I love this quote

This is one of my favorite quotes. I write it on my kids art easel all the time, but that only lasts until someone wants to paint. I could not find a printable that I like of this quote anywhere....so I decided to make my own. About 10 years ago my first child was born. I was over the moon excited. I loved being a new Mother and I thought my new baby girl was the best thing that had ever happened to me. I soon discovered though that I was getting anxiety and my world kind of came crashing down around me. I really did not understand mental health issues, and I really thought that those types of health propblems were reserved for crazy people. I was really dissapopinted in myself for struglling with this and I became really hard on myself. As time went on I discovered that so many others were also struggling with anxiety or depression, and it felt so good to know that I was not alone. Actually, some of the strongest and most amazing woman that I knew, shared with me that they were also dealing with mental health challenges. These amazing ladies were pure hope for me. I saw how wonderful they were and what happy lives they lived. I decided that if they could do it, so could I.Over the last 10 years I have grown by leaps and bounds. I knew that I had great things to do, and I knew that this challenge was not going to define me or limit what I was capable of. I really came to know that having anxiety did not mean I was damaged or that I was any less of a person. Going through hard things was actually making me better and stronger. I started to realize that doing  hard things was helping to develop my character. I started to rejoice in the fact that I could endure something hard, and come out the better for it. I really understand now that I can do hard things!!! I have never had anxiety as bad as I did the first time that I was going through it. It definetly creeps up in my life though and I need to always make sure I am keeping an eye on it. I actually feel better then I ever have and I feel like I have really fought a good fight and pushed through the hard stuff, as far as anxiety is concerened. I do know that so many have these types of struggles and I am very pasionate about wanting them to know that they are not alone, that they are wonderful and that they can live a great life. I have been working on a book over the last few years that shares my expereince with anxiety. This last year I felt that it would be so much more beneficial to have friends of mine share their stories as well. This way the reader has more stories to relate to and also may feel more of a connection with one story then another. Not only will it help those going through these trials, but it will also help someone who knows someone going through them. Even if you do not fall in those categories, it is a great book full of strong woman who have faced hard trials and have become stronger because of them.The book in now in the editing process and should be done this year. I have a favor to ask of you in exchange for the free printable. If you could leave a comment telling my if this type of book is something that would interest you, or if you know someone who could use a book like this. Also, my editor and I are going to be starting a new blog in the next month that will be about the challenges we face with mental health issues and we will be looking for people who would like to share their stories or write a peice on certain topics that we will be looking at that month. If you are interested in writing something for us, include your email address in your comment. Thank you so much! Have a great day!

Digital Art

 

I dediced I wanted my boys to have a printable in their room that said, We are as the Army of Helaman. I decided to make this simple grey chevron one, and I have to say it looks really sharp in a black frame.

Nothing like a big, professional picture of my daughter playing piano, hung over her piano at home..to help motivate her while she practices. I took this picture of her a year ago at her recital.

What I have learned about raising three active boys!

I have learned that little boys are wonderful,fun and exciting. I did not always feel this way though! At the beginning it seemed overwhelming and challenging at times, because these little boys never stopped moving, making messes and wanting to run and jump and go go go. My daughter,who is the oldest, was the easiest toddler you can imagine. I never understood the families with a bunch of little boys...that would cause all sorts of chaos...why they could not get those boys to sit still like my perfect little girl.I wondered what they were doing wrong. Seven years later I find myself the proud Mother of three very active boys....that do not sit still like my wonderful daughter. Adjusting to this new energy in my house was very hard at first.....until I learned a priceless lesson. I always have the choice to focus on the negative aspect of raising boys, or on the positive.This sounds so simple, but when put in practice it can change our lives and our homes. I have learned that these little spirits are loved by my Heavenly Father and he has so much love towards each one of them. The love he has for them can not even be put into words. It is endless.When dwelling on the negative in our boys, we are choosing to allow the adversary into our hearts and the way that we parent. With this knowledge I have learned;

 That I can focus on how exhausting it can be when their never ending energy, never ceases to wear off... Or I can focus on how lucky I am to have such strong and healthy children.

