Inspiring Mothers: Natalie

I recently reconnected with one of my good friends from high school.  Natalie and I ran together on the cross country and track team in high school.  She was always a true friend and an example to me of being kind and caring.  Since then she has married and had 3 beautiful girls.  Natalie has embraced her role as a mother with great love and sacrifice.  She explains " I chose to be a mother because I wanted the opportunity to love, teach, nurture and help a child to grow and develop the same way I was by my parents and grandparents.  I knew that nothing in life would bring me greater joy.  I also knew that having a child would strengthen all the relationships in my life because motherhood would teach me how to be my best self.  I wanted the chance to experience the miracle of life for myself."

Natalie is one busy mom!  Like most moms, her days are full of " making meals for my family, taking kids to school and activities, cleaning the house, making sure I have time outside working in the garden and playing with my girls, our dog, and time with my husband."  In addition, she serves faithfully in her demanding church calling and strives to build her business working as a wellness advocate for doTERRA.  It was been a blessing for Natalie to be able to work from home and to seek out the welfare of her family and friends.  

As all moms know, sometimes our busy lives can quickly turn to be stressful lives.   Natalie admits, "my life feels crazy sometimes because I have so much going on, but I have learned there is a difference between being busy and being stressed.  I have had seasons of both.  I am so grateful to do what I do now, because I am able to work from home.  For many years I had to work full-time outside of the home and be the "bread winner" because of my husband's health.  I tried to stay balanced, but I always felt stressed and overwhelmed.  I have found that I am so much happier at home."  Everyday life makes it is easy to forget the purpose of it all, but Natalie exclaims " I find that really living the gospel of Jesus Christ daily provides so much balance in life and keeps me focused on an eternal perspective."

One quality that Natalie has always been very good at is serving others.  "I find the most joy in life when I am helping others.  The people I am able to help the most are my own children and family.  I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a mother.  I never understood how much my mom did for me until I became a mother myself.  It is a sacrifice, but something that is worth every ounce of effort.  I've never felt joy like I do when I am surrounded by my laughing, happy children."  She continues, "I also receive so much joy when I am able to be a part of someone's personal healing process.  I believe we are all here to help lift each other up and strengthen relationships."  

Along with her skills in homemaking, managing her emotions and stress with essential oils, and leadership among her associates, Natalie is a role model for her children.  "I try to teach my children the gospel by example, because that is the way I was taught.  I have made plenty of mistakes, but I have found that my girls respond and learn the best when I try to teach a gospel principle with a story."  She shares an example of this (which I love!): "I've changed my bedtime stories from fairy tales about princesses to experiences from my life where I have had a prayer answered, felt the spirit, had someone treat me kindly or show love through service, or experienced a miracle in my life or the life of someone I love.  My girls love hearing these stories.  It has helped me to realize just how many tender mercies the Lord has shown me as I try to think of a new one every night.  I have been blessed to know of God's love for me, and that is something I want to pass down to my children."

I have been inspired by Natalie's strength, endurance and nurturing ability.  She is driven to help moms feel empowered in caring for their families in the home.  I feel blessed to learn from Natalie and broaden the ways I can improve mine and my families wellness.

Inspiring Mothers: Melody

Once a runner starts a family and becomes a mother, you will find many of those qualities it takes to be a successful runner transfer over into motherhood.  Dedication, long-suffering, patience, and planning, just to name a few.  As every runner knows, things don't always go as planned.  Injury set backs, weather, family obligations, work schedule, and just bad days all play into the mix of a runners life.  Same goes for mothers.  While a mother may have everything they need to be successful, it can still be an exhausting and messy job.   Mother's learn to be flexible, expect delays, and to forget about the unnecessary.

After I got married I didn't know how running would fit into a family life.  After running some local road races I became aware of the running moms around me.  I was amazed to learn how these committed mothers manage to fit in their running.  Melody (mother of 4 boys ages one to eight years old) is a role model in my life.  With a competitive running background throughout high school and college, she has enthusiastically maintained fitness by committing to a training schedule while taking care of her busy family of boys!

