The Toughest Job

Once upon a time I had a blossoming career at a hospital in Scottsdale. I was the Business Office Manager in outpatient surgery. Most days I liked my job. I supervised the staff in the lobby, registration area and scheduling. I dealt with insurance companies (uugh!) and patients. I worked sometimes up to 13 hours a day. But the pay was pretty nice.

Then one day about 10 years ago I decided I wanted to change careers. In this new thankless job the hours would be long, I'd be wearing many more hats, the pay would be horrible, and vacation days were not guaranteed. But I wanted to apply for this job like crazy. What is this job you ask? Full time MOM.

Up until 10 years ago, my incredible and amazing sister watched our kids while both my hubby and I held down demanding jobs. I felt so lucky that our kids were being well taken care of, but knowing that I was missing a big part of Ricky's and Annika's growing up years was killing me. So I made a hard decision to change career paths and become mom full time.


Now my career holds titles like chef, maid, babysitter, taxi driver, nurse, psychologist, CEO,....the list goes on and on.


We've made financial sacrifices over the years, but I have learned how important this job of MOM really is. But what is it really worth?

Well, every year this website calculates how much the job of MOM is worth. If you had to hire out everything a mother does in a year it would cost....drumroll please.....





$122,732




But money isn't the only benefit of this job. There are other perks that have come from this job that can't be counted in dollars, like free gym membership (building biceps by picking them up when they fall, and aerobic workout while chasing after them). Continuing education (learning how to do high school math all over again) and health insurance (didn't you know moms are never allowed to be sick?)


Now I know there are many circumstances where amazing women do hold down two jobs (one of them being other than mom), and some women (like my sister Kathy) even hold down the job of Mom and Dad, plus outside job and I highly respect and honor them. They are truly wonderwomen in disguise!


All mothers everywhere are heroes and deserve a hero's praise. So to all mothers, I salute you.



Cost to hire a full house staff for a year = $122,732
Cost of being a Mom = Priceless!

HAPPY MOTHER"S DAY!

Why?

Why do we judge? What is it in us that makes us look at something or someone and immediately make a decision about it without giving it the benefit of the doubt? Why is our society one that looks at outward beauty instead of the heart first?

I know too many people that have been shunned or unincluded because they were "different" and it hurts more deeply than superficial wounds.

I am ashamed to say that way back in grade school I was one of those who didn't participate, but didn't stand up either, for a girl who was teased because she was "too smart" and acted a little differntly. The teasing and exclusivity got so bad that she transferred to a different school. I don't know where she is now, or how she's doing, but I only hope that she was able to overcome the emotional scars that were underservingly forced upon her. I hope she was able to arise above it and see herself as a daughter of God.


A friend of mine sent me a link to this video and it made me cry because of how people (including myself) prematruely misjudged this amazing woman.

Easter Thought

Christmas is by far my most my favorite holiday. I love the lights, music, decorations, the hustle and bustle of it all. I love decking the halls and trimming the tree. I really get into the shopping and wrapping and all that. I love that everyone spends more time being a little more Christ-like. I love Christmas!

Easter is easily my second most favorite holiday, yet I celebrate it very differently. I don't decorate the house with bunnies or Easter eggs or stuff like that. (okay, I do make one easter basket for the whole family and get them some chocolate and a new Easter outfit, and my kids still like to decorate eggs).

Instead, I start celebrating a week before by reading passages in the scriptures about Christ's last week in His ministry here on earth. I am quiet and ponder the unmatched love of His atoning sacrifice and marvel at the miracle of His resurrection. I am in awe of His sinlesss life, yet he agreed to take my sins upon him. He bore my burdens and felt my pain. This has taken on such a deep meaning throughout my life as I have come to rely on my savior, and I'm so grateful for his atonement. As someone once said, "without Easter, there'd be no Christmas!"

I have been enlightened by a conference talk I heard last Sunday by an apostle of the Lord, named Jeffrey R. Holland, titled None Were With Him. From his talk, I gained a new perspective of the antonement. Have a wonderful Easter.

El Tour de Phoenix

Despite the minor setback the day before, Dad and Ricky completed the 25 mile ride in the El Tour de Phoenix on Saturday.

The race almost ended for them before it began when on Friday Rick battled diarrhea, vomiting, and a fever of 102.7. It took all the power he had just to get to registration that afternoon without passing out. But amazingly, with a will to ride (and a 13 1/2 hour nap), Rick woke up Saturday morning almost completely recovered and ready to give the 25 mile tour his best shot. (Sorry Ricky for blabbing all your personal bodily functions, but it comes with the rite of being a mom).

Well, with the help of Tylenol, great weather, and an enthusiastic support team (thanks Kristy and JD for joining us with your motivating signs and cheers on the side of the road), Rick and Dad finished the race in 2 hours and 18 minutes.

Maybe I'm a crazy mom and should have forbid him to ride, but one quality Ricky posseses is determination. He doesn't give up just because something is hard. How could I deny him the chance to try? (Besides, I practically followed them the entire route in my car, just in case).

Way to go Rick! And thanks to my Dad for going so slow and sticking by Ricky's side. I know he could have easily finished this race in half the time, but he sacrificed his record for his grandson. Thanks Dad! And congratulations Ricky!

April Fool

Annika is our little jokster in our family. She has a fun sense of humor and loves to make people laugh. I think that's why April Fools Day is one of her favorite holidays.

She had a list of tricks to play on her family today. Here are the highlighs....

1. Her first trick was to put shaving cream on her sleeping dad's hand, then tickle his nose, so when he slapped his face he would get shaving cream all over his face. Fortunately for him , Serge got up early this morning and went to the gym, so Annika didn't get to pull this one off.

2. She emptied her dad's sugar shaker and replaced it with salt. Serge hasn't used his sugar yet today, but we know he will eventually!

3. Annika stuffed her brother's shoes with toilet paper. When he put them on this morning, it took him only a couple of seconds to realize that Annika was up to something.

4. She emptied the Sprite soda bottle in the refrigerator and filled it up with plain water. This one got me!


I finally got her back with the classic "your shoes are untied" trick. I can't beleive she fell for it! She's been on her guard all day, but I got her at the right moment I guess.

Perspective

What Poor is.....

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, 'How was the trip?'
'It was great, Dad.'
'Did you see how poor people live?' the father asked.
'Oh yeah,' said the son.
'So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?' asked the father.
The son answered:
'I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.'

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.'

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have. Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends! Life is too short and friends are too few.

A Few of My Favorite Things

I got such a chuckle watching this. I can so relate!! I think most of you might be able to relate as well...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8FCgaoaG8