The Family: A Proclamation to the World - Celebrate the Family - Our Family Photo Essay

The Family: A Proclamation to the World was given in 1995 to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and to the World as a guide to help all of us understand the importance of the family and how to have a happy family in this life and the next. 

As I put together this photo essay; it has given me time to reflect on the eternal nature of families and to see how truly blessed I am. This past year has been a hard one on me, with Donny working away a good amount of time, my health, cancer scare and surgery and with just the craziness of everyday life of a large family and all its demands. I am very grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and the blessings it bring into my life. 

To read the Proclamation in its entirety, click on the link below.

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

"Family is central to the Creator’s plan for 

the eternal destiny of His children."

"All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny." 

"'Children are an heritage of the Lord'(Psalm 127:3)."

"Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, 

to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, 

and to teach them to love and serve one another"

"Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan."

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." 

"Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities."

"By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families 

in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide

 the necessities of life and protection for their families."

"Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children."

"The family is ordained of God."

A New Baby Niece!

I have a new baby niece - Lisa had her baby today.
Mom and Baby are doing great. (This is number 5 for them)

Fresh from Heaven

Lindsay has My Back

Having 7 children still living at home and 5 of them girls, my things tend to walk.
(I have posted about this before here.) My sweet little 5 years old drew this great picture and hung it on my bathroom door. So happy Lindsay’s has my back – Love you!!

"Don't take Mom's Blow Dryer"

The Food Nanny

I was up late last night (with grandbaby) :-), I was watching BYU TV and this great show came on. I have been a Mom for many years with my oldest 25 and making dinner each night can be be a pain. As I watch I realized I had lost sight of what the purpose of dinner was. Liz has such a great attitude and I loved her planning ideas. I used to plan but with so many kids and things to do the plans went out the window years ago. I see that I need to get back to a plan and really make that time a priority for my family!    

http://www.byutv.org/foodnanny/

Go to her great site and make your plan with her great planner

Family dinner is back!

Nothing can replace family dinner. The Food Nanny philosophy is built around the idea that the most important thing you will do each day is cook dinner for your family and sit down together to eat. The smells and chemistry that permeate the home throughout the dinner hour are without substitute. Research has shown that kids who eat dinner with their parents are healthier, more advanced in literacy, and less likely to get involved in drugs and alcohol. You can make a more unified, happier family in just one hour a day.
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The key to a successful family dinner all comes down to planning. My famous Nanny Plan liberates you from the hassle of last-minute meal planning. Never again will you be faced with inventing a meal at 5pm! Using my Theme Night system each week is the best method for success. Your family will have something to look forward to if you choose consistent weekly themes. My Nanny Plan will also simplify your shopping efforts and reduce trips to the store.
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The proof is in the pudding. Or in the cinnamon rolls. Or in the pot roast. Whatever foods your family loves, I’ve got the recipes to put smiles on the faces of even the pickiest eaters. My recipes are easy to make and delicious to boot. You’ll get a sampling of them in the online Nanny Plan, but for a complete list of mouthwatering recipes, my book The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner is your best bet.

About The Show

The Food Nanny is a new reality makeover show that takes a disastrous dinner situation and whips it into shape. From innovative tips and tricks on creating engaging conversation and enlisting your kids’ help with meal preparation to advice on refreshing tired meals, The Food Nanny will give you the recipe you need the most—a successful family dinner.

About The Food Nanny

Food Nanny Liz Edmunds wants to help you make over your dinnertime routine! For over 20 years, this vivacious dinner coach, author, and mother of seven has helped bring countless families back to the dinner table, night after night, for delicious meals and memorable conversations.

About The Book

The book that started it all, The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner will introduce you to the wonderful world of Liz. With over 200 delicious budget-friendly recipes, plus instructional pictures and pages of Liz’s expert advice, it’s so much more than just a cookbook. The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner is the next best thing to having Liz in your kitchen!

The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner: Easy Family Meals for Every Day of the Week [Paperback]

Parenting: Touching the Hearts of Our Youth

I know for a while now I have not been "there". With my ever daily battles with my physical body and health, I HAVE BECOME DISCONNTED IN SO MANY WAYS. Lost and lonely I would have to say have been the feelings I have been feeling lately. I know I need to do better, this was a great reminder.

"When suffering, we may in fact be nearer to God than we’ve ever been in our entire lives. That knowledge can turn every such situation into a would-be temple.

Regarding our earthly journey, the Lord has promised, “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88). That is an everlasting declaration of God’s love and care for us, including—and perhaps especially—in times of trouble."
                                                                                 
                                                                                                       Elder Holland
                                                                                                            Lessons from Liberty Jail
                                                                                                                                     Ensign - September 2009

Yes, They Are All Mine!

I found this great blog post from Holly @ A Mommy's Blessings.  It is so funny, I so get it all. I have heard these same questions, I love her comebacks.

