In honor of Mother's Day - Good Reads

It takes a Mother to Raise a Village

by Colleen Down

read an excerpt from the book here

My husband had just graduated from BYU and was just starting his career in law enforcement. We had just bought our first house and I had 4 children at the time. I really struggled with the idea of having anymore children. I was tired! Tired of being pregnant, tired of nursing, tired of cleaning up and chasing after a house full of little ones, tired of baby fat, and tired of not sleeping. I was ready to move on. It was during this time that I was blessed to meet an amazing woman and mother of 8 children. In her cruisade to get me to join American Mothers (which I did not ever join) she encouraged me to read this book. Some places made me laugh, others made me cry. It's a fun, entertaining view on motherhood. And it has cartoon drawings at the beginning of each chapter that are funny! I'm all about being entertained!

I Am a Mother

by Jane Clayson
Holly has done a great review

I read this book because I really liked Jane Clayson Johnson when she co-hosted on The Early Show for CBS. I was fascinated with the idea that she had built a successful career and then suddenly she was gone and the rumor was that she had left it all to become a mother and stay home with her kids. I wanted to know her story. I also loved the picture on the front of this book. I loved this book!

Tending Roses

By Lisa Wingate
Read the excerpt here that I read that convinced me to read this book

Off the back of the book: The lessons that most enrich our lives often come at unexpected moments and from unlikely places. That's what Katie Benson learns when she moves temporarily—with her husband Ben and baby son—to her grandmother's Missouri farm. She arrives at a time of crisis and indecision—struggling with the demands of being a new mother, a not-so-new wife, and a well-meaning but often impatient granddaughter. The family has assigned her and Ben the job of convincing Grandma Rose, who's become increasingly stubborn and forgetful, to move off the land that means so much to her and into a nursing home. Katie knows such a change would break her grandmother's heart. But what is right for her grandmother? And what is right for herself and her family?

Just when Katie despairs of finding answers, she discovers her grandmother's journal. A beautiful handmade notebook, it is full of heartwarming stories that celebrate the virtue of patience, the power of love, and the importance of family, friendship, and faith. Stories that make Katie see her life—and her grandmother—in a completely new way... and lead her toward a new, more meaningful future...

Some of this actually story was slow but I loved this grandmother and the lessons she taught. Very good book!

Being the Mom

By Emily Watts
Read an overview here
Holly also has a review of this book here

I loved the part of the title of this book that says "10 Coping Strategies I Learned by Accident Because I Had Children on Purpose" I had to read this based on that intro. Emily is very realistic and makes the choices involved in being a mom seem do-able. Very enjoyable and uplifting to read!

What I am currently reading:

I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids

By Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile

I picked this book because I often tell myself that I was a good mother BEFORE I had kids. My dad always tells me that "the best parents are those who have never had kids or those who's kids are raised. The rest of us are just trying to not do too much damage as we survive parenthood one day at a time." I also thought the cupcake on the front of book looked yummy! I wouldn't say this is the best book ever written but it has helped remind me that I am not alone in my desire to be perfect and do it all. Some mom's are more extreme and others, not so much, but there are alot of us doing the same things and all striving for the same goal. It's helps to look at my thoughts and actions through other mothers. Then I can more realisticly evaluate what is working, what is not, what is worth doing and what is worth throwing out or letting go of.

Now it's your turn. What "Mom" books do you love?

Thoughts

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of--throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.

-C.S. Lewis

I read this over on Lara's blog. I've read this before but since I seem to be extra emotional lately, it seemed to really touch me differently this time. What kind of house will you become?

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Last night my neighbor (the R.S. Pres.) had a "Bake Off" for the women in our ward. Mostly it was just a chance to get together and talk.

At 6 o'clock I decided that I didn't have time to make dinner, figure out a treat to take over, shower and get ready, organize my kids and house, and walk the block to her house.

Instead, I stayed home and watched American Idol and then went for my first bike ride with Ken (which I almost cried because the corners really scare me. We are going to need lots of practice before I hit the big road for a long trip!) We drove past my neighbors house and saw the party going on and all the women from church. I felt sad that I had missed out on something that would have probably been a really fun and relaxing evening out.

But then I remembered all the really important things that I had stayed home to do instead. I'm a very busy person, you know....

WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I REALLY AFRAID OF?????????????

ME!!!!!

