Mama Berry Blog

Before I had kