You just never know if today is a day to use your "Don't do list"

Many months have gone by. So much has happened in my life and my family's life. There's so much I need to do, reflect on and embrace.  As a Mom I have been challenged in ways that I never thought of.  I need to have a date with myself soon (thank you Aaron! for scheduling time for it.  Your sacrifice does not go unnoticed:) ) and cannot even begin to describe how dates with myself help me to  recharge. I love being a Mom. I would not trade it for ANYTHING in the world. No other job, full or part time, no other career can compare to the joy. I am sure there is so much out there I could do, good things out there. Many people I could reach. Exiting careers and things to do outside of my home. But, it is not my place now.

And then, during those hard days as a Mom....because see: I LOVE!!! this job of mine, but it's not by any means easy. So during the hard days, I make an effort to use my "Don't do lists" sometimes in my mind, sometimes I write it down.  It goes like this: I say a prayer in my mind, or I just take a moment to ponder and center myself or I get on my knees and out loud I vocalize my 'overwhelmness' and ask to know what I need not to do that day.

For example, "Don't do the dishes, until you play legos with J"  or  "Don't go to the laundry until you get to read two books to M" or "Don't vaccum until after you pray and read a verse from your scriptures".

When the busy items come to the surface, then I can see the essentials and I can smile and slow down to do what will bring balance to my day.


I love my "don't do lists" as much as I have learned to love my "to do lists" (I have NOT always like lists). But my don't do lists! they give freedom... we are friends,  and it's my simple way to face a challenging day or hour in my own way. It works for me and truly helps me to be a better Mom.


These treasures of mine are worth a don't do list!

A day to remember

What a day this has been!  Everything is turning green and alive and I want that feeling for my everyday life.  Life is so great and so hard.
For me Mother's Day is always on the 10th of May. And I think that in my heart it will always be that way. I can celebrate with my mother then on the same day too.
I am grateful for the dream job that I have that gives me such satisfaction and such sorrow sometimes that I even have gray hair to show for it. But I know I can only grow from these experiences as a mother. I saw in my daughter's eyes today the divinity that lies in each of us. I wanted to squeeze her so tight and I realized that that feeling made my day complete. I know one day she will be a mother of her own (she tells me about it everyday) and I will remember her look as a little girl, innocent, spirited, full of ideas and energy and so huggable. I need to remember those hugs for all my kids specially when I might think is hard to extend those. Then I can continue to grow from this beautiful and hard thing in life called motherhood.
To a Happy Mother's Day! And the chance we get to learn and grow.
This video has helped me today to stop and think and feel.

Sometimes all is needed is a nap

When I was in college, a wonderful friend of mine would counsel me to take a nap when things would get fussy and incomprehensible in any way. Today there have been many fussy and incomprehensible moments in our home.  I need to listen to the wise.

So when anybody in this house feels like this: 

We must remember to do this: 

 And all our dreams can come true. 

Then we can start feeling better:

And better:

 That is if a nap does not make you more cranky. 

We don't seem to have that issue over here :)

My life as a Mom who's trying

I have really been trying my best (most of the time) at many things and endeavors in the past few months.  These months of the year have been challenging, beautiful, and full of surprises and emotions.
This is one of the flowers that my husband got me at Easter time. It shows me that God is in charge and that I can trust Him and He will lead my trying until I become what He would like me to become.  He can make it be THAT beautiful!

