Just a Homemaker...

There was a time in my life (a mere 2 years ago) when I thought I would be ambitiously pursuing a masters degree in Contemporary American Literature by night and selflessly shaping the minds of America's adolescents by day. THIS rigorous schedule, I believed, was what accomplishment was all about.

And then I got married...and had a baby...

Needless to say, my goals have changed quite a bit.

While teaching and pursuing higher education are both wonderful things, they (in the traditional sense) are no longer the things that make me tick. However, this is not to say that I am no longer teaching and learning each and every day. I believe that I still am--perhaps to an even greater degree.

Today, my blogging friends, I submit that the phrase "just a homemaker" needs to lose that defaming "just." Being at home with Dorothy, being there to help her grow and develop is the greatest teaching experience I have ever had. Striving each and every day to find ways to help my little family by cutting costs, cleaning, organizing, cooking, etc. has helped me learn more than any course ever would.

However, the importance of the things we do in our homes is only fully realized when we stop to see what we are helping our homes to become.

"Home can be a Heaven on Earth." We know this well, and how true it is. What greater calling could there be than making Heavenly Homes on the Earth? What greater calling could there be than creating a space where the holy and just can dwell?

To homemakers everywhere, I urge you to wear your title as a badge of honor! We are doing an important work. Let us never belittle the sacred work with which we have been entrusted. Instead, let us do it to the best of our ability.

1. mommyhood
2. new recipes
3. library books

I love to see the Temple

We were finally able to make it to the Temple
for the first time since Dorothy was born.
What I loved most was that she got to come with us.
I loved having her there and thinking about the
wonderful promise of being together forever as a family.

We feel so blessed to have the Boston Temple
just over an hour away from us.
It is such a beautiful building
where such beautiful things take place.
Going to the Temple in the spring
always reminds me of the day Marty and I were
sealed together for time and all eternity.

Ahhhh, so perfect.
Nothing beats it.

1. Temples
2. green returning to the trees
3. families

The dancing Dot.

This was Marty's project last night while Dorothy and I were at Enrichment. Enjoy!

Cindy Lou Who...

Every time we wash the polka Dot's hair,
it sticks up and reminds me of
the littlest Who down in Whoville.

Now that is one cute Cindy Lou Who!

(please excuse the unturned picture)
And on Mother's Day,
we all got to meet Zoe,
Dorothy's little cousin (born 11 days later).
Can you believe Zoe's head of hair?!

Two new mamas and their sweet baby girls.
I can't wait to see more of them this summer.

while the baby sleeps on my lap...

I am going to do this:

ABCs of me

A) Attached or Single: attached. most certainly.

B) Best Friend: Martonian Berticus.

C) Cake or Pie: pies of all shapes and sizes

D) Day of Choice: Sunday--especially Sunday afternoons

E) Essential Items: my books, flipflops, music, kitchenAid, plants, and crackers

F) Favorite Color: nothing but green for me

G) Gummy Bears or Worms: neither, thank you.

H) Hometown: Northboro, MA--not to be confused with Southboro, Westboro, Foxboro, Marlboro, Boxboro, Attleboro, or any other lovely boro of Massachusetts.

I) Indulgences: warm baths and pints of ice cream--different flavors for different days

J) January or July: hmm, not a huge fan of either, but July more than January

K) Kids: one sweet little baby girl--my little polka Dot

L) Life is incomplete without: Marty and Dorothy, the Gospel, phone calls with my mama and sisters, reading, nature, music, and more...

M) Marriage Date: April 19, 2008

N) Number of siblings: 2 brothers, 2 sisters

O) Oranges or Apples: ohhhhh, a fresh honey crisp apple from the farm is the best! but a pink lady from the store hits the spot as well.

P) Phobias: clowns and tidal waves. seriously.

Q) Quotations: oh so many. here's a taste:

"From a great heart secret magnetisms flow incessantly to draw great events."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent."
~Victor Hugo

"Perhaps it is better to wake up after all, even to suffer, rather than to remain a dupe to illusions all one's life."
~Kate Chopin

"...a tie is a noose, and inverted though it is, it will hang a man nonetheless if he's not careful."
~Yann Martel

R) Reasons to Smile: sunshine, a warm home, freshly baked bread, Dottie's cooing, Marty's love, good friends, cups of tea in the morning, walks in the fresh air, working in the garden, learning new things every day, and the peace and joy that come from a life centered in the gospel.

S) Season: der Fall. no contest.

T) Tag: YOU, if you so desire.

U) Unknown fact about me: my family and I used to piece dinosaur bones back together at a museum in Utah.

V) Vegetarian or Meat Eater: I have been both in my life. I currently eat meat.

W) Worst Habit: snorting when I laugh. pregnancy seemed to really exacerbate it.

X) X-rays: many many many of my poor right hip (2 plates + 12 pins = spiffy x-rays), my teeth, my leg, hmm there may be others

Y) Yummy Favorite Food: I love me some paella, salmon, chowdah, scalloped potatoes, curry, cuban black bean stew, enchiladas, and more. food in general is my favorite.

Z) Zodiac Sign: Taurus. I'm a bull baby.

your turn!

The time has come for us to say goodbye...

Today we said goodbye to a dear friend:
Our Jeep Patriot.

We have been toying with the idea of becoming
a one car family for a while now.
We decided that while our family is still small
and Marty is so close to his work
that we should give it a go and save some money.
Some days will be tough,
but we truly think it was the best decision.

So, goodbye, Jeep.
We'll miss your beautiful green color
and rugged exterior.
However,
we know what a teddy bear you were inside.

1. saving money
2. family outings
3. a blue sky (even if only for a few hours)

dia de las mamas

Today has been an emotional day. Of course some of the emotion comes from looking into the face of this sweet girl of mine and knowing that I have the privilege of being her mama. Some of the emotion comes from finally realizing just how much my own mother did to show me her love and raise me well. I finally get what it means to have a mother heart.

But the majority of the emotion came from being sustained into my new ward calling: second counselor in the Relief Society. For the first time since being in this ward, I sat facing the Relief Society sisters for the meeting. Every woman from our ward was in attendance, relieved from their own callings for this special day for mothers. I felt overcome with love for all of those women and overwhelmed by their strength and goodness. I feel honored to be able to spend a period of time serving them. I look forward to all that I will learn and for the many ways I will have to grow in order to fulfill this calling. To make this calling an even more emotional experience, I am stepping into the footsteps of my good friend Allison. She is an incredible woman who put her whole heart into this position. I only hope that I can serve with the same love and energy that she exudes.

To all of the women in my life, thank you. I am better for knowing you. To my little girl, although she cannot yet read or comprehend this, thank you for letting me be your mom. It is one of the greatest honors I think that I will know on this earth.

oh, happy day to ALL women whether mothers yet or not. We all carry the same inherent goodness that qualifies us for the greatest calling in life.