Alex & I have a goal of 10 nights out this summer.
We camped out near Ellensburg on the way to visit the Grandparents in Pullman.
Then we camped in Grandpa's backyard.
Way to get started.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Memories
Alex & I have a goal of 10 nights out this summer.
We camped out near Ellensburg on the way to visit the Grandparents in Pullman.
Then we camped in Grandpa's backyard.
Way to get started.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Bedtime books
The last few weeks I've stumbled into way too many terrific books that kept me up way too late, including the Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, a Jim Butcher Dresden File book, two surprisingly delightful YA books by Australian author Jaclyn Moriarty, and the NF biography Unbroken (yes, I read something educational! And suspenseful.) So now I've run out of exciting library books for the night, and I pick up a book by one of my previously favorite authors that turns out to be a yawner. I should be pleased--after all, this ought to help me go to bed, but instead I just feel like I'm spinning my wheels. No pleasure in it, so no closure (and sadly, it's not putting me to sleep either).
Time to head back to the library for some more keep-me-up novels.
Time to head back to the library for some more keep-me-up novels.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Success!
1) Just chased down my salad with a handful of Sunchips, without either of the two at-home children catching me because
2) Rebecca is sitting on a washcloth in the bathroom with another washcloth on her head. She still hasn't replaced her pants after a recent mishap, but on the other hand she did just sit on the toilet without prompting and
3) Alex is downstairs practicing the piano like mad, and very excited to be trying out the new timer on the old smartphone. (He now refuses to use the kitchen timer to track his practicing.) For every minute on the piano he's guaranteed a minute of Angry Birds, so he's trying to rack up his time.
2) Rebecca is sitting on a washcloth in the bathroom with another washcloth on her head. She still hasn't replaced her pants after a recent mishap, but on the other hand she did just sit on the toilet without prompting and
3) Alex is downstairs practicing the piano like mad, and very excited to be trying out the new timer on the old smartphone. (He now refuses to use the kitchen timer to track his practicing.) For every minute on the piano he's guaranteed a minute of Angry Birds, so he's trying to rack up his time.
New flavor?
This morning I'm munching on a handful of almonds when I notice them start to taste really sweet. Like that maraschino cherry flavor--what do they call that one again?
Oh, yeah. Almond!
Oh, yeah. Almond!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Dear Grandma H
I was the one who asked for your pamphlet by Ardeth Greene Kapp on "All Kinds of Mothers," which I just read. It was as powerful to me tonight as when you received it from your La Mirada bishopric, perhaps as far back as 1979 when it was first printed. (I hope that's why you kept it so long.) I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed Kapp's thoughts on mothers who beat themselves up for their faults, not realizing how many of their good deeds are written in their children's hearts. You must know your own children remember so many of your kind words and acts, which we've heard so much about in the last two months. Thanks again for the book, for your good example, and your own eternal patience. I hope to keep drawing inspiration from it, and from you.
Today as my children sang their primary song in church, I thought that you would have enjoyed hearing it, and that I should call you to have them sing it to you. It was a jolt to realize that we couldn't. Maybe you were already listening.
Happy Mother's Day.
Today as my children sang their primary song in church, I thought that you would have enjoyed hearing it, and that I should call you to have them sing it to you. It was a jolt to realize that we couldn't. Maybe you were already listening.
Happy Mother's Day.
And Other Mothering Examples
I'm finding the example of my grandmother, who keeps an immaculate and welcoming house, really inspiring as I learn that keeping things cleaner makes the house more peaceful. Of course I have a LONG way to go. Thanks for all the examples of good mothers out there.
PS Arren, if you see this, your example has inspired me too! Among other things, I still try to line up the shoes behind the chair when I'm in a cleaning mood.
PS Arren, if you see this, your example has inspired me too! Among other things, I still try to line up the shoes behind the chair when I'm in a cleaning mood.