After graduating college and running for BYU, Melody attended dental hygiene school in Virginia and met her future husband, Jon, who was in dental school.  They married 13 years ago in the Logan LDS Temple.  Melody explains,  "I have always wanted to be a mother and never really remember making a conscious decision about being one.  After I got married we waited a couple years to have our first child and I was so excited when I felt the time was right to start our family."  Melody took some time off from running competitively after college, but after she had her first child, came back better than ever.

With now 4 busy boys, Melody and Jon have really learned to work as a team in fulfilling their different yet complimentary roles.  "We sat down together before we got married and talked very specifically about what our roles would be as husband/wife and dad/mom.  We decided that while I would stay at home and be primarily responsible for the care of the home and children, he would always be there to help me out and do everything I did as well.  He cooks, cleans, changes diapers, combs hair, makes lunches and drives the car pool when he is available... I can't say enough about what he does for our family."

As family is the first priority for Melody, she has tried to plan her days out so running isn't in the way.  "I wake up early to run before the rest of my family is up and going."  Melody is always home by 7:30 am to read scriptures as a family before her husband leaves for work.  "Then the craziness sets in.  I help my oldest two with piano, get the younger ones ready for the day, go over homework from the night before and get the older boys on the bus.  After the older boys get off to school things settle down for a few hours and I can get things done - laundry, cleaning and errands.  I also try to get out of the house and take the younger ones to library, park or on a walk before afternoon nap time."  By 4 pm all the boys are home and ready to take on all of their after school activities such as "practices, games and lessons." 

Eating dinner as a family is Melody's favorite part of the day.  This being very important to Melody and Jon, it takes planning and creativity, especially in stalling the younger "starving" ones, as dinner may not be until 7 pm so that everyone is together.  During dinner everyone gives a recap of the day and "try to dwell on what was the best part of each of our day."  After dinner, a family rule is that everyone helps clean up.  "We clean up dinner together as a family and no one can leave the kitchen until it's clean."   The full day ends with getting the boys ready for bed and books.  Melody and Jon then spend time together before heading to bed.

Finding a balance is something Melody is always conscious of and striving to achieve in her life. She explains, "I think  most mothers feel guilty when they take time to do something for themselves, but I also think it is such an important thing for a mother to keep her own identity in some way.  I try to carve out some time for myself every day, I feel like this makes me a better and happier mom/wife."

As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Melody feels a great responsibility to teach her kids the gospel and also how to share the gospel.  Part of their family routine is regular family scripture study and weekly family home evening (FHE).  One thing the boys enjoy doing for FHE is pretending to be missionaries.  "After the lesson we have the boys pin on their plastic future missionary badges and teach us what they learned."

Even more then the formal learning settings, Melody has found her boys are learning all the time from her example and simple teaching opportunities that randomly happen.  These two quotes keep Melody motivated to keep having teaching moments even when she thinks they aren't paying attention or listening:

"Think of the power of our future missionary force if mothers considered their homes as a pre–missionary training center. Then the doctrines of the gospel taught in the MTC would be a review and not a revelation." Julie B. Beck

"The single most important thing you can do to prepare for a call to serve is to become a missionary long before you go on a mission." Elder David Bednar

As a member of the LDS faith, Melody's ultimate goal is for her family to be eternal.  But as some short term goals she wants her boys to "be happy, productive young men that are generous and kind.  I also hope they all choose to serve full time missions for our church, attend and graduate college and get married in the temple.  I am excited to have daughters some day!"

 Melody has been a mother for over 8 years now and what she has learned in that time is priceless.  "It has taught me how to be completely selfless and how to love as God does.  My children are still quite young and I have a lot of say in what they do and choices they make, but I know that no matter what I will always be there for them and love them.  I think what I have learned from parenting and being a mother far exceeds what my children are learning from me."  

