Starting a New Chapter

I will try it again tomorrow. That was my motto for so many years of my marriage. Every day would go by, and I would feel insignificant. Like I wasn't doing enough to be a good mother, or wife. I was failing on some level until I realized how truly unhappy I was inside, and out.

Through the trials that the Lord has given me, I have seen that sometimes divorce really is the best option. Not just for the children involved but for the health of everyone in the situation. I should have known years ago that my marriage was over before it really started. Given the circumstances, and the shortcomings on both of our hands.

I wanted to marry a member, and became discouraged with the LDS dating scene. I settled, which I never suggest anyone do. It tried my faith over and over again. But the one thing still standing strong now is my testimony and love for my children. The greatest gift I have ever received.

I don't blog often, but I think I need to start. I need this private outlet through this time. I need the space to talk about what I can't on a daily basis.

I also want to be an example for positive divorces and co-parenting. I don't want this to be bitter and ugly. I don't want drawn out court proceedings and bitter custody battles. That just isn't my style and frankly I have always hated confrontation.

I will rely on the Lord through this time, and pray for the strength we will all need to make it through this transition.

Trial and a Biological Clock

Children are a gift from God. We are mere mortals that are chosen very carefully to give Earthly bodies to our Heavenly Father's children. To guide them, parent them and of course show them the way of the Lord.

I have been struggling deeply with the idea of having more children. I know my family is not complete with only three. My husband on the other hand doesn't think about the blessing of a baby but instead it is the dollar signs that come along with each new mouth to feed and body to clothe.

Could we afford a fourth or even a fifth child?  If we made some small changes in our life. We don't need 7000 channels on cable, or even a boat. These are luxuries I would easily give up to enjoy the blessing of being pregnant again.

I have been reading the Baby Making Machine blog and her funny posts on convincing her husband to have a baby in 30 days or less have really got me thinking about it again.

My youngest child is no longer a baby but a bright toddler so full of ambition and curiosity. I feel like it is just time again to fire up the old uterus and get going. Maybe I can work on 30 days to convincing my husband a fourth child won't be that big of a deal.

Gay Marriage - Everywhere You Look!

I live in a state that has legalized Gay Marriage. It is perfectly fine with me because it doesn't impact me in any way. I am a straight married woman. I got the great right to marry the man I love why should I feel like my religious morals should exclude someone from their rights as a citizen of the United States?

The Bible tells us that marriage is between a man and a woman, but issues of homosexuality weren't front and center when the Bible was written. Those who found themselves attracted to the opposite sex didn't know how to handle it because it was unheard of. But to think it was something that wasn't happening is foolishness.

Today marriage has become a joke. There are few and far between who take it as a serious religious commitment. The lavish weddings followed two years later by messy divorces is what marriage has become. You do not see people creating laws and state constitutional amendments to end the divorce process, or make laws on heterosexual marriage stricter. Which if they were really concerned about the sanctity of marriage - they would be doing it!

It all is coming down to basic civil rights that all American's should have. Telling a gay citizen they can't get married because of their sexual orientation is like telling a black person they can't get married because they are less of a citizen than someone who is white. It is just not acceptable under any circumstances. 80 years ago it was. In 2012 there should be no discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, race, or social class.

The United States is supposed to have separation of church and state, which has recently been going out the window with Republican leaders who do not understand this concept.

Civil rights are civil rights. If one class of people is allowed to marry - all should be granted that same right. It is only what is fair in a democracy!

I am just so sickened and disgusted by the way the leaders of this country choose to treat people because of their social class or sexual preference.

I'm a Bad Blogger

I got sick. Really sick. Like someone hit me with a  bus kind of sick.

My husband had to take days off from work for the children, I spent a night in the hospital from extreme dehydration, I just was flat out sick.

I know virtually nobody reads my little tiny blog here, but I thought I owed some kind of an explanation as to why I just went off the radar. I am looking forward to getting back on the horse, but I am going to pace myself.

I don't want to get burnt out on a project that is supposed to be fun and a hobby.

Trials like this are something we are destined to deal with.

"Some might ask when faced with such suffering, how could Almighty God let this happen? And then that seemingly inevitable question, why did this happen to me? Why must we experience disease and events that disable or call precious family members home early or extend their years in pain? Why the heartaches? At these moments we can turn to the great plan of happiness authored by our Heavenly Father. That plan, when presented in the pre-earth life, prompted us all to shout for joy. Put simply, this life is training for eternal exaltation, and that process means tests and trials. It has always been so, and no one is spared." 

—Elder Ronald A. Rasband, "Special Lessons", General Conference, Apr. 2012

Wordless Wednesday ~ Make Room for the Lord

Sunday = No Computer Time

I take my Sunday's seriously. When it comes to almost everything.

