This photograph has had a huge impact on me this week. My new friend Catherine Arveseth (who I can't wait to meet someday) wrote a beautiful essay on The Power of Moms called "Say Yes."
Can you guess what she "said yes to" in the photo above?
I've been working on "saying no" lately--so I won't completely overschedule myself and end up as an exhausted tyrant at the end of the day, but Catherine's beautiful essay reminded me that there are lots of things to which I can respond with a big, huge YES!
Usually it's something like, "Can we drink this with a straw?" or "Will you put these shorts on your head and wear them as a hat?" Yesterday we made an extra trip to the store because my girls were DYING to buy little presents for their grandma's birthday (She's got a green teddy bear and some chapstick coming her way).
Saying yes does feel good. It reminds me how exciting the world felt when I was a child and gives me a chance to give my children the experiences they'll remember forever. Thanks, Catherine!
Hi April, I had to comment and tell you how much I love your Power of Moms website! This is Jill Spongberg, now Jill Tanner--remember me from 3rd ward? Anyway, I found your site and have been listening to a few of your podcasts so your sweet voice has been in my head all day! I am now a mom of 2 little girls and I am excited to read more of the articles on your site. It has been really refreshing to find a group of moms who want to better themselves to become better mothers! We just moved back to California after being on the East Coast and it is so warm here! Thank you for sharing all of your great knowledge.
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Hi! Just found your blog, I hope you don't mind! I love this post, it reminds me of part of the book 'Glimpses into the Life and Heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley' when she talkes about how she tried to always say 'yes' to her children if she possibly could - they're only children once :)
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