Mothers Who Know

I've finally opened the conference Ensign. And I remembered again why I loved conference so much. I read "Mothers Who Know" again by Julie Beck. There were 2 paragraphs that really struck me:
"Mothers who know build children into future leaders and are the primary examples of what leaders look like. They do not abandon their plan by succumbing to social pressure and worldly models of parenting. These wise mothers who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most."
How often I have thought someone else knows better than me about how to parent...and sometime they do. But Heavenly Father always knows. And I needed to hear again about maximizing my influence where it matters most....this only reiterated that feeling:
"Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of he world's goods in order to spend more time with their children-more time eating together, working, reading, talking, laughing, singing and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is prepare a rising generation...who will take the gospel to all the world...who will be builders of the Lord's kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power."
This really hit home for me because I am a "do it all" girl. I love doing...I don't always finish. But I thrive on that. I have to be so careful to make sure I am using my time to influence my childrens lives for the tests, trials and hard world they'll have to live through.
Yesterday I said to Jaren, "isn't this fun building a snowman! It's so nice to spend time with you!" He says.." Ya, but Mom you hardly ever do". "What do you mean?" "You just like to look at wedding pictures." SHOT in the HEART! So I started thinking about the rules I have for myself as someone who also works here and there. My rule is to never edit photos unless kids are asleep. To not answer the phone between 6-7 pm so I'm not distracted from the bedtime routine- I hate feeling rushed through scriptures and prayer, it just seems wrong. :) And to not spend much time at all on the computer during the day. I have been doing SO BAD at keeping my own rules. I was really thankful for the wake up call from the brill 5 year old. I really need to do better. So I will. My busy season is done (choir singing hallelujah) so I can really start over again.
Now, I do need to say, I live for people. I thrive off of meeting new people, having deep friendships, and starting new ones. So photography is key to me staying true to me. It's good & I think essential to make time for yourself. It all comes down to balance. And that's not always easy to find. I think I'm a mother who knows...but doesn't always "do". I'm so babbling at this point... so I will now stop.