do things together as a family.
9. Take time to teach your children.
10. Take time to truly love your children. A mother’s unqualified love approaches Christlike love

(see Ezra Taft Benson, To the Mothers in Zion, pamphlet, 1987, pp. 8–12; see also Ezra Taft Benson, Come, Listen to a Prophet’s Voice, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1990, pp. 32–36).”

I hope I can be and do all of those things. I hope I can be a good mother of two.

My Big Sister and Me!

For Mother's Day my big sister and I collaborated and gave our mother pictures of the two of us. In some things we are so similar: love of family, country, Rascal Flatts (country music), reading, our religion and chocolate. In other ways we are so very different: She's funny, very creative, artsy and her in-laws adore her and I'm more serious, organized, question my abilities all the time and my in-laws tolerate me for my husband's sake. I admire her very much, her courage and strength through adversity, her talent for cooking and anything artistic, her ability to have so many friends and people outside of our family love her and admire her. She is just a very good, honorable, kind person. She (along with my own mother) is a wonderful example of Motherhood. She is one of my heroes, I love her very much and feel blessed that our Heavenly Father put her on this earth to be my big sister and to help guide me along the way.