Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

Family

Lap Time Nap Time

There is a little person in our house right now who is going through the teething season of life. Poor little man. Some days, because of his discomfort, I feel like a Mom-Gym as he climbs on and off my lap while I work with the older kids. Mom’s out there – we get it! It’s not fun to have those pesky teeth trying to poke through those cute gums. So, I kiss his fuzzy little head and comfort him as best I can. 🙂

Each time I sit and take a seat
You climb up on my lap.
Sometimes before I know it,
You are taking a little nap.
My little friend with fuzzy hair,
What am I supposed to do?
There’re so many things I need to do
But I simply can’t move you!
So instead, I’ll sit here quietly
And enjoy this little snuggle
For only in a year or two
You’ll be past wanting to sit and cuddle.
You’ll be off on you own exploring
In your simple little way
Finding other things to do
Then hanging with mom all day.
So, I’ll set the things aside
That are clogging up my List
And sit and simply enjoy the things
That all too soon will be much missed.

There’s Nothing Like a Baby

I have been lucky enough to have four sweet little babies come in my life that call me Mom. Each one has taught me more and more about the Savior’s love. They have also each taught me how to love as He does. It is not an easy road but I’m grateful for every minute I spend on it.

There’s nothing like a baby,
To teach humility.
To teach you what it is
To love unconditionally.
To teach you about giving
With nothing in return.
To worry about more
Then just your own concerns.

It must be how it is
To love as the Savior loves,
With so much love and kindness
Just as the Savior does.
So lovingly, so tenderly,
Filling what we lack.
So lovingly, so tenderly,
Asking very little back.

So of course, I’ll love this baby,
Just as the Savior needs,
With humility and kindness
Just as His love proceeds.
For there’s nothing like a baby
To teach humility.
To teach you what it is
To love unconditionally.

Better Every Day

Do you ever feel like failure’s your thing? Like every effort you make falls apart. Like you’ll never be as good as everyone else you know? The house will never be clean. The dinners never to everyone’s liking. Well, I feel that way all the time too and it’s okay. Really, we’re only getting better every day. ❤

Someone accused me of failure today.
In fact, there was truth to what they did say.
There was unfolded laundry on my bed in a heap.
And the kitchen floor badly needed a sweep.
My toddler’s face was covered in food.
In the corner, a shoe – recently chewed.
The sink was still full of dishes galore.
And we still have a need of food from the store.
There’re webs from the ceiling in a couple of places.
Some marks on the walls that need some erases.
I still haven’t made a million just yet
So, I still can’t afford my own private jet.
I still haven’t contacted my ministering sisters
And I still can’t quite fathom electronic resistors.
I’d love to just sit on the couch and be calm
But someone is still needed to water the palm.
And don’t get me started on dinner just yet –
I still can’t find one that doesn’t make someone upset.
Perhaps these thoughts are plaquing you too.
Perhaps we need to flip our world view.
Instead of a failure – we’re a smashing success.
Instead of just failing, we’re making progress.
Another day is complete, and our scriptures are read.
Another day is complete, and our children are fed.
We know how to work the washing machine.
We value the laughter from a big trampoline.
Our hug count today stretches into the twenties.
We know the value of our hard-earned brown pennies.
Instead of spending our time simply cleaning
We sat and we played, and we gave the world meaning.
We put on our bravery and made a new meal
And we sat and we listened to how our children do feel.
We taught and we tried and we smiled and we led.
We spent hours spreading our patience widespread.
Now if this still seems like a failure to you
Then maybe your view will always be somewhat askew.
Sucess is serving your family with meaning.
Success is loving and never demeaning.
It’s listening while others lean their sorrows on you.
It’s when to say no and what to pursue.
It’s picking yourself back up when it’s hard.
It’s kindness stretched past a foot to a yard.
It’s faith in the things that ultimately matter.
It’s faith in the Savior when life seems to shatter.
It’s giving your all when others question the worth.
It’s admiring the beauty on this beautiful earth.
It’s following the Lord when you don’t know the way.
It’s opening your mouth when you lack what to say.
It’s trying and trying and trying again
And seeing the worth in how far you’ve been.
Yes, my kitchen may still be in need of a sweep,
And I still may have days where I just want to weep.
But failure is not that I broke down and cried
Rather, success is the fact I showed up and tried.

