April Mother of the Month

Our Mother of the Month for April is my life long friend Heather Grimes. She and I go way back. We grew up in the same ward in Provo Utah, and have remained friends ever since. Heather has faced many trials and tough choices throughout her life, and I am greatly inspired by the person she is today. She is an awesome wife and mother, and has been an amazing friend. We haven't seen much of each other during the last several years, but we've kept in touch through blogging, facebook and email.

Heather, you are such a strong and amazing woman!! Your friendship has meant so much to me over the years. Thank you for your example of courage and love.

1. Age - 32

2. Number of children - 2, Hannah who is 6, Jaidyn who is 5

3. What is your secret weapon? - My secret weapon is using job charts and having a routine. It works wonders.

4. Favorite go-to recipe - My favorite recipe is mini meatloaves you make in your muffin tin. Here's a link to the recipe from my blog... http://marcandheathergrimes.blogspot.com/2009/01/heathers-mini-meatloaf.html

5. Personal thoughts on Motherhood - I feel very blessed to be a mother to some amazing children. I'm also grateful that Heavenly Father trusted me with them. Motherhood isn't easy but the smiles and love you get from your children make those hard days and moments seem small.

6. Favorite Movie - I have two favorite movies: Gladiator and Moulin Rouge

7. Favorite book for children - My favorite book for children is The Giving Tree, By Shel Siverstein.

8. Your definition of happiness - My definition of happiness is knowing we are an eternal family and I can always have my children and husband at my side. Snuggles and playing together are an amazing definition of happiness.

9. Favorite motivational or funny quote - My favorite quote is from a movie... "We are the makers of music and we are the dreamers of dreams." - Willy Wonka

10. something you have learned from your mother - I have learned from my mother how to show unconditional love. She showed nothing but love through my trials that I know broke her heart over and over again. She's an amazing example of love and charity for others. I'm grateful to call her mother.

March Mother of the Month

This month I am featuring my friend Andrea Middleton!

Tyler met Andrea years ago while attending EFY and has maintained a friendship with her ever since. She and I became friends on Facebook, and have developed a friendship through sending messages and reading each others blogs.

Andrea! I can tell you are an awesome mother to your incredibly gorgeous girls. You carry a light that is visible even from a distance and I feel fortunate to be among your friends. Your supportive thoughts and comments have meant a lot to me over the last year, and I look forward to getting together in the future!


1. Age - I am 33

2. Number of children - I have 2 beautiful daughters; Jinger is 3 and Avery is 2.

3. Your secret weapon (a good tip for raising children) - My secret weapon… I’m not sure I have a secret weapon but when I get frustrated I try to step back and remind myself that my girls are a gift and a blessing and that it’s my job as their mother to raise them up in love. It immediately calms me down and allows me to take things moment by moment.

4. Your favorite go-to recipe - Check HERE

5. Personal thoughts on Motherhood - Motherhood is the best thing that has ever happened to me. It is truly a miracle to wake up each day and know that I have 2 girls waiting for me. Every smile, hug or laugh is a reward. It’s defiantly a work that is always in progress. And it’s easier when you don’t expect perfection and you take it one day at a time.

6. Favorite Movie - I don’t have a favorite. I usually enjoy romantic comedies. Princess Bride, Lost in Yonkers and Anne of Green Gables are up there too.

7. Favorite children's book - I have been collecting children’s books for years and I love them all. I have over 200 (probably way too many =0) I don’t think I could narrow it down to just one. I guess my favorites are ones with beautiful illustrations and great messages. Max Lucados books come to mind.

8. Your definition of happiness - My definition of happiness; laughing with my family, watching my children discover new things, night time prayers, fresh air, long walks and holding hands, good friends, working hard and reaching your goals, being loved and loving back, watching the sunrise/sunset, sitting in front of a camp fire, a good book and sweats on a gray day, making pancakes together as a family.

9. Your favorite quote - "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away."

Or

"I can't change the direction of the wind,
but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."
Jimmy Dean

10. Something you learned from your mother - Something I learned from my mother is to reach beyond your comfort zone. By doing this you will find your hidden talents, do more than you ever thought you would, and grow into the person you were meant to be.

February Mother of the Month

Our Mother of the Month for February is my good friend Jen!

I have known Jen for a few years now! She is a fun friend, whom I hope to get to know even better. We are both desert dwellers, she on the Nevada side and me on the Utah side. We don't see each other often, as we live in different valleys, but we are members of the same branch and I look forward to seeing her at church each Sunday!