These are some of the things I have been trying hard to improve on or do:

• Become a better wife. Life is short and I am one blessed gal to have the husband that I do at my side. I am so grateful for our life together and for him.
• Exercising. By no means am I perfect, but it sure feels good as I take care of my body. I do it in 10 minute increments and feels doable. 
• Visiting Teaching. I am constantly reminded of the example my own Mother has set for me on this way to show a token of love. I love the interaction and women I visit. I am trying hard to do my best and as I try I am the one blessed, really. 
• Mothering. Oh, just the thought brings me to reverence and hair pulling... But I am learning each day nonetheless. I have found treasured pieces here and there and there; as my husband and I are needing them to help us in this adventure and all I can say is: I admire how my Mom did it and I need Heavenly Father's help every 3 minutes give or take.  Recently I was able to attend a Mother's Retreat and I found peace in knowing that what I do daily or don't do in favor of the child(ren) can rock our world here at home.  It was a lot of information that I still need to process  and de-clutter; for not everything I heard there has felt is needed in our home, so I need to decide what to use. I am grateful for the opportunity to go and the break it gave me.
• Unpacking. It should have happened more than 6 months ago when we moved, but sets of working hands to get it done and finished are in shortage at our household now. I know one day these kids will be grown and I will have many more sets of working hands. But for now, I get to marvel (usually until they are asleep) in their tiny hands and how quick they can make messes, how they really try to play and fix my hair (or attempt to),  how in few years they have learned to work on puzzles, play piano, play ball, ride bikes and scooters and bring down things from our school closet to play just because.  But back to unpacking... I am trying and my solution is  getting rid of stuff more than trying to find a place for it. It feels sooooo good to feel free from stuff. 
• Eating healthy. I really try and I am learning a lot. I love to feed my family a good wholesome meal.  And when I don't;  I smile... you know,  to minimize the effect of the junk in our bodies :)

I feel grateful for my challenges, my family and the love I can feel towards me from different sources. The love keeps me going and I will keep trying.

Orange-cranberry Harvest Muffins

These muffins are a great treat this time of the year. After playing much with different versions, I believe this version hits the spot.

Yummyness!

Orange-cranberry harvest muffins

3 cups whole grain flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/4 cups half & half
2 eggs
1/2 pound unsalted butter, melted and cooled (could use part coconut oil)
Zest from 1 orange
Juice from one orange
1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh cranberries
3/4 cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts, or walnuts or pecans, toasted and skinned
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup agave nectar

Make sure, super sure all ingredients are room temperature. These are softer and more delicious if you take all ingredients out in the morning, mix everything before you go to bed and leave the batter (at room temperature still, it will be ok) resting overnight and then fill muffin cups in the morning and bake.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, gum, cinnamon, and ginger in a large bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture and add the half & half, eggs, melted butter, zest and juice. Stir quickly just to combine. Add the cranberries, hazelnuts, and both sweeteners and stir just to distribute the fruits, nuts, and sugar evenly throughout the batter. Cover with a clean cloth and let rest overnight.

In the morning, Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Line muffin cups with paper liners.
Spoon the batter into the paper liners, filling each one to the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until browned on the top and a toothpick inserted in the center of the muffins comes out clean.

Cuteness...

I love this girl and her sister and her brother and her Daddy and all her extended family. And I miss her 'abuelito' so much. 

I love them all. It's all I have to say

Alive

Oh yes, what joy to be alive. Life for everyone is busy and crazy. So I don't feel I am the only one. But I do feel very blessed and loved by those around me. As we are going through many different changes in our lives currently, I feel the love from God, my dear friends, neighbors and family. My life as a mom, without those individuals would be a very hard one.  President Packer said recently: "We wanted to have a mortal experience.. and now we are having it". So true! 
I am so grateful to be alive and have those I love around me, even now. As they sleep and I can't (great campfire though! and now the heart-burn is keeping me up, but at least I am working now on all those things that need to be done, i.e. dishes, laundry, kitchen clean up and of course, finishing this entry that I started like a week ago :) ... anyway, as they sleep I look at their faces and I think of all the cute, sincere, funny, naughty, interesting and full of life (restless) things they say and do.  And with this I mean my little kids... but my heart is full of gratitude and love and appreciation for many more around me.
So, now I retire to bed ...

Sunrise from my living room a few days ago:

Missing these:

and missing looking at this:

And it is ok,  life is great and full of surprises!!