Inspiring Mothers: Kara

My friendship of 12+ years with Kara began as running buddies.  Kara and I met up for our morning runs a couple times a week while I was running for BYU and she was sponsored by Asics.  Kara is an inspiration to me not just because she was an amazing runner, but she was a truly caring and dependable friend.  In addition to her genuine interest in others, she has a passion for adventure and the great outdoors.  I would say Kara is one of the most physically active people I know!  Kara married her perfect match, John, and together they continue their love for rock climbing, running, biking (road and mountain), swimming, water skiing, skiing, camping, traveling and much more!

 You would think life couldn't be better for the two of them.  But they felt there was more in store for their family.  "Looking around at the women in my life and the relationships they had with their kids," Kara explains, "made me think that I was missing out on something that would probably be pretty great.  I didn't know that I wanted to be a mom and was in fact terrified of the idea and how having kids would change my life but the idea of not having kids made me think I'd be missing out on a huge part of life that others seemed to really enjoy."

Being the kind of person Kara is, I knew she would be a wonderful mother and could offer an amazing and happy life for one of her very own.  Being a parent of an active and dependent child is challenging on all levels, but what Kara has gained from having her daughter Emma is priceless.  "I now understand what all other parents have been going through and have a deeper understanding for all of what that entails.  I'm continually learning to be more patient and remember how to enjoy the little things in life."  

It is those "little things" that make life rich and beautiful.  Kara finds her greatest joy in Emma's smiles and giggles and the brightness in her eyes when she's excited about something.  A favorite thing to do is "playing chase around the house with her...because it involves all of those things."  Kara loves to watch as Emma explores and learns about the world around her.  "Seeing the amazement she expresses while learning about the little things is so great!" 

Kara has found that the best way to teach Emma is through example and choices.  Emma "picks up so easily on things we do and likes to copy what we do."  Kara confesses that "this keeps us on our toes and reminds us that we need to act in the way that we'd like her to act.  Choices are a great tool to use as it gives her power to make decisions.  It also helps her learn about the consequences of the decisions she makes."

There is rarely a dull moment in Kara's life.  She and John enjoy fitting in as much adventure as possible.  Each day brings something new and exciting.  "The only real consistency is our mornings and evenings where we spend time together as a family as we get ready for the day and then unwind from the day."  With so much going on in Kara's family it may seem difficult to find a balance.  But what Kara and John have realized is "that everyone has needs that have to be met.  When those needs are met everyone seems to be so much happier.  Making sure Emma's needs are met seems to be the easy part.  It takes time and planning to make sure that mine and John's needs are met.  Doing physical activities together is super important to us so we make time to do that, including Emma when we can but also just doing things by ourselves."

Together, Kara and John "share everything about parenthood...We're continually talking about what we're doing and how we can do things better."  The greatest aspiration Kara has is "to be happy with where I am, who I'm with and what I'm doing in life and to have a lot of fun along the way.  I would love for Emma to develop a love for the things that John and I love doing so that we can do and experience them together."  As a mother, Kara hopes to make sure Emma always knows and feels that she loves her...no matter what.

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Inspiring Mothers: Julie

I have always admired my beautiful, younger sister Julie.  As we grew up together people were attracted to her fun and loving personality.  I would call her the social butterfly and try to be as cool as her.  Julie has always been involved in sports since childhood, including dance and tumbling at 5 years old and on to soccer, track and volleyball.  As a college student at BYU, Julie competed as an heptathlete which involved high jump. long jump, javelin, shot put, 100 meter hurdles, 200 meters and 800 meter.  Julie will tell you that she never loved to run, but eventually grew to love it as a hobby and for exercise.

