23 November 2008

wash away the day

even if you and your husband wake up too sick to go to church,
even if you have to stay cooped up all day like you have been all weekend,
even if you watched berenstein bears and 101 dalmatians multiple times in one day,
even if you lost your patience with your one year old a couple of times,
even if you woke up from your long nap feeling a little worse off,
even if you kept a tissue crammed up your nose to get anything done all day,
even if you have three piles of billing waiting for you as you type this...

there is still a loving husband (who is also sick) around who cleaned the house, took out the trash, watched the boy and did the dishes while you slept,
there is still a cuddly toddler around to laugh with and hug you all day long,
there is still peach crisp in the fridge,
there is still the office online to watch,
there is still the relief of overall health and happiness of your entire family to be grateful for,
there is still tomorrow morning's baby appointment to look forward to,
there is always bath time to wash away the mess of the day!






today i am thankful for simple joys like bath time and the consistency and comfort we can both feel from the night time routine. kids need that stability, but parents do too.

when i feel overwhelmed on days like this, i try to pick myself up (and my house too) because of words of wisdom like this, by Julie B. Beck. you can do it, i can do it, we all should do it. she says it best:

"Mothers Who Know Are Nurturers

Mothers who know are nurturers. This is their special assignment and role under the plan of happiness.5 To nurture means to cultivate, care for, and make grow. Therefore, mothers who know create a climate for spiritual and temporal growth in their homes. Another word for nurturing is homemaking. Homemaking includes cooking, washing clothes and dishes, and keeping an orderly home. Home is where women have the most power and influence; therefore, Latter-day Saint women should be the best homemakers in the world. Working beside children in homemaking tasks creates opportunities to teach and model qualities children should emulate. Nurturing mothers are knowledgeable, but all the education women attain will avail them nothing if they do not have the skill to make a home that creates a climate for spiritual growth. Growth happens best in a “house of order,” and women should pattern their homes after the Lord’s house (see D&C 109). Nurturing requires organization, patience, love, and work. Helping growth occur through nurturing is truly a powerful and influential role bestowed on women."

read more here: Mothers Who Know

13 comments:

Sofia D. Hoiland said...

This is one ticket closer to a most peaceful sabbath I have had. Our toddler's nightime ritual has made some of our chaos and stresses melt away. We can depend on the ritual for consistency and so can she. Thank you so much for the close to my heart remembrances of Sister Beck's talk.

Matti said...

So true. I love Eden's night-time routine. And I love what Sister B. Beck said. Thanks, it gives me a renewed desire to get my house put back togeter after a weekend of being sick myself. Lemme know when you guys are feeling better. We should play!

Melissa said...

the best post ever! so clever and creative yet spiritually enlightening and uplifting all at the same time.
I NEED and love that talk that sister beck gave a while back, it is amazing.
Thanks for the loveliest of posts, my friend!

lizzie said...

We love bedtime routines at our house as well. Not only because it means Micah and I get to spend the rest of the evening by ourselves, but because it feels like one of the few moments when all three of us our working together towards the same goal.

melissa said...

ah yes, a good one.

even if you wake up and slice your hand open and then kinda go into shock so you're sweating and throwing up and can't go to your new job on your first day, there is still a husband who finishes the breakfast you started, cleans it up, wraps up your hand, and brings you your laptop.

or whatever your circumstance may be.

so sorry, there will be no follow up on my new job today. because my job is sitting here on the couch.

liko said...

love this post, and the lovely bright, clean pictures that go with it! miss you and amby. see you tomorrow night! hope you start feeling better!

sheila said...

I need to read that from Sister Beck everyday.

I also stuff tissue up my nose around the house when it's runny. My husband always makes fun of me.

Great pictures too. I like it when kids get in their towels after a bath. They get so cute and cozy and snuggle right in. Kailani does the same thing. She loves a warm towel after a bath.

ashley said...

goodness, get better!

those are some grrrreat pictures of amby in the tub! one cute little man.

but seriously, get better! and please let me know if i can do anything to help!

star said...

I love Sister Beck's talk too! I have read it a bunch of times since I found out we were expecting. It has totally helped me prepare for motherhood.

AJ said...

i am loving all this writing you are doing.

Emily said...

I love love love your thoughts. Great way to end my day. LOVE YOU!

Anna K. said...

Oh! You are such an inspiration! You should write a book on all your philosophies in life. I would read it!

Molly said...

it's not just the pregnancy talking, but that had me a bit teary eyed! I love it steph, and so so true. I'm just going to start copying your blogs and posting them in mine! You say everything so much better!