Reposting thoughts from facebook

Feb 19   I feel so strongly that God loves us all. We are all sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. I do not feel that, as a woman, I am less than a man. No way! We rock! Just as strongly, I feel that women are not better than men. We are complementary to one another - different roles, different responsibilities but with the same purpose: to learn how to love God, ourselves and others. In our church, worthy men may have the priesthood. Do I feel left out? No. This is from Pres. James E. Faust in 2004 and I have seen it to be true: Priesthood is the righteous power and influence by which boys are taught in their youth and throughout their lives to honor chastity, to be honest and industrious, and to develop respect for and stand in the defense of womanhood. Honoring the priesthood means following the example of Christ and seeking to emulate His example of fatherhood. It means constant concern and caring for one’s own flesh and blood. The man who holds the priesthood is to honor it by eternally cherishing, with absolute fidelity, his wife and the mother of his children. He is to extend lifelong care and concern for his children and their children. Does this sound like a cult that wants to suppress women? :)  Richard W. Stacey is my "knight in shining armor" and even though he makes mistakes I know that he truly cherishes me and our kiddos. I Love that man!

Feb 11  I hear so often that we need to be more tolerant. I think people are confused. If you equate tolerance with respect, I agree. However, when people are voicing what they believe is best- not acting out on their homoerotic tendencies - and others demanding that they have a duty to say that homosexuality isn't a sin, regardless of their own belief, that is a far cry from tolerance. Yikes people. Aren't you grateful to live in a country where (at least currently) you can believe whatever you want? Some people do, or at least are trying to do whats right and are messing up but we all make mistakes, no matter your age, etc. some have no idea whats right (I think we've all been there at some point) and some truly don't care and even fight against whats right. I would hope that people uphold respect, because you can learn so much more with your ears than with your mouth. :)

Facebook post on a serious note

Feb 10   Wise words from Elder Robert D. Hales, October 2010: 
"In my youth I learned an important lesson about how our actions may limit our freedom. One day my father assigned me to varnish a wooden floor. I made the choice to begin at the door and work my way into the room. When I was almost finished, I realized I had left myself no way to get out. There was no window or door on the other side. I had literally painted myself into a corner. I had no place to go. I was stuck....
Whenever we disobey, we spiritually paint ourselves into a corner and are captive to our choices. Though we are spiritually stuck, there is always a way back. Like repentance, turning around and walking across a newly varnished floor means more work—a lot of resanding and refinishing! Returning to the Lord isn’t easy, but it is worth it."
From Janelle: we choose freedom, we choose life, liberty and joy when we choose our Savior. If we follow whats true and pure, the light of Christ, we liberate ourselves and we can liberate our family and friends. Because really, who wants to be a prisoner? Do you want to be a slave to your passions, addictions, demons, etc? I think everyone, truly, wants to be FREE. We have to understand that there is no choice without a consequence. Our agency - ability to choose and act for ourselves - is part of God's plan. He loves us so much and wants for us to learn, grow and have joy. The road to freedom is the road that leads to Christ. "...As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." That is my choice.

Soccer for all?

Violet, Azure and I went to Randall park today and as we walked up to the park, Violet could see some men playing soccer in the big field by us.  I don't recall her exact words but they were something like, "I wonder if they'll play with me."  I thought she meant the little kids at the playground at first but then I saw where she was looking.  She is such a social personality. Pretty darn confident too!  There ended up being two other kids her age at the playground and she would play with them some and yell at them to come follow her, etc.  I really liked hearing her yell, "Oh boys!" or "Hey boys" before she told them or commanded them to do something.  :)  They had fun.  I think.  Azure was fine as long as she had either her blankie or Fluttershy (a shy pony character on 'My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, a super cute show).  Mostly Fluttershy - which has been quite a change.  Her blankie has been the magic cure-all for quite some time.

Why are you a mom? How do you do it? What does it mean?

My amazing cousin Michelle Lyche posted this on her blog recently and I truly adore her words.  Here's an honest look at what you see, give and receive as a Mom of 5 children.  After reading it, I felt like doing a combination fist bump, hug and a "vote of thanks" to her and to every other mom who tries to be a Mom (particularly those that have "more" than whatever is "typicall" for their city, etc.)

She addressed it to her neighbor.  

 Dear Neighbor,

while chatting outside while children busily played around us you asked me yesterday why and how I do 5 kids in a sorta awe struck but you-must-be-crazy and you-are-over-populating-the-world sorta way. I answered back "it is hard, but I love it". I wanted to say more but a child ran up right then and needed my attention and the conversation was lost after that. But now I have a quiet moment, for the moment, and I can answer your question. So here is my answer straight from my heart.
5 kids is hard. It is always feeding them. ALWAYS. Boys are hungry at every moment. It is wiping noses and wiping hiney's. It is Lego's under my feet and me trying not to curse (but never succeeding). It is crumbs always on the counter and dirty cups multiplying faster than rabbits. 5 kids is homework, homework, blasted homework. It is fighting and nit-picking, shoving and name-calling. It is rushing out the door every morning and saying morning prayers in the car buckled up because we forgot to say them kneeling down like a good family. It is no money. Ever. Someone always needs new shoes, or new pants, there are diapers and wipes, and the food bill is higher than Mount Everest (see sentence above where they are ALWAYS hungry). It is always cleaning but nothing is ever clean. It is laundry piles all the time that are higher than the Mount Everest food bill. 5 kids is never having a quiet house, and never being able to finish 3 bites of food before someone needs something. It is being stressed out, a lot. It is wondering if you will ever have your body back, or even slightly close to what is was pre-5 kids. It is driving somebody somewhere all the time. It is people staring at you all the time as if it is 5 aliens following behind you instead of 5 children. It is wondering the same thing yourself at times.

But 5 kids is also 500 million times more love. And 500 million more hugs, and kisses. It is a bouquet of weeds that turn into flowers just for you. It is a house full of laughter. It is never being lonely. It is a car full of carseats. It is never having a lap big enough. It is pictures drawn for you with you next to Batman and Pikachu and you are the one with the big heart around yourself. It is melting to a puddle on the spot the first time you hear "I wub you" from each one of them. It is beaming with pride when someone compliments them on having such good manners while out to dinner, and at the same time looking over their heads at your Hubs and laughing with your eyes knowing they fooled someone again! 5 kids is laying in bed each night worrying and wondering if you gave enough hugs, told them "I love you" enough, or why did you let them cross the street by themselves they are not old enough yet, and on and on and on. It is a baby snuggled into the crook of your neck that you should put down for a nap but you cant stop drinking them in. It is wondering what the heck you and your Hubs did before having kids, and not wanting to remember. It is 5 people who think your kisses, hugs, snuggles, loves, can heal the world. It is tearing up every time you give away another baby item knowing that your time is over, but wishing for it to last a bit longer. It is being grateful and thankful every day for these 5 blessings who call you Mom.
5 kids is knowing I am the luckiest woman in the world. 

THANKS MICHELLE!