Graduation

This past Friday, May 17 2013, we were able to attend Brent LeGrand Adamson’s graduation from the Southern College of Optometry. I know pride is a sin but I am one proud wife! Brent worked really hard and it is paying off. I'm grateful everyday  that he was prompted to attend SCO and made the move to Memphis, TN. I'm glad we met, that we got married and that we have started our family. I know mom A said that she knew they'd be coming to Tennessee for Brent's graduation but didn't imagine that they would have already come so many times. I'm sure they didn't imagine him getting married and having 2 children  by graduation. I didn't even expect us to have 2 by now. 

 A very proud wife and 2 grumpy children! They don't like the heat and humidity.

 Proud mother in law and Papaw. So grateful to have their support.

 Proud Parents. I know they worked hard to get him here too.

 A bunch of Adamson's and 1 Stubbs.

 Me, Papaw, mom, Madelynn and Elijah

 Both of Brent's sisters made it out. So happy to have them here to support him.

 Does that say Dr? That's right, my man friend is now my Dr. friend.

 So happy to have his diploma in his hands.

Yep, it's true. I married this man and I couldn't be happier (well losing all the baby weight would make me happier but you know what I'm trying to say)!

It's hard to put into words what I feel right now. I'm excited, scared, anxious, happy. I have no idea where life will take us and I don't care too much as long as he is the one beside me.

20 Random Facts-Sandra

1) I could eat a whole jar of peanut butter in one sitting
2) As beautiful as flowers are, I think buying them is a big waste. A bouquet of wild flowers would melt me but bought ones, no thanks.
3) Using wooden pencils hurts my tongue. I know it sounds weird and I can't explain it but it makes my mouth hurt. I only use mechanical pencils.
4) I really enjoy push mowing a yard. It's exercise and you accomplish something at the same time.
5) When I was young I never really considered graduating from college. I figured I'd get married and start having babies. 

6) I love children's books and youth fiction. I read children's books even when the kids aren't around or aren't interested. 

7) I always thought I'd be an expert mother until I became a mother. I now find myself eating my words quit often. 

8) I love to throw parties and want them to be perfect! Every detail is important to me. People have told me I should do it as a living. 

9) I would consider budgeting a strong point. I sometimes spend stupidly but for the most part I'm really good at it. 

10) When I was a little girl I'd have the same reoccurring nightmare. It would be me, walking into the woods behind my parents house and I would see a lumberjack holding a baby/small child and then he'd make eye contact with me, like you're next, then he'd chop their head off. Yes, that is disturbing. The fact I still vividly remember the dream says a lot. 

11) Going with disturbing childhood memories, when I was way too young I watched a disturbing made for TV movie called David. It is about a bitter ex husband who wants to get back at the mom, so when he gets his son for a weekend visitation he tells him that he is going to take him to Disney World, but instead he takes him to a hotel and drugs him and pours gasoline on him and strikes a match. The boy lived. Umm, I was deathly scared of fire for years. Even when we had fhe on what to do in case of fire I would want to cry. Terrified!

12) I started working at a Western Sizzlin when I was 14. Renee was working that night, they were super busy and were short handed. They couldn't find anyone to come in so Renee suggested calling me. I worked there all through high school. 

13) At Ricks College I needed a job. I didn't have a car and there weren't tons of jobs around. So I started working as a janitor. We had to be at work on campus at 4am! Umm, that's so early. I lasted about two months. I worked in the library and did the bathrooms. In one of the bathrooms there was a couch and we'd often take long breaks on it. 

14) In 6th grade I'm pretty sure I made a D or an F in science on my report card. I know Renee and Michael said grade didn't matter until high school so I didn't do my work. I got in lots of trouble and had to sit at the table and do homework/study while the other kids got to watch after school cartoons. There was a picture on the wall at the table that made it possible for me to see the reflection of the tv. 

