This Time is Precious

Today, I am so grateful to be a Mother and a homemaker.

I can see that this time is precious and will be gone before I know it.
 Lately these words have been going through my head and I know the are true...

"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will - to your surprise - miss them profoundly." - President Thomas S. Monson

 I am sure he is right, someday I WILL miss these 5 loud and messy little boys running through my house,  profoundly. 

 It feels like just the other day I was starting out as a Mother with this little bundle in my arms.

Now he has grown into a tall and handsome young man.  And it happened in the blink of an eye:)

Do you ever look at your children and realize just how fast they are growing up?

This month as I have tried to slow down and appreciate all the simple joys and blessings in my life, I have felt very sentimental about my family. One early morning I was looking at my oldest boy--up on his own at 5:30am to go to a seminary class to study the Old Testament before school --I was filled with so much love for this child of mine and a longing to stop time. 

 Connor is 14--that only gives me a little more than 3 years to have him in our home before he is off to college and more!  With that in mind, I felt a desire to do better about being "present" as a Mother.
. 

 To really soak up and enjoy these years we have together.

I know that you can be home with them, but not really" there" when your mind is off  in another place amd your busy with projects and such.  I am guilty of this at times. 
This family is my number one priority right now.  I felt a new determination to have my time, energy and talents reflect this:) Some other ambitions and activities will have to take a backseat for now. Their time will come--just not now!

 I am learning that babies don't keep and children grow up way too fast! 

 I heard once that  "it is impossible to be a perfect Mother, but that there are a million ways to be a great one!"  
 What a happy thought:) 

words to live by...

I am letting these words run through my mind like a mantra. This sentiment sums up how I want to live my resolutions this year! Those resolutions that I have still not officially started (I know, pathetic). I will blame my lack of action on our wonky January so far. I have had way too much fun thinking about my goals... but it is time to passionately get going with all my heart!

How are your resolutions going?

Resolved

I LOVE the tradition of News Years Resolutions! (I have this same tradition on my birthday) I am a goal setter and a list maker! I get great satisfaction from checking things off and having something to work towards! I have put a lot of thought into what I want to do and how I want to grow during 2009. First of all I will try to let this talk guide me this year. But here are a few resolutions I shall do my best to live by this year... (by the way, all the blue and gray words are links you can click on, just for fun:)

1. Spend more time teaching my children the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Starting with our theme for 2009 "Putting on the Whole Armor of God". More on this to follow!

2. Getting into better shape. I will train for the Wasatch Back with some of my friends, run a 5K* this Spring and a 10k* in the Fall. Take up YOGA*. (*anyone want to join me??)

3. Be more creative--spice up my world a bit! I have a list a mile long of fun ideas and projects to beautify my home and yard that I want to do! I have a few circled that I will do this year!! Some involve sewing--wish me luck! I will keep ya posted!

4. Give more service. I am excited about this one! It will start with my family, and church work, but I have found that whenever I look for ways to serve others there are always so many opportunities!

5. Start working on genealogy. Including more regular temple service. I am excited!

6. Improve the way I feed my family. This article in the New York Times inspired me.

7. Have more PARTIES! My cute friend Becky gave me The Gathering Of Friends book at Christmas.I LOVE it! It is just full of beautiful ideas--it got me inspired to host more gatherings of the people I love!