I get really stressed over things like this. I have gone to activities or meetings or whatever where I sit alone, I eat alone and I talk to no one. I know that I am to blame for this. I have a tongue and legs that work. Yet, the older I get, the more I don't like the idea of not being in control of all things around me. And I don't like being alone. I know, I wouldn't be alone if I got out and did things with people and built up those friendships. I just get so scared that I intentionally sabotage my plans.

Sometimes I am amazed at the fact that I am a member of a church with the biggest women's organization in the world, yet I feel so alone. I busy myself with my children so that I appear to not have time to socialize. I love teaching in the Primary because then I don't have to sit alone in my adult meetings. I doubt myself alot. I think I talk too much about stuff of little importance. I hate having conversation with someone because afterwards, I review it over and over in my head until I finally decide that I'm better off just to avoid conversation at all cost.

Hence, my not going to the activity last night.

I asked Justyn to dump a dead mouse yesterday (yes, we still have them, GRRRR! and I didn't just loose my train of thought. This will tie back into my sob story in just a minute.) and he said to me, "Mom, you hate mice and so does Dad. I just can't help it, I was just born to hate mice!" (For the record, I ended up paying the little boy across the street a blue Popsicle to dump it.)

Well, after my little stunt of skipping out on the enrichment activity last night, I am using the same excuse. "My mom hates Relief Society things and so does my Dad. I just can't help it, I was born to hate Relief Society things."

I know, I know!!!

I am the one missing out and I am the only one who can change things for myself.

So, I'll go next time!!!

maybe......

Polygamy?

When the guys at work kid Ken about how many kids he has, he just tells them that in our religion, when a man gets to 10 kids, he gets to have a second wife.

Since 6 is as close as we are going to get, this is as close as he's going to get to having his second wife!

He said she would bring us closer.

That it would just be the two (or three?) of us.



He said she was easy on the eyes.

And that she sparkled with personality.



I call her V.

At least her saddle bags are bigger than mine!



Coming soon, to an open road near you! Maybe we'll even stop in for a visit!

P.S. The couple on the bike is NOT us, but we are only hoping to be so cute! :) The rest of the pictures I really took. Yes, there is a big bike in my garage. We are now a family of 9! Ken is already planning to add on another bedroom so that she doesn't feel neglected.

Shh! Don't tell Ken but I'm a little scared!

Recipe Pass Along

The real recipe is on Allrecipe.com This is my modified version.

Artichoke Spinach Lasagna

Cooking Spray
Lasagna Noodles
1 onion
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 14oz. can vegetable broth (I buy the stock and make my own broth-I used 2 cups)
1 tablespoon rosemary (can use basil instead)
1 can marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
Fresh spinach
Fresh Mushrooms
1 jar white alfredo sauce
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 package herb and garlic feta

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

-Boil the lasagna noodles. (I prefer to soak the lasagna noodles in hot water so that they are softened and then they finish cooking later in the oven. They aren't as soft this way. I just fill my 9x13 baking dish with very hot tap water and let the noodles soak while I am preparing the other ingredients.)

-Saute onion and garlic (don't burn the garlic, it tastes yucky!). Stir in broth and rosemary (or basil); bring to a boil. Stir in the artichoke hearts, mushrooms, and spinach; reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in alfredo sauce.

-Spread a little of the sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish; top with noodles. Sprinkle some mozzarella cheese over noodles. Repeat layers 2 more times, ending with artichoke mixture on top. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle crumbled feta on top.

-Bake, covered, for 4 minutes. Uncover, and bake 15 minutes more, or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

My notes:
I have NEVER used artichoke before. I have no idea how to use a fresh artichoke in this recipe. The marinated artichokes had a pickled type flavor which Ken and the kids DID NOT like at all. I noticed that there were also canned artichokes that were not marinated. I will probably try those next time and see if it's a bigger hit around here. If you know much about artichokes, I'd love to hear your thoughts and other recipes you may have that are good. P.S. Just in case you are like me and have no clue where to find canned artichokes, they were on the top row of the isle with the canned vegetables and it was very dusty so I'm not sure how popular of an item it is. If you buy a fresh one, CAREFUL! It is covered in thorns and will cut you! Mean little suckers!

