3 Reasons to Celebrate

Yesterday celebrated many things. 

#1 - My brother-in-law, Jeff's birthday. 

{Allison, Jeff and Grant - Salt Lake Temple grounds; October 2009}

Jeff is currently deployed, and expected to come home within the next month, last I heard.  We hope, despite the circumstances and lack of loved ones nearby, that his birthday was special.  We love you, Jeff!

#2 - Ryan's 18 month birthday, which means..... drum roll please.....

NURSERY!!!

Given the nature of Neil's and my callings, there have been a handful of Sundays we've had to take Ryan to the Nursery.  He has done amazingly well, and yesterday was no different.  It simply marked his first official day on the roll.  I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself.  I've gotten so used to chasing him around during Primary.  It will be a nice break, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit sad.    

Making magic with play dough.


Scopin' things out.


Is this handsome, chubby cheeked, blue eyed boy of mine really 18 months?  It just can't be!

 And last, but not least... #3 - Mother's Day!  What a privilege it is to be a woman!  And what a privilege it is to be a mother!  I cannot think of a greater honor than to bring a child into the world, raise, teach, love, nurture, learn from, and enjoy all the blessings of that joyful challenge.  I have yet to witness a miracle more grand and significant than motherhood. 

I'm grateful for the women in my life who have inspired and helped me to see what a sacred and divine role womanhood is, and who have molded me into the woman and mother I am today.  My mom, whose Christ-like love surpasses all.   My mother-in-law, whose influence has produced hard-working children with healthy habits, the oldest of whom I call "husband".  My grandmothers, whose experiences have provided perspective and wisdom that I otherwise wouldn't know.  My aunts and sisters-in-law, who each bring unique gifts and attributes to the table.  My dearest friends, who have been sisters to me, mothers to my children, and who have strengthened and lifted me in times of need.  The women of the Church, whose faith and perseverance simply astonish me.

{Hannah of the Old Testament with her long awaited son, Samuel.}

Gordon B. Hinckley said,

“Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.

Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.”

Beautifully said, and so true.

I am grateful for these two, who made me a mommy. 


They make me crazy, but there's nothing I'd rather do than spend my days with them.  And that's the truth.  Happy Mother's Day!