5 Mile Milk Run

In January I set the goal to run the 5 Mile Milk Run Monroe City sponsors every 24th of July. My friend Shawnee wanted to as well, so we've been working up to it together. I still don't like running. I thought if I could run that far, surely the mystical runner's high I've heard about would kick in. But no. After about the first 15 minutes, every step is somewhere between annoying and agonizing. BUT, I made it! I ran the whole 5 miles without stopping. I came in about 3rd to last, but I did the whole thing. It was hard and I did it anyway. That feels great! Goal accomplished!
The best part was when Dave drove the kids out to the 1/2 way point and they all cheered me on. Then, Davy, Bekah and Elisabeth ran with me the last two blocks. So even though I still haven't felt the joy of jogging, I definitely feel the joy of being a supported Mom.

General Conference

Today at general conference, I was very touched by Elder Ballard's talk on motherhood. He was so kind and generous in his comments. He advised mothers to do four things:
1) Realize the joy of motherhood comes in moments
2) Don't overschedule yourself and your family.
3) Make some time to enjoy the things you love.
4) Pray, study and teach the gospel.
I feel inspired to make these four things the focus of my life for the next six months.

Why tending roses?

One of my favorite books is The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Burnett. Although a children's story about children, it is a rich unfolding of the true secret for happiness. Three unlikely playmates, a lonely orphan, a sickly heir and a poor gardener, discover a forgotten, overgrown garden and make it their own. As they pull weeds and nurture plants they learn, "Where you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow." The story progresses and they all discover how this lesson applies to their entire life.

This is my theme for mothering. During the last 13 years, since becoming a mother, I have too often forgotten. I have planted many thistles and then wondered why my garden isn't such a pleasant place to be. Then, instead of pulling out the weeds and tending to my flowers, I've poisoned myself with self-destructive thoughts and behaviors. So, the purpose of this blog is to remind me to tend my roses: my relationships with God, Christ, my husband and my children.

Come watch my garden grow!