The week before last Dave and I got back from a trip on Sunday night, I got diagnosed with some crazy thing called Hashimoto's Disease on Tuesday, New Beginnings was on Wednesday (more about that back here), the American Mothers Gala dinner on Thursday, and had my parents and sisters arrive in town for Claire's baptism on Friday. The big baptism was on Saturday and all through it I felt like I was in a fog my darn allergies. Who knows if I will ever get to recording all the details on all that in any timely manner, but I just need to write some things down so I can remember them!
Right now I want to talk about the American Mother's Gala.
That's where the new Mother of the Year and Young Mother of the Year are honored for our state, along with a few other mothers who are making a difference in their communities (the same dinner I talked about back here last year where I was among those being honored).
Earlier this year I got to sit in on the panel of judges to select the new Mother of the Year for our state.
I felt pretty lucky about that because I got to meet two very fascinating ladies (the two finalists). I was so inspired by what I learned in our interviews and scribbled notes from both of them the whole time. Here are some of the epiphanies on motherhood that I had while talking to them:
-- Do what you can to make sure your relationship with your children is a good one today. It won't just miraculously turn that way in the future without a little work.
-- Never underestimate how important it is to READ with your kids. It will strengthen your relationship as it builds their literacy skills and gives them a boost in school and in their future.
-- Partner with and support their teachers. Be involved.
-- Respect children as individuals. They may be completely different from you. Work to understand those differences and honor them.
-- Have fun.
-- Distraction is the key for toddlers. Distract them from their tantrums or their sassiness by turning the conversation to a completely different topic {this is one of my very favorite tactics that I had kind of forgotten about}.
-- One mom admitted that being a mom can be downright boring at times. Do something to make it interesting to you whether it is working on a hobby together or sharing your strengths/talents with your children.
-- One of the mothers never had enough money for private lessons of any kind. The kids taught each other what they would glean from others and they all became the best of friends.
-- Never underestimate the power of a little bit of "love and attention." When one of these mothers dealt with a child misbehaving or showing a little attitude she would grab them into a big bear hug and shower them with love and tell them it looked like they could use a little "love and attention." This would always end up in giggles and would quickly dispel the bad feelings.
Most importantly I realized once again the power of a good parent. A good, conscientious parent will in turn raise good parents, which will in turn change the world.
It was neat at the Gala to be able to honor these great mothers. The one on the far left is this year's Mother of the Year. 
She's the one who gave me most of those epiphanies above. She is a phenomenal mother with a true "mother's heart."
The one next to me below is the Young Mother of the Year for this year from here in the desert.
I got to introduce her and she gave such a powerful speech. Her husband died when she was pregnant with her fourth child and the determination and power and love that she has gained from that experience amazed us all. (The other mothers in that above picture were the past Young Mothers of the Year.)
Here are all the past Mothers of the Year who were in attendance:
Such neat ladies.
It was fun to be able to share that night with one of my own children who needed a little extra "love and attention." :)
She was most excited about the auction and that we bought our own "time out" stool there.
We had a great time despite the fact that I found out in the middle of the main speeches that Dave never got the text that the little girls were at a neighbor's house and needed to be picked up there when he got home from work. And I spaced it on the tennis carpool pickup that night.
I sat there and thought to myself, "how in Heaven's name am I sitting here with all these accomplished mothers??"
But there I was. And everyone survived.
How grateful I am for the experience I've had this year with this organization. These are the ladies on our state board:
(Excuse the blur...it's tough to hold a camera still enough to get a good shot at night but Grace did a pretty good job! :)
I've learned so much from all these ladies. And I'm looking forward to the convention in Washington D.C. in May.Labels: American Mothers Inc.
I got to introduce her and she gave such a powerful speech. Her husband died when she was pregnant with her fourth child and the determination and power and love that she has gained from that experience amazed us all. (The other mothers in that above picture were the past Young Mothers of the Year.)
Such neat ladies.
She was most excited about the auction and that we bought our own "time out" stool there.
(Excuse the blur...it's tough to hold a camera still enough to get a good shot at night but Grace did a pretty good job! :)