The other day was yet another WAY over the top busy day (just like you, right?!).  I decided if I was going to get my run in, I would need to run, not drive, to my son’s Lacrosse game (and lucky for me it is only a 3.5 mile round trip).  It was getting late and the light of the day was beginning to fade. The long fence I ran along each morning, normally in the shade, was now covered with the setting sun.  I looked over at the fence and chuckled at myself when I noticed, I had a partner, running right next to me…stride for stride!

And then I thought, “YES! I do have a running partner, ME.  The only person I needed for encouragement was, ME!  Only I needed to be dedicated enough to run. I can do ANYTHING!”

Yep. It all begins with simply YOU…I mean ME.

Think, Click, Be…

Yourself.

I would like to think that it is a well known fact that true southern women know how to bake!

Here are a few of my culinary creations:

In fact I sent a mother’s day card that said “A good mom lets her child lick the beaters. A great mom UNPLUGS the mixer before letting her child lick the beaters!”

Yup I LICKED MIXER BEATERS….raw eggs, butter and sugar all in its creamy goodness. Then roll it in chocolate chips and its like a popsicle! Lets not forget licking the left over batter in the bowl too!

Now I am sure my moms had heard about eating raw eggs and its health concerns…BLAH BLAH BLAH.

You know why they were “Breaking (the rules) while baking ” because they knew it was a special time for me to have with them. One week in a summer my step mom and I baked a different cake recipe every day. It is probably my favorite memory of her  during my teenage years. My other mom has spent many Christmases teaching me the fine tuning of gingerbread and sugar cookie recipes. You know, how to get just the right amout of fluffiness with a slight crisp edge?

While I do remember the baking lessons, I remember more that they took time out of their daily “mommy chores” to teach me and spend time with just me.  I would sit on the kitchen counters and lick the beaters while they would ask me about school, boys, religion, “the talk”.  It was a sacred time.

So because one little “Raw egg rule” was broken I consumed countless mounds of batter and motherly love! So go ahead try it with your kids. Bend a rule that will allow you to spend more time with them. A mother’s love is truly irreplaceable. Eat dessert first every once in a while or go to the grocery store in slippers! Let your children know that your love is what matters, not the rules

Think. Click. Be…Breaking while Baking!

Article by Shasta Howard, Billion Clicks Contributor

The summer days of my youth were spent on the beach and filled with adventure, marshmallow roasting, sandy peanut butter sandwiches and cookies. We stayed with my Grandmother and 4 widowed Great Aunts, who laughed, told stories and let us loose on the world. Interestingly, of the 5 women, only 1 had children.

I look back on those days and I realize that this could have been a tale of sad widows, woe and misery; instead it was a tale of triumph and joy. What made the difference? What created 2 generations of women who believed they could do anything they set their minds to and then passed that belief on?

The story begins with Emily. 42-year old Emily Pringle had 5 young daughters in 1907 when her husband died. Emily, who was always cheerful and fun, took a job cooking in a Hotel. She could have given up or grieved her life away, but she wasn’t that kind of woman. She was the kind of woman that God would trust to raise 5 girls alone.

Together, Emily and the girls came up with a dream. The dream was to cross the United States, in a day and age when women didn’t travel alone. They would settle in Oregon. One by one they finished school and obtained teaching certificates.

In 1920 the girls set out in an open touring car driving on mostly dirt roads. One of the girls sewed their clothes and tents, one knew how to repair the motor and so together they were unstoppable. Miles and miles of empty country lay between them and their destination. They camped, hunted, fished and bathed in streams and lakes.

When they arrived in Oregon they bought a house together on the beach and named it Lassie Hame or girl’s home.  As the years passed they all married, but only the youngest had children. Emily passed away, and as time continued on, one by one, they all became widows.

You may think this is a sad tale, but you would be wrong. This is the happiest story I know. You see this is a story of my, “other mothers.” These are the mothers that chose to love me.

Imagine spending your childhood with a grandmother and four great aunts who all love you as much as your own mother. Imagine 5 women traveling the world together several times over and filling your days with stories. Imagine 5 women who read every book and newspaper possible. Imagine 5 women who loved to laugh and play. Imagine this and you begin to understand why other mothers and grandmothers are so very special.

During my life, I have often reflected on the influence these women had on us. I never heard them complain about being lonely or unable to do something. They taught us and showed us that you could do anything you put your mind to.

When I was a teenager and my parents were suddenly unimportant and didn’t know anything. I knew I could always call, write or go to my other mothers. They had all the answers I needed and hours to listen to me. Every lesson we learned at their feet was a positive one. They set the ultimate example of positive thinking. No matter what the challenge they embraced it, loving to work together.  They chose to be happy and we chose to love them.

