No 'Or's, but plenty of 'and's...

Most parents are the front-line cheerleaders of their kids. Even when it is their kid who is sitting down in the soccer game picking his nose, those parents still believe that kid will some day be good enough to play pro.

As parents, we want to instill early the hope that the world will start to chip away piece by piece. There are few 'or's that we give our children. We don't believe that he can be a doctor OR pro athlete OR astronaut. We believe, no we know, that our kids can be scientists AND presidents AND movie stars - all things - all the time. They can do and be everything. And then we realize that our parents thought the same about us. Whether that realization brings shame or pride is entirely irrelevant.

And then we think about our own parents and how they were children - their parents gave them all the ANDS in the world. And they chose to be parents.

So, when all is said and done, this is what I wish for my son. I wish for him to be kind AND honest AND chivalrous AND happy. No ORS.

Sadness...

Today I received a call from my nephew. My dear, sweet nephew Mike and his wife Amanda. She lost her baby today at 9 weeks pregnant. What a sweet family to have such heartache.

It brought back memories of going to the emergency room at 13 weeks, hemorrhaging badly - thinking I was miscarrying. Such anxiety, fear, sadness, loneliness, and heartache... but for me things turned out well. Michael and Amanda were so excited.

For now, we will hope for peace for both parents and wish them the best when they try again. They are good parents. And Gracie will one day be the best big sister ever.

Love Being a Mom

I little under a year ago, I went to the doctor to have in vitro done. At that time, I was a working professional at the peak of my career. The last year has been full of financial surprises...not for the better, illnesses for both Mom and baby, and the happiest little Nonkey in the world. Now, I have changed careers due to the economy and things are much different in my world. I wouldn't go back where I was for the world.

Some say that being a mom is full of the mundane chores - piles of laundry, dinner to cook, bottles to sanitize, more laundry (before Aiden, I never had to pre-treat any piece of clothing), put baby to bed, and start my second job about 9pm at night from home while the baby sleeps. This picture is a typical afternoon - baby, dog, laundry, (and the smell of chili in the crockpot).


Today I became a superhero for a company - I saved the company. No, really. Saved it. It felt great to flex my professional muscles again. Then I came home and Aiden was asleep in his cousin's arms. As I took him, he woke up long enough to make eye contact with me, grin, and fall back asleep.

Being a mom is better than being a superhero. Anyday.

Take your Nonkey to work day...

My little office Nonkey.


I love that I can bring my son to work with me. Most of the time, Aiden stays with Aunt Kari and the Smedley kids. But when Mom gets lonely or we have Baby errands in Salt Lake City, Mr. A comes along for the day. I work alone in an office and my sweet son is a welcome companion.

So for now, I can fulfill two of my favorite job descriptions simultaneously- Mom and Boss. All while holding my little man who is currently grunting, squirming, and working on some business of his own.

Lucky Mom.

Conference and scrapbooks

These pics have nothing to do with the post, but I loved them! My son loved the leaves and the river. This is up Monte Cristo. Isn't his coat DARLING?!

The Smedley Girls at the base of Ogden Canyon at the waterfall.


I love General Conference. I refer to it as "get out of jail free week." It means I don't have to get ready for early church and I have a perfectly valid excuse to spend two days in pajamas and not put on makeup. But this time, conference was a little different.

My niece, Amanda, Shiree, and I scrapbooked all day on Saturday. My sister Teresa and Laura came during the afternoon session. Amanda is a scrapbooking maniac. I love her ideas and especially loved spending time with her, my nephew, Michael, and her DARLING, darling toddler, Gracie. Amanda has the cutest personality and I loved spending the day with my family. Michael was the cutest doting husband cutting up fruit and making cookies for the ladies - and taking Gracie when she was a little too interested in playing with sleeping baby Aiden.

Sunday's conference sessions were so powerful. Every session is a boost to the spirituality and by Sunday afternoon, my resolve was strong once again to be as strong as possible and raise my son in the gospel. Elder Holland's talk was one of the most powerful ones I can ever remember listening to during conference. It filled my home with such a powerful spirit.