by Lee Ann Setzer
That's hummingbirds, not SUVs--although they guzzle as much fuel, proportionally. I'd include pictures, but the window is dirty and the photographer is not too talented.
My maternal hormones don’t usually give me much trouble (ask my kids). But they (the hormones. Also the kids, but that’s another post) are going crazy right now. Mama Hummingbird built her nest right outside my bedroom window. We watched her build it, out of dried-up apple blossoms and her own feathers. Maybe some hummingbird spit. Then she sat still for a week, probably a heroic feat for a hummer. She reminded me of myself and a lot of other moms I know: I’m doing my motherly duty, staying home and moving at the kids’ pace. I want to move, but it’s time to sit still. Arg!
Once they hatched, she looked really uncomfortable on the nest, with those two little sharp beaks pointing straight up, yelling, “FEED ME!” Now she’s finding lots to do outside the home—like eat for three hummingbirds.
At first, the two kids just stuck up their beaks, waiting for Mom to deliver. The last couple of days, though, I’ve seen their whole heads, and even their flapping wings. They want to hum, and I’m scared spitless. What if they fall? What if the cat is waiting when they fall? What if they starve before they figure out where the flowers are? What if they can’t find a nice hummer to marry?
A small, objective corner of my brain reminds me that zillions of hummingbirds have left the nest since hummers began, and plenty of them survived to drink red sugar water and buzz around the butterfly bush. These, however, are my babies—not statistics. So I check on them a dozen times a day.
And a thin branch on the crabapple tree is going to be awfully quiet and empty once they do fly off.
Showing posts with label motherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label motherhood. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Perfect Timing- almost
By Christine Thackeray
There are quite a few of us writers who juggle children with our passion of putting pen to paper (or clicking keyboards.) The last few days I've been working feverishly on the final edits of my next book that I wrote with my sister Dr. Marianna Richardson. It is called "Latter-Day Truths in Narnia" and goes through C. S. Lewis and how he is used by church authorities. Double checking footnotes, tightening complex concepts and rewriting a paragraph here or there was really tough, especially when you add that I've got two highschoolers, an unmotivated middle schooler and two "trunkie" grade schoolers who all had projects due and wanted help.
After three days of late nights, I finally got the last of the copyright issues completed, the school assignments handed in and this afternoon I got the final reference checked. It was about 12:30 when I sent it off and Camron my son popped in the door singing, "School's out for summer!" Perfect timing. We are going to dinner and bowling tonight to celebrate and we are going to spend tomorrow at an amusement park. Then we will probably be moving into a real house since we are just renting and it looks like we have found a place, (still only 95%.)
I sort of feel like I've flopped from one full-time job to another but what great timing. A full life is a great gift- I keep telling myself.
There are quite a few of us writers who juggle children with our passion of putting pen to paper (or clicking keyboards.) The last few days I've been working feverishly on the final edits of my next book that I wrote with my sister Dr. Marianna Richardson. It is called "Latter-Day Truths in Narnia" and goes through C. S. Lewis and how he is used by church authorities. Double checking footnotes, tightening complex concepts and rewriting a paragraph here or there was really tough, especially when you add that I've got two highschoolers, an unmotivated middle schooler and two "trunkie" grade schoolers who all had projects due and wanted help.
After three days of late nights, I finally got the last of the copyright issues completed, the school assignments handed in and this afternoon I got the final reference checked. It was about 12:30 when I sent it off and Camron my son popped in the door singing, "School's out for summer!" Perfect timing. We are going to dinner and bowling tonight to celebrate and we are going to spend tomorrow at an amusement park. Then we will probably be moving into a real house since we are just renting and it looks like we have found a place, (still only 95%.)
I sort of feel like I've flopped from one full-time job to another but what great timing. A full life is a great gift- I keep telling myself.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Living With Fullness
By Mary Stosich.
My daughter Lisa is expecting her seventh child. Above the varied comments of her friends and neighbors, ranging from congratulations to condolences, is her joyful acknowledgment of Heaven’s consideration and blessings. Lisa concisely chose motherhood over medical school. Admittedly her life is not exactly what she thought it would be. Surprisingly she lives not with regrets over what she might have missed, but with awe over her circumstances and opportunities.
