these years are slipping by.

I feel so darn good this morning. No really, I could literally do a cheer stunt off the top of my roof. If only I could still fit into my older sisters cheer uniforms... As terrible as sickness is, it sure does make feeling normal wonderful!

Last night I went to bed beaten. Like I had given 110% and it still wasn't good enough. I cleaned, shopped, homeschooled, played, changed diapers, went on 3 long bike rides/walks with the dog, shredded 15 pounds of chicken and browned 20 pounds of ground beef (more on meal planning later), made 3 healthy meals for my family, shined the sink and had the dishwasher running after dinner, brushed and flossed the kids teeth, read scriptures as a family AND folded 37 (yes, I said thirty-seven!!!) bath towels. I should have been thrilled to get in bed by 9 PM, but I laid on my pillow and wanted to cry. Not because I was unhappy with how the day went, but because I knew it was all going to start over again in the morning.

Instead of crying on my pillow, I pulled out my trusty journal and wrote a few pages. Things I don't write on the blog... and for this reason, I need to keep it by my bed. When I set down my journal, I picked up my old quad (scriptures) from seminary days in high school. I opened up to my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon, Alma 37. I can recite verses 35-37 by heart, but I needed to see the words. As I read "cry unto God for all thy support", I knew (again) that the endless supply of energy and strength I NEED can only come from one source. I constantly try to draw from places that leave me feeling empty.. and prayer is the only thing that can give me what I really need.

I continued reading in Alma chapter 38... and even though Alma is actually talking to his son, Shiblon, I felt it was written for me. The words "I have had great joy in thee already" stood out from the page. Yes, I am doing enough. I did not fall short because I never gave up. Why is it so hard to accept my best as enough?

This morning, I came across a darling post written by my BFF/college roommate/personal photographer and wanted to share it with you. It reminds me to ENJOY this crazy stage of motherhood. Because it is oh! so! good! Exhausting, you bet... but so worth it.

The original article is here. But I wanted to list them for my blog book. I bolded my favorites... The best one (for me and the stage we're in) is #11... I disagree completely with #28.

39 Things Every Mom Should Know

1 You never have to go to obnoxious kid-themed restaurants. Ever. I wish someone had told me that.

2 Don't make birthday parties a huge deal.

3 Do your chores while kids are awake. Using up naptime to wash dishes or clean the bathroom is truly soul-crushing.

4 Put Band-Aids on everything your kids want you to. Why not?

5 If the kids are awake, bite the bullet and be awake yourself. You'll waste so many hours trying futilely to extend early-morning snoozes that it's not worth it. If you are sick, pregnant, or it's the middle of the night, ignore this advice.

6 Just throw away the poopy underwear.

7 Don't beat yourself up if you have to use a bribe.

8 Teach your kids not to pee outside unless you're camping - you'll be glad you did. But if other people's kids do it, don't judge the parents too harshly - it's all about karma. (If you're in the midst of potty training, all bets are off. You've gotta do what you've gotta do.)

9 Buy cheap shoes when kids are little. Feet grow faster than you think.

10 Don't forget about board games. You'll suffer through way too much Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders, but Connect Four and Battleship aren't half bad. And Clue rocks.

11 Embrace their quirks.

12 Know this: That stain won't come out. And it's okay. (The sooner you accept this, the better.)

13 At some point it will be February. Things will seem bleak. You will think about vitamins, glasses, more exercise, more sleep, more chores, less TV, more rules, fewer rules, and organic food. Just wait. Things will get better when the snow melts. Know that it will happen again at the end of summer, right before school starts. It's the circle of life, baby.

14 Always get boys' haircuts at barber shops instead of hair salons.

15 Answer this question: What is the worst thing that can happen if your kids sleep in their clothes?

16 Never stifle a generous inclination.

17Try to like what they like. It kind of sucks when it's Bob the Builder, but the payoff will come when they discover Lemony Snicket.

18 Teach them to pump on the swings ASAP.

19 If your child falls asleep occasionally without brushing her teeth, don't wake her; baby teeth do eventually fall out.

20 I know you are supposed to use natural consequences to punish bad behavior, but sometimes it's hard to think of natural consequences. In these cases try threatening your kids with clipping their toenails or some other activity they dread. I've had great success with this one, but you must find your own.

21 Get used to the word zerrissenheit. It means a state of disjointedness, and it's the new normal for most of us. At least you can feel fancy because it's German.

22 Buy kids deodorant before they need it.

23 Teach your children to make their own breakfast - and allow enough time so they can do it without pressure.

24 I can't stress this enough: Use duvet covers on your comforters and forget about a top sheet. Not only will you thank me for this advice, but your kids will thank me as well when they are learning to make their bed.

25 Remember clogging lessons are not in the best interest of the child.

26 Don't administer a punishment that hurts you more than it does them.

27 Always pack wipes. If your kids go somewhere without you, send along wipes. It's like having a mom with them.

28 Do not allow the word wienies in your home.

29 Dress your little girls like, well, little girls.

30 Make sure your kids know how they like their eggs and burgers cooked. You don't want them to feel stress when ordering at the diner.

31 It's fine to brag about yourself to your kids.

32 Buy quaint wooden toys and hand-knit stuffed animals. But don't expect your kids to play with them.

33 Just say "No" to any toy or doll that comes with packets that have to be mixed with water.

34 Teach them to like cool music. Why suffer through The Wiggles when you could be enjoying Wilco or counting along with Feist?

35 Don't buy the most expensive school-picture package. It's a waste of money.

36 Give out awards for actual achievements.

37 You're never too old to dress up and decorate your house for Halloween. And it's more fun for everyone if you are into it. It also entitles you to more candy.

38 If the school year, new babysitter, or karate class gets off to a rocky start, don't totally stress out about it. Instead, think of the improvement that can be made by the end of the year.

39 Independence is a wonderful thing. For everyone. So is together time. Make sure you have a healthy dose of both.

PS. I am writing a few of my favorite recipes to help out with dinner prep and would LOVE if you thought about a favorite meal in your house and posted the recipe on your blog. Tomorrow (or the next day, or the next) I will ask you to linkup here. Is it too much to ask you to think of ONE recipe? Don't we all need help with dinner prep????

PPS. Can you believe I own 37 bath towels? I cannot. But I do and I washed them ALL yesterday.