   

Julie married John while they finished their undergraduate degree at BYU.  Julie went on to become an dental assistant and worked up until they moved to the East Bay for John's chiropractic school.  Adding to her many talents and interests, Julie decided to attend massage school and found a new love working on athletes and mothers.  Julie graduated during her first pregnancy and quickly found many opportunities to work as a massage therapist, including the 49ers football team and the Warrior's basketball team.                                                      
















Julie and John have an adorable, spunky daughter, Savvy, who is the center of their world.  Becoming a mother has brought a new level of commitment and perspective to Julie's busy life.  Julie has learned to be flexible and versatile to keep herself healthy and active while making her first priority the needs of her family.  "It is important to take time for yourself," Julie says, "to keep up with personal time and to not lose yourself completely."  While finding this balance, Julie has learned to be okay with not working out everyday.

"Sometimes you have to be creative to stay active," Julie tells me.  Julie enjoys having a variety of ways to stay active while spending time with Savvy, including bike rides, rollerblading, runs around the marina, home workout videos and anything dance related.  It has been important for Julie to find good babysitters and daycare's that she trusts to allow her to continue giving massages and work out at the gym.  Julie enjoys spending time with her friends.  Taking breaks periodically to be social helps Julie be a better mom and regroup.

Julie is grateful to be a mother because it brings her joy and happiness.  "I chose to be a mother because I always wanted a family. Being the youngest of 7 children made my household a busy place and I was always very close with my siblings. They are all my best friends who I feel I can be myself around. I think it's a blessing to be able to have children, not everyone can have their own, and  I wanted to take part in that blessing. Plus I think it's a natural, innate feeling to want to spread your seed, and raise children the way you feel is the right way. I think true happiness comes from raising a family."


Savvy likes to copy what her mom does and says, which has motivated Julie to be a good example and a better person.  "I'm still learning how to be a good teacher, it takes a lot of patience and time. One of the things I try to do is read to her often and have her help me with little tasks around the house. She naturally likes to copy things that I do which reminds me she's learning all the time, so just taking the time to be patient and teach little things like getting dressed and putting on her shoes and cleaning up her toys can be fun.  I find joy and self accomplishment when I see she is learning the things I teach her. Motherly pride I guess."



Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Day Saints, Julie developed a greater understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ when becoming a mother.  "The second I became a mother I knew that was what I was meant to be in this life. I felt a deep connection with my Savior in learning the meaning of selflessness and true unconditional love.  I found how important it is to be a good example because they are watching you always and it is your responsibility to teach them good things."  

California has become a good fit for Julie and John as they share a love for beach volleyball and the perfect weather.  Together they are learning to be better parents and to strengthen their marriage.  "John is a phenomenal father, he loves sharing all roles and duties as a parent. We have come closer as a couple in teaming up to get through tough times together. Parenting is tough work sometimes, I'm lucky to have someone to share the load. When one of us is feeling stressed and overloaded the other one picks up the slack."

 I have loved seeing my little sister grow up and become a wonderful mother.  I still try to be as cool as her, but I will never have her dance moves!

Inspiring Mothers: Kaerlig

I am surrounded by so many inspiring mothers.  They do amazing things in quiet ways.  So I want to dedicate my blog to spotlighting these mothers in my life and hope their story inspires you too!

Kaerlig is my older sister and lives in Provo, UT.  For many years since I was born Kaerlig took care of me.  She dressed me, fed me and watched over and protected me.  One of my most favorite memories with Kaerlig is running together when I was 10 years old.  She would take me on her 6 mile runs around town and helped me instill from an early age my own love for running.