Bedtime, What a Blessed Time

I love each member of my family more than I ever imagined possible. But I have a confession to make: I love bedtime. There is an invisible weight that is lifted off my shoulders a bit when everyone is in bed and asleep. No one needs a million things from me. No one is fighting. No one is leaving a mess behind for me to clean up… And this introverted mama can recharge a bit for the next day.

Oh bedtime, what a blessed time
When each little child of mine
Makes their way into their bed
Where nighttime dreams then fill their head
And quiet then once more again
Does its best, replace the din
That filled our home all day.

When I can finally steal away
And find the book I laid away
That’s waiting there to teach me things
Or lift me up on Angel’s wings
And help me be a better mom,
Filled with strength and always calm,
That each of my children need from me.

So tomorrow I’ll once more again
Face the day with a big grin
And face all life will throw at me
When there is no place for me to flee
Since life is again now underway
Until the end of this new day
When bedtime comes again.

TLC

My husband and I recently celebrated our wedding anniversary. It’s crazy how fast time is going by! It doesn’t seem that long ago since we first started dating while I was doing my student teaching in Las Vegas. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that some days he drives me crazy but really, I’m sure I do the same to him. 🙂 He’s amazing and I’m glad he sticks with me year after year. ❤

It’s first his smile that wins your heart.
And then his kindness does its part.
Then there’s the twinkle in his eye –
He’ll make you laugh until you cry.
And if that doesn’t impress you much
Wait till he teaches you tech and such.
If you want a chance to listen –
He’ll let you feel his stereo system.
If it’s motorcycles that you like –
He might let you ride his favorite bike.
Maybe play you a song on his old guitar
Then give someone in need a ride in his car.
From building pinewood derby cars,
To setting up the swing set bars,
You’ll be in awe at all he knows
And how much that knowledge grows and grows.
He is remarkable without a doubt,
And mostly humble all throughout.
Someday you may meet this talented man,
He’ll greet you warmly, shake your hand,
And you’ll feel his strength as he stands nearby –
My husband, an amazing, incredible guy.


Wisdom

Everyday there is evidence all around us of what a fragile existence this mortal life is. Before we know it, we’ll all be facing The End and looking back at how we spent our years and the many minutes of our lives that made up those years. How will you feel about your life? I’m sure we will all have regrets, but we have the power to choose now to make better choices and decrease some of those regrets. What a wonderful thought that is! How comforting. So, let us start now.

As the years spin by faster,
And the minutes do too,
Here’s a thought you can ponder, –
To travel with you.
Your hugs are worth more
Then your fancy sports car.
Your time even more
And will take you as far.
Your talents are worth
The blood, sweat, and tears.
So feed them along
And forget all your fears.
Your family will never
Do better than you.
So, ponder that thought
When you choose what to pursue.
A walk in the woods
Will do you more good
Then a long list of things
That you think that you “should”.
Following the spirit
As it guides you along
Will never, not once,
Steer you to wrong.
Before you sit down
On the couch to zone out,
Pick up a book –
Then take your time out.
And if you desire
To just gaze at the stars
Be sure to embrace it
And be our lodestar.
A call to a friend
Should always come with a yes
Instead of the loneliness
That comes with a guess.
Don’t worry about
What someone once said.
But who you might know
That could use some fresh bread.
Laugh at the jokes
That a dad just might tell
And when the moment is right,
Be sure to retell.
If the music comes on
And you just want to dance
Trust me, no one is watching, –
Just take up your chance.
Your dog and your mama
Will always love you.
Even the things
You can’t ever undo.
Always the Savior
Is waiting with grace
So, ignore the loud crowd
And return his embrace.
Now before you jump back
In the busy rat race,
Where time just keeps spinning
And you must give into the chase,
Remember the wisdom
From others who care
And take time to make changes
Before you despair.