Jen, you are an amazing person and a great mother! Way back when we were out here visiting the branch and our future husbands, I had no idea we would both end up living out here, sharing our adventures in motherhood! Thank you for your influence and support on this amazing journey! It is an honor to be your friend!

Introducing......Jennifer Israelsen!


1. Age - 28

2. Number of Children - 2 plus one angel baby

3. What is your secret weapon (a good tip for raising children) - I think the best tip I've ever received was to do what you said you're going to do; so, don't make threats you're not willing to follow through with.

4. Personal thoughts on motherhood - I think motherhood is the greatest blessing, honor, role a woman can do on earth. Something that irks me is when someone calls themselves a "mommy" to a dog. A mother does so much more than feed, wash, potty-train like you can do with a pet. A mother instills values, teaches life's lessons, etc. PS - Don't get me wrong. I like dogs. :)

5. Favorite go to recipe - Meat Loaf GO HERE

6. Favorite Movie - Big fan of "Little Women", "Return to Me" and " Sarah Plain and Tall"

7. Favorite book for children - To read with my kids: "All the Places to Love," by Patricia MacLachlan. About being a mom: "Fanny's Dream" by Caralyn Buehner.

8. Your definition of happiness - Happiness is a CHOICE but it is okay to have grump days. But when I'm happy it permeates through my home to the rest of my family. Happiness is knowing Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and Their plan for us.

9. Your favorite motivational thought or quote - I don't have it exactly but "The hand that rocks the cradle rocks the world." AND
"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I've learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I'm rocking my baby and babies don't keep."

-Ruth Hulburt Hamilton
That a good "reminder for Jen" quote.

10. Something you learned from your mother - I learned faith by example from my mom. I don't know how many times I walked in on her while she was on her knees in prayer or reading from her scriptures. I also have an addiction to children's books from my mom.

Mother of the Month

I am introducing something new to my blog! Every month I am going to feature a mother I admire. We will get to hear parenting tips, thoughts on motherhood, and basically celebrate the trials and triumphs of the toughest job on earth! It's going to be great...so let's get started!

Our Mother of the Month for January is my lifelong friend, Mindy Brown! We met in the fourth grade and were pretty much inseparable until high school graduation. Life has taken us in different directions, and to different places, but we have remained friends through it all. Mindy has been a mother for 13 years now. I have enjoyed watching her in this roll, passing along the magic of the childhood we shared together!

I love you Mindy! Your sense of humor and easy going approach to motherhood is inspiring to me! Thank you for your example.

Introducing......Mindy Brown!


1. Age - 31 (I think) I kind of lost track at 17!

2. Number of Children - 5 fabulous kids

3. What is your secret weapon (a good tip for raising children) - HaHaHa, I threaten them that they will have to clean "poo screws" if they keep disobeying or fighting. A little explanation, poo screws are the little screws on the toilet seat that gather lots of great smelling stuff. Suddenly my children are angels!

4. Personal thoughts on motherhood - Motherhood is the most difficult and challenging job on the planet as well as the most underpaid for all the abuse you take (I tell everyone that my pay check will come in the eternities, although the little I love yous and things are pay enough). It is also the most divine. I am honored to be the mother of my children and they prove to me everyday just how much I owe them. I feel it a great privilege to be a mother and most times feel inadequate. I pray that I am doing what my Father in Heaven intended of me by sending them to our home.

5. Favorite go to recipe - Chicken Fajitas (for recipe click here)

6. Favorite Movie - I actually only enjoy watching kids movies and Comedies. If I am going to spend the time sitting to watch something it better make me laugh.

7. Favorite book for children - Lots of them but most favorite is one called "Be Brown" by Barbara Bottner. A smallish explanation is in order. This is a simple book about a boy and his dog. The young boy gives his disobedient dog several commands in which he obeys none. The boy finally shouts "Be brown!" to his dog who is brown. I love this book for many reasons but mostly because my husband hates dogs and our last name is Brown.

8. Your definition of happiness - That's difficult seeing as how depression has been a major part of my life since the age of 12, but I would have to say that for me it is a state of mind that I alone control.

9. Favorite motivational thought - "The best reflection of ones self cannot be found in a mirror but by observing what those around you are becoming." Its not technically a motivational quote but for a mother what better words to help you to keep going, when as a mother you give so much of yourself to those around you that you yourself are often neglected.

10. Something you learned from your mother - I learned from my mother that a chocolate bar hidden in the cupboard is a lifesaver for any stay at home mom.