15) One of my favorite hobbies is reading. But I didn't grow up with a love of reading. I don't think I started enjoying it until I was probably 23. I wish I would have discovered it when I was younger. 

16) I hated vegetables until I was an adult too. Most of the ones I now eat regularly I never had as a kid. I guess that's why it's important to eat a variety of foods. There are lots of foods I never had as a kid but love as an adult. 

17) This may sound crazy but when I was younger I thought I would die young. My patriarchal blessing says more than once Heavenly Father is anxiously awaiting for me to return. I interpreted it my way. I wasn't obsessed with it but would sometimes have that thought. 

18) I broke my arm when I was 6 years old. We had a horse and I wanted to ride it. Of course I was pretending I was royalty and I had on lots of bead necklaces. Well, my beads startled the horse and I was bucked off. I landed on a brick in the yard. Daddy told me to get up. I tried but couldn't. He came and picked me up and momma drove me to the hospital. My anesthesiologist was dr Charles Freeman. On church Sunday he was there and recognized me. He and his family had just moved to the area and he had a daughter my age. We became best friends pretty quickly. 

19) I really wanted to wear glasses as a child so I tried to get answers wrong on my eye exam in 4th grade. Then as a young adult I wanted to not wear them so I would use both eyes sometimes when the dr wasn't looking. I hate the idea of failing. I have said I'd rather go to my gynecologist over my optometrist. Oddly enough, I married an optometrist. 

20) I want to travel the world but then I get overwhelmed thinking about it. I want to plan trips then I see the cost and my practical mind thinks, student loans, mortgage,  etc. I'm pretty boring. 

A challenge to myself

A list of things to tell my kids. I will so one a week until I'm done. 

1. List 20 random facts about yourself.
2. Describe 3 legitimate fears you have and explain how they became fears.
3. Describe your relationship with your spouse.
4. List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.
5. What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?
6. If you could have three wishes, what would you wish for?
7. What is your dream job, and why?
8. What are 5 passions you have?
9. List 10 people who have influenced you and describe how.
10. Describe your most embarrassing moment.
11. Describe 10 pet peeves you have.
12. Describe a typical day in your current life.
13. What’s the hardest part of growing up?
14. Describe 5 and weaknesses strengths you have.
15. Describe when you knew your spouse was the one or how I fell in love.
16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments?
17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at?
18. What do you think your spouse loves most about you?
19. How did you feel the moment you became a parent?
20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.
21. Describe your relationship with your parents.
22. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years? 15 years?
23. What’s your favorite holiday and why?
24. What’s your favorite and least favorite thing about parenthood?
25. If you could have dinner with anyone in history, who would it be and what would you eat?
26. What popular notion do you think the world has most wrong?
27. What is your favorite part of your body and why?
28. What’s your favorite quality in your spouse?
29. What are your hopes and dreams for your prosperity?
30. List 10 things you would hope to be remembered for.

Motherhood

Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.

--The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

As mothers in Israel, we are the Lord’s secret weapon. Our influence comes from a divine endowment that has been in place from the beginning. In the pre-mortal world, when our Father described our role, I wonder if we didn’t stand in wide-eyed wonder that He would bless us with a sacred trust so central to His plan and that He would endow us with gifts so vital to the loving and leading of His children. I wonder if we shouted for joy at least in part because of the ennobling stature He gave us in His kingdom. The world won’t tell you that, but the Spirit will.

--Sister Sheri Dew

As I tenderly acknowledge the very real pain that many single women, or married women who have not borne children, feel about any discussion of motherhood, could we consider this one possibility about our eternal female identity—our unity in our diversity? Eve was given the identity of “the mother of all living”—years, decades, perhaps centuries before she ever bore a child. It would appear that her motherhood preceded her maternity, just as surely as the perfection of the Garden preceded the struggles of mortality. I believe mother is one of those very carefully chosen words, one of those rich words—with meaning after meaning after meaning. We must not, at all costs, let that word divide us. I believe with all my heart that it is first and foremost a statement about our nature, not a head count of our children.