 When I see legs and arms and hands that want to climb, and touch and explore...I can focus on how much I want them to hold still.. Or I can focus on how wonderful it is that they want to explore and learn about the world.

 When I see little boys wanting to run,and run, and jump and run some more...I can focus on the chaos exploding around me.... Or how wonderful it is that my boys will be amazing athletes and are developing coordination and strength.

 When I see little boys dressed up as super hero's, who really believe they are saving the world...I can focus on how much noise they make while they pretend to fly around the room, shoot "webs," sword fight with one another, or pull out their guns made from their hands, to save the wild wild west.... Or I can be grateful that they have wonderful imaginations, and how lucky they are to have each other as playmates who love each other, only the way a brother can.

 When the little busy toddler tears apart everything in site, and pulls dishes out of the dishwasher,and throws laundry over the deck...I can stress over the mess... Or I can be thankful that he is so intelligent, and be glad he is so curious and loves to discover the world.

 When my dear boy does not listen....I can focus on how disobedient he is... Or I can have patience and remember that we as adults are not perfect either.

 When little hands make prints and messes all over....I can scold those tiny hands...and get angry.... Or I can teach these little hands how to wipe up a mess and kiss their sticky cheek.

 When they rough house and wrestle....I can wish they would be be serene and sober... Or I can be grateful they have a way to bond as brothers, express themselves ,play with Daddy, and ofcourse defeat the "bad guy" that they are imagining at that very moment.

 When they really do fight and get upset...I can react just like them..and lose my temper and get mad back... Or I can teach them about kindness and remember that they are little people who are learning to manage their emotions.

 When they are stubborn and strong willed...I can try and break them, and make them timid and unsure... Or I can understand what a great leader I have on my hands, and find ways for him to use these gifts in a positive way.

 When they get pee....everywhere...I can get mad..mad...mad... Or I can give them a cleaning kit and use these cleaning sessions as a way to teach him to be a hard worker, and the best toilet scrubber around. His wife will thank me for that..haha!

 When they are bouncing,running, moving, throwing, yelling, shooting, and being normal boys...I can lose my mind... Or I can be thankful for the excitement and energy these adventurous boys bring into our lives.

 I have learned that we always..always can focus on the positive or the negative. There is always more positive in everything, if we can see it. The positive or negative attitude we have, is a direct reflection about how we feel about ourselves. When we feel positive about ourselves and our lives...we will find it very easy to see the good in others. When we are full of negative energy we will attract more of it into our lives! This is true when parenting.

 The job I have as a Mother is my highest priority and I know that giving my children a positive home and positive parents, will bless their lives and bring peace and joy. It is so important to reflect on our attitudes and see if we are being negative as parents, or in general.When I find I am being negative, I know I need try harder to see the good. We are able to feel the spirit so much stronger when our hearts are full of love and light. Negative feelings do not come from God. Letting go of negative attitude will help us feel the spirit so much stronger and I know I need the spirit to help guide me as I take care of my kids.

 I have learned that I find joy in raising active boys when I have a good outlook.I have learned that when I focus on the positive..I have fun with my boys playing and being active and going on adventures.

 I have learned that comparing my kids to others only happens when I am being negative.

 I have learned that seeing every child and person around us in a positive light, multiply's the joy we have in our family and home.

 Most importantly, when we we focus on the good in our kids, they are more likely to become that wonderful person. When we choose to focus on all the wrong things they do and all their weaknesses, they will live up to those beliefs.

 We only get one shot at raising these amazing boys. I would never want to look back and wonder why I spent so much time looking at the negative and not letting the joy in. I love raising boys! I feel like such a lucky Mother to have these wonderful children. I am grateful for the lessons I learn along the way.I know there are more lessons to come. I am grateful for this time I have on earth to feel joy, love and peace within my family. I would not trade these amazing moments I have with my children for anything in the world. I have learned...that I love raising boys!