Belated Hot Mama's Day

Yes, our family has our own version of Mother's Day and have called it "Hot Mama's Day" for a long time.  Because our Mama is HOT.

(She publicly hates it when we call her that, but inside, we know she loves it)

Contrary to popular belief, my mom is not perfect.  Yes, I'm telling the blogger world that my Mother is not perfect.  I even told our entire ward that as I stood up to speak on Mother's Day.  My Mom was even on the third row.

You're now probably scolding me in your head and thinking I'm the worst daughter ever.  When, in fact, I'm actually the best daughter ever.

Let me explain before you get your panties in a knot.

First off, it is a rare occurrence that when I speak I don't end up speaking on Mother's Day or Father's Day.  In my mind, those are the two worst days to speak on!  I'm already an emotional junkie on those days trying to figure out how to tell/show my parents how much I love and appreciate them.

Speaking to an entire congregation on those days is me trying to dam up a river by myself.  It doesn't work.  I become an emotional wreck.

One thing I've come to not appreciate on Mother's Day is the fact that the speakers get up, pay their dues to their mother by saying how wonderful and perfect she is and then proceed to tell the entire ward how women cannot be mothers unless they have children of their own.

Seriously?

No one is perfect.

Not even your mother is going to believe the fluff you say about her.

But I digress.

Here's how I started preparing for my talk.

(If you don't want to read the entire process, you may want to skip reading this post.  This is mainly for me to remember and reflect on how I do talks).

 I pick out all of my favorite quotes, scriptures, and hullaballoo that I want to say (along with doodles that keep my hands busy).  I always try to include something "worldly" to connect my talk to.  In this case, I connected my talk to Sleeping Beauty.  Weird? You might say so.  But everyone knows the story about Sleeping Beauty.  And now, when they watch or hear about Sleeping Beauty, they'll think of a gospel principle-Motherhood.

It's a little like reverse psychology. Maybe.

And this time around, I really wanted EVERY WOMAN to know that they are mothers.  In my talk I noted that I don't have my own children, yet I still find myself portraying and working on mothering qualities and traits.  I teach 25 children for 5 days a week.  I not only teach them, but I seriously love and nurture them.  They are little spirits in my room and I find that my career is a divine calling.

The fact that I didn't have to birth any of them is a nice advantage too.

But the point I really wanted to make is that no one is perfect.  Not even your mother.  Mothers are supposed to have weaknesses.  How else would they teach their children how to use the Atonement? My mom taught me how to forgive and repent by example.  She showed me how to love unconditionally by example.  She displayed all of her weaknesses so I could learn from her example.

That is what truly makes a mother.  That is what makes a child learn.

There's a lot more to my talk then all of that, but seeing how this post is mainly for my own selfish reasons (1) The notebook in the picture is my scripture study journal and if it got lost, burned, etc. I think I'd die.  I need to start digitally recording them too (so I'm sure you'll be seeing more of them).  (2) I really wanted to let everyone know my views on Motherhood.  Motherhood is not just birthing a child (even though it is certainly that!), it is when a woman empowers herself to target the qualities and virtues that God only gives to women and makes use of them (visiting teaching, primary callings, relief society, every calling in the church that a woman serves in is using these qualities!).  

Here's how my journal looks after I give a talk or if I insert talks to go with the subject/topic I'm studying.  I got the idea for my scripture journal here.

(Mother's Day at Uncle Todd's.  The whole family minus Mel and Damon)

Although my Mom isn't perfect, she's the most perfect imperfect mother on earth!  I've learned more from her than any teacher, leader, or friend.  I love her and she is truly one of my best friends.  

Happy Belated Mother's Day!