Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

Family

Courage

In my humble opinion, courage takes many forms and looks different for each one of us. It’s not always what you see in movies or on TV. Most of us are much more courageous then we ever recognize or give ourselves credit for. What are the hard things you do that no one knows about? What about the hard things others do that you don’t know about? We all bravely carry burdens. We are all asked to do hard things in our own way so why not have courage and take a moment to think the best of someone else.

I might not be a person
You’d expect to do hard things.
I’m quiet and uncomfortable
If I’m ever asked to sing.

And if the crowd becomes to large
My peace gives way to fear
And I’m searching for an exit
That is never, very near.

I’d much prefer to stay at home
And wear my favorite jeans.
But sometimes what you think you see
Isn’t what it seems.

I bravely had four surgeries
To bring my babies here.
I’d bravely do it all again
To bring them all so near.

I’ve spent most of my whole life
Without having any mother.
But with my faith I know someday
We’ll again see one another.

I sacrifice much of my day
To teach each of my kids
And leave behind the list of things
That other mothers did.

I quietly sit back
And watch my family grow
While I do much of the clean up
And serve more then they know.

Carefully I carry
A sleeping baby all day long
And with my teen I listen to
“Just one more” of his songs.

I help my husband quietly
Do his best to serve the ward
As he does his best to lead them
And humbly serve the Lord.

I try to spend much of my time
Reading scriptures everyday
Even when I don’t quite
Understand just what they say.

And while I’d like to have
A lot of money in the bank
I spend much of my free time
Serving those who never thank.

Heavenly Father and the Savior
Are the only ones who know
Exactly all the hard things
Even the ones I never show.

For Bravery isn’t always
A thing you think it is
But being willing to do the work
That is His and only His.

So while I might not be a person
You’d expect to do hard things
(And I’m quiet and uncomfortable
If I’m ever asked to sing…)

And when the crowd becomes to large
My peace will change to fear
And I’ll be searching for an exit
That probably won’t be near.

And I still prefer to stay at home
And wear my favorite jeans
Sometimes what you think you see
Isn’t what it seems.


First Aid

My toddler has recently gained a love for Band-Aids. “Mama, Band-Aid, Band-Aid!” he says to me when he gets a “bonk”. Even when there is no need for one and I try to explain this to him, he won’t let me rest till he has a little Band-aid where his “bonk” is. I remembered this poem the other day (in just such a situation) that I wrote when my older two kids were in this phase and decided to share here for all the other parents out there who can nod their head knowingly and laugh along with me. 🙂

On my elbows,
On my knees,
On my  head,
And on the trees.
On my fingers,
On my toes,
On my stomach,
And on my nose.
On my ears
And on dad’s car
–All the places
Band aids are.

A Mother’s Prayer

On the wall in the Mother’s Room in our ward building, there is a picture of Christ surrounded by children. I find myself in there once or twice on any given Sunday and the picture always makes me think about what it would have been like if I had been a mother in the Americas when Christ came. How special to have your child blessed by Christ! But since I live, um, a few years later then when Christ was here that’s not our earthly experience. I think you might agree with me that Life is Crazy. While it can be stressful for myself at times, I think I worry more about my kids and how they will navigate their future because, well, I won’t always be there to help them. But I know I can do my best to help them come to Christ during our time in many, many ways. And also send as many Mother’s Prayers towards Heaven as I can squeeze in during my lifetime. 🙂

Jesus won’t you bless this babe
Like you did to those of old, 
Who you gathered all around you 
And told Them to “Behold!”
This babe is just as sweet and kind
As those you once beheld.
The ones you gathered by your side 
And lovingly upheld.  
He may be here now with me
Instead of in your arms.
But he’s just as sweet as those before
With all his baby charms. 
And while his time is different 
Then those who came before
He could use your strength now with him –
Maybe even more. 
For his time here is a dark time 
As we prepare for you again. 
His time here is a dark time 
In a dark world filled with sin. 
I hope that he can navigate 
The things that he must do.
I know that he could use the strength 
Of someone strong like you. 
Oh Jesus won’t you bless this babe
Like those you did of old,
So he always has the strength he needs
To be kind and strong and bold. 
Jesus all my love for him 
Is more than words can say. 
And by your side is where I wish 
Him each and every day. 

Me and My Mistakes

I’m sure I’m the only one out there that makes what feels like a million mistakes each day… But if you happen to fall in this category too, Welcome. 🙂

I’m a mom who makes mistakes –
I broke the stove, I crumble cakes.
I trip down stairs,
Don’t comb hair.
Forget the treats,
Leave books on seats.
And they all remember crystal clear
The night I woke up shook with fear.
I leave laundry on the floor in places
And my kids often have dirty faces.
I often spend too much time
Writing one more silly rhyme.
If given half a chance
I’d rather read then twirl and dance.
I don’t always have friends come play,
But at the end of every day
My heart is full for each one I serve,
They are more than I deserve,
For what a blessing is each one –
My husband, daughter, and each son.
Despite all the wrongs I make
They always love me and my mistakes.

Not Today’s Fool

Life seems to go by way too fast! It’s easy to get caught up in the things that don’t matter but when you get a chance, be sure and embrace the things that do. 🙂

I would be a fool today
If I didn’t stop and say
“I love you!” to the ones I love
And send a Prayer of Thanks above
Each time I feel their tender touch
And realize just how much
I’m so glad they’re here with me
In this crazy family.
Oh, how fast the years go past,
And we’re left wishing they would last.
So while I have a chance today
“I love you!” is what I’ll say.

Featured Poem – If I Trust in the Lord

It’s that time of year! We are winding down on Summer and gearing up for Back to School around our house. Maybe you are too. As I’ve been getting ready for Homeschool Year 2021-2022, I’ve frequently been going in and out of our school room. On the door of our school room, we have a little chalk board. Sometimes we write little messages on it for fun. Sometimes it’s just an erased chalk board. One evening earlier this year though, my sweet daughter wrote a little poem on our little chalk board and came and showed it to me. She was curious what I thought of it. I of course thought it was the best thing ever written!!!!! I quickly took a picture just in case someone erased it. So far it’s still there though! It’s such a sweet little treasure in the day to see it every time I go in that room. With her permission, I decided to share it here. 🙂

If I Trust in the Lord
By Madalyn Cady (March 2021 – age 9)

I may not walk on water
And I may not calm a sea,
But I know if I trust the Lord
He will trust in me.