Flowers (Well?)?
A nice card (Not really very original.)?
A phone call (Of course, but that doesn’t count.)?
Yes but……well….how about a Mother’s Day……………………
…POST!
This is the first time I have given a post to anyone, and especially on Mother’s Day. I may be considered “dumb as a post” for attempting such an activity. Good thing we are talking about a virtual post, or blog on a website, for you, on Mother’s Day.
The activity the enables someone to be called a mother is in the giving birth. But it is what goes on after the birth that should be celebrated the most. It is a job that is never finished. Once you sign up for the job of motherhood you generally cannot stop. It is like the gift that, by design, just keeps on giving, because others just keep on asking. We have great kids and they are by no means demanding or burdensome. This element of the job of motherhood is what is so great to others. Mothers are always there, they are dependable, they are wise, and they know lots of things.
They are beautiful on the inside and on the outside. They are able to support others. They bake cookies, they fix things, they are plumbers, they have a little auto mechanic in them, they know a lot about taxes, they listen well, they know where to get the greatest bargains, they hear things that many don’t and they certainly feel things that others totally miss. They are physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight, and because of this they are able to help little boy and girl scouts.
They get degrees, they love learning, and they just seem to be able to keep on going. They have been found in the woods, up on roofs, taking tests, giving tests, giving blood (even if only theoretically), stopping blood, giving hope, giving comfort, giving love, never giving up, giving life, giving others a lift, giving great care, giving a hand to others and frequently to their children. They give violin lessons, piano lessons, they give advice, they endure advice from time to time, they know when to listen and not speak and they know when to speak up. They are able to leap tall buildings in a single bound (or at least it seems like it).
They give direction, they give counsel, they give comfort, they give a darn, they felt, they cook, and yes they sometimes sew, and clean and do dishes and sweep the floor, they clean the house over and over and over, they pack and unpack, they pack and unpack, (did I mention they pack and unpack?) they help others pack and unpack, they are really movers and shakers in every sense of the word.
They make things beautiful. They make children beautiful, yards beautiful, homes beautiful, themselves beautiful, front rooms beautiful, tv rooms beautiful. They make their friends feel beautiful, husbands feel handsome around them, children feel loved around them, and husbands feel loved around them. They are sometimes frustrated but seldom show it, they are sometimes hurt but are good at swallowing it back and showing selflessness. They teach, they cry, they talk on the phone to friends and family, they remember things, they work and work and keep going until they are really tired and then they go a lot longer. They think of others constantly and do for others and help others.
The family rallies around them, they are the spark that ignites a flame of love in a family and keeps it burning bright and constantly. They seem to have an endless source of energy and wisdom and caring and this world would be a pretty boring and dull place without them. They give prayers, they hear prayers, they read scriptures, they give family home evening lessons, they give and give and give and give and give and then someone comes along and asks them to give some more. They give caring, they give kindness, they give tenderness, they give sweetness, they ride bikes, they drive go carts, they drive the car everywhere and then drive some more. They go for walks, they sometimes go crazy but this is usually never seen.
They have it together, they have it with a cherry on top, they have it with several types of toppings, they have it with gravy and mashed potatoes and without meat and with rice. They make salads, they make beds, and they do laundry………once, twice and three times a day sometimes, most times. They fold clothes, they have their husbands (when they are there) clean toilets, they work on computers, they work on marriages, they work on family relationships, family reunions, family pictures, family web sites, family home evenings, family scripture study, family prayer, family councils and family group sheets. They work in gardens, they preserve, they store, they shop, and they go without so that their children can have what they need. But mostly I think they are great. This is all about you and what you do Denise as a mother, and there is so much more that you do that goes unnoticed and unrecognized. And for that, thank you. Denise, have a wonderful Mother’s Day……….you deserve it.
With all my love (from a distance). Rance
I have said over and over again that If I could be at least a quarter the woman my mother is I would be doing really well in life! She's pretty much Super-mom. She is alway reading and learning, taking classes... she has learned to knit, garden, taken photography classes, scrapbook, she bikes, she's a landscaper, and she's and INCREDIBLE cook and has studied health and nutrition and put them into practice to benefit not only herself but her family, and the list goes on and on. Not to mention her gospel knowledge. She is an inspiration as I watch her study the scriptures and other books to further her understanding of the gospel truths- and then put them into practice. She is not content to settle for less then excellence, always looking to improve and move forward. I have watched her go through trial after trial with incredible strength, grace and humility. Always putting the Lord first in her decisions no matter what the situation, she looks to the scriptures as she decides how to handle whatever life has given her. Lets also remember her six kids that she has put first in her life, sacrificing every bit of time that she has for herself to better our lives. Her life seems to revolve around us and I don't know how she can give so much day after day. She has created not just a house but a home where the spirit resides, learning is prevalent and we feel loved and accepted. It is a haven. As if all that isn't enough, she is my best friend. I talk to her multiple times a week... sometimes multiple times a day. I turn to her when something exciting happens, or when something devastating happens. I can't tell you the number of times I have cried on the phone and in person. I turn to her when I have an important decision to make and when I just want to talk. I wish I knew how to fully express how much I love an appreciate you Mom. I appreciate your friendship and your example, your prayers in my behalf. So on this day that is for honoring mothers I have a lot to honor... Happy Mothers Day Mom!!
Kiely
On this mothers day, I wish that I could describe how much my mom means to me, in this post. How do you sum up 20+ years of ceaseless love, service, kindness, and friendship? I won't make a list of everything my mom has done and does; one, because the list is too long, and two, because its already been done a few times. I will say, however, how much my life has been greatly benefited by my mother. There hasn't been a single thing (problem, celebration, pain, joy) in my life that I have not been able to share with her. No matter what the situation or occasion, I can always go to her, and she always knows what the best thing to do is.
Over the years, and especially since I was the oldest child living at home, our relationship has grown from simply mother-daughter to friends. This has been very special to me; its a relationship that I cherish and without it, I would not be who I am today.
If I could make this post as long as it should be to truly demonstrate a fraction of how much I appreciate and love my mom, it would go on for pages. I just want her to know on this special day, I love you mom! Thank you so much for all you do! I hope you know that I try every day to be more like you; and, as I have heard many women say, (but I said it first!) "When I grow up, I want to be just like Denise!"
Dev
To read Haley's go to her blog, http://haleyandjon.blogspot.com/
We love you Mom!!
This is a kiva - a spiritual center, and probably a family dwelling during the winter - a bit more protected from the wind and elements. 
This is NEWSPAPER ROCK - near Moab, Utah. Pretty cool! We stopped here on our way home. We spent quite a bit of time trying to interpret the symbols... the one at the top could be either a stretched out skin, a turtle or a flying squirrel, depending on which one of us you asked...
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