So...priceless

These charcoal portraits were done by my mother, and this was her Christmas present to me this year. When I first saw them I teared up. They are gorgeous. They are precious. They are perfect. I've always known my mother has a serious gift, but that doesn't stop me from being blown away every time I look at her work. And this time, with the subjects being my three precious girls, my heart could hardly handle it.

These are possibly (definitely) the best and most priceless gifts anyone has ever given me. I can't wait for them to be framed and on my walls. These picture hardly do the originals justice, so you all will just have to come visit me and see them in person.

Thank you, Mom, for taking the time to create these masterpieces for me. They will be cherished by me and our family for generations. I'm sure of it. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent with us in a way more meaningful than I could ever express.

So...Carl Bloch: Master's Hand

So...I saw the Carl Bloch: Master's Hand exhibit at BYU, and you should too.

The BYU Art Museum is a treasure of culture and fine art located in the heart of Provo, and right now they are hosting a Carl Bloch exhibit. It features original masterpiece paintings of Christ.

This depiction of Christ In Gethsemene is my favorite and it is included in the BYU exhibit. The painting is larger than life. There are no words to describe the power of this painting. It is overwhelming. It is heartwrenching. It is tender. It is love.

If you live within driving distance of BYU, or plan on visiting sometime between now and May, plan a trip to this exhibit. You won't regret it - I promise.

The exhibit is open Mon-Sat and tickets are free.
Reserve yours here.
And if you need someone to go with (or someone to watch your kids while you go) give me a call - I'm up for either one!

So...words of wisdom

I have this hanging in my room:

and I love it.
My Grandma Joy made it for my mom when she was a young mother like me. I don't know how I lucked out, but this gem is now mine.

These words scroll through my mind every time I feel like I need to get away or feel like my kiddos are driving me crazy. Which they do. Why is being a momma so hard? Why is it so hard to adore and cherish each and every moment with these sweet little angels? And that's what they are - angels (that sometimes drive me crazy).

It seems like it would be easy.
It really does seem that way.
But it isn't so easy for me.

I need something like this on my wall to remind me.
It's my own personal pep talk everyday,
reminding me what really is important.

So...You Think You Can Dance II

Ok, so I know I have already filled my SYTYCD quota for the day :) but I really loved this one too. Complete opposite set of emotions attached to this one from the previous post, but I loved it almost as much.

So uplifting and just a feel good number. Enjoy!

So...You Think You Can Dance

I LOVE this show.
ab.so.lute.ly LOVE IT
And dances like this is the reason why.
This piece was so incredibly powerful to me. I was almost brought to tears. I had to keep rewinding it to watch it over again.
And this is what I love about the arts. The ability to express emotions more powerfully than words ever could. It speaks directly to the heart and soul. For a moment they brought me into that world of feelings.

This piece is about addiction.

So powerful.

This video is long, but worth every second.

"By Small and Simple Things Are Great Things Brought to Pass"

by David Koch

Young Lucy Mack Smith reads the Bible to her sons Joseph and Hyrum in the log home near the Sacred Grove, in Palmyra Township, New York. From this humble beginning, Joseph grew to become prophet of the last dispensation, through whom the fulness of the gospel was restored to the earth. On June 27, 1844, these two boys - then grown men - died as marturs and witnesses to the truthfulness of the Restoration.

This picture and caption can be found on the inside back cover on the January 2009 Ensign. The picture was very powerful to me, along with the thought of Lucy Mack reading the scriptures to her small boys without knowing what she was preparing her sons for.

Our Relief Society lesson today was about leadership and "Leading in the way of the Lord." It was full of wonderful stories and examples from the prophet Joseph Smith on leadership. When applying this lesson to my life, I realized that the most important leadership role that I will have in my life is as a mother. I can still use the same example and characteristics of leadership from Joseph Smith in my role as a mother - humility, love, service, teaching truth. A great, and very popular quote that was included in this lesson is:

"I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves."

-Joseph Smith

I hope that I can remember that as a mother. With young children it is easy to set many rules and constantly be telling my kids what to do or not to do. I need to remember the ultimate goal is to teach them how to make correct choices. The only way they will do that is if they learn correct principles and why to make correct choices.

Back to the above picture, teaching from the scriptures is a vital part in teaching children correct principles. Not only was Lucy Mack teaching her children the importance of reading & studying the scriptures, but she was sharing the correct principles found in the scriptures with her children. And it was a principle in the scriptures - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God..." - that led Joseph into the Sacred Grove to pray. Her quiet, humble leadership prepared this young boy to eventually lead in restoring the gospel of Jesus Christ to Earth. What an amazing example she is to me, of leadership in our homes and in the gospel.