Whitney stopped her coloring and said, "Mom I'm going to go say a prayer." I wasn't sure what she was talking about, so I just watched her leave the room. A few minutes later, she came back and said, "Mom, I just said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father to bless Cole's heart that it will feel better."
I thought it was so sweet that she would take my comment so literally! How come one moment Whitney can be so sweet and precious--praying so sincerely for her brother's (non-existent) heart condition? Yet the next moment she'll be taking away his toys with delight just to watch him scream and burst our eardrums?
I feel as though I'm on a constant roller coaster of love/frustration with my kids. I really really enjoyed Elder Ballard's talk, as I'm sure many of you fellow young mothers did. The minute he started talking, I told Tyler, "This is the best conference talk, hands down!" I was joking, of course, at the moment because he was talking about doing the dishes and cleaning up the house for his wife because of her recent back surgery. Little did I know that his talk really would be my favorite. I loved that he had gone through the motions of taking small kids to church and spilling Cheerios everywhere and having coloring books rejected by the kids. Boy, could I relate! In February & March, Tyler had to work a lot on Sundays, so typically you could find me on the back row with Cole on my lap, Annie in the car seat on the floor, me rocking the car seat with one foot to keep Annie happy, and me kicking Whitney off of the car seat & baby with the other foot.Anyway, I just felt a little prayer answered and a pat on the back saying, "We've all been there! You're doing the best you can." I'm grateful for leaders who can relate and who inspire us to do our best. I'll just ride this roller coaster of love/frustration/joy. Heaven knows the ride will be over before we know it, right?
11 comments:
Aw, Nats. I love that you're human! I loved your description of being on a roller coaster of love/frustration. There probably isn't any other way to ride this season of life! But hearing your feelings helped me normalize mine a little better. Thanks! Love you.
It was kind of ironic for me that it was the last talk. I had been searching for something the whole conference that really hadn't been addressed, and felt it drawing to a close, when suddenly Elder Ballard stands up and says very straight forward that his talk was for YOUNG MOTHERS. Tears immediately welled up in my pregnant eyes! It just felt like, yes ladies, we know you exist and yes ladies, we appreciate that you are raising our Stripling warriors!!!
Your Whitney is too cute. Focus on those good moments! Will was a terror all day yesterday, and then did one really sweet thing last night. I think that is what I will try to remember! ;)
Your kids are darling, and are so sweet. I loved Elder Ballard's talk too, so so much. I'm glad Spencer was there to watch it with me, and I'm glad for my sweet Emma who immediately went into her room and made her bed.
Thanks for the Safeway tips. I did try to give them my # but it didn't pull up and they gave me no other options. I swear they hold those savings cards hostage!! Oh well...
That was a great talk. I think it is amazing how fast this roller coaster goes - seconds can pass from me thinking my life is so wonderful and then I find all the toilet paper unrolled and shoved in the toilet by a two year old. Then I hear the baby coo again and I am back to thinking this is wonderful.
I think we are going to use that talk for fhe every week because once Lincoln heard it he helped unload the dishwasher, help with the kids and gave me a hug every five minutes for the rest of the night.
Loved this post and your take on Elder Ballard's talk. You took the words right out of my mouth. (I also love that picture of Whitney - she's looking so grown up!) I totally agree with the parenting roller coaster. I joke with Brian that Avie is bi-polar because she can be so sweet that it brings me to tears . . . and then so naughty that it also almost brings me to tears. :) It's just nice to be able to relate to someone else. You're such a great Mommy. Love you.
You are so cute. I'm on the same roller coaster with just Carson. I think you're the best mom ever and your worst is probably still better than my best!!! Is Cole all better?
You're right I guess we should all just hang on and enjoy this ride because all of us mothers have a lot of ups and downs to look forward to... the toddler/infant roller coaster will be replaced with elementary school aged/teenager roller coaster that will be replaced by the dating/driving/high school roller coaster that will be replaced by the college age/sending kids on missions roller coaster that will be replaced by the having our kids get married/having grandchildren roller coaster that will be replaced with .... I pray that my husband, two boys, and I will have the opportunity to ride all of these roller coasters together and live to tell about it. :) We love and miss you Nor Cal Nelsons. Jenny and VA Nelsons
Natalie you are so cute! I think being a mom is super hard..And I feel so overwhelmed constantly!So it's nice to hear that other people have rough days too!
P.S. yikes about the Hand foot mouth thing...I guess it went around...Oh I hope we don't get it!
It's so funny that I just read this because I was just telling Evan tonight at dinner how motherhood is constant ups and downs.
This toddler stage can be so frustrating for me! But then all Colt has to say is "thank you mommy" or something and I'm in heaven and know that I have the best job in the world.
You're such a good, faithful mom! I loved the story about Whitney and Cole. I hope he's feeling better, poor guy!
I can TOTALLY relate to the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood. I think I experience the full spectrum of emotions in just one day alone - every day! Right now my boys are destroying their room and in order to preserve their lives, I'm ignoring them. Daddy will be home from night clinic in just 30 minutes and he'll save the day!
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