Big Morning

Henry ran a fever all day Saturday and when we finally got it to break at midnight so he could sleep, Ken and I both agreed that I would be staying home from church with him today. He slept good all night and this morning, he woke up with no fever. I debated on if I wanted to take him to church or not. Ken's only request was that whatever I decided, he was not going to be late this week. We have sacrament meeting first and the only seats that are always empty are on the very front row and when 8 of us walk in late, it's like a parade. I agreed so I jumped up to get to work getting us all out the door on time. I was finishing up Kate's hair and glanced at the clock, taking note that I now had 5 minutes left to spend on myself. Good enough. I grabbed a chunk of her hair in the back to curl it and my fingers got caught on something. I felt it again and thought, "Great! How did you get food in your hair already?" I pulled on it and it wouldn't come out so I pulled her hair apart to investigate.

I SCREAMED!!!! (I do this alot, actually)

It wasn't a piece of food. It was a bug stuck to her head and the skin was all read and irritated. I immediately guessed it was a tick! NASTY!

Ken came and looked and since this was our first experience with something like this, we loaded her up and headed to the ER. So much for being on time to church.

Thankfully, at the ER, they didn't even check us in. They just took us back, put some lidocaine on it, the tick started to pull out, the doctor grabbed some tweezers and pulled really hard and out came a string of blood and a big fat tick! He then pulled out the pincher's which had broken off and were still in her head, told us what to watch for and sent us on our way. I guess ticks around here don't carry Lyme's disease but they do carry Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Colorado tick fever so we'll watch her for the next couple of weeks.

She was very brave and was mostly just embarrassed that her hair wasn't finished when she went to the ER. I, on the other hand, think that I will be traumatized for life thinking about pulling on that thing thinking it was some food and then realizing what it was. It was about the size of a pea so I thought that was pretty big! YUK!!

So, the big question is, where did she get it from? I wish I could say we had gone to the mountains or out to the desert to play this weekend, but we didn't. She just played around the neighborhood with friends yesterday. So, we have no idea where she got it from. Maybe the grass?

Found this over on Crazy Mama of 6. Have a great weekend!!!!

Whammy!

This is going to be written more journal like just so that I can sort through some of this and get it out of my head.

At the kids school, they have a discipline system that involves "office tickets." You can get tickets for good or bad behavoir. The school is new this year and is working towards providing an environment of exceptional learning so this year has been a learning experience for all involved. As they have gradually upped the expectations of the students, many students have been weeded out. This is proving to be a good thing and I am very impressed with all the teachers and administration at this school. It has really been a blessing for our family.

Last week Zach recieved 3 office tickets for not so good behavior. He had a late assignment and then was off task on the other two. Considering we are a month away from summer and this is his first tickets, I'm not pleased in any way, but it's not too big of a deal to me. With 2 tickets, he was assigned 1 hour of after school service/detention time. I had him do this last Thursday since I had some errands to run that day.

Because we homeschooled for 4 years and used a different math program, which I loved, but since we didn't finish the series Zach has been behind in school this year in his math class. We finally set up before school tutoring with his teacher (that's a very long story also but the end result is we finally got a plan in place that seems to be working for him.) So on Ken's way to work, he drops Zach off to school a half hour early for tutoring each morning.

On Saturday, Zach mowed the lawn. He has allergies so that chore seemed to get his system all worked up and he was coughing and drippy the rest of the day. We kept him home on Sunday because his coughing hadn't settled down yet. On Monday, he was still sick so he stayed home from school. On Tuesday, Shaelynne missed the bus and Zach was claiming to still be sick only it was more his stomach now. I had him take some Zantac and I took Shaelynne to school late. I mentioned to the Vice Principal that Zach was home sick but that hopefully he would be there tomorrow. Later that day Justyn called me and wanted me to come get him since he had a headache and couldn't think anymore. So, I went back to the school to get him. On my way out the door, the V.P. came out of her office and said she'd walk with me to my car. STRANGE! She said, "Tell Zach that the boy that has been intimidating him has withdrawn from our school so it's safe to come back to school." I looked at her dumbfoundedly. What, Zach is home with allergies and stomach issues. What kid? For how long? Are you sure it's my Zach we are talking about? She wouldn't tell me a name or any information, just that when the boy's mother pulled him out, she was concerned about Zach and that her son had been bullying him. WEIRD!

On my way home, I called my sick Zach, and asked him what in the world the V.P. was talking about. He was hesitant to say anything to me but I pryed it out of him.