Kaerlig started running with our mom off and on at the age of 8 when she ran her first 5K.  Then in 8th grade, Kaerlig joined the track team.  She continued to stay active throughout high school on the basketball team and during her senior year ran daily on her own in the evenings.  At 19 years old, Kaerlig ran her first marathon with our mom.  Kaerlig attended college at BYU where she got a BS in Zoology, and then an Associates in Nursing at UVU.  Kaerlig began to have painful bunions but continued her daily routine with running until she served a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Ladder Days Saints in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

After serving a mission, Kaerlig married Dave and soon after had their first child.  It was at this point that multiple running injuries kept her from continuing and had to try out new exercises.  She started with aerobics in her ward, then, with a gym membership, began turbo kickboxing using the daycare.  From 2001 to 2008 Kaerlig was not able to consistently run without pain.  During those 7 years she gave birth to her 3 children and worked as a nurse.  She also underwent bunion surgery on both feet in 2005.  It took 4 years to heal after her surgeries and to run pain free again.

Now for the past 6 years, Kaerlig has been able to run as much as she can and wants.  Kaerlig has been flexible with her body, doing what she could to stay active, and exploring new ways to enjoy exercise.  She developed a habit of running at a young age, and found that exercise made her feel good and stay in shape.  Kaerlig's preferred mode of exercise is running where she enjoys the personal time to think and get away.

Along with raising her three kids, Ray, Little D, and Lou, Kaerlig has now been a RN at the Hospital for 12 years, as well as the co-owner of the Scooter Lounge with her husband for the past 12 years.  At the Scooter Lounge, she keeps on top of the book keeping, pay roll, inventory, ordering parts and trains employees.  Her kids also have weekly activities they are involved in like skiing and swimming.  As if that is not enough to keep her busy, Kaerlig is the Primary President of her ward for 2 years now.    

Not only do I admire Kaerlig for her hard working spirit, positive attitude and active lifestyle, she has created a home that is founded on family traditions.  Here are some of my favorites: Birthday cake for breakfast and open presents before kids go to school.  Friday's pizza and movie night every week.  Weekly family home evening.  Nightly family scripture study.  Family morning and evening prayers.  Monthly family testimony meeting before Sunday dinner.  Pick out a "real" Christmas tree every year as a family.  Annual scooter rally, camping at national parks, and the Fourth of July Freedom Run 10K.

Not only has Kaerlig created lasting memories for her family, but continues to instill in them her love for them and the Savior.

 

Kaerlig and Dave

                                                                   The Fam

Dave and Kaerlig

                     Me with my mom and sisters















                                                                  Kaer holding me

Meet Paige Morgan

In summary, the birth of Paige Morgan was a success!

At 33 weeks I went into false labor with contractions every 5 minutes for several hours.  The ultra sound showed a very thin cervix with the baby's head very low and in position.  This was also the case with Lee, so I was not surprised.  I ended up needing to stay the night at the hospital with an IV and contraction medications to slow everything down.

I hate staying at the hospital.  I had an IV that was poorly set and got no sleep.  When they checked me in the morning everything was under control and looked good. I was sent home with medication to stop false contractions and partial bed rest, which meant no heavy lifting, and only low impact exercise.

So, I carried on without any running and trying not to hold Lee.... How do you not hold your baby?! During the next several weeks I managed my contractions with medication and walked daily.  Then, 3 weeks later, to the day, contractions started during my morning walk.  I had just taken the contraction meds prior to which are supposed to calm them down unless I am going into labor.  I wasn't having pain yet, so I proceeded with my agenda for the day.

Tanner was out of town for interviews so I planned to be with people in case I needed help.  Lee and I went to the library for story time before we would meet Grammy for lunch or something fun.  It didn't take long after being at the library that the contractions began to be painful.  I was now worried things were moving along too quickly and I was alone with Lee.  I let my doctor, Tanner and Grammy know.  My doctor said to lay down and rest and to go to the hospital if contractions came closer together or grew more painful. So I came home from the library around 1 or 2 pm and Grammy would come over after Lee and I took a nap.  

Tanner had finished 2 of his 3 interviews, and decided to get on the first flight home to be with me when I have the baby.  Lee and I napped for about an hour or so.  I was feeling better but found myself lying on the floor or crawling around.  Grammy soon came over and I decided to leave Lee with my neighbor friend while I checked things out at the hospital with Robin.  