I was grown with children of my own doing genealogy when I discovered something surprising about Emily. This strong and graceful mother of 5 girls had come from an unhappy home. In fact, it had been so unhappy; she chose not to spend time with her childhood family. The laughing, dancing mother had never been allowed to sing or dance as a child. So why was Emily such a wonderful mother and grandmother? Because, Emily chose to change history with love and positive thinking; changing the lives of more than 99 of my closest relatives.

This mother’s day month embrace your other mothers. Other mothers are all around us. They give us extra time at school; they spend extra hours teaching us at church, they bake us cookies and read us stories. If you are an other mother, know you are loved and that this Mothers Day is for you. Mother’s by choice and mothers like you make the world a brighter place for children.

Think….Click….Be…Positive ….

Lassie Hame

…….by Shannon Symonds, Billion Clicks Contributor

There’s nothing quite like little boys!  I hand stitched this and have it framed in between 4 sweet baby pictures on my wall. With each passing mother’s day I feel reflective.  Mother’s day is a time to honor the mother’s in our lives.  To be grateful not only for our mother’s, but also to be grateful for the children in our lives.

I’m the only DIVA in this house!  And I love it!  I am the lucky mother of 4 sons.  I’ve gotten a lot of comments over the years…

Oh you poor thing!

FOUR boys!  I don’t know how you do it!

No girls? No girl time?

But my little family is perfect for me.  It’s true, I don’t know what I’m missing out on not having a girl, but that’s okay.  It’s like never getting hooked on a television show.  If you’ve never watched it, you don’t miss it!  But I do know what it’s like to have boys, and I would have withdrawals without them.

All 4 of my boys have wanted to marry me when they were young.  I can’t think of a better compliment!  They tell me I’m pretty, they love to snuggle and feel my hair.  I’m a rare breed in our house, and because of that, I get a lot of attention.  Who wouldn’t like being loved and adored?  My husband has had some heavy (and sweet) competition.

Our family recently took a fun trip to Disneyland.  In order to avoid having the kids miss school, we went during spring break.  Partly in dread knowing how busy it would be.  And it was very busy and very crowded with a lot of very long lines.  But in typical boy fashion they just rolled with the punches.  There’s never a dull moment with boys….not even in long lines.  They just keep themselves busy with piggybackstacks!  This particular line was a 75 minute wait.  Not that I was counting or keeping track….

Our long overdue vacation was busy, it was fun, it was exhausting, and it was needed.  After we got home, my husband and I were discussing our favorite parts of the trip.  His thoughts not only surprised me, but were so sweet and tender…he said, “My favorite part was watching you with the boys.  It’s obvious how much they love you and like to be around you.”

I truly feel that from them.  Most of the time.

As they’ve grown older the affection has shifted and they have set their sights on other future bride possibilities.  But they still throw me a bone or two.  A little pat on the shoulder, a sweet smile, a compliment.

So today I’m clicking for boys.  5 specific boys.  One made me a wife, four others made me a mother.  Motherhood has taught me to stay young.  It has taught me patience.  I’ve learned so much more from these 5 men in my life then I’ll ever be able to teach them.  They fill my heart with joy.

Think. Click. Be…

Adored

Article by Rebecca Anderson, Billion Clicks Contributor

One of my dearest friends, Sandy, has an almost 18 year old daughter, Brittany, who suffers from a rare genetic disease called NBIA.  When Brittany was diagnosed about 10 years ago, Sandy immediately became an expert on all things related to NBIA. She took charge of EVERYTHING and held on to a hope that one day there might be a cure…

for Brittany.

I love being with Sandy when she is talking with one of Brittany’s many doctors (and there are a lot of them…just add “gists” or “pists” to something like, pulma, neuro or thera and they have been there). She tells them what is what…

for Brittany.

She is the best mom for Brittany and fighter of NBIA. She keeps lists of medications, lists of surgeries, lists of symptoms, takes pictures, records coughing, breathing, sleeping patterns. She gives oxygen to Brittany when needed, suctions, lifts her to use the bathroom…and if you can believe it…her house is spotless! All this organization…

for Brittany.

She is a fundraiser for NBIA. She attends meetings, events, seminars. She is on the phone fighting the fight…

for Brittany.

But what I love best about Sandy is she is Brittany’s mom first and foremost. She is with her at night when she cannot sleep. She is at her side 24-7 to give Brittany her many long feedings, to wipe her chin, to keep her from “biting (her dysontia causes her jaw muscles to clamp down on her tongue)”, to make her laugh, to keep her happy, and to even tell Brittany to stop being so sassy (and Brittany still has sass)…

for Brittany.

Both she and Rich continue to give Brittany experiences such as trips to Disneyworld, California, visits to Texas to see her Grandparents, and cruises. They are not sitting idling by waiting…they are living.

for Brittany.

