I have no pictures. I haven’t downloaded them. So I haven’t posted. And I was close to letting this blog slowly fade out of existence. It seems not many are blogging these days? Is it facebook, because I don’t do facebook.
Okay, that was sort of an odd, dismal beginning. However, I wanted to post something because I realized I don’t want this blog to die. Sometimes my kids or I will get on it and look at pics and video (note to self—need to post some videos) and we really enjoy it. I also do a photo album on my computer, but this is another fun way to document—and it is a fun way to keep in contact. So I’m posting something and I will make a concerted effort to post again soon with pictures….and hopefully some of my other friends who have blogs will do the same—I love to see your posts!
Okay, so now I should share something insightful….how about thoughts on teenagers? I have one and half teenagers ( I don’t know if Sunny will ever really become one and Angie seems like she has been one since the age of six). They are funny. They are confusing. They are sometimes snotty and stubborn. They have their own testimonies. They like to make their own choices(grrrrrr). They are a ginormous help to me. They are talented and beautiful girls. Angie plays piano very well and is getting better with her singing—she is learning guitar and she plays soccer and swims. And she teaches a girl in our neighborhood piano as a service—her idea for a personal progress goal (a church program for young women). Sunny also plays piano and sings (her and Angie and I like to sing duets and trios at home together). She is always creating things, and writing—she just got into a writing club with her little friend. She is a fantastic cross country runner and recently placed 2nd out of all the 6th grade girls in our entire school district. They amaze me.
This last week I subbed for Jack’s Sunday School class at church (he had to go out of town for work) and I was again amazed at these kids—they are their own people and they are the future of our world. And they are capable, beautiful, energetic young people—they are also frustrating and crazy and immature, but inside themselves they KNOW WHO THEY ARE.
So, what is my point? Besides the obvious desire to brag about my wonderful daughters? Well, I have been asking myself lately what is my role as a mother? Especially now with these teenagers quickly growing and moving up up in life. And I think motherhood should be described in one phrase—ENVIRONMENT CREATOR. My job is to create a proper environment in which my children can grow and develop on their own—safely and surrounded by love. I need to keep order (somewhat), feed them good food, and only bring things (or allow them to bring things) into our home that are “virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy.” Oh, and I try any way I can to put good things into their minds and hearts—through scriptures, books, music, movies, whatever. Sometimes at night I will offer to let them listen to a talk or good music as they fall asleep—and of course they take the bate! Of course, my husband should help with this, but being home the most I do feel more of a responsibility. And then, as this is happening, I need to let them make their choices WITHIN the environment that I have created. And hope that as they leave this environment the things that they have learned here will help them to create a wonderful environment of their own. Because they like to feel empowered—just like I do. So, yeah, those are my thoughts on teenagers. It sounds good on paper doesn’t it? Wish me blessings, and good blessings to us all!