On Mother's Day Talks
I've always been a little wary of mother's day talks at church, which can sometimes run high on hyperbole. But today's well-chosen talks changed all that. We heard from
--the bishop's daughter, who shared spiritual lessons she uses in her life, which she has learned from her mother. She told a story about how she had turned to prayer during a difficult math class. The word that came to mind after each prayer was "patience," which at first she thought didn't seem very helpful. Then she had a big math test, and again the word came to mind. Though she had finished her test quickly and was eager to turn it in, the inspiration prompted her to go back over her test, where she found several minor mistakes that would have ruined whole math problems. We loved hearing both the lessons she had learned from her mother and the power prayer had in her own life. It was an excellent combination of tribute, doctrine, and personal testimony.
--the first counselor's wife, who spoke to all young mothers. Her assignment, apparently, was "let them know they're not alone." She talked about the great role of motherhood, its challenges, and how turning to the atonement can help mothers get through trying times. Instead of a sappy tribute to an idealized, unattainable role, it was a very useful lesson on how to mothers in the trenches could find strength during motherhood.
--the second counselor's wife, who spoke about the importance of being a grandparent, being an example of service in the church, missionary work, modesty, and many other things. My daughter was impressed to hear her describe videoconference family home evenings with distant grandchildren, and I loved hearing how her children had suggested they stay longer on their senior mission, because the childrens' family was getting so much spiritual benefit by praying and fasting for them.
--the bishop, who reminded mothers guilt-tripping about unattainable ideals ("You don't serve homemade bread every night for dinner? You didn't paint your daughter's room the exact right shade of periwinkle blue while simultaneously helping your eighth-grade son with his Legacy school display? You didn't watch your child's soccer game calling out the exact right praise at the right moments with a plate of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies that stayed warm and dry in the middle of a rainstorm?") that, while we may see ourselves as perfectly flawed, and dwell on our flaws, our family might see us as flawed perfectly, and not even notice what we consider our biggest faults? He advised us to accept the Mother's Day accolades heaped upon us on this day, because our family members really mean them.
What a boost for mothers, not presenting stereotypes we don't fit into or can't live up to, but encouraging us in the work we continue to do. The peace and joy I felt during Sacrament meeting has lasted all day.
Bonus points for the bishopric:
1) notice how all the speakers were bishopric family members?
2) gourmet cheesecake chocolates from a Seattle confectioner. (Though, to be fair, I continue to enjoy the Geslison and Groberg LDS hymn arrangment CDs that were the brainchild of the previous bishopric.)
--the bishop's daughter, who shared spiritual lessons she uses in her life, which she has learned from her mother. She told a story about how she had turned to prayer during a difficult math class. The word that came to mind after each prayer was "patience," which at first she thought didn't seem very helpful. Then she had a big math test, and again the word came to mind. Though she had finished her test quickly and was eager to turn it in, the inspiration prompted her to go back over her test, where she found several minor mistakes that would have ruined whole math problems. We loved hearing both the lessons she had learned from her mother and the power prayer had in her own life. It was an excellent combination of tribute, doctrine, and personal testimony.
--the first counselor's wife, who spoke to all young mothers. Her assignment, apparently, was "let them know they're not alone." She talked about the great role of motherhood, its challenges, and how turning to the atonement can help mothers get through trying times. Instead of a sappy tribute to an idealized, unattainable role, it was a very useful lesson on how to mothers in the trenches could find strength during motherhood.
--the second counselor's wife, who spoke about the importance of being a grandparent, being an example of service in the church, missionary work, modesty, and many other things. My daughter was impressed to hear her describe videoconference family home evenings with distant grandchildren, and I loved hearing how her children had suggested they stay longer on their senior mission, because the childrens' family was getting so much spiritual benefit by praying and fasting for them.
--the bishop, who reminded mothers guilt-tripping about unattainable ideals ("You don't serve homemade bread every night for dinner? You didn't paint your daughter's room the exact right shade of periwinkle blue while simultaneously helping your eighth-grade son with his Legacy school display? You didn't watch your child's soccer game calling out the exact right praise at the right moments with a plate of fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies that stayed warm and dry in the middle of a rainstorm?") that, while we may see ourselves as perfectly flawed, and dwell on our flaws, our family might see us as flawed perfectly, and not even notice what we consider our biggest faults? He advised us to accept the Mother's Day accolades heaped upon us on this day, because our family members really mean them.
