Never Give Up

SC Sliderzz ~ Champions
Tournament of Champions 2010

A couple days ago I was reminded of an important truth that I had been touched with the first time I heard it, and it rang loud and clear again as I heard these cherished words...You are never a failure as a mother as long as you never give up. That's it, plain and simple, NEVER GIVE UP. Sounds a bit too easy, well, some days maybe not, but really, just keep going and you will not fail. There are going to be bumps along the road, and often times your children are going to make choices or do things that you wish they wouldn't, but never give up. Perhaps you're one of the few fortunate ones whose children haven't strayed or don't find it a struggle to stay strong in this world of turmoil and grief, but perhaps you still get down on yourself for not being the perfect mother that you want to be each day. Maybe you've had one of those days where you yelled a little too much or you were a little too distracted to give your little ones the attention they needed. Maybe you didn't take a small moment to enjoy the simple things with your children, or to teach when the oppotunity was there. Well, do not despair and do not get down on yourself. Start again, and do not give up.

I spent many weekends this summer watching my oldest son play baseball with his 8 year old baseball team. They were a great team and did not face many defeats. They won a lot of tournaments and because of this, were invited to the Tournament of Champions, a tourny where only past tournament champs or other invited teams were participants in the tournament. As a mom, I was very excited for this tournament, though I was pretty nervous too. Although I knew our team had a good potential to do well at the tournament, I really didn't know for sure what to expect as they faced other teams who were all great teams too.

Well, the competition did prove to be quite tough, and all but two of the games those boys played over the course of those three days were hard fought battles. In fact, in all of those games, all but two, the boys got behind at one point or another and had to fight back to regain the lead and claim the victory. Quite exciting were these games, and nothing could make a mother more proud than seeing those boys out there fighting to the end, never giving up, and always trying again to give their very best, even if for an inning or two they struggled and faltered a bit.

Each boy on the team had at least one moment of glory, their moment when they were the hero and did something amazing to start a ralley, save, or even win the game. One of my son Kyler's glorious moments came in the final inning of the championship game. We were up by one run in what had been a very tight game. There were two outs, and the tieing run was on second with the winning run up to bat. Wow, can I say I was SO nervous. The batter was behind the fast pitches of our pitcher, and he was fouling off hits on the right side of the field. Kyler was playing 1st base, and after one failed, diving attempt to catch a foul ball near the dugout, I began to get even more nervous. As the count became full, the pressure mounted, and we all knew, this next pitch could be the ballgame...the deciding hit of the championship game. Something told me that it was going to Ky. I still remember, like it was yesterday, the hit, the hard line drive hit that was surely heading for the fence, that Ky reacted to, jumping up and to the left with all the might and energy his body had to give. Did he catch it? Well, it all happened so fast, luckily, so I didn't have time for my heart to stop beating, but no, he didn't catch it. It hit off of the pinky part of his mitt, and then rolled behind him. For a split second I thought the game was over with the catch, and then disappointment, and for another split second I thought it was gonna be a hit. But then, what I saw happen was the perfect symbol of what the boys had done for the entire tournament...they never gave up. At this moment, Ky wasn't about to give up either. With the passing of the ball, he turned and ran behind him, grabbing the ball and then running and touching first base before the runner could, to get the out and to secure the victory and the championship for our Sliderzz baseball team.

It was a joyous celebration for sure. It seems that the games that prove to be the hardest are the games that bring the happiest of celebrations in the end when the victory is on your side. The feeling of accomplishment becomes heightened as you know you had to work your hardest, giving it all you have got to come out on top and gain the triumphant victory. It's the games that although you were behind at times, you fought back, hoping and wishing and knowing that if you never gave up, you could become the winner. That proved true this summer at the Tournament of Champions on that happy, sunny, summer day in Heber City, Utah when our Sliderzz team earned the title of the best 8u baseball team in the state.

It will also prove true for each of us mothers as we fight through the hard times, giving it all we've got, and even sometimes having to come from behind when we've had times of not being our best, only to come back and become our best. You will each have those times when you are the hero, when you've done something extraordinary, something your child will always remember and for which you will always be appreciated. We will prove victorious as we endure to the end, being great mothers, giving it all we've got and most of all, never giving up.

So start again today, try a little harder, be a little better, and remember, You are never a failure as a mother as long as you never give up.