--Sister Patricia Holland

I honor women who are not mothers. They know that motherhood is but one of the realms of womankind. The virtue and intelligence of women are uniquely applicable to other realms as well, such as compassionate service and teaching.

--Elder Russell M. Nelson

There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part-or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.

--Elder Russell M. Ballard, "Daughters of God," General Conference April 2008

Some women give birth and raise children but never “mother” them.  Others, whom I love with all my heart, “mother” all their lives but have never given birth.  Therefore, we must understand that however we accomplish it, parenthood is the highest of callings, the holiest of assignments. 
— Patricia Holland, A Quiet Heart

There were several years that I assumed the blessing of motherhood had passed me by. I always knew I wanted to be a mom and I always felt like a mom, I just didn't have any children of my own. And in a sense I was okay because I have brothers and sisters who freely share their children. And those children really love me, a lot! 

And that may sound ridiculous because I was young, it was just a feeling. But then 17 months ago I was blessed with the most perfect baby, Elijah. Sure he was fussy and he cried and he made me cry but he was perfect non the less. He has taught me a lot about motherhood. Then just recently, 10 weeks ago, I was blessed with my sweet Madelynn. I am a mother of two vibrant, energetic, lovely children. I could not be more blessed. There are days that I want to throw in the towel but then I get a smile or a snuggle and I melt. 

I've had several examples of great mothers in my life. I have a mother and while we haven't alwayls seen eye to eye, she has always been there for me. She loves me even when I'm grumpy. I love next door to her right now, and while I don't want to always live next door, it's been a pleasant 8 months. She has been an awesome mom and nana. I love you mom. 

Then there is my mother in law. I've not known her for long but I truly love her. She is an example for me in motherhood and her love of the gospel. I'm sure she doesn't always agree with me but she loves me.  And that means a lot. When coming into a new family it's nice to have the mom welcome you do easily. 

I also have incredible sisters and sister in laws. Some have children, some do not but they are each an example to me and to my kids. Oldest to youngest; Julie, is kind and patient. She has came to visit both of my babies in their first 2 weeks of life. She plays and reads to them. She is an example of motherhood. Renee, she can juggle about a gazillion at once. She is always willing to help out. She is amazing! She is an example of motherhood. Melissa truly loves babies! She is very patient with them. Elijah has even thrown up on her. She makes an effort to keep in touch. She is an example of motherhood. Amy, a super mom. She is amazing. She crafts, she's fun and she's a great friend. She is an example of motherhood. Rebekah, is a funny girl. She sometimes plays like she doesn't like kids but she loves her cuddle time. She's a teacher so she has about 20 kids of her own each year. She is an example of motherhood. Kara, simply amazing. She is talented and shares her talents with others. She encourages her kids to be creative and to try new things. She is an example of motherhood. Charity, is a rock star. She just finished dental hygiene school while being an awesome mommy to Riley and pregnant. She is unstoppable. She is an example of motherhood.

All these women have taught me different lessons. And there are so many more who have contributed! I'm a blessed girl. Blessed to have Brent, blessed to have my children, blessed to have 2 mothers I love dearly, blessed to be a sister to so many incredible people. 

Motherhood is sacred and I'm thankful for it. 

Perfection

At this very moment I'm holding my sleeping baby girl listening to Brent give Elijah a bath. I hear lots of laughter and lots of splashing. I love this. These are the moments people say to savor because they go to quickly.
Things are great in this Adamson household. Brent is just a few weeks away from graduation. I am so proud of all his hard work. Not only has he done great in school, he also never shirked his family duties.
The Adamson family will be traveling to Tennessee soon for graduation and Madelynn's blessing. I am so excited for them to meet this little girl. Then just a few weeks after they leave we are traveling to California for 5 weeks.

Life is good! We are blessed.