Five Essential Books for Mother's Day

Check out these Essential Books for Mother's Day...

This post contains affiliate links. I also received "Once There Was A Mom", so I could review the book. All opinions are 100% my own. See the full disclosure.

Over the years I have received some great books, these are some of my favorites. They are the kind of books that warm your heart and bring a tear to your eye! Each would make a fabulous gift for Mother's Day!

"Once There was a Mom"

This book recently released by Deseret Book, written by Emily Watts and illustrated by Destin Cox, is one that will touch your heart.

The illustrations are beautiful and any mom who reads this will be able to relate to the words that are written.

I have to admit, there is a moment in the book that every time I read it I get choked up and emotional! If you've read the book can you guess where that is? Even if you or your mom is not a "reader", she will enjoy this book!

This book can be purchased from Deseret Book or Deseret Bookshelf Plus (sign up & receive a free 30 day trial)

"The Remarkable Soul of a Woman"

If you are like me and love to soak up President Uchtdorf's words every time he speaks, then you'll love this book (or your mom will).

This book is an inspiration to all women, focusing on our individual worth and God's love.

This book can be purchase from Deseret Book or on Deseret Bookshelf Plus (sign up & receive a free 30 day trial)

"The Runaway Mother"

Written by Carol Lynn Person

Let's face it, we've each slightly contemplated or even threatened that we were going to runaway. Even if that running away was just to a bathroom or a closet.

Being a mom can be some tough business! Find what lessons this mom learned from running away.

This book can be purchased from Amazon: The Runaway Mother

"I am a Mother"

Written by Jane Clayson Johnson

A beautiful book that incorporates her experience as a mother as well as those of her friends and those who she came in contact with through her career in broadcasting.

One of my favorite quotes from the book is, "You Matter... a mother's work is God's work". (Jane Clayson Johnson)

This book can be purchased from Deseret Book or Deseret Bookshelf Plus (sign up & receive a free 30 day trial)

or Amazon (I Am a Mother)

"Love You Forever"

Written by Robert Munsch.

Illustrated by Sheila McGraw

This is one of my favorites! Yes, it's a kid book, but it's a mom's book too!! Just FYI, have a tissue box handy!!

This book can be purchased from Amazon: Love You Forever

Have a mom that LOVES reading??? Sign her up for Deseret Bookshelf Plus!

Youth Standards Night: My Experiment with Scripture Study, Prayer and the Holy Ghost

This post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support! See the full disclosure.

As we began planning for our Youth Standard's Night, I was so excited when I found Judy Cooley to come and speak to us. I had seen her gorgeous paintings of the youth dressed in the armor of God and knew that she would be perfect for the evening.  My thoughts were confirmed as I spoke with her on the phone, of what she might speak about!

The morning of Standard's night Judy asked me if I would take part in a little experiment and then share my experience that night during Standards Night, of course I agreed. The day though was filled with crazy busyness and I soon started to worry about when I would be able to do what she had asked me to do.  There was a moment, between the children getting home from school, having to fix dinner and get my son to his game, that I was able to sneak away to accomplish my task.

Gift Ideas for Mom for Mother's Day

This post may contain affiliate links. Thank you for your support! See the full disclosure. 

We have many influences of amazing women in our lives. For a lot of us the first influence is that of our mom. At the age of 19, a year after she and my dad were married, I entered this world and made my mom a mom.  To say she has had an influence on me would be an understatement. This lady right here is the most selfless person you'll meet. We were so blessed to have her stay home with us, she coached our teams, helped at our schools, taught us the importance of the gospel both through word and action, she cheered us on in all aspects of our lives and gave us her unconditional love. What is great about Mother's Day is it is an opportunity to share with the women in our lives the gratitude we have for the influences they have had on us.

A Family Home Evening all about Mothers!! Are Women Not All Mothers?

For tonight's Family Home Evening the topic in which I have chosen is: 

All About MOTHERS!