And with their faith, they know anything is possible. No, not easy. Not one bit. But worth every bit of hard…

for Brittany.

Think, Click, Be…

Willing.

Article by Heather Porter, Billion Clicks contributor

You may remember in the beginning of this month I had this fabulous plan to send letters and cards to many of the woman who I think are great mothers and who I see doing great motherly things.

Then this happened:

That is a bowl of chicken noodle soup, empty jello and saltines to treat the stomach flu.  It detoured my plans drastically. The fact that I got cards in the mail to my own moms was a miracle. So my stamp book still has lots of stamps in it and it kind of makes me mad! How dare you stomach flu! You ruined my plans!

But WAIT I AM A MOM!! Detour is my middle name and flexibility my game!
Doesn’t this happen to all of us? The best ideas are thwarted by life. The trick is to make the detour the better idea!

In my particular situation the stomach flu meant I canceled everything and basically got treated like it was Mother’s Day for a whole week?!  My 5 year still asks ” Are you feeling any better mommy? I can make you lunch?” Oh my blessings! I could just sit with my kiddos on the couch and read books or watch movies (how many we watched doesn’t matter, right?)  The detour sure was bumpy but the love I felt through out it, is something I wouldn’t trade for a single day of good health!

During this detour I had some lovely neighbors bring over dinner for my family and even leave cold jello and sprite on my doorstep. Now I have even more people to write warm, fuzzy cards too! (click, click, click)

So maybe you are like me and took a detour this month in appreciating mothers. Get back on track with me and show some love to the special women in your life!

Think. Click. Be..Flexible!

Article by Shasta Howard, Billion Clicks Contributor

 ”All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.”
Abraham Lincoln

Mom Power!
Sisters: Stacy, Shannon,Sara, Lisa and Linda – Mothers of 18 children

I am convinced that if we put mother’s in charge of the world we would solve global warming by making world leaders wear a coat to work, plan a pot luck to ensure world peace, send those who can’t play nice to time out until they say their sorry and agree to play well with other countries, plan menus that would take existing food and feed the planet, cut coupons to balance the budget and have all our dirty laundry done by nap time.

Historically mothers have used their super powers to create homes filled with love. Mother’s go without food to make sure their children are fed, give up fancy duds and dinner out so there is enough money for activities and sell anything that isn’t nailed down, or work  to earn money for education. Girls take off your tiara and get a cape because you can fly!

Sara and Erin taking life seriously

For two years the most beautiful piece of scrap granite sat in my shed waiting for my busy husband to find time to install it. Gradually my counter developed a wave, a sort of mountain and a split. I kept a very heavy cutting board on it.

I was asked to help lead a week long church camp for 100 girls. When camp week arrived I left my sister Sara and my oldest married daughter Erin behind with their collective children and my visiting parents. I sighed deeply, and turned my back on all the undone repairs and housework as I drove away to camp.

Sara AKA Handy Mandy

After a sleepless week at camp I returned home exhausted. Strangely, everyone met me at the door smiling expectantly and took me to the kitchen. The kids could hardly contain themselves. I walked into the kitchen and burst into beauty queen tears of joy. The girls had installed my counter tops; Sara and Erin, our unbeatable team, two moms who can do anything together, laughing and giggling the entire time. Two moms doing an act of kindness while teaching their children, by example, that moms can do amazing things.

Trish and Erin

Thanks to their ability to fix their own brakes, build chicken coops, grow organic gardens, assemble anything and program electronic equipment we are all blessed. Their ingenuity, creativity and fearless efforts have enabled them to stay home and spend quality time with their children. Their vast knowledge has become legendary.

Erin has a nick name in our house. We call her, “Google Erin.” When we need a spot removed, or to make our own laundry soap for less than a dollar a gallon, we call Google Erin. When we needed “some assembly required,” we call Sara.

Stacy loves children. After having three children, she and her husband felt there was one more soul missing from their family. Because she was unable to have another baby, they went in search of Tara. Tara belongs to us. She may have come via adoption, but she is ours, all of ours.

Stacy, Tara and family 2013

Stacy wanted to make sure that Tara knew something about her heritage. We are all pale, pasty and blond so we love Tara’s ebony beauty and silky black hair. She is a beautiful girl who loves to dance. Stacy ran the Davis County Parents of African American Children. She hosted parties and events in order to share as much culture and heritage as possible with Tara and her family.

Stacy always tries to do positive and good things for all her children. There is no task too large for Stacy, and nothing she won’t do to bring the world to her family.

Tara serving in Mexico

Recently Stacy, excited to show share her love of other cultures, planned and took 14 of her closest relatives to Mexico. She also planned a day of service in a local village, teaching her children the importance of loving and sacrificing for others.