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SIX Children?!?!

Egads, people act like you have 2 heads when they find out how many children you have in a big family.
Walking around the store with all the littles in a row and baby in the sling, you can see the heads bobbing as they count and hear all the "tsk tsk's".
So tired of it.
You parents of large families know what I am talking about.
And when they hear we want more children?
Yes, we are from Mars, thank you very much.

So, from now on, I refuse to let those remarks get to me. Instead, I plan to have fun with the following comebacks!


1) "You have your hands full!"

• Yes, happily so!
  
• Yes, and my heart too.
  
• Don't say anything, just look puzzled at your hands. (This does obviously not work if you are carrying a baby :-)
  
• Yes, but I would rather have my hands full than empty!
  

2) "Are they all yours?"

• No, I just went to Rent-a-Child.
  
• No, this is not all of them, my oldest is at home with the triplets. HEHE!
  
• No, actually two are the mailman's and I am not sure whose is that one.....
  
• No, I picked up a couple extra in the produce aisle.
  
• Gee, I never heard that question before!
  
• Of course they are..wait..who is that one? He's not ours.....oh,yeah, 6 , I forgot I had him.
  
• I don't know. How many do you count?
  
• Yes. But if you have any you don't want, I'll gladly take them, too .
  
• No. I've been an avid collector for years and just picked these up in the dairy section.
  
• Yes, at least that's what I tell my husband.
  
• Why do you want to know?
  
• Well, not today.
  
• Yes, I always want just one more.
  
• Check back in nine months and you'll see for yourself.
  

3) "Don't you know what causes that?"

• No, please tell me!
  
• Of course, don't you?
  
• Yes, we do know what causes that and we like it very much, thank you.
  
• Oh yes, we finally figured it out and we now keep the tooth brushes in separate glasses.
  
• Oh yes, I now wash my husband's underwear separately.
  
• Smile brightly and say with enthusiasm "Yes and we like it!"
  
• You bet I do!
  
• Yes, and as you only have two children obviously you don't do it much.
  
• Yes, and it is something I am very good at...
  
• Of course, and the Lord has greatly blessed us!
  
• A strong husband/wife relationship, big hearts, and the Lord's blessing.
  

4) "Are you going to get fixed?"

• Nope, I am not broken!
  
• Huh, we thought everything was working fine for us.
  
• We didn't know anything was broken.
  
• Don't you only fix things that aren't working properly?
  
• Well as you can see be the size of OUR family everything is in working order. :o) (You have to say this last one with the kinda "I'm not too bright so your question seems kinda foolish don't you think?" attitude.)
  

5) "I can't believe how you do it, I cannot even handle my two!"

• Yes, if I had children like yours, I wouldn't have any more either!
  
• Yes, you don't strike me as the type who could handle more children than that.
  
• I put knobs on the children. Makes them easier to handle.
  
• Everyone has 24 hours in a day, it is just how you use it.
  
• Oh, I just do it. Wake up in the morning, do what you have to do all day, go to bed when it's done.
  
• Oh, straight jackets and handcuffs!
  

6) "Are you planning to have any more?" Or "You're done now, right?"

• I've been wondering about this and maybe you can explain it to me: I always thought you had to plan NOT to have more.
  
• Before we were married we planned on having 2, but I didn't know that my husband and I couldn't count!
  
• Well, we didn't plan the first six, I don't think we'll plan the next six, either.
  

7) "I hope you aren't planning to have anymore?!?"

• You mean, I just figured out what I'm really, really good at, and you're telling me to stop doing it?
  
• Talk to God about it... it's up to Him.
  
• Well, we do have room in our Yukon for 1 more. LOL!!!!!
  
• OK, I won't plan my next one. Surprises can be fun!
  
• Yup we are going to keep going till we get an ugly one.
  
• Well we really want to see how many combinations we can come up with.
  

8) "Haven't you heard of birth control?"

• Yes, I've heard of it, I hope you are using it!
  
• Oh yes, we do know what birth control is; it's for people who don't want children.
  

9) "Don't you have a television?"

• No, we have much better things to do at night!
  
• Yes 4 of them. Why?
  

10) "How can you afford having so many?"

• Lifestyles are expensive not children.
  
• We're not on welfare, in huge amounts of debt, and no, my husband is not a doctor or lawyer. We just budget well.
  
• I figure you spend what you make, you may as well spend it on something worth it...like children.
  
• You don't know my financial backer! (God, of course)
  
• I'm still not sure how we do it...but it works!
  

11) "I am glad it is you and not me!"

• Yes, me too!
  
• My children are glad it's me and not you too! ;o)
  
• Oh me too! I love being a mother! (And smile real BIG!)
  

12) "Do you get any time for yourselves?"

• Obviously we get a little time to ourselves, or we wouldn't have six children.
  

13) "Did you give birth to all of them?"