I make sure I don't need to go to the store, I have no plans other that church based activities, our children do not partake in any sports or activities that will bring them outside of our home on Sunday. Overall I mean business about keeping the Sabbath Day Holy.

My children don't get it yet, but I hope some day they will. They are often ticked off at me because I say no to random wants on Sunday.

"But Mommy! Johnny invited me over!"
"Honey, nothing has changed. It is Sunday, and you still cannot play on Sunday"

This is where I typically get the I hate being Mormon or my friends think I am weird because I am Mormon. This makes me extremely sad because of the lack of tolerance other children have for religion or religions different than theirs. But it kind of burns my biscuits that parents aren't addressing this with their children.

There are so many scriptures that tell us to keep the Sabbath. In the 59th section of the Doctine and Covenants verse 9 tells us:

"And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacrement upon my holy day"

We have come a long way from when these prophecies were given to Joseph Smith but the words do not change in meaning.

President Spencer W. Kimball (one of my favorite Presidents of all time) said:

"The Sabbath contemplates quiet tranquility, peace of mind and spirit. It is a day to get rid of selfish interests and absorbing activities"

Selfish interests... and absorbing activities.

This to me has translated to giving up things I enjoy on Sunday. I am sure other people look at it differently though, and that is always alright.

The biggest thing I have decided to give up on Sunday is the computer. I just keep it off. I don't turn on my laptop or check my e-mail. I step away from whatever is interesting to me on the computer for the week or month and spend quality time with my family.

It is a small sacrifice. But it is a worthy sacrifice to me.
It makes my Sunday more sacred.

It sets and example to my children that they are not the only ones giving up something they enjoy.

We love the Lord and he loves us. He will reward us for our sacrifies no matter the size.

A Lifetime of Learning

As a convert in the Church of Jesus Christ for Latter Day Saints I find myself always feeling disadvantaged because I was not raised with the Gospel in my life. My learning and understanding of the Gospel feels dwarfed by those who have the extra decade or two of learning.

It is not a jealousy issue though. It fuels me to teach my own children the Gospel. Whether it is in Primary on Sunday morning or in our home. It is a challenge though as my husband knows nothing of the church and I am still learning daily.

This week I got an amazing quote in my e-mail inbox. A LDS gem I subscribed for on the subject of family. I am looking for scriptures to talk with my children about or use as a teaching tool. This one though, it stopped me in my tracks.

"Learning to fully understand the doctrines of the Gospel is a process of a lifetime and comes 'line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little' (2Nephi 28:30). As children learn and act upon what they learn, their understanding is expanded, which leads to more learning, more action, and even greater and more enduring understanding"  - Cheryl A. Esplin - Teaching our Children to Understand - General Conference, April 2012

After reading this I made a stunning realization that most of us rarely stop to understand. While we are parents, we are also still children - children of our Heavenly Father. We are ever expanding our knowledge and understanding of the Gospel.

Today years and years after my baptism I have a different understanding of many Gospel principles. Some fueled by trials in life, some fueled by parenthood... and others by callings in church.

I am still learning every day, and learning besides my own children is an amazing gift. Pardon my language, but I think it is pretty freaking cool!

Do you take time to learn the Gospel alongside your own children?

Class Warfare Should Be Extinct

This morning I signed into twitter to see if I could get some inspiration to write something about. When I decided to start a blog I thought I had so much to offer. So much to write about like all these other great Mormon moms. Ha Ha! Writers block a couple days into it?  Bad sign I guess.

Then one of the inspirational accounts I follow re-tweeted a message from someone else. The tweet came from a user that goes by the handle InGodITrust and the message was:

The Government does not take care of you lazy liberals, the American Tax Payers do. Do not bite the hand that feeds you. #tcot#foxnews #gop

I don't know that the hashtags are about, or if there is a news story on Fox News about the topic but it bothered me. On a couple different levels. Not just as a Liberal but as an American tax payer. A tay payer that probably pays more than the average American in taxes on a yearly basis.

I do not complain that lazy people are leaching off of welfare programs. I am grateful the programs are put in place to help those who are less fortunate. There are always going to be lazy people who break the law and lie to receive these benefits but that doesn't make them liberal.

The fact of the matter is everyone is hurting. As business owners, my husband and I have lost a lot. We have had to lay off employees. We have had to cut back on spending and make tough decisions. But I am not blaming the victims of unemployment who need to feed their families and have a roof over their head.

Jesus was liberal. Extremely liberal if you look at his actions. He is an example of charity on so many levels.

Paul said:

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves a person who gives cheerfully. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Taxes are part of life no matter how much we all hate them. It is what our Heavenly Father wants us to do. This is another reason I give so willingly when I provide my tithing to my church.


The revelation the Prophet Joseph Smith gave us through the Doctrine ad Covenants says:

1–5, The Saints are to pay their surplus property and then give, as tithing, one-tenth of their interest annually; 6–7, Such a course will sanctify the land of Zion.