What a boost for mothers, not presenting stereotypes we don't fit into or can't live up to, but encouraging us in the work we continue to do. The peace and joy I felt during Sacrament meeting has lasted all day.
Bonus points for the bishopric:
1) notice how all the speakers were bishopric family members?
2) gourmet cheesecake chocolates from a Seattle confectioner. (Though, to be fair, I continue to enjoy the Geslison and Groberg LDS hymn arrangment CDs that were the brainchild of the previous bishopric.)
On Being a Mother on Mother's Day
On Mother's Day:
--strains of "When We're Helping, We're Happy...La, la, la, la, la!" wafted from the kitchen as my children emptied the dishwasher with much clanking
--then came to drag me out of bed to admire their handiwork
--I got to admire the flowers that Katherine had helped my husband choose (Laramie also took a bouquet over to Mom's last night so that she would have a lovely surprise when she walked in the door)
--Katherine cleaned off the top of her dresser and made her bed beautifully (with a little help from Alex on the folding)
--Alex put his church clothes on the hanger right after church, without being asked
--Rebecca stayed dry most of the day
--Rebecca carried dirty dishes into the kitchen at Grandma and Grandpa's (with me running after her to grab anything breakable)
--Alex got ready for bed in less than 10 minutes (so he could then study the new map he inherited from the Hulterstrom house)
My children presented me with
--an "I love you" email from my daughter, probably only the 5th email she's sent
--a drawing from Alex of a butterfly with puffballs glued on
--a mother's day "Have a cup of tea" card Alex made in school
--a purple Mom poster Katherine made in school (because I like purple)
--a handmade beaded bracelet with lots of hearts and purple beads (see above)
--a jewelry box with top, bottom, front, and back made from popsicle sticks (at Activity Days they ran out of time before they could add sides)
--and a card from Activity Days
--primary day surveys with "What does she like to do? Writing on articles or in her book" "What is she best at? Writing" or "What does she like to eat? Saled/sae food" or "What does she work hard at? Keeping the house clean/Tending children"
--little purple paper boxes with Hershey Kisses in them from Rebecca and from Katherine, but not Alex (because Katherine's substitute teacher today was the daughter of the nursery teacher who made the boxes)
And I'd better not tell you about the chocolate my husband gave me, it would just make you drool
On Mother's day
--I felt like my children were listening to me
--It was easy today to be patient with my children
--I saw their love and their good impulses
--I came up with a new incentive for Rebecca ("Surprise me by going potty and I'll read you a mommy book!" Worked twice)
--Read mommy book with Rebecca and taught her to find the letter Q and recite the Quiet! book. (Yes, my daughter's a genius, and I should definitely not tell you that the only two words in the whole book are "Quack!" and "quiet!")
--We enjoyed dinner with my parents, where I was able to notice my children using good manners (appreciation for dessert being one of them. Alex had four helpings--how can a mother say no to rhubarb cobbler that's practically a vegetable?)
--Everything felt right today
--I wondered how long I can recognize my children being generous, kind, diligent, helpful, and eager to learn, before the humdrum demands of motherhood and fogs of frustration once again cloud my vision?