Preparation: I hope and pray that you can use these ideas as a guideline and adjust them to the needs of your own specific family.  Our prophet President Monson says, "We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program. It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family, helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. The lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest."  On Lds.org there are resources available in helping to make your Family Home Evenings successful, here is a link to that site on Family Home Evenings.

Invite a member of the family member say the prayer

Discuss any family business

Listen to or Sing: " I Often Go Walking" Children's Songbook

Follow-up with last weeks FHE.

Family Home Evening Instruction: 

Before FHE hard boil enough eggs for each member of your family. To begin Family Home Evening explain to your family that you have something that is very precious to you that you love very much. Show your family the eggs.  Explain that you would like to give each member of the family one of these precious eggs. That you would like them to take care of them, nurture and protect them.

Visiting Teaching Idea for November 2015 and Handout {Free Printables}

Free Printable Download

I love the months we as Visiting Teachers get to pick a General Conference talk and share it with our sisters, that we visit.  Sometimes I think we choose a particular talk because somewhere in it there is something that a sister you visit needs to hear. So, how to go about choosing from all of the amazing talks from this past General Conference??

Back to school Love Notes

Who doesn't like to feel loved??  I remember how special it was when I was little to receive a little "just because I love you" note or gift on my bed.  I was thinking how I haven't really done that very often with my own children, okay well maybe to be honest I don't remember if I ever have.  It's never too late to start. I thought it would be fun to give the, a little something this first week of school.

Here are some ideas as well as some free printables:

Attach this to a bag or box of your favorite "Jolly Rancher" Candy :)

Attach this to your favorite Extreme Candy.

I gave the Jolly Ranchers to them before they left for school and then when they returned home I had some "Air Head Xtremes" for them and a note that I had hand written to each of them.

I also modified my YW Back to School handout, so it could be given by anyone, not just a YW leader :)  Just tape or glue a package of "Extra" Gum into the box and some hugs and kisses chocolate candies into the circles :)

May 2015 Visiting Teaching Message: General Conference Pick: "Why Marriage, Why Family"

This is always one of my favorite Visiting Teaching Messages and also the hardest! There are so many amazing General Conference talks to choose from.  To choose I usually pray, than read through the titles and go with the one I feel is right.  Sometimes I read through several talks before I choose one.  The talk I choose for May's Visiting Teaching is

"Why Marriage, Why Family" by Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Free Printable: Printing tip: Click on image and save it to your computer. You will then be able to print the image from your computer.

8x10

The Trap was set....but did we catch the Leprechaun??

As a child I remember little green footprints trailing through our house leading us to some treat that the leprechaun would leave behind. Excitement would fill the air when we would find what he left for us.  Some legends state that if a leprechaun like you then he will take you to his gold. Others state that you have to catch the leprechaun before he will take you to his gold.

Family Home Evening on the First Presidency Message: "Follow the Prophets"

For tonight's Family Home Evening the topic in which I have chosen is: 

First Presidency Message: "Follow the Prophets", by President Monson

Free Printable:

Favorite Christmas Family Home Evenings

I love Mondays because that means I get to spend time with my family during Family Home Evening having fun and learning about the things are Heavenly Father would have a learn.  Usually the Monday before Christmas we have a special Christmas Family Home Evening. Here are some of our Favorites:

• Combined YW/YM Christmas Activity: Coming Unto Christ from His Birth to His Resurrection  (This could be modified to a Family Home Evening) 
• Family Home Evening: Family Traditions & Faith in God Booklet:Write a poem, story, or short play that teaches a principle of the gospel or is about Heavenly Father's creations.
• Family Home Evening on Family Christmas Movie Night
• Family Home Evening on "Fill the World with Christ’s Love" (First Presidency Message for December)
• Sharing Time December Week 4: Christmas Sharing Time
• Family Home Evening- Faith in God: How the Holy Ghost Helps you & Nativity Movie
• Family Home Evening on Prophesies of the Birth of Christ
• LDS Sharing Time December 2014 Week 3: The Son of God was born on earth.