Living with fullness is the art of loving the life with which we have been blessed, including its restraints and requirements. Living with fullness is a plan that begs us to build upon lasting values instead of pleasure and to live with a thirst to drink in every moment with appreciation. Living with fullness is having the testimony that the same God who created the world, who filled the ark with animals, who parted the sea for Moses, who restored the gospel to the world is the same God who answers our individual prayers and presents the perfect opportunity for growth to each of his children in each of their needs in each of their details.
It is a testimony of appreciation. This appreciation is not limiting, but empowering. It fosters individuality instead of jealousy. It teaches us patience instead of annoyance and mercy instead of unrealistic expectations. Through this basic yet beautiful paradigm we are able to develop an eye for the art of a beautiful, important life.
My daughter Lisa is expecting her seventh child. Above the varied comments of her friends and neighbors, ranging from congratulations to condolences, is her joyful acknowledgment of Heaven’s consideration and blessings. Lisa concisely chose motherhood over medical school. Admittedly her life is not exactly what she thought it would be. Surprisingly she lives not with regrets over what she might have missed, but with awe over her circumstances and opportunities.
Living with fullness is the art of loving the life with which we have been blessed, including its restraints and requirements. Living with fullness is a plan that begs us to build upon lasting values instead of pleasure and to live with a thirst to drink in every moment with appreciation. Living with fullness is having the testimony that the same God who created the world, who filled the ark with animals, who parted the sea for Moses, who restored the gospel to the world is the same God who answers our individual prayers and presents the perfect opportunity for growth to each of his children in each of their needs in each of their details.
It is a testimony of appreciation. This appreciation is not limiting, but empowering. It fosters individuality instead of jealousy. It teaches us patience instead of annoyance and mercy instead of unrealistic expectations. Through this basic yet beautiful paradigm we are able to develop an eye for the art of a beautiful, important life.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
The Inheritance I Got from My Mother
By Christine Thackeray
Today I taught the seniors in YW about heritage. It was a fascinating experience. We talked about inheritances and asked what spiritual gifts each girl felt they had inherited from their mothers. The girls responded with the gospel and then drew a complete blank. I was shocked because each had such incredible traits, values and perspectives that they had received at the hands of their mothers- so I told them what I had seen.
One girl had a mother who taught music for twelve years. April is a wonderful musician and is one of the most cast actresses in our high school. Another girl has a gift for beauty from her mother, not just in her clothing, hair and makeup, but the way she writes a page, expresses herself and in the gifts she gives to others. Everything she does is physically gorgeous. She recently did a modesty fashion show and the decorations down to the refreshments could have been catered by Martha Stewart. It was incredible!
Another girl is quiet and reserved as is her mother. Her tenderness allows her to see things and touch people that the rest of us may forget about. She is thoughtful and gentle in the way she words things. For someone who is boisterous and often unwittingly steps on people's toes, I sometimes wish I had that gift.
Finally the last girl in the class is down to earth and fearless in both social situations and in her choices. She has a confidence that totally detaches her emotionally from the approval of any group, which gives her the power to listen to her own voice. She loves to ride horses and works at a vet clinic, enjoying every moment of life. Her mother is the same way, but spends her time sewing, supporting her children and serving like a crazy lady. I love them both.
I brought a bouquet of flowers and asked each girl to pick the flower that reminded them of their mothers and to enjoy the uniqueness of each one. As they left, I thought of my mother who loved ideas and language. She encouraged open debate on topics of politics and social issues during dinner between the family and stayed current on all the latest Broadway plays and NY times bestsellers. She was a woman of brilliance and accomplishment who raised twelve children which were always her primary focus and enjoyed a strong writing career.
But I also had to admit that as a teenager I didn't quite appreciate her as much as I do now. Yup, I might have been one of those girls that drew a complete blank but now, I thank the Lord for the gift of my incredible mother.
Today I taught the seniors in YW about heritage. It was a fascinating experience. We talked about inheritances and asked what spiritual gifts each girl felt they had inherited from their mothers. The girls responded with the gospel and then drew a complete blank. I was shocked because each had such incredible traits, values and perspectives that they had received at the hands of their mothers- so I told them what I had seen.
One girl had a mother who taught music for twelve years. April is a wonderful musician and is one of the most cast actresses in our high school. Another girl has a gift for beauty from her mother, not just in her clothing, hair and makeup, but the way she writes a page, expresses herself and in the gifts she gives to others. Everything she does is physically gorgeous. She recently did a modesty fashion show and the decorations down to the refreshments could have been catered by Martha Stewart. It was incredible!