--strains of "When We're Helping, We're Happy...La, la, la, la, la!" wafted from the kitchen as my children emptied the dishwasher with much clanking
--then came to drag me out of bed to admire their handiwork
--I got to admire the flowers that Katherine had helped my husband choose (Laramie also took a bouquet over to Mom's last night so that she would have a lovely surprise when she walked in the door)
--Katherine cleaned off the top of her dresser and made her bed beautifully (with a little help from Alex on the folding)
--Alex put his church clothes on the hanger right after church, without being asked
--Rebecca stayed dry most of the day
--Rebecca carried dirty dishes into the kitchen at Grandma and Grandpa's (with me running after her to grab anything breakable)
--Alex got ready for bed in less than 10 minutes (so he could then study the new map he inherited from the Hulterstrom house)
My children presented me with
--an "I love you" email from my daughter, probably only the 5th email she's sent
--a drawing from Alex of a butterfly with puffballs glued on
--a mother's day "Have a cup of tea" card Alex made in school
--a purple Mom poster Katherine made in school (because I like purple)
--a handmade beaded bracelet with lots of hearts and purple beads (see above)
--a jewelry box with top, bottom, front, and back made from popsicle sticks (at Activity Days they ran out of time before they could add sides)
--and a card from Activity Days
--primary day surveys with "What does she like to do? Writing on articles or in her book" "What is she best at? Writing" or "What does she like to eat? Saled/sae food" or "What does she work hard at? Keeping the house clean/Tending children"
--little purple paper boxes with Hershey Kisses in them from Rebecca and from Katherine, but not Alex (because Katherine's substitute teacher today was the daughter of the nursery teacher who made the boxes)
And I'd better not tell you about the chocolate my husband gave me, it would just make you drool
On Mother's day
--I felt like my children were listening to me
--It was easy today to be patient with my children
--I saw their love and their good impulses
--I came up with a new incentive for Rebecca ("Surprise me by going potty and I'll read you a mommy book!" Worked twice)
--Read mommy book with Rebecca and taught her to find the letter Q and recite the Quiet! book. (Yes, my daughter's a genius, and I should definitely not tell you that the only two words in the whole book are "Quack!" and "quiet!")
--We enjoyed dinner with my parents, where I was able to notice my children using good manners (appreciation for dessert being one of them. Alex had four helpings--how can a mother say no to rhubarb cobbler that's practically a vegetable?)
--Everything felt right today
--I wondered how long I can recognize my children being generous, kind, diligent, helpful, and eager to learn, before the humdrum demands of motherhood and fogs of frustration once again cloud my vision?
On My Mom
When I quizzed my siblings for something they appreciated about my mother, I got these off-the-top-of-the head answers:
--"listening to NPR on the way to piano lessons so I learned to love NPR and be interested in current events"
--teaching us to love
--"that she likes drinking pina coladas with me in Costa Rica!"
--"that she includes my wife in important conversations like "so you think you can dance" and the dress that Kate what's-her-name wore to the royal wedding"
--"the crafts we did when we were young, like stationery and marbling--that was just cool!"
--"She's just good--that's underrated."
--"Her eternal belief in me--I think that's one of the best things she does for me, thinking that I would do well...sometimes she's more optimistic about me than I am myself!"
Katherine added t"I like that she helps me with arts and crafts a whole bunch" and "I like that she lets me pick from her garden and go on the playground."
And from me: "Thanks for bringing over your super vacuum in a recent emergency!"
What a range of things our mothers do for us. What a range of memories we all have to draw from.
To my mother, to Laramie's mother (also patient, good, and cheerful), and to mothers everywhere, I say thank you for everything. And happy mother's day!
--"listening to NPR on the way to piano lessons so I learned to love NPR and be interested in current events"
--teaching us to love
--"that she likes drinking pina coladas with me in Costa Rica!"
--"that she includes my wife in important conversations like "so you think you can dance" and the dress that Kate what's-her-name wore to the royal wedding"
--"the crafts we did when we were young, like stationery and marbling--that was just cool!"
--"She's just good--that's underrated."
--"Her eternal belief in me--I think that's one of the best things she does for me, thinking that I would do well...sometimes she's more optimistic about me than I am myself!"
Katherine added t"I like that she helps me with arts and crafts a whole bunch" and "I like that she lets me pick from her garden and go on the playground."
And from me: "Thanks for bringing over your super vacuum in a recent emergency!"
What a range of things our mothers do for us. What a range of memories we all have to draw from.
To my mother, to Laramie's mother (also patient, good, and cheerful), and to mothers everywhere, I say thank you for everything. And happy mother's day!
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