I'd love to hear some ideas of some fun Christmas Family Home Evening you have had or are about to have!! Leave a comment below :)

Guest Blogging Today at Mormon Moms: Nativity Tradition Check it out!

Hey I am so excited to be guest blogging over at  Mormon Moms today. I am sharing a tradition that I enjoyed as a child and continue to try to carry on in my own family.  Click on over to Mormon Moms and check out the post. Click on the image below to visit what I have shared about Nativities A Christmas Tradition:

While you are there check out all of the other amazing ideas found on Mormon Moms Who Blog! click the image below for the link to home page:

Family Home Evening on Living the Teachings of Jesus Christ Strengthens Me and My Family (November 2014 Primary Sharing Time Theme)

For tonight's Family Home Evening the topic in which I have chosen is: 

 Living the Teachings of Jesus Christ Strengthens Me and My Family (November 2014 Primary Sharing Time Theme)

Free Printable:

Family Home Evening on Oct. 2014 General Conference Talk by Elder Ballard "Stay in the Boat and Hold on!"

For tonight's Family Home Evening the topic in which I have chosen is: 

The First Presidency Message: (General Conference Talk) Stay in the Boat and Hold On! by Elder Ballard

Free Printable:

Day 12 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Halloween Wrap UP (Crafts, Treats and Fun)!

Happy Halloween!!! Here is a wrap up of all the fun Halloween ideas posted the past 12 days as well as some new ones. Click the link to go to the full post for each:

Day 9 and 10 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Halloween Games (Cake Walk, Bingo, Halloween Character Swat)

After a crazy day of Field Trips, Presidency Meetings, shopping for primary and trying to get this post in...it didn't get finished yesterday. So, I am combining Day 9 and 10 and posting some fun Halloween Games that would be fun for School, Church or Family Parties.

Day 9 and 10 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Halloween Games and Printables

Day 4 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: DIY Halloween Craft- Paper Haunted House

Day 4 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Paper Haunted House

Day 2 of 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Fun Halloween Color and Activity Sheets

As a child I loved laying on the floor in my bedroom with a sheet of paper in front of me and an assortment of colors! It warms my heart when I walk into one of my child's rooms and see them doing the same thing. Coloring helps develop motor skills and encourages creativity. It also has been found to not only be beneficial for children, but also adults.  In an article posted by The Huffington Post, titled  "Coloring Isn't Just For Kids. It Can Actually Help Adults Combat Stress.", it discusses the distressing benefits that have been found when adults color. In the article, psychologist Gloria Martínez Ayala states, "The action involves both logic, by which we color forms, and creativity, when mixing and matching colors. This incorporates the areas of the cerebral cortex involved in vision and fine motor skills [coordination necessary to make small, precise movements]. The relaxation that it provides lowers the activity of the amygdala, a basic part of our brain involved in controlling emotion that is affected by stress." So, to put it plain and simple coloring is beneficial for anyone, regardless of your age!

For day 2 of 12 Days of Halloween Fun, I thought I would post some Halloween Coloring and Activity pages :

This is how the below printable will look when put together

Family Home Evening on Serving Others with LOVE

For tonight's Family Home Evening the topic in which I have chosen is: 

 Serving Others with LOVE

Family Home Evening on How We can Apply The Teachings From General Conference in Our Lives

For tonight's Family Home Evening the topic in which I have chosen is:

How We can Apply The Teachings From General Conference in Our Lives

Free Printables:

Life Is Not A Competition...

One day I was standing at the bus stop, waiting for one of my children to return home from school. I was thinking about concerns I had over the different ways I saw competition being a part of my life.   The thought came to me, "Life is not a COMPETITION, Life is about helping and inspiring others so we can each reach our POTENTIAL." I thought it was such an important thought that I immediately typed it into my note app on my phone. Thank goodness for technology, right? That little thought has been on my mind a lot, I have pondered over those words and have come to some conclusions.

Competition is defined on dictionary.com as:

"the act of competing; rivalry for supremacy, a prize, etc."