One reason being a mom is totally worth it.

I just finished reading this article and felt like writing about last night.

Sarah woke up crying every hour and a half with painful gas after putting her down for the night. I decided to sleep in her room (there's a bed in there, too) because I was tired of going up and down the stairs and frankly worried I was going to fall down them because I was so exhausted. After I fell asleep in her room, she started waking up 20-30 minutes after I put her down.

After that I decided she'd sleep with me. Because I can nurse her while lying down, and nursing helps her stay calm, I actually got a couple hours of sleep in a row.

This morning I thought she might need a blessing and asked my husband what he thought. By the time I asked him Sarah was cooing and happy. I then realized it was me that needed a blessing. He lay his hands on my head and gave me a Priesthood blessing of comfort and counsel. I was reminded to pray for help in caring for Sarah and blessed that I'd be able to recognize the answers to those prayers. I was blessed that I could rest sometime that day to make up for the night before. I was reminded how much Heavenly Father, Sarah and Michael love me.

After taking Michael to school, Sarah went down for her morning nap which she miraculously took very well! That meant I had a great 2-hour nap myself. Thank goodness! (Actually, thank God, literally.)

Although last night was difficult it did have its "kairos" moments. That's what Glennon Melton calls the times of your day that are heavenly- when time stands still. I'd say I had a couple of those. Like, in the middle of all her crying I sat her on the bed, me at the side of the bed on my knees helping her sit up, and she started to smile and coo.

Or when I was laboriously walking and rocking her writhing body and slowly her cries got softer until she was completely asleep on my shoulder- her arms and legs hanging like tired branches off a tree. I looked in the mirror at her sweet and exhausted face and experienced kairos.

I love that girl. I can't wait for another kid (we're not pregnant). Melton is so right on, it's hard being a parent, being a mother, but oh do those moments of sheer joy looking at your baby learn, experience something new, gain sustenance from your bosom as they nurse or just stare into your eyes make it way more than worth it. Does she know what she does to me when she looks me in the eyes like that?

Wonderful video

An old post I never published

(a good reminder of the blessing Sarah is to M and me!!)

"I love feeling my baby move"

Wow, what a miraculous thing to be able to feel a baby move inside of you. It is what makes me happy throughout the day. I'll be sitting somewhere, maybe I'm tired or not feeling 100% and then I'll feel her kick. And I can't help but smile!

She just kicked 3 quick times in a row, like she's knocking on my belly, "Knock, knock, knock!"
I love it!

And to have Michael be able to feel it too! It's so fun sharing the amazement of our little baby in the womb who will be with us in 4 short months.

Thanks be to our Heavenly Father for this blessing- one of the greatest, I believe, we will ever receive.

Some of my kids

_______________

A3


Me,
Delett- Sweet, hates getting in
trouble, when confident it's easy to tell she's quick and intelligent.
Dephany- Watches out for and
cares for her friends, always kind, sometimes distracted.
Gabriela- Fun, happy, positive, participates,
very smart and quick, creative, confident but so kind
to everyone and loves so much. I want to be like her when I grow up!
Bianca- so bubbly, very funny,
hard-working (she goes straight to "her" restaurant after school and
works until 11 pm every day including Sat. and Sun., too much work for a 7th grader in my opinion, no wonder why she's tired and can't concentrate sometimes!)
Andrea- Just moved (3 months ago)
from Peru, extremely talkative, overwhelmed by English but learning a lot, sassy and funny.
Jun- one of my favorites,
makes me laugh every day, he's like a boyband member from South Korea- always dancing/talking/singing/complaining...hilarious.

____________________

B2

Mrs. Nicea Gedicks- Prepared, cares about each student, strict when needed, fun and spontaneous, positive and recognizes progress in students, expects a lot from her students.
Takumi- Very sweet, likes to sleep. Juan-Very smart, doesn't like to be told what to do. Sebastian A.-Likes to talk and has very mellow personality. Anthony- Smiles all the time and excited to participate when he understands. Sebastian G.- Smart, but mostly he stays on task and works hard. William- Can be a great contributor but usually would rather socialize.
Adrian- Inquisitive and has a sweet shy smile.
Josue- Quick and eager to participate, sometimes mischievous.
Sandra- Smart but doesn't like attention.
Mrs. Keller- helpful and always trying to be patient and help the bring out the best in the students!


Here's a fun project I did.. covering books with descriptions of what good readers do.


________________

B3

(below) Some of the kids workin' away...


Grace- from Hong Kong- once shared
her most special experiences was going to the temple.
Brayan- His family's from Argentina, I think.
He's hilarious and always laughing/smiling.
Lyde- From Africa, recently sealed to her
family here. Sooo smart but has a question about everything :).
Norma- Mexican family, one of 14 kids,
very smart and diligent, respectful
Kely-Parents from Mexico, very sweet, giggles
non-stop, good at asking for help, likes attention

one of the $15 dresses I bought at Savers...

I love it and it will work when I'm huge!

enjoy

What a blessing when we can and choose to enjoy this life.

But when we can't...

"...that I suffer the will of the Lord in the flesh, it mattereth not,

if it so be that I am saved in the kingdom of God."

Ether 15:34, The Book of Mormon

While we're in this "flesh" on this earth we'll all suffer something; physical/mental/emotional weakness and trials. But if we can remember our goal to be "saved in the kingdom of God" then maybe this life won't bear us down so much sometimes.

But, how wonderful when we can and choose to enjoy this life!

I'm so excited to be a mother because I'll get to...

feel my baby's skin
see his eyes
snip their little finger nails
help him stop crying
hand him to Michael and watch him glow
hear him laugh
see him learn
take him on walks
show him, my greatest creation, to others
watch him with my loved ones
see my sister love my child after I've loved hers for 9 1/2 years
see our family grow
look at the temple and know we'll be together forever because of it
make mistakes and have to apologize and watch him forgive
see him apologize and want to forgive him right away
watch him break things and feel bad and let him know they're just "things"
but he's my son
watch him succeed at something and try to hide his excitement and pride
watch him fail and then try again or try something new
teach him about a loving Father in Heaven we all have
teach him about the Savior and why He is and always will be the center of our
lives
watch him watch his dad
watch him laugh at his dad's jokes
watch him smile at me when I'm sad
watch him learn for himself that the Gospel is true and Jesus is his personal Savior
see him struggle to know who he is
see him help others know who they are
see him run
see him play by himself
see him play with others
see him with my parents and finally understand how much they always loved me
see him with my nieces and nephews and know he'll always love and look up to them
change his diaper
clean up his high chair
speak baby language with him
fill up his sippy cup
pack a diaper bag
feel his first kiss on my cheek.

I can't wait to be a mother.

(to make it easier I referred to the baby as a "he" but we'll find out the gender in a month!)

Enjoy all these pictures that I thought related to this post!

A proud Mama : Rachael and Mary, Chelan 2010

Nana Can't Get Enough : Nana and Charlie, Idylwood Park Summer 2010

Take Mama's Hand : Melissa and Lily (and Nana), same location

A Papa Full of Love : Papa and Cash, Summer 2010

Proud Daddy : Mike and Cash, Summer 2010

Snuggle Time : Crystal and Charlie, Summer 2010

She Owns Us : Michael and neighbor Maeli, Fall 2010

A Baby's Skin : Mike and Cash, Winter 2010


That' s my Uncle Billy : Billy and Lily, 4th of July 2010

What's better than family? Nothing. (sorry you weren't here for this pic, Rach!)