Lisa is another one of the girls, a super heroin. Lisa cuts coupons and garage sales like a professional. She makes her own lotions and soaps, which she sells online. No one saves money like Lisa. Lisa is great at finding treasure and selling it for a very hefty profit. Her children wear the latest and greatest clothes and have the best gadgets, because Lisa’s garage sale and thrift store shopping powers are epic.

Lisa scores again

Linda sings and the Heavens rejoice. She plays the piano and shares her talents whenever she is asked. She taught her children and many other children music. When my daughter thought she couldn’t sing, Linda taught her that she could, and helped her find her personal worth. Mothers that take time to share their super powers have super kids. Linda’s children have the gift of music, thanks to mom. Her son will be in a movie released this May.

These are just a few of the powerful women in my little corner of the world. Look around you and get to know the secret super powers of mothers in your world. Don’t forget to look in the mirror and recognize all the good things you do for your family. Everything you sacrifice and do in an effort to raise healthy happy children, makes the world a better place to be for all of us. You may not wear a cape, but mothers have the power to change the world one child at a time.

Think… click…. Be…….

……powerful and know you are amazing

…….by Shannon Symonds, Billion Clicks Contributor

I remember our family Christmas tree years ago.  Most of us were teenagers and very funny clever ones at that.  My brothers owned a lot of hats.  A lot.

One of them hung his hat on our Christmas tree.  Each day another hat or two joined the tree.  More and more and more hats.  Between the three of them the tree filled up quickly!  Some were dirty, some were fluorescent orange.  To my mother it was funny at first, but then it became ugly and a bit too much.  Sometime before Christmas morning she had them take the hats down.

Fast forward 10 years and my sweet mother has shed tears over having her boys take the hats off the tree.  What she wouldn’t give now to have her house full of annoying- Christmas- tree- decorating- challenged-messy-teenage boys!  She misses the “hat” tree and everything that came along with it.  Late nights of worry, ironing dress shirts, haircut after haircut after haircut, loud music, wrestling, harassing, girls calling, car dings and dents.

It comes with the job.  A job that sometimes feels never-ending, and then, all too quickly, it ends.  Or at least those aspects of the job end, but not the loving and caring and worrying.

I choose to click the “hats” around my house, that someday I will miss.  I will have regrets no doubt, but hopefully I’ll have less if I focus on the bigger picture and appreciate the here and now.  So today I’ve clicked……

The paper airplane in my entryway window, that I cannot reach and I’m not sure I ever will.

The hole in the wall from my 8 year old’s head.  He ran from across the room to land “peacefully” onto the bean bag.  Yeah, he didn’t land “peacefully.”

The snake in my 11 year old’s room that I hate hate hate, but he loves loves loves.  I’m still thanking my niece for drawing his name for Christmas and giving him the gift that keeps on giving.

The 25 hundred bazillion cups they get out each day.  BTW, these were accumulated between the short hours of 8pm-7am next morning.  Any suggestions?

Wet towels on the floor after a shower.  Every day.  The reaching hand is a last minute attempt by my teenager to “clear the evidence”

There’s more.  So much more.  And some are quite pleasant.  Like the hugs and kisses and thank you’s.  Each of them remind me that a child lives here. My home is graced with children.  I am a mother.  I am a blessed woman.

Think. Click. Be…

grateful for the messes

Article by Rebecca Anderson, Billion Clicks Contributor

Dear Mother,

I saw a quote the other day that read, “In life we aren’t given an instruction booklet, we are given mothers.”  My thoughts quickly turned to you, dear Mother.

You taught me how to love.  You showed me patience. You gave me knowledge. You snuggled me, hugged me, held me and kissed me.  You always listened. You never judged.  Because of your example, I am the mother I am today.

And even now (at my older age), you continue to let me be your daughter and seek “instruction” as I instruct my little ones.

Thank you for being my wise mother.

I love you, always.

Think, Click, Be…

Ever Grateful for Your Mother.

Article by Heather Porter, Billion Clicks Contributor

My daughter has the ability to go from this

To this in about 5 seconds

Which leads me to this in 1 second

Oh please tell me I am not the only who has had a day like this?

Despite my shock what the day really is about is this :”Pardon the mess but we are busy making memories”.

I know motherhood is hard work! I know its mundane, unpaid, repetitive and thankless. But it is also FUN and MESSY!!!

Enjoy yourself and enjoy motherhood! Get out there and play with the sidewalk chalk all over the driveway and let a popsicle drip down your arm as you eat it in the gleeming sun. Go back to when you were a child and think of all the fun things you did and do them as an adult. There is no law saying that you can’t! You’re kids will laugh and love your more for it. (This goes for the grandmas out there too. Grandkids love to see their grandparents in water balloon fights!)

Messy really is Fun!

Think. Click. Be…MESSY and FUN!

Article by Shasta Howard, Billion Clicks Contributor