Another girl is quiet and reserved as is her mother. Her tenderness allows her to see things and touch people that the rest of us may forget about. She is thoughtful and gentle in the way she words things. For someone who is boisterous and often unwittingly steps on people's toes, I sometimes wish I had that gift.
Finally the last girl in the class is down to earth and fearless in both social situations and in her choices. She has a confidence that totally detaches her emotionally from the approval of any group, which gives her the power to listen to her own voice. She loves to ride horses and works at a vet clinic, enjoying every moment of life. Her mother is the same way, but spends her time sewing, supporting her children and serving like a crazy lady. I love them both.
I brought a bouquet of flowers and asked each girl to pick the flower that reminded them of their mothers and to enjoy the uniqueness of each one. As they left, I thought of my mother who loved ideas and language. She encouraged open debate on topics of politics and social issues during dinner between the family and stayed current on all the latest Broadway plays and NY times bestsellers. She was a woman of brilliance and accomplishment who raised twelve children which were always her primary focus and enjoyed a strong writing career.
But I also had to admit that as a teenager I didn't quite appreciate her as much as I do now. Yup, I might have been one of those girls that drew a complete blank but now, I thank the Lord for the gift of my incredible mother.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
It's a Small Cedar Fort World
Emily Cushing
I made a fun little discovery last night. One of the other authors on our blog is quoted in my book One Heart, Many Voices and I didn’t even know it (and I don’t even know if she knows it!) Let me explain. One Heart, Many Voices is a daily inspirational calendar for the Relief Society sisters of the church. Each day features a different Relief Society sister from around the world. The page gives the sister’s favorite scripture or quote and its importance to her in her life. My good friend Cortney sent me the following submission which I included in the calendar:
December 19
"Help me to remember that my children are a special privilege and not a task. Help me to think of them as fun and laughter and not more responsibilities. And most of all help my heart to be their age so I may understand."
My mother-in-law shared this quote with me one day after I had a bad day. I love it because it reminds me...of what a great responsibility we as mothers have and I hope to always cherish it and never take it for granted.
Cortney, Age 28, Utah, USA
As the mother of four young children, this submission from Cortney really hit home when I read it. Especially the line that reads, “help my heart to be their age so I may understand”. I have tried to remember this advice when my two-year-old spills a bowl full of milk shortly after I have mopped the kitchen floor or when a little person climbs into my bed at night because he or she has had a scary dream. I appreciated this mother-in-law’s advice even though it wasn’t given to me.
Last night I found out that Cortney’s mother-in-law is our very own, Mary Stosich. I also discovered that Mary has written an inspirational book entitled Finding the Diamond Within: 10 Ways Every Woman Can Sparkle. I’m excited to read Mary’s book. If the advice she gave to Cortney is any indication of what can be found in her book, then I know I will truly be inspired.
I made a fun little discovery last night. One of the other authors on our blog is quoted in my book One Heart, Many Voices and I didn’t even know it (and I don’t even know if she knows it!) Let me explain. One Heart, Many Voices is a daily inspirational calendar for the Relief Society sisters of the church. Each day features a different Relief Society sister from around the world. The page gives the sister’s favorite scripture or quote and its importance to her in her life. My good friend Cortney sent me the following submission which I included in the calendar:
December 19
"Help me to remember that my children are a special privilege and not a task. Help me to think of them as fun and laughter and not more responsibilities. And most of all help my heart to be their age so I may understand."
My mother-in-law shared this quote with me one day after I had a bad day. I love it because it reminds me...of what a great responsibility we as mothers have and I hope to always cherish it and never take it for granted.
Cortney, Age 28, Utah, USA
As the mother of four young children, this submission from Cortney really hit home when I read it. Especially the line that reads, “help my heart to be their age so I may understand”. I have tried to remember this advice when my two-year-old spills a bowl full of milk shortly after I have mopped the kitchen floor or when a little person climbs into my bed at night because he or she has had a scary dream. I appreciated this mother-in-law’s advice even though it wasn’t given to me.
Last night I found out that Cortney’s mother-in-law is our very own, Mary Stosich. I also discovered that Mary has written an inspirational book entitled Finding the Diamond Within: 10 Ways Every Woman Can Sparkle. I’m excited to read Mary’s book. If the advice she gave to Cortney is any indication of what can be found in her book, then I know I will truly be inspired.
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