Getting that Final Out

The Celebration

High Five from the Coach

One Happy, Beautifully Ordinary Mother and Her Little Her0

All-American Mother

One week ago I found myself in a situation I never imagined myself to be in, standing in the cool air warmed by the November sun, surrounded by many people that loved a little boy. The view I had was of the backs of the parents of this little boy as they sat in their spots in the front row of the chairs under the canopy at the side of a small casket, the casket of their little boy. As the tears flowed freely from my eyes I thought about the fact that surely this is not a situation that any mother ever imagines herself to be in. But my dear friend this day, would bury her first born child, her son, Tyson Jared Mack.

Tyson was a special spirit. One who taught all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. Each time I was blessed to be with him, my perspective on life became more eternal than before. Because of Tyson's special circumstances in this mortal existence, he needed a special mother to care for him and to love him. I still remember the day when Janelle called me and told me of the journey she was about to commence as she and her husband, Jared, were awaiting the birth of their baby boy. As she told me of the physical and mental challenges that he would be faced with, my first thought was how wonderful and perfect Janelle would be as a mother to this angel.

Janelle and I played ball together in college a few years earlier, and I always felt lucky to have as my friend the star of the Lady Rebels basketball team. "J Rom" was a dominant player. In fact, she still holds the record as the second highest all time scorer for Dixie. After the glory days of sports were a thing of the past for Janelle and I, we both became mothers. We agree that being a mom is harder than all the things we had to do as an athlete, but that it is more than worth the blessings and joys of motherhood.

Today I want to honor a very beautifully ordinary mother who has accomplished many extraordinary things since Tyson made her a mother a little over five years ago. Words really can't adequately describe the wonderfully amazing mother that Janelle was to Tyson and still is to her other two younger children. She has selflessly given her life to the devotion of her motherly duties. Her sacrifice and love emulates that of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

J Rom, you are a first team All-American Mother. May we all be a mother like you .

As A Big Sister Should Be...

So, obviously I haven't posted in years...okay, so months, but it feels like years. Anyway, I've pretty much decided that as a mother of five busy little ones, I have to cut out some of the things that I do that distract me from being a better mommy, and one of them is blogging. Not that blogging is a terrible thing or anything, in fact I've been able to learn so much and benefitted from the many blogs that I've wandered on to over the past year and a half since I discovered the world of blogging. It's just that as many of you may know, blogging can be so addicting and time consuming!! And well, to be honest, free time isn't something that I have a lot of anymore. When I do have time to spare, or when I stay up extra late to try and get something done, I've been finding myself doing things like sewing, looking at or taking pictures or shopping for the best deals or figuring out what present I can make and give to someone...all things that I do to feed my monster that craves to be told that he has accomplished something good, something worthwhile and has reason to be proud. Which brings me to the topic of this post.

So I was talking to my older sister on the phone the other day and I was telling her what I could make for her to give to her friend when she has her baby. The day before I had finished making a wipes case and a changing pad that I was pretty excited about, and I was telling her about my new found hobby of sewing. She said to me that she thought it was cool that I had something that I did for myself and I had things I did besides just get lost in the lives of my kids. She went on to tell me that she just lives for her kids and all she ever does is stuff for her kids. Well, knowing my sister, I know that this is totally true and although she was saying it as if it was a bad thing, in my mind I was thinking how cool it was and how I wish I could be more like her.

Now I'm not saying that as a mother you should never do anything for yourself or be totally overly consumed with your kids and their lives, but I will say that having them as your priority is definitely a good thing. In fact, this is really the reason why I started this blog in the first place, to convince or remind me and anyone else who cared to listen, that being a mother is a most wonderful accomplishment and something that deserves great applause and commending and praise. I think, at least for me anyway, that it's so easy to get lost in the everyday things of the world that sometimes it's too easily forgotten that our sacred role as mothers is the most amazing and wonderful thing that we can be devoting our time and attentions to. It took my sister to remind me of this again when we had our conversation the other night. There she was, as a big sister should be, a great example to me and a reminder of what is most important, my children. After all, when all is said and done, what would I most want people to remember or say about me? Certainly not "She really could sew," or "She sure could take great pictures" or "Do you remember that time when she got that sweet deal on that $70 blessing outfit for only $3.50?" Now, I'm not saying that I can sew or take great pictures, but I do get some great deals, lol ;) Anyway, what I do hope someone will say about me is "She was a great mom." Ultimately that is my biggest goal in life, but it is so easy to become distracted by all the many other things that are out there pulling me in so many directions. Blogging for me is one of those things, and that's why I've decided to close this blog, for now anyway. Obviously it's not like I've spent much time blogging on this blog in the past nine months, but just having it in the back of my mind knowing that it's here for me to blog on just leaves one more thing on my to do list left undone. So, if I officially say "I'm done" I'll feel better about not posting. I think I might have one more post brewing, but after that I'll be done.