There is no question this is what we should be doing.


The political point in this I would like to make is the drastic disparities in what the above twitter user said. When we look at the states in America and the rates of welfare recipients, states that identify themselves as red or are in the Bible Belt have much higher rates of welfare recipients. It is ignorant to assume all of those welfare leaches are Republican. Although it is a safe assumption that a large percentage identifies themselves as Republicans.

Enough casting of stones. The point is if the user really trusted in God, he wouldn't have an issue with those who are in the place in their lives to receive a form of welfare. We need not be the judge and jury for these souls. The only person who can Judge is our Lord and Savior. Not some man masquerading as a Christian on twitter.

The Test of Motherhood

As unmotherly as it sounds, the act of motherhood is a serious test in life. I have always been told by the leaders of our church that patience is a virtue. That quote bothers me. I find myself wanting to snap back "A virtue I do not posses!"

When I feel like my children are testing me and I am at my wits end I look back to the 2010 talk of President Dieter F. Uchtdoft on continuing our patience. He is a wealth of knowledge, one of my favorite church speakers. I always look forward to hearing, or reading him because there is never an ounce of disappointment.

"Nevertheless, without patience, we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed, patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action and offers hope for peace.""These attributes will give you strength and wisdom in magnifying your callings, in preaching the gospel, in fellowshipping quorum members, and in giving the most important priesthood service, which is indeed within the walls of your own homes."

Motherhood is a calling. While it may not be a church calling, it is one of the most rewarding callings many of us sisters will ever have in life. It is not supposed to be easy. Our children are put here to try us, and teach us lessons. 

"We will have genuine joy and happiness only as we learn patience."--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, Ensign, May 1987, 30

Relief Society always provides us with these messages and lessons. But nothing can really prepare you for the journey of motherhood. Patience... it is something you will not make it without.


Patience will provide you with the success to teach your children the gospel.
Patience will provide you the will to walk in the light of Christ.
Patience will reward you with the gift of Earthly children and an Earthly family.
Patience will reward you with the opportunity to together with your family for Eternity.


When I ever second guess myself or my strength, I always go back to words of the Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley  (My favorite Prophet) 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Forgiveness

DIY: Cleaning Your Baking Sheets!

My baking sheets have gotten really gross since I started using them a couple years ago. Understandable since it seems like I am not the only one on the internet with this problem. No matter how many times I scrub them I have the same crusty burnt looking cookware.

I have gone out and bought new sheets but after talking with a couple women in my ward about cleaning them. Typical Sunday Relief Society conversations and all. Baking soda and peroxide is the trick apparently.

I decided to put it to the test today.

After getting the oldest kids out the door to school I tossed the baby into her high chair and entertained her with her favorite finger foods while I mixed the 1/4 cup of baking soda with just a couple drops of peroxide together. You want your paste to look like this.

The first time I made it I put a little too much peroxide in it but the second time around I got the perfect consistency. You want it to be a thicker paste.

This is the before of the tray. Gross right? I frequently use tin foil on my baking sheets. The next step in the process is rubbing the paste all over the and scrubbing it in. Like really scrubbing. I used a brush although the baking soda can get stuck between the bristles.

Give it a good scrub. I scrubbed so good that I landed myself with a tender hand but I meant business. I scrubbed the crapola out of them!  And the end result I was much happier with than I thought I would have been.

There are still some spots that need to be scrubbed out but honestly I am overjoyed that this made such a difference.

Almost like new! I am certain that one more round and these will be completely like new!

Just another day being The Liberal Mormon Mom!

Who Is?

Who is LMM or The Liberal Mormon Mom?
I have struggled with the idea of starting my own blog for a long time. I always find blogs to be so incredibly personal that I didn't want people to be able to identify me or what I have to say from the internet. I choose to remain anonymous. Some day that may change but for now I will enjoy hiding behind my computer screen.

I am Mormon - a member of the Church of Jesus Christ for Latter Day Saints. I have been active and inactive through out my life. I am married to a man who is Roman Catholic and I am raising my children in the Mormon faith. He is a self proclaimed non-believer. I hope to change that with something I like to call Strengthening our Marriage through Jesus.

We have three children. Two boys and a girl. I will call them A, B, and C for now. Maybe they will develop nicknames over time. Two are school-aged and one is home with me during the day.
I am a working mother but I work from home, running two successful home based businesses. I believe my greatest accomplishment in life is motherhood. I fully believe being a wife and mother come first. In the next breathe I will identify myself as a feminist. Some day I will go into my beliefs more in depth.

We live in a small New England town, with an even smaller Mormon population. I will not even declare what state we are in. That is my comfort level.

I was not born and raised in the LDS church although I wish I was. I admire lifelong members and their families. I somehow hope one day I can offer the same for my children.