Mothers

Today, in Relief Society, the lesson was on mothers. Not just mothers in general but young mothers and the challenges that they face. I've been out of the "young mother" category for a while now, and now, I watch my kids go through this phase of their life.

Motherhood is hard. Period. It NEVER gets "easy". At least, not in my experience. But, the challenges are different, depending on the phase you're in. The demands of young mothers can seem overwhelming, I know. There is a lot of pressure, expectation, whatever you want to call it. Some of it is imposed from outside sources and some comes from within. Every mother has her idea of what a "good" mother is, and they then try to meet that standard. But, as hard as motherhood is, the rewards are SO worth it. I can't imagine my life without my children and I thank the good Lord that I have had the blessing in my life to be able to raise the 5 wonderful kids I have. And, now, grandchildren are the bonus of all those years. And, maybe I'll even see great-grandchildren.

I think that feeling unappreciated is often the straw that breaks the camel's back for mothers. Whether it's feeling like the kids, the spouse, or the WORLD as a whole doesn't appreciate all you do, that's a particular burden that seems too much to deal with. But, I just want to say that I watch my kids with their kids and I am so impressed. They lose patience at times, but who doesn't? They also are extremely patient at times when others wouldn't be. They live in a permanant state of sleep deprivation. They crave adult conversations. They get tired of explaining "why" all the time. But they do all this. And more. Why? Because they know they are shaping and molding young lives. All they do, they do for their kids and their husbands. And, they reach the greater community when they even find the time and the energy to reach out of their family circle and serve their church and community.

I have been particulary blessed with wonderful two sons in law and a daughter in law that I think are so well suited for my kids. I couldn't have chosen better, even if I had tried. It brings me great joy to see how much my kids love their spouses. And, their kids benefit from that. Which, brings me back to the beginning of my post. It's all about the kids and the mothering of them (not to short change the dads, but that's another post for another time).

So, here's a shout out to the young mothers who wipe, clean up, hush, rock, taxi, discipline, cook, iron, braid, brush, bathe, teach, and play with/for their kids! Hang in there. Believe me, one day they WILL be grown. And while that day seems light years away, it comes faster than one thinks.

Food For Thought

This was posted on the "Word-A-Day" site I've discovered. This is interesting. If every star was a $1 bill...

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
There are 10^11 stars in the galaxy. That used to be a huge number. But it's only a hundred billion. It's less than the national deficit! We used to call them astronomical numbers. Now we should call them economical numbers. -Richard Feynman, physicist, Nobel laureate (1918-1988)

The Presidents

PBS has a series of shows on the presidents of the United States which has been WONDERFUL. They don't seem to be in order, and I've probably missed some. I watched the one on Jimmy Carter and I am watching the one on Nixon right now. I think I missed the one on Reagan, which I really didn't want to miss. It's been great to look back on these days that these guys were president. And, it's interesting to see the issues then, compared to now. I recommend the show! Monday nights, channel 10. They're long, though. Usually 3 hours, so you can set your DVR. You can buy each show for $24.99, but the entire set for $129.00 (10 DVDs). Of course, it helps to love history to want to watch them! Thank goodness for DVR, though, because I'm headed to bed. Can't hang til 12:00 with Richard Nixon with work tomorrow!

Sleep Study #2

So, it's 6:10 AM on Saturday morning. I just got home about 20 minutes ago from my 2nd sleep study. This time, I wore my usual sleepwear, which helped a LOT in the comfort level. Plus, the technician hooked me up with a little more leeway on the leads attached to my legs which meant that I could move around and not feel like I was tethered to a short rope. I was fitted with a mask (like an oxygen mask) that strapped to my head, after they hooked up all the leads to me (head, chest, legs, arms). Air is pumped into the mask. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to breathe. So, I went to sleep and as I slipped into REM sleep and apnic events occured, the technician would increase the air flow. The air keeps the airway open. Once I would get into REM sleep, she would come on the intercom and ask me to sleep on my back. OK, I can NOT sleep flat on my back. KILLS the low back, thank you, herniated disc (disk?)! So, of course, then I couldn't get into REM sleep and after several times of going through this, I would just finally roll over so I could get back to sleep. Then, she would come on again and tell me AGAIN to get on my back. It was a better experience than last time, though. I could at least BREATHE when I was on my back, so if I could get my back to not hurt, that would be FANTASTIC! So, now I wait to get my very own, CPAP machine for home. I was really surprised at how quite the machine was. Maybe I'm on my way to not being tired all the time!