• Yes, I gave birth to them all. Do you really believe the stork dropped them off?
  

14) "Are you going to have 19 children too?" (Like the Duggar's.)

• If only we could be as blessed as that family!
  
• It would be an honor to compete with them!
  

15) When people just keep staring at your family....

• Yes, they all are mine!
  
• No, we don't try to overpopulate the earth. We are just trying to outnumber the idiots!
  

You know you have way too many people living in your house when...

You know you have way too many people living in your house when...

• The house is always a mess.
• There is never a place to be alone.
• The dishwasher runs all a day.
• There are permanent piles of laundry in the hall.
• The trash man doesn't want to stop at your house.
• You're at Walmart 3 times a day.
• You have forgotten everyone that lives there.
• Your food bill is as high as your mortgage.
• It looks like a used car lot outside.
• Ugh! There is never any toilet paper when you need it.  (come on people) 
   

~

This might be an answer  - What do you think?

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

Am I Doing Enough?

from mormon mommy blogs

Recently, Sister Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President, came to speak at my local Stake Center for a fireside. I felt so very blessed to be able to hear her counsel and guidance. Throughout the fireside many questions were asked but one question in particular stood out to me: "How can I do it all? How can I know I am doing enough?"

I was very interested in Sister Beck's answer.

"You will never have enough time, money, or energy to do all the things you would like to do," she stated.

She went on to say that the thing that helped her the most was to prioritize.

Sister Beck divided her life into three categories:

1. Essential Things (things you must do to attain eternal life):

• Pray Daily -- don't wait to pray, because you will never have a convenient moment.
• Scripture Study -- every day spend time in the scriptures.
• Temple Attendance -- whenever you can.
• Regular Church Attendance 

2. Necessary Things (things you need to do to get through life):

• Eating, sleeping, bathing
• Serving
• Getting an education
• Managing your resources

3. Nice-To-Dos (things that are not essential but you enjoy doing):

• Reading, gardening, sewing
• Using the computer
• Watching television or movies

Sister Beck counseled to focus on the Essentials, then the Necessary, and then the Nice-To-Do's. She also said to look at all things, such as trials or new experiences, as opportunities instead of challenges. Your attitude makes a huge difference, and what you do now affects who you become. Your main focus should always be Eternal Life.
After I left I felt edified and uplifted. So maybe I can't do it all, but I can do as much as I can . . . and you know what?

That's good enough.

Post-It Note Tuesday #4

Post-It Note Tuesday #3

"Why Mothers Need Their Sleep"

My Swagger Wagon - So funny

Toyota Sienna - Swagger Wagon

You need to watch this!

Mom From A to Z

Mom From A to Z....courtesy of Hallmark!
and from Loving Life

ABOVE and BEYOND
No one loves you like a Mom, and no one ever will

BELIEVES IN YOU
There's no superpower greater than a Mom who's in your corner.

CARING
Just try to make her stop giving the Mom-love (not to mention the Mom-advice)

DEALS WITH STUFF
So all you have to do is grow up feeling save and loved.

ENCOURAGING
You'll never have a better cheerleader....ever!

FORGIVES
the Annoying Little Things You Do
And if you're lucky, the major big things (in time)

GOES THE DISTANCE
Just when you're the least lovable, that's when you need her most-- and somehow she just knows

HEARS WHAT YOU CAN'T SAY
She can read you like a book...That's good...most of the time!

IMMOVABLE
You pushed the limits. She stood her ground. You survived. That was kind of the point.

JUGGLES ROLES LIKE A PRO
And makes it look easy!

KEEPS ON KEEPING ON
Her hopes and dreams and love for you just won't quit!

LET'S YOU MAKE YOUR OWN MISTAKES
And helps you get right back on track

 MAKES YOU PROUD
You can see she's respected in the world for who she is

NURTURES YOU GROWING UP
She doesn't hand you everything, but she makes sure you're strong enough to go get it.

OUTSPOKEN
She knows her own mind and has her own voice.

PATIENT
You don't even remember how annoying your toddler self could be. She doesn't either.

QUICK WITH PRAISE
And even quicker to brag on you to others.

RADIANT
Her smile is always beautiful, because it's where love lives.

SPOILS YOU ROTTEN (sometimes)
Not that you mind

TIRELESS
Did she ever want a break? (uh, maybe....) Did she get one? (you're kidding, right?)

UNPREDICTABLE
She doesn't let life or expectations put her in a box.

VALUED
As a mom, a mentor and, more and more, as a friend.

WISE
Where would you be if you didn't have her on speed dial?

EXEMPLARY
The best parts of yourself you learned from watching her.

YOUNG IN SPIRIT
She knows birthdays don't count--love-filled moment and memories do.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR fibs
That's why you always tell her the truth. And the truth is that you love her for all these reasons and hundreds more.

Happy Mother's Day 2010