Parenting Advice from Moroni

My home is run by charts and timers. Chores are a big part of the plan, and after an initial investment when they are young, pays off in many ways. One of the results that I did not anticipate is that during chore time, things are very peaceful. Everyone is separated, engaged and focused.

The other day, Jaxen was telling me that he is pretty sure that he has the most chores of anyone in his school.

My response "That could be true......you are lucky because you will be more prepared when you leave home."

This did little to appease him, but I continued "It shows how much Dad and I love you..... we want you to learn responsibility and to feel capable and confident."

His response "I think you just don't want to do all the work yourself"

Nodding my head "Absolutely...don't you think we all need to work as a team?"

J "What if I got a job and paid for a maid?"

M "If you were that innovative, and still able to keep up your grades....that would be great! For now, we'll stick with my plan"

That very night, I was reading in Alma, and laughed out loud when I found that Moroni had had a similar strategy when dealing with the Lamanite prisoners.

Alma 53:5
....and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to build with their own hands. Now Moroni was compelled to cause the Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard them while at their labor"

BOYS!!!

I had one sister growing up. Boys have always been a mystery to me. When I found out I was having a boy with Jaxen, I was truly nervous that I wouldn't connect with him Here are the boys on the Rozeski side. I LOVE these boys!!! I love being a mom and an aunt to boys. They are hilarious! I love boy humor and being a part of their inside jokes. I love hearing Jaxen's perspective on all of the boy-crazy girls at school. I love that Elijah tells me that I am "boo-tiful" and the "the best mom ever". I love when they hold the door for me or take out the trash. I love watching them grow and get tough and strong. I love that I get to see their sensitive sides, and coach them on their path to being men. They are good boys and I'm so excited to watch their lives unfold.I love the boys in my life!!!!

HONEST food.

If you read my blog, you may recall my frustration with staying healthy and the struggle of bringing my family along for the ride. Thus far, I have been shopping for three different diets; mine, my husbands and my kids. Besides being expensive, it was overwhelming trying to stock my cupboards to everyone's likings. After writing that post, I almost deleted it, thinking it was just whinny and self indulgent. But I must say, it helped me see how dumb the struggle was. I'm the mom! I've done the research and gosh darn it, I'm taking the reins.

I started the next day, clearing our lives of the things I don't want my family putting into their bodies. Providing the healthy balanced options and getting my hands dirty in the kitchen.

By removing the packaged foods, there is plenty of room in the budget for fresh food. By reading labels, and scrutinizing the amount of sugar and preservatives, the list of packaged foods I will buy has dwindled to almost nill. By baking and cooking more, we all feel more appreciative and connected to our food, seeing it for the precious thing that it is. To eat my the sweat of your brow, makes everything taste better



Whereas before, I would just try to slip in healthy things, I am now pointing them out, and teaching my kids why. Why do I buy orgainic, cage free, grass fed, meats and eggs. Why are most cereals not good for our bodies. What tricks are the food companies using to confuse us. I am finally telling my kids, instead of covertly keeping them in the dark. This food journey has been a big one for me and I don't want my kids to have to start as late as I did.

I have learned that there is a big difference between being thin and being healthy. I have been thin on shakes and bars ( totally constipated too I might add). I have been thin while taking my body of a roller coaster ride of hormones and blood sugar spikes. I have been thin, but low on energy. I have been thin but felt like I was struggling....this is not healthy. Food, good clean, HONEST food is the key.

To my surprise, the honesty hasn't caused them to be angry or scared of the world around them. I have seen them start to feel empowered by their knowledge and understanding of a very complicated issue in the United States. "We must learn to eat clean in a dirty world" is a quote that runs through my head. To me, my responsibility to teach my kids how to maneuver through the deception around them about food, is the same I have to teach them to avoid other pit falls of the world.

They may think their mom is a nut, but I hope some of it sinks in!

Sugar free SUGAR????

Well, almost.