Walking into the hospital I was still not convinced the baby was really coming and I felt I was acting premature.  But the pain grew and while checking into my room I had to crouch down during contractions.  My doctor wasn't working that night but stopped in to see me.  She checked me around 5 pm at a 6 1/2 and told me I am definitely having this baby tonight.  I started crying because Tanner wasn't there.  I knew my baby may come early, but I just wanted Tanner with me.

I called Tanner and told him they were moving me to labor and delivery and hoped he could get there in time.  His flight was arriving in SLC at 11 pm.  So I informed all the nurses and doctors that my husband needs to be here for the delivery!  They thought that was possible and decided to not check or mess with me for awhile to help stall my laboring. 

In the meantime, I hung out on the bed and listened to mine and the baby's heart beats.  Contractions continued and were progressively getting more intense through the hours.  Sometime after 10 pm, I was feeling ready and in pain.  The contractions were close and long, and the breaks seemed to disappear.  The contractions were getting too strong and intense for the baby to endure.  Her heart rate would drop dangerously low several times.

So the team of doctors and nurses came in and check me at an 8.  I knew Tanner would be there soon, but I couldn't hold off any longer!  I needed to get the baby out ASAP.  I felt calm and in control but still a bit eager to push her out.  With the help of the team of doctors and Robin, I would push 3 times for 10 long seconds during each contraction.  After 5 contractions, her heart rate was still  dipping too low, so they pulled out a little suction cup to place on her head.  On this the 6th one, I finally felt like I figured out how to push (with all my might!) and she came out!  10:45 pm.

She screamed and was beautiful!  Relieved, I began to cry.  Then Robin told me Tanner just landed.  They cleaned the little 5 lb 9 oz, and 19 inch babe quickly and gave her to me to hold.   I held her for over an hour and her little hand held tightly to my finger!  One of the most precious times for me as a mother.  And she even latched on!  The moment Tanner walked in the room he came to me and hugged me as I held our baby girl.  Everything was perfect.

Lee came the next morning and was so excited to meet her baby sister.  I can just imagine these two little princesses playing together, laughing and running around.  Different from Lee's experience at the hospital, we only had to stay for a day and a half.  And it took us the whole time to come up with her name.  We had a list of about 5 names and none of them were fitting.  Until finally we agreed on a name not on our list.  Paige Morgan.  I love it more and more.

Paige pasted all the tests, but had a high biliruben count.  This was also the case with Lee.  So instead of having her under the lights at the hospital, we were able to have a bili bed and blanket for the first week home until it wasn't a concern anymore.  I just hated all the heel pricks she had to endure!  So sad.

It was a bit of a shock that first week with no sleep and remembering how to care for a newborn again.  I could never burp her very well and so assumed she didn't have to burp.  Not so.  She would basically throw up everything I gave her.   We were all sick too, Tanner, Lee and I.  It was a rough start, but got better once sicknesses ended.  Tanner is always so helpful and very hands on with both Lee and Paige.  I also have such great mom's in my life that cooked and cleaned and played with Lee for the first several weeks.  

Paige is now 2 months old.  I can't believe it!  The holidays kept us very busy and time has just flown by.  I am so happy to have my 2 little girls.  They are so precious.  And Lee is such a sweet big sister.  She calls her "baby Paige" and whenever she looks at her says "awe, she is so little" and "she is so pretty."  She makes sure Paige has her blankie just like her.  Lee is still attached to her baby blankie.  I never want them to grow up!

Having Paige has definitely changed my perspective with racing and training.  While I still have personal goals and dreams, my family will always come first and make me the happiest.  I have no plan right now.  Paige is in charge for the moment.  But I try to get my runs in, even though it doesn't happen everyday.  I am learning to be flexible and take what I can.  Having a family is the greatest adventure in life.  And the greatest blessing.