In the meantime, thanks to my big sis. Thanks for the reminder on how wonderful and commendable it is to be a mother and to live to make your kids happy and comfortable. That is what Tara does and I love her and am grateful for her amazing example to me on how to be "a great mom."

"You Don't Have to Move the Piano By Yourself"

We talked about this in church today. Although the main point of it was focused on callings and the importance of them and performing them to your fullest, I received another message along with the one that was intended.

I have been somewhat overwhelmed lately with the thought of having another baby in the next two months. I've been asking myself and wondering "How am I possibly going to do this?" Obviously it's a little late now, but I can't help but worrying about my ability to mother five children that are all in much need of care and teaching and guidance and love and so on. So the thought came to me that my piano at this point is raising my children, and that I don't have to do it by myself. I can and should and need to let others help me. Others like my husband, my own kids, my neighbors, my friends, my parents and other family members, ward members, and really, anyone who is willing to help, but most importantly, my Heavenly Father. For it is His help that will guide me in the most important ways to do the things that I must do in order to raise these precious children of His.

These thoughts also brought to mind an email that I received from a BOM that expressed some of the things that she is grateful for as a mother. I thought I would share some of that with you.

*Thanks for girls nights, understanding strangers and real moms/friends

*A woman at the grocery store who returned my cart, or the man who let me get in front of him in the checkout line. Those little things mean so much...

*More than anything, I'm particularly grateful this year for real friends. I've always heard that it takes a village to raise a child, but what I didn't realize was that it also takes an army of strong, compasionate women to raise a mother.These are the women who get up before dawn to run/workout with me because they know it's good for my sanity and my body, or who stop by with CHOCOLATE for no reason. These amazing women are there to babysit when I'm in a bind, schedule playdates when I'm bored and listen to me vent when I'm done ripping up the useless parenting magazine that says I should make my own scrapbook paper out of twine and toilet paper while looking beautiful with my equally gorgeous children laughing and rolling around on white carpet. So, 'thanks' to all the wonderful women in my life who are helping me in so may little ways as I navigate the ups and downs of motherhood. I couldn't do it alone.

Thanks, Shala, for sharing with us, and for allowing others to help you in your quest, lifting your piano, and being the amazing mother that I know you are.

Let us all be there to help lift the pianos of other mothers in need, and also be willing to let others help us. We might be able to do it alone, but the load will be so much lighter if we accept some help along the way.

Priceless Moments

Photo by Kellie Larsen of Elements Photography. To see more amazing work by Southern Utah's Unique Newborn and Child Photographer visit her blog here.

Becuase I still have a few faithfull bloggers that are stopping by to check in after my lapses in updating the BOM blog, I want to keep posting little thoughts here and there. I know there is nothing worse than opening a blog only to find the same post that has been there the last time you checked and the last time and the last time...So I'll continue posting, as long as you continue reading.

"Take advantage of everyday teaching moments. These moments are priceless. They come when we are working, playing, and struggling together. When they come, the Spirit of the Lord can help us know what to say and help our children accept our teaching." ~Robert D. Hales

The Secret Journal

The Secret Journal of Brett Colton by Kay Lynn Mangum

Has anybody read this book? I just did, and I LOVED it!! Seriously, once I started I had to read at any possible chance I could, and I finished it in a day. This is coming from someone that hasn't taken the time to read a novel since English class my senior year in high school. Really, it was that good. So go buy it or check it out at the library. I hope you like it as much as I did. Oh, and it's not a book that you have to feel guilty about neglecting your kids to read. I'm sure it will inspire and uplift you each in a different way...oh, just take my word for it. Read it!

