Once upon a time...

Once upon a time... the words that inspire hope and fantasy. These words have been said so many times and every time they mean that good conquers evil and the nice guy finishes last. It means love overcomes all adversity. My once upon a time started almost 5 years ago. I met the man I hoped was my prince charming in disguise. The adversity placed in front of us was so great I wasn't sure how we would make it, but I knew we would. Somehow I knew that love would overcome all difficulty. But now the lyrics that ring in my mind are... "You were everything, everything that I wanted
We were meant to be, supposed to be, but we lost it
And all of the memories, so close to me, just fade away
All this time you were pretending
So much for my happy ending"
My happy ending was not at all what I thought it would be. In fact it is completely the opposite. It seems like every now and then it hits me like a ton of bricks. My ending wasn't the happy I was hoping for, it is a different happy. But I am learning its a better kind of happy.   I have the most beautiful little girl who brightens every moment of my day. She brings me so much joy. And if it wasn't for her I would be lost in serious sadness.
I was reading the ensign and there was a talk at the Young women's broadcast by President Uchdorf. This talk was like and echo to my soul. It seemed to express all the things was thinking and all the worries in my heart. It helped me remember that as much as other people's choices can effect me and hurt, that I still have the chance for greater joy. And I will have my happily ever after.

My 3rd Mothers day

It is kinda crazy to think that  I have been a mom for 3 mother's days now. It seems like just yesterday I had a brand new baby and felt completely lost as far as how to be a mom. Now  I feel like I don't have a little baby but a best buddy to be with all the time. Now having a 2 year old isn't easy by any means, but I love being able to have small conversations and do fun interactive things. I had the opportunity to speak in my church about what motherhood means to me. It was an amazing chance to read some inspiring words from church authorities that I respect and admire. Most of the words that I used came from Sheri Dew. I wanted to share some of the thoughts I used when speaking on Sunday, not only to remind myself again but to hopefully share the wonderful things I learned! Sister Dew once said, " mother is the word that will define a righteous woman made perfect in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a woman who has qualified for eternal increase in posterity, wisdom, joy and influence. Just as worthy men were foreordained to hold the priesthood in mortality righteous women were endowed premortally with the privilege of motherhood. Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our  Father gave us." And a quote by Elder Ballard says, " ALL women have within their divine nature both the inherent talent and stewardship to mother."
 I love to know that God gave us the natural ability and talents to mother- every women. It is such a powerful thing, whether it be to lead our own children or those around us. It is a beautiful thing to know that mothers are not only those who bear us but those who bear with us. There are so many women that teach me how to mother by their example. I am grateful that I was given such a precious angel in my life. I am thankful God trusted me to raise one of his beautiful choice spirit daughters. She is everything to me. She is my my miracle. She is my dream come true. Everyday she makes my life better...