Eleven years ago I was a younger mom, I mean obviously I was younger
but sometimes when I think back on those days in my life or see photos of me,
I know I look visibly different, (and not because I am 11 years younger)
but because of the accident, and it's a weird feeling.
It took so much from me.
It took so much from me.
Sometimes I see old photos of me and
think I'm looking at a sister who died young, or it could be
my younger sister Lucy, (and sometimes I think I'm Claire!).
my younger sister Lucy, (and sometimes I think I'm Claire!).
Those days seem sooooo far away.
But that was me, and I DID have those experiences.
I have to remind myself of that from time to time.
And today I remembered.
And today I remembered.
Eleven years ago I had four children under five years old, I was teaching yoga,
and managing a house with a busy husband
who worked long hours, and was learning to fly airplanes.
who worked long hours, and was learning to fly airplanes.
And I truly loved every single minute of my life because I was fulfilling
a childhood dream. Motherhood was more to me than long sleepless nights
and monotonous days; and it wasn't just caring for children either.
In the process of my young motherhood days, I
was me discovering me, and what I liked to do.
I discovered that I could cook, and was pretty OK at it too.
I found out I could iron, and felt satisfaction
seeing Mr. Nielson wear neatly pressed shirts to work.
I learned to sew simple projects, and I liked it.
I painted pictures and proudly hung my goofy paintings around the house in
thrift-store frames. I reupholstered several pieces of furniture,
and turns out, I was good at turning ugly and ordinary things
into functional and sometimes beautiful things.
I was good at getting stains out of clothes,
I could make a mean birthday cake, create and keep traditions,
and throw amazing parties.
I learned to let go of certain expectations, but not settle,
and I learned the importance of being patient with myself and others.
I learned that everyone mothers differently, and noticed how
being critical was taking up too much of my energy and time,
and turning me into someone I didn't like.
I learned how to shake off the haters who seek to demean and undermine my
efforts and abilities.
I learned to listen and share the load with Christian.
I also learned how important it was to take care of myself emotionally,
and my body physically because I could see how directly
affected my children were to
my moods and my physical health.
I relied heavily on Jesus Christ for answers to hard mothering questions.
I learned how to study from the scriptures and from
Church leaders to bless my home and make
decisions with a devoted husband by my side.
It wasn't just homemaking, and the ins and outs of creating a home.
I found out things about myself because I dedicated my life
to serving and caring for my children and my husband.
I didn't let motherhood become a chore, but a opportunity to grow,
learn, find, discover, enjoy, and share.
a childhood dream. Motherhood was more to me than long sleepless nights
and monotonous days; and it wasn't just caring for children either.
In the process of my young motherhood days, I
was me discovering me, and what I liked to do.
I discovered that I could cook, and was pretty OK at it too.
I found out I could iron, and felt satisfaction
seeing Mr. Nielson wear neatly pressed shirts to work.
I learned to sew simple projects, and I liked it.
I painted pictures and proudly hung my goofy paintings around the house in
thrift-store frames. I reupholstered several pieces of furniture,
and turns out, I was good at turning ugly and ordinary things
into functional and sometimes beautiful things.
I was good at getting stains out of clothes,
I could make a mean birthday cake, create and keep traditions,
and throw amazing parties.
I learned to let go of certain expectations, but not settle,
and I learned the importance of being patient with myself and others.
I learned that everyone mothers differently, and noticed how
being critical was taking up too much of my energy and time,
and turning me into someone I didn't like.
I learned how to shake off the haters who seek to demean and undermine my
efforts and abilities.
I learned to listen and share the load with Christian.
I also learned how important it was to take care of myself emotionally,
and my body physically because I could see how directly
affected my children were to
my moods and my physical health.
I relied heavily on Jesus Christ for answers to hard mothering questions.
I learned how to study from the scriptures and from
Church leaders to bless my home and make
decisions with a devoted husband by my side.
It wasn't just homemaking, and the ins and outs of creating a home.
I found out things about myself because I dedicated my life
to serving and caring for my children and my husband.
I didn't let motherhood become a chore, but a opportunity to grow,
learn, find, discover, enjoy, and share.
Today after I picked Lottie up from her STEM camp
we walked into the house where she dropped her bag,
and climbed up on the kitchen stool.
and climbed up on the kitchen stool.
I made her a quesadilla with apples and peanut butter.
I reflected back on that summer of the accident, and I bet eleven years ago today
you'd find me in the kitchen of our little Mesa home cutting up apples for
I reflected back on that summer of the accident, and I bet eleven years ago today
you'd find me in the kitchen of our little Mesa home cutting up apples for
little hands to dip in peanut butter...
(that is a really popular lunch around our house).
(that is a really popular lunch around our house).
And for just a moment, I felt young again, and I loved it.
But more than that, I felt grateful for what I have learned being a mother.
But more than that, I felt grateful for what I have learned being a mother.
Speaking of young,
I still haven't discovered any gray hairs on my head,
not a single one!!! (Yet).
not a single one!!! (Yet).