Golden Girls

So did any of you follow the beach volleyball in the Olympics like I did? It was fun watching both the men and women from our wonderful country represent and represent well. My congratulations goes out to the GOLDEN GIRLS for their second consecutive gold medal. Incredible. That is some amazing talent. Just wanted to let you all know though, in case you missed their victory speech...You have something that they don't have, babies! Yep, Kerri announced that they "both want to have a baby so bad." (Probably not an exact quote, but it was something like that.) So smile today because you have something that even our gold medalists want, and don't have yet. They've got gold, but you've got a baby. :) Maybe we'll have to invite them to blog with us when they do become moms. They could help us with our kills, saves and amazing beach bodies, and we could help them ease into the life of a mother. Ooh, I hope they don't get morning sickness when they're pregnant. That would not be good.

Congratulations...

Lauren Horsley, you are the random winner of our monthly giveaway. Exciting! Email me your mailing address and I'll send you the book. Enjoy! beautifullyordinarymother@gmail.com

New Winner...Well, Almost

So my last survey asked if you felt like you get enough sleep. My vote was a big fat NO! Most of us voted no, but I was happy to see that there are a few of you out there that seem to be getting your beauty rest and a few more that sometimes are getting enough shut eye.

The reason I asked was because I recently read (in one of my fav books) about how important it is to get the right amount of sleep. It totally opened my eyes to a lot of the problems that I was encountering in my day to day life. Debra Sansing Woods says in her wonderful book It's Okay to Take a Nap and Other Reassuring Truths for Mothers Everywhere, "The reality is that being short on sleep makes me far less than my best self. In other words, when I'm exhausted, I tend to be impatient, critical, and just generally grumpy with my kids." Oh man, I want to just read the rest of what she has to say about it, but it would totally make me go over on my allotted blogging time for the day. (I think I'm already over anyway, Oops!) Anyway, what she had to say made such an impact on me that I vowed to try and go to bed every night at 10:00pm. I've only done it, oh maybe once or twice since then, but I'm still working on doing just that. Why? Because it really did make a noticeable difference in my days when I was able to get the right amount of sleep at the right time. I highly recommend your trying it too. See if it works for you. Oh, and I also highly recommend getting this book. It's filled with great advice for all of us mothers.

For one of our lucky BOMs, this book is this month's prize. I might even be able to get it signed by the author. Yeah! I'll announce the winner soon. Stay tuned...

SUPERMOMS

I just can't get over how amazing and inspiring all of your wonderful comments from the last post were. A big thanks goes out to our BOMs...Lauren, Rachel ,Jenni, Teryn and Lyndsay. Oh and thanks to Lynae for asking the question that got the results.

I found from reading your comments, that again, yes, we really are all in this together, and we're all undergoing the same trials and struggles as mothers. How wonderful to know this, and to have a reminder that our babies are only young for a little while and that we must do all we can do to enjoy and relish every single moment. I really liked that everyone seemed to keep echoing the thought of not being too hard on ourselves. We DON'T have to feel guilty for not getting it all done. It just really isn't a realistic thing and no, not one of us is a superwoman, but yes, each of us is a "supermom." (A note on that...have someone call you that once or twice and your mommy self esteem will be soaring. An old friend came to visit my family about a month ago. He hadn't seen me since college and I think it was a little weird for him to see me running around with my four kiddos. He kept calling me "supermom" and kind of joking about it. I decided to take it as a compliment.) Yes, that's what we are...SUPERMOMS. Anyone who is a mom has to be super. That's just a given. So maybe we don't do it all, maybe we have to squeeze in our scripture reading and prayers and maybe there are piles of sand on the floor, but just remember to let go of the guilt, do all you can to prioritize, set a schedule and routine (huge helper) and be loving to your littles. You know, I think it all falls into place from there. It will never be easy, but we CAN do it. Yes, we can.


If you haven't read the comments from the last post, do it and do it now. ;) Really, there are some great thoughts there for you.

Who Has Time For All This Anyway?

This week's post comes from a question from one of our BOMs. She is the mother of three girls, and I think the oldest might be four by now, hmm, maybe still three. I can only imagine how busy she is day after day after day. Her question is "How do busy moms do it?" (See the comment on the post "Sisters." ) How do you fit in your spiritual daily needs? We all know that they are necessary in order to stay on track and be able to handle our mothering duties with joy and love, but sometimes it does seem impossible to fit it all in.