I am on a quest! Reading, researching and most importantly, talking to people about their best health/weight management discoveries. I have long been on the path of getting rid of the "white stuff", (white flour, rice, SUGAR). The flour and rice were not problem at all, but SUGAR, it is everywhere, hidden in everything. The first change has been to stop eating processed foods, for me easy, for my family a bit more challenging. But, I am determined to slowly ween them and cleanse their pallets, so they will already have the habits that will lead them to a more balanced life!

Now, I'm a sweet tooth lady.....BIG TIME! However, I have found my new love------Agave!

From this plant, comes a yummy sweetness (not odd tasting like truvia or stevia I PROMISE)

In my oatmeal or on my Quinoa pancakes (see below), goes maple flavored. In cookies and cakes, there is literally no difference. It has past both the Jro and kid test with flying colors! Yes, it is more expensive, but , now that I am 100% sold, I am now looking into buying it in bulk!

Here is the sweet truth!



Quinoa Pancakes (thanks Marty!)

34 Years: Looking Back

Looking way back!!! Where the foundation for most of my decisions were laid. People, Places and Experiences that shaped my views and beliefs.
These early memories seem to stick the most. I can remember the names of people from elementary school, but not those that I met yesterday. I can tell you smells, what I ate and what I was feeling, better than I could what I was doing last week.

I like being 34. It's a good place to be. It's more stable, less social, more spiritual and I'm more focused on what I know is important. As I type this, Autumn is having a tantrum on the floor, the dishes are half-way done and I am still hoping to get my workout done after the kids go to bed. At 34, kids, husband and church are my focus. My day- dreams are about travel and poising myself to be ready to pounce when there is a little more time at my disposal. Classes galore, maybe a small paycheck coming my way. I don't know, but I am seeing that time coming, the next phase, and I want to be ready!!! By 68, who knows maybe I will remember how cute Madeline was about wanting to make my day special. I will remember the ice cream cake we had for dinner and how the calls and emails brightened my day though I was feeling a bit under the weather.

Skiing with dad

Jason's commitment to teaching our kids to ski has been very impressive to me. He is motivated by a vision of us all together in a few years, seeing it as a our family's winter fun. I am getting a bit nervous as the kids progress and I stay home with Autumn. They are passing me up quickly and I fear that I will be forced onto Black diamonds far too soon. These photos were taken at Keystone a few weeks ago, a snow playground is more my style! :)

Does it ever end???

Here is my niece, depicting how I feel right now about an ever-constant part of life----Diet! I actually enjoy loosing large amounts of weight, like after my babies. It's rewarding and a challenge. It's this maintenance that drives me looney!

I have spent the last year and a half gaining and loosing the same 5 pounds. Still, not reaching my ultimate goal. Recently, I got on a kick and got down, right where I wanted to be, but (insert any number of reasons here) I got bored and started experimenting with what I could put back into my diet and still "maintain". The answer for me is that strict is the only way!

This is quit a challenge as a wife and mother. Jro's idea of a healthy eating plan is to stop having 2nds and to skip dessert-----most days of the week. He likes what he likes and is not up for much experimentation on his beloved meals.

"Rolled" into the "roll" of motherhood are many other "rolls". I am the cook, the snack getter, the table cleaner, the food buyer, toast toaster, Nutella spreader,lunch maker, meat griller, muffin maker, cookie allower and basically, trying to please my families pallet on an hourly basis person. Food!!!! It is around and required of me constantly! I love it and hate it!

The thing that wears on me most is that my entire mood seems to be based on this one factor. When I feel in control of my diet, I am so happy and more energetic. When I am off track, I beat myself up and get so discouraged. It's just a few pounds, up and down, but it bothers me so much! I know I'm supposed to relax and just enjoy life. (Perhaps not be so shallow) Blah, Blah...... I want to conquer this thing. It's more about control and overcoming than anything else.

I guess my point is that it feels like there should be an end. A way to balance fun and whimsy with swim suits and self esteem. A time when I don't have to be on the ball and work so hard. Is this a life sentence? Is it just women? Is it just me? Anyway, today, up a few pounds and recommitting, but I ask: "Will it ever end?"