"E-E-Up" (Giddyup)

Morning Glory,

I loved seeing how you put Lady slipper to bed tonight:

You: "Want Giddyup?" (in a fun and excited happy voice)
LS:  "E-e-up!" (with a huge smile)

Then you turned around to let her climb up onto your back with her arms happily encircling your neck and you skipped her down the hall to her room.

You already show the potential to be such a fun mom!  Thank you for being such a nice and helpful big sister and such a good example.

Love,
Mom

Truly Tender: "Eye-nose" and "Beebee Towz"

It took a while to figure out what Lady Slipper was saying so insistently as I tucked her in for a nap (for at least the third time). It sounded something like "Beebee towz." I loved that happy smile when I discovered that it meant she wanted the baby clothes for her little doll. Then I remembered her being a little concerned when I took them off to wash them this morning. I had no idea those tiny pj's were so important to her. After I found them and put them back on I got a huge "huzz" (hug) along with that same little voice saying. "Eye-nose" That one was really easy: she wanted butterfly and Eskimo kisses.

Now I am hearing tiny tears and the words "I sad, mommy I sad" over and over again through the bedroom door.
I love being a Mom!
-
Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

BYU Education Week

I have planned for Education Week for several months and was so excited as the time came closer. Then, as always seems to happen, opposition struck with a vengeance. At a routine checkup more autoimmune antibodies were found in my system and the Graves Disease that has been in remission came back in full force. I also started into another early miscarriage.

Logic told me I should stay home and rest but I had felt so strongly that it was right to go. What a quandary! With the second witness that my husband also felt I should go and it would be a good and important experience for me, and going completely on faith I made it to Provo and tried to relax for the night. Soon the pain from my miscarriage tripled and was not helped at all by the normal dose ibuprofin. I felt the tears coming and wondered how I was going to make it sitting in classes all day when I was in tears while lying down. I called my husband for reassurance, made sure I took the maximum ibuprofin allowed and finally fell asleep.

So far, the miracle I hoped for has begun as the pain has receded to a dull ache this morning and I have made it through one class so far. My emotions are also distracted by learning new things so right now I don't have to look too closely at the emotional pain of knowing I am losing a baby for the 6th time despite all my research on autoimmune miscarriages and all the positive changes I have worked so hard to implement in the past few months. I know I can't run from the pain but I am thankful that I can have some time to accept it and think about it more rationally while also enjoying new experiences in a place I love so much.(BYU is where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree back in 2000 so it is full of wonderful memories).

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

Simply A Supermom: Eliza R. Snow

"Sister Eliza R. Snow . . .  never had children of her own. Nevertheless, she recognized the importance of a mother’s influence. She counseled Relief Society sisters, “Let your first business be to perform your duties at home.”
("Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society," Chapter 9)

The above quote stood out to me as my focus this month has been to "Do My Duty."

I grew up loving stories about this wonderful woman.  I admired her writing ability which began as a young girl.  I admired her willingness to support and love her brother Lorenzo, Who later became President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I admired her willingness to wait to marry until she found someone with high values like she had. 

My admiration continues to grow as I experience more of life.  She suffered and rejoiced with the Saints from the very early days of the church.  I marvel at the wisdom and insight she shared as she served as the Second Relief Society General President from 1866 to 1877.  That is a long time to bear the responsibility of teaching and leading the women of the world.  She is an example of a woman with knowledge "of things both in heaven and in the earth" (Doctrine and Covenants 88:79)

She is an outstanding example of a Supermom who chose to mother all those around her despite the challenge of not giving life to her own children while she lived in this life.  She must have found ways to be optimistic and look diligently for reasons to be thankful and for ways to serve others.

Sister Snow, Thank you so much for your example for me.


Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

See also:
 Wikipedia
"Invocation, or the Eternal Father and Mother" ("Oh, My Father") poem
"Oh My Father" (hymn)