On Thursday in dentention, some older boys had started picking on him. When I picked him up, his eye was red. I asked him if someone hit him and he said no, they were just goofing around. The new story is that a bunch of boys held him while the leader boy hit him. Zach wiggled free and ran away before anything else happended and then I showed up and he was safe. The next morning was tutoring. These same boys came in early and harrassed him. He tried to get the teacher to stop them but she didn't do anything about it. He said he hid under the table. They found him and the teacher told him to stop goofing off so he ran to another class and asked another teacher for help. She told him to stop running in the school or he would be in trouble. He slipped into a third teachers room and asked for help. He was told to settle down and get to class. He was frustrated that no adult would help him. The day, Zach's friends were worried about the situation, so they went to the Principal. She did some interviewing of Zach and the other kids. According to the V.P., they realized this was a pretty serious problem and they were doing what they could to get it under control. The leader boy was already on school dicipline and this stunt just confirmed thier decision to ask him to leave. My problem is, I feel like I should have been involved at this point. It would still be 4 more days before I was clued in here.

After school, he stayed in his art class until he missed the bus and the boys were gone. Then he called me and I had to go get him from school. On Monday he was scared to go to school and he had allergies so that was a good excuse to stay home. On Tuesday, he faked the allergies because he was so scared and he already has stomach problems that are stress related so this caused his stomach to start acting up. On Wednesday, I finally insisted that he had to go to school. The boy harrassing him was gone and he had a major report/presentation due so he needed to be in school. He was terrified of the other boys coming after him even more now that the leader boy had been pulled out of school. The school staff reassured him that it was under control and that he was safe now. He went to school, late, but seemed to be doing good when I picked him up after school.

Yesterday, I had to take Justyn to the doctor after school because he pickes things on his skin until they bleed and become infected. After visiting with the doctor about his social life and all his stress at home, the doctor sent him out of the room so he could visit with me. Apparently, Justyn has anxiety and depression. He's 10! He's actually had it since he was 5 which is one reason I pulled him out of school to teach him at home. We've done pretty good the last few years but things have progressively gotten worse this year. Give me a break here. It's been a rough year! So, he needs counseling and medicine. I told the doctor that I'm doing the best I can here. I had a crapload of stuff hit me hard this year and I didn't handle it very well. Now, I'm slowly pulling it back together but man, what am I supposed to do here? I admit, at that point I was a little emotional.

Between all of this, we had some fallout with our court case and my in-laws so I was trying to sort through all of that and trying to keep my head on straight. I was so looking forward to a relaxing evening of American Idol and folding the mountain of laundry that was waiting for me on my bed. (I just have to say, I'm so sad that Brooke went home last night!!!! But she hasn't done that well lately so it wasn't a surprise. Now I'm for sure a David Archeleta fan!)

Yesterday evening, Zach's leader showed up to take him to Young Men's (his church youth activity). A half hour later, Zach called me in tears that his stomach hurt. I told him Dad was at the church somewhere for a meeting and to find him. He couldn't and I couldn't get him to answer his phone either, so I headed over to pick him up. On the way, Ken called me and said he had Zach and that he couldn't breathe so he was taking him to the ER. I was close by so I headed that way also. I had his insurance info so I took care of that but because the ER was so full, I had to leave. That's okay, I had left the house in chaos so I definately was needed somewhere else. About 10p.m. they came home. Zach has severe stomach issues all related to his stress level. They told him to figure out how to control his stress and he would be able to get this under control. HELLO! He's 12 years old!!!!

SO, he is home again today because he is working all the medicine out of his system that they put in him last night. He's doing really well actually. He seems back to normal.

I feel slightly worked over though. It's hard when your children suffer because of you. I have expected alot out of my children. They are well behaved, most of the time, and they know how to do alot of work around the house. I expect them to have high standards and to do their best work. I expect them to be kind and respectful of those around them. In all my efforts to teach good, I guess I forgot to teach stress management. Oh, that's because I'm clueless in that area. Have you ever felt like you just suck at your job? It's okay. Today is a new day and we are all still here so I'll make a new plan and see how it works out. I'm thinking we need a vacation. Can we, all 8 of us, come visit you? Ha! Ha! Then we could cause you to have stress issues as well.

Sorry if this post is more run on and full of more mistakes than normal. I'm not even going back to re-read this one. It's out, now I'm moving on. My favorite part of blogging is when I don't want to be in my world, I just come over into yours. Thanks for sharing your lives with me.

(Okay, time was up 10 paragraphs ago so I'm done now)