The Rice's

There are so many beautiful women in my life. If I could, I would send each of you this:

And what would I say? Well, I would tell each of you what you mean to me. Shouldn't I though? Why not?! In the order of my current blog list, here is my mother's day message to each of you...

Mindy: You always look fabulous and I always feel like you are right on top of things. I hope that I can be a hip mom like you!

Madison: You are one of my very best friends. I love you so much and I always look up to you. You are an amazing mother. I can't wait to go to parties with you and our matching clutches.

McKenzi: You are hilarious. You are positive. You make everyone feel good about themselves. People love to be around you because of these reasons. Don't ever change!

Emily: You are also one of my best friends. I admire you and respect you. You are the best mommy and have the cutest kids. P.S. You are the cutest.

Heather H: Your have such a positive attitude about life and I love that you are willing to speak and love the truth--no matter how messy it gets! That is what being a mom is all about!

Jenifer: You love Dr Pepper, how can I not love you? Anyone who appreciates the sweet taste of nectar running down their throat is a friend in my book (and blog list).

Elizabeth: I love your creative spirit and gentle soul. You will be a great mother (to children) someday. You are already a great mommy to little Sammy!

Lindsey Pizza: Your kids are too dang cute! I love your blog-update it please!

Amber: I love reading your blog because I like to laugh at what Trace has gotten himself into :) Your family is adorable and your kids are precious!

Brooklyn: Thanks for always having such a tidy home and blog :) I love your personality, I love your style, I love your front door!!

Kalie: My rhetorical soul-mate! My writing can't live without you! I am so glad to be reacquainted with a golden friend. I love your little man and hope you never leave your cottage :)

Jenny: I envy your adventures!! You and Jonny live my alternative dream life.

Jenna: I love you, I love you, I love you. I hope you hear that as much as you can in your life. You are amazing! We all can learn from your trials.

Kim: My hero! What would I do without your INVALUABLE advice? I wouldn't be here! My kids wouldn't be on a schedule! I would have gone crazy!!

Marciea: Thank you for always being my second mom. I love to hear about your family and I love that we are still in touch. I ALSO love that you always leave comments :)

Laura: Your blog ALWAYS makes me laugh. I want to become better friends with you and little E. Plus you are an amazing photographer!

Becky: Whenever I think about you, I think about JOY. You have such joy in your spirit. You are always positive. You are always looking on the bright side. I love you Becky!

Jackie: Chuckie! I love you. I love little J. We need a sleep-over. We need Tanya's charades. I love everything about you. From Russia With Love, Your Boobie friend.

Brittney: I MISS YOU SO MUCH! I love watching your little ones grow up. I hate that great opportunities for my friends means living in far away lands. Come home to us soon!

Kelli: Can I tell you I am OBSESSED with your kitchen? I love it! I love you and your way of making your surroundings beautiful. It is such a lovely quality. Let's hang out more!!

Nichole WB: This may sound corny, but you have given me my MOST prized material possessions. I would die if I ever lost the pictures of my little guys. They are so stinking cute! (The twins as well as the pictures).

Melissa S: We need to watch the Bachelor together again! You need to move back to Arnecia!! I'm so glad you guys had a great adventure, but I am more glad you are back home :)

RaeAnn: The greeting message for when my phone turns on is "You Are Responsible for Your Own Happiness." I'll never forget it!

Rosalie: My beautiful, lovely, best friend. I miss you. I miss your son. Let's be friends, ok? Love you!

Heather BD: I love little Lily! She is beautiful, you are beautiful, I am so glad we can stay in touch!

Haili: Your strength amazes me. Your daughter is a miracle, not to mention gorgeous. Love you Miss!

Lindsey Peterson: Oh how I miss the Boise days! I can't believe how quickly time goes by. Your 'lil man is so handsome.

Rachel: My style icon. You are so lovely. Your little lady is so lovely. I miss seeing you at the office :)

Jana: So glad to see your family growing, your husband happy in his new career, and that I can stay in touch! Love you!

Lisa: I love you Lisa. You are always such a wonderful friend. Don't ever change.

Lori: My only successful match-making story. Your little family all started with a bikini and vending machine cookie :) ha ha!

Richelle: One day I will buy a piece of your paradise. You are such a dear, dear friend. I love you Richelle!