Now, I know there are some of you out there that this isn't a challenge. You seem to just do it and handle it better than the rest of us. Really, I know who you are. I've seen you in action. So the question is how? Help us out. What is the secret to making it happen?

The forum is now open.

Happy 4th of July

Enjoy today with your families. Celebrate your freedom and teach your children why we have it. Start a tradition. Live a tradition. Be proud to be an American. God bless America.

Sisters

We are all sisters, and sisters love and help each other. I have been so overwhelmed at how much I have been affected by my so many of my sisters that have made such an amazing impact on me this week. It started with the comments from the last post (if you haven't read them, you need to-thank you BOM Brooke and BOM Maren), then it went to my friend that I was visiting teaching who gave me some insights that were just what I was needing, and then it continued as I opened an email from a friend sharing a wonderful email with me, and offering to let me use some of it for the blog.

So here is part of that email. I guess I didn't even pay attention to who wrote it, but thank you. Welcome to the BOM Clan. :)

Roxxy, our horse, delivered a healthy and beautiful little foal on Tuesday the 27th of May. She did it all on her own, no vet required! I asked! I arrived on the scene about an hour after the birth. It was amazing to me to see how attentive and responsible this first time mother was. Who trained her? How did she know how to behave toward this new miniature version of herself? She never left the side of the baby, knew right what to do to help the baby adjust to her new life and Roxxy also seemed to develop a new language just for the baby, different than anything I'd heard her voice before. It made me think about our natural abilities as mothers. God has given us all the attributes we need to be good mothers and if we have the desire, we can accomplish that task quite well. Mothers naturally seem to know if a child has a special need or is in trouble or hurting. I think it is a wonderful gift God gives to mothers.

How true is this! I loved it. All we need is the desire, because God has already given us the gift. The gift of motherhood and innate attributes and capabilities, allowing us to accomplish the task. To be a mother, could there be a greater gift?

Thank you to all my sisters that helped me to be a better mother this week.

Patience Please

Sometimes as a mother it is so hard to be patient. Why do we have to deal with the things we do sometimes? It's all part of being a mother, I guess. Although I don't have any great advice on how we can become more patient, David B. Haight offered these great words on the matter..."When a mohter exhibits these qualities of patience and unselfishness before her children and does it as though it was a privilege, she has said more to her children of her love for them than she ever could with words."

That goes back to the old saying, actions speak louder than words. Let's all try to enjoy this privilege of showing patience instead of losing it. Tell us what you did this week as you exemplified your love for your children through your actions of patience. (Am I the only one who could use a little more patience?)

Drum Roll Please...

T.S. May, it's your lucky day! You are the winner of our monthly drawing. Congratulations! You win the cute book from Lynae. Lucky! Email me and let me know the initial you want on the outside cover, and the address you want it shipped to. (btw...L4 in the picture is code for It's All About the LOVE, commentor #4)

Thanks to everyone for all of your comments and keep it up. Another month and another prize is coming your way. And let's not forget what it's really all about; mothers helping mothers. Oh and because Kambrie had so much fun drawing out the winner, she wanted to keep picking. So I let her...Jenni Foo Foo came in 2nd and Wade came in 3rd. Sorry, no consolation prizes, but I thought you wouldn't mind knowing that you were really close to winning :)

Lastly, don't be too disappointed if you really wanted that book and didn't win. Lynae will make you one. So check out our BOM Boutique to see how you can have your very own.

1st Ever Giveaway, Coming Right Up

So this will be yours if you're the lucky BOM that wins this month's giveaway. It's a dang cute little book meant for recording all the fun little things that your kids say and do that you want to remember, but never have anything on which you can write them. It was created by our beautifully ordinary mother, Lynae. Yours will have your initial on the cover, of course. Hope you win! :)

Eternal Role

There is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood. ~Elder M. Russel Ballard

A couple days ago I was reading the talk where he said this and it really struck me. I love the entire talk and I think every mom should read it weekly, but for some reason this really stood out to me this time as I read. Just wanted to share.

