The Answer

I have been kind of a perfectionist mom so far. I love being a mom so much and feel so privileged to have such a perfect little man, I just want to do everything right. I want him to always be happy, content, clean, and healthy. It’s not much to ask right? I read our baby books often and worry when I hear about things I “should” or “shouldn’t” be doing. Lately I have been concerned about sleep. People will tell you “Don’t let him fall asleep nursing” or “Don’t rock him to sleep or you’ll be doing it your whole life”. The perfectionist in me just wants to do it right and wonders what is the actual correct way to do things. I ask people for advice and read articles, websites, sleep books, and developmental books. Then I go to Sean in a panic with all the information wondering what I should do. Sleep isn’t the only thing I stress about its just an example.

On Saturday I had the opportunity to go to a Stake Women’s Conference. It was run a little like education week where there were tons of classes and you got to choose which ones to go to. We got to pick three and then they served us a lovely lunch. The first thing I did to make the day enjoyable was bring Brett with me since I panic and stress when i’m not with him (I’m working on that=)).

The first class I went to was titled “Behold your little ones” and it was taught by our bishops wife whom I LOVE. She started her class by talking about how child rearing changed with the book by Dr. Spock and how the book was so popular it became the second best selling book of all time. She then mentioned that the first best selling book of all time was the Bible. She pointed out that the best parenting book you will ever find is the scriptures, who better to ask for parenting advice than the most perfect Father of all. If what I need to know isn’t written down in the scriptures, then revelation should be my answer not google. I was so overcome with the spirit, knowing that all this time of searching and stressing I have been missing the best source of all. I thought of how just four short months ago, Brett was in our Father in Heaven’s arms. God is the expert on Brett and he has entrusted him to Sean and I! He knows how to put him to sleep, whats the best strategy to help get him nutrition, how to comfort him when he’s upset, and everything else. He is the one I should turn to first.

I have been going to my secular books first and Heavenly Father second when it really should be the other way around. I feel like there is so much information out there and as a parent I should be educated in all things, but the person I should turn to for the final answer is my Heavenly Father.

Something I have been considering for several months is how much I am spiritually lacking right now. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I haven’t had a good regular pattern of personal scripture study since before I got married. Sean and I were really good about reading together until we had Brett and now it has become a little crazy. How am I supposed to get the answers I need about raising my little man if i’m not reading and studying daily? How am I supposed to teach him about the gospel if I’m not learning about it everyday. I feel like God has been trying to tell me for a long time how important this is and the class of Saturday was like a lightbulb going off. I am so grateful for a Father who loves me enough to give me answers to questions I didn’t even know I had!

So here are my New Years goals:

-Study the scriptures personally everyday
-Family scripture study daily
-exercise at least 3x a week (you always have to include this one right)
-prepare my primary lesson earlier in the week

And now I will leave you with some adorable pictures, because what good is a post without a picture or two of Mr. Brett?

Here he is loving our new TV!

Tummy time in the buff (almost)

Rolling over action shot!

Playing with the wash cloth puppy, LOVE those rolls!