Hello followers - well, 3 of you! Ha ha, I never thought I'd have any!!! Anyway... a long time has passed. I wasn't planning on posting a blog. I was just reading others... but then I realized that today is my daughter's bday! Happy 13th Jenessa - it will be a year full of luck & laughter :)

I really enjoying being a mom. I enjoy the kids' company. I like talking with them instead of to them - though both need to happen still. I always remember the quote "Don't be your child's friend, be their parent. You can be friends later." But sometimes I wonder what if there isn't a later. Well, in this 'earthly existence later'. So I really try to be a friendly parent. There are times when my voice needs to get to parent-level fast and loud, but I always try to come together again with a hug. This world is tough enough to have to figure it out without a daily hug.

Maybe I'm too soft... maybe. But I know that I am being a real mom when my little ones (from 14 to 2) cuddle me and say they love me without using any words. That is a true blessing to my heart. We have a bond that can handle time outs and groundings. We have an understanding that we are a forever family. We have a love that a mother and her child(ren) can hang onto.

I am grateful to be a mom. I am exhausted (maybe because it is 1:30 am!) but I am also very grateful to have the opportunity to be a parent. I am learning so much about unconditional love and true service. I am learning so much about training and then delegating chores to my kids. I am striving to be a friendly parent that can still give out a lecture (with or without punishment - that depends) -because I love them enough to teach them!

That sounds like the scriptures - Heavenly Father loves us enough to teach us... we just need to listen. Hmmmmmm....

Hang in there fellow parents... :)