Summer Fun

Smile. It's almost officially summer. Aren't many of your favorite childhood memories from those long summer days? What are you doing to make those fun childhood memories for your littles? Disney Land, Sea World, Lake Powell? Big vacations equal big fun, right? Great, that's all great, but don't forget to take time for the little things. Think about the things that you remember most as a little child. What made you happy? What made you smile? Popsicles, Kool-Aid, running through the sprinklers?

Last night we popped some popcorn and sat and watched a movie together (first time ever that I've watched an entire movie with my kids) and it was a lot of fun. I think I need to do that more often. Do you have a favorite, fun, simple little thing that you do with your kids that's creating those fun summer memories?

Comments Anyone?

Don't forget that the monthly prize will be randomly selected from the comments that have been posted. Our first prize giveaway is just around the corner. So don't forget to comment, and remember, it's mothers helping mothers here...you could have the perfect words for that mother needing you today.

Do it and do it now!

I've developed a new motto to live by after my procrastination kept me from sending my letter to my grandma...Do it and do it now! I'm one who tends to feel overwhelmed even by the smallest daily tasks, and I often let them build upon each other, piling them high in my mind of things that I need to do. So, I've decided to try to combat the procrastinating, anxiety causing, "I need to do that" way of living by taking action and doing it now. Give it a try, see if it works. If something comes to your mind that needs to be done, do it. Then you will be more free to focus better on the next thing that needs your attention, keeping that pile of things to do shorter and more easily accomplished.

If you have any ideas for me to help me conquer or at least cope with the busy life of a mother of four young kids, please, share your secrets. I could use all the help I can get.

Random Acts of Kindness

When I was in high school we were required to perform one random act of kindness a week for our Leadership Class. So I did. Sometimes they were definitely random, even sometimes a bit strange, usually they were simple, but always the recipient was grateful. So I had the opportunity to perform a random act of kindness this past weekend at a football game. My little Kambrie helped me out and we were able to make a difference in a family's night out at the game. It was a great feeling. Something that was so simple to me, I think made a big difference to them. I was happy that I acted on the feeling that I had to reach out and put into action the thought that had come into my mind. So many times I miss an opportunity to do something, even little as it may seem, that could help make a difference in someone's day.

Last Thursday I had the thought that I needed to write my Grandma a letter. I felt that it was important, so I did it right away. In the letter I expressed my heartfelt love and gratitude for her and the example she had been to me, along with the wonderful positive impact she has had on my life. I have truly been blessed to have her as my grandma and I wanted to let her know. Well, my grandma unexpectedly died today, and the letter still sits on my desk along with an envelope full of pictures addressed to Grandma D. Had I sent the letter the day I wrote it, or even the day after, Grandma would have read that letter and got to see the pictures that she so loved to get in the mail.

Although there is nothing I can do to change what happened, I can offer this plea to you. Act on those thoughts. Carry out those random acts. Do them as you are prompted. They will make a difference, I am sure.

It's All About the LOVE

Happy Mother's Day to all you B.O.M. Moms!

Speaking of Mother's Day. . . I received a gift from my mother-in-law that really meant a lot to me. It was a small book titled Love that Never Ends by Lucile Johnson. On the inside cover she left me a special message and she said, "...you are the best mother. How do I know this? Because you love your children. This book is great because it reminds us mothers that we don't have to be perfect to love our children and love is what counts." I couldn't have had a better reminder about what is so important in the lives of our children. LOVE, yes, simply love. Loving our children is what we must do in order to be the best moms, and better yet, we don't have to be perfect to love our children. Wow. Simple, profound, true.

Think about the love that you have for your children (I know it's immense) and strive to show them this love through simple actions. An extra hug, listening, really listening when they talk, making a favorite meal, playing a little catch or maybe singing or playing the piano with them, or anything else that you know they will love. Love them, simply love them.

So you have to check out the first ever comment on the last post from one of our beautifully ordinary mother's husband. It's pretty powerful.

Finally

I did it! I finally started my blog for mothers; beautifully ordinary mothers, just like me and you. I've been wanting to do this for a few months now, but have debated whether or not it would be a good idea, if it would have a good response, or if it would be worth my time. Then today, I finally decided, "why not?" If it ends up helping even just one mother by making her journey down the pathway of life a little bit better, a little bit easier or a little bit more worth it, then, yes, it would be worth it to me. Let's do it!