Ashley: You are always so sweet and kind to me. I love your gentle spirit. I love your little ones. I can't wait to become even CLOSER friends!

Sarah K: I don't see enough of you! AND you need to update your blog! I miss thursdaynightdorks and the good 'ole days, don't you?

Becca: Anna Karenina. 'Nuff said.

Mindyn: You saved me when I needed it the most. I will always love you Min. I will always think of you. Even in Idaho! Love you!

Erin: So glad we can stay in touch and I can continue to benefit from your awesomeness. You are always an inspiration to me.

Nichole DB: Every time I hear Britney Spears, I think of you. You were my first friend in Utah and I will never forget when you rang my doorbell, perm and braces. I love you Nichole. I love the woman you have become. Let's hang out soon!

Lisa: Your life is such an adventure and you handle it so graciously! I admire you for overcoming your fears and supporting your husband in his new job. You are such a strong woman, don't ever forget it!

Melissa B: You have the most gentle spirit. I love you so much. I always feel like you are taking care of me when I read your blog. I haven't seen you for years, yet I always think of you and how kind you are. I also remember your yummy cooking!

Sarah: You are not a regular mom, you're a cool (wink) mom. I love you SarRob. I miss living across the hall from you. I miss the drama. I miss the bugs. I miss the stray cats. I even miss Julia...well, not really.

Jamie: I love you Jame. I think of you as my first sister-in-law, even though I got three at once :) You have always been a great friend and I love to be around you. Don't ever get rid of any of your clothes because whatever you throw away I would totally wear :)

Jessica: Let's face it, you live in our Russian nightmare and you make it seem like you are in the big Apple or Paris or London. You are so creative and positive. You are amazing. You are so chic. I love you and I love your spirit.

AmyLyn: Congratulations mommy! It will be the best experience of your life!

Kaci: We need to hang out more because I just love you so much. You are the best person to talk to because I always laugh AND feel better about myself. Love ya!

Danielle: You are so lovely. I admire you so much. You are a strong, independent woman and I love you!

Brooke: Update this why don't ya! We need pics of your house, your kids, your life, etc. Update, update, update! Love you!!

To all the other women in my life who read this and don't blog themselves...I love you. You enrich my life. I think of you often. I pray for you. Start a blog so I can stalk you. It's summer and I don't have anything to do!

A small confession: I don't read parenting books.

It is *not* because I presume to know everything about parenting. It is *not* because I feel like I have a handle on this whole "mom" thing. It is *not* because I don't stay up at night worrying, fretting, hoping, crying, and praying that my children are not developing as they should. It is *not* because I haven't had those terribly depressing moments where I think I am somehow not doing enough for these little boys.

I fret, I worry, I cry, I pray.

The reason I chose to stop worrying about parenting books is because awhile back, in the midst of one of those terribly depressing moments, I heard some advice from Elder M. Russell Ballard of the LDS church:

"To parents everywhere, my counsel is simple: Get a copy of 'The Family: A Proclamation to the World.' Read it and strive to align your marriage and your family to its inspired, revealed direction from the Lord. Then be the very best and act the very best you can. God will give you strength beyond your own as you strive daily to fulfill the most sacred mortal responsibility He gives to His children. Listen to the voice of the Spirit and the counsel of the living prophets. Be of good cheer. God did not place you on earth to fail, and your efforts as parents will not be counted as failure unless you give up."

I feel like this advice is the best out there for young mothers.

Not that you shouldn't arm yourself with tools to overcome difficult situations. I love finding new advice on how to handle different situations. It is helpful to read information on problems I can't seem to overcome. It is relieving to discuss parenting with fellow women and know that they have the same problems I do. Even after reading all of the best parenting books.

So, I chose (am choosing) to put my worries aside as best I can. If my children don't speak three languages by pre-school, I guess I can deal with that. If my boys can't walk and talk as well as other children their age, I could deal with that as well. If it turns out, their learning progression turns out to be a long-term problem, I can deal with that as well. What I *can't* deal with, is knowing I failed to do what the Lord has asked me to in taking care of his precious children.

For me, this is the *BEST* advice because it comes from the *BEST* parent, a loving Father in Heaven.

To read the entire talk, go here: www.lds.org/liahona/2006/03/the-sacred-responsibilities-of-parenthood?lang=eng&auery-ballard+role+parent