Why I like TV

I watch TV and find a lot of enjoyment in some shows. I will most likely NEVER be one of those people who "just don't watch TV". I probably should read more books and one day perhaps I will regret the TV I watch, both the quality and quantity of it. But, one thing I do love about TV (and movies) is a well turned phrase. Now, those of you who know me, know I do love to converse. But, I don't know that I'm particularly good at it. But, sometimes, when I watch a TV show, the writers put together a dialog that, to me, is downright inspiring in the well-put-togetherness-of-the-words. Tonight, I was watching Monday night's "Boston Legal" (thank you DVR!!!), in my opinion, on of the best written TV shows on TV (and I'm sad this is the last year it's on). It presents all sorts of pertinent political and social and legal issues and always shows at least 2 sides to every argument. Here is a short excerpt of a dialog I love because it is EXACTLY how I feel, but NEVER could have phrased it so well...
Denny Crane (ultra conservative) tells his best friend Alan Shore (liberal) that he's surprised Alan owns a gun (Denny owns many, many guns). Alan said, "It's in my safe, at home. I see nothing wrong with THAT. I see a lot wrong with assault weapons; people walking around like you with guns (Denny had been arrested for carrying a concealed weapon without a permit)". Denny said, "I can't fathom a liberal like you owning a gun". Alan said, (and this is the part I loved), "That's one of the problems in the country...there are two camps...those that like guns and those that don't. Why can't there be a middle? Why can't we say ok to guns and ok to gun legislation? Why does it make someone a pinko liberal girl if he supports background checks and bans on assault weapons?"
Someone should make a T-Shirts with that on it and sell them. I bet a lot of people would buy them.

Tagged

My wonderful neice Jerolyn tagged me to do this post. Probably because I've been sadly lacking in the posting department lately. Just seems I don't have that much to write about that I think anyone would care to read.



*Link to the person who tagged you
*Post the rules on your blog
*Write six random things about yourself
*Tag six-ish people at the end of your post
*Let each person know he/she has been tagged
*Let the tagger know when your entry is up

#1. I know the words to a LOT of songs. Older songs, to be sure, but a LOT. People I know at work have commented on how I should go on "Don't Forget the Lyrics" because they are sure I would win. If an oldie comes on, chances are, I know the words to it. And...it doesn't take much to get me to relate a phrase in a regular conversation to some song...and then, sing a line or two of it to show the connection! People don't especially love it when I do that, though!

#2. I hate being splashed with water or getting squirted with a water gun. Even if I'm in a pool. I think it's all about feeling like I have the control of the water. Maybe it goes back to my near drowning when I was 12, I don't know. But, really, DON'T SPLASH ME!

#3. If I make a favorite dish (Red Pepper Stew), I can eat it, breakfast, lunch & dinner, until it's all gone. I NEVER get tired of it. I'm all about making LOTS of something and then not having to cook for a few days. Kind of boring for some, but I just don't get how time of day should dictate what we eat. Chili for breakfast? Why not? Bacon, eggs or pancakes for dinner? Sure.

#4. I've gotten a LOT better about this, but I used to subconsciously "type" with my toes. I will type the entire alphabet with my toes (as though they were fingers). Not on the keyboard, silly, but in my shoes. Or barefooted. Or wherever. And, really, I think it has something to do with why I have a really good typing score! I think the brain connection was made and then reinforced. And reninforced. And...you get it.

#5. This probably comes under the heading of spoiled, but I HATE unloading the dishwasher. I'd rather wash dishes by hand! Doesn't make sense, does it? As a kid, I didn't have a dishwasher and just KNEW if I ever had one, I'd never wash a dish. But, I just hate it. I'd rather clean a bathroom. And, I don't mind folding laundry.

#6. I can't stand the thought of eating escargot. Or Sushi. Or Flan. Or, and especially, I should say, OYSTERS. I could never be on one of those reality TV shows where you have to eat all the disgusting things. I'm glad they aren't doing that on Survivor so much anymore.

I tag Megan, Marsha, Linda B (yes, you!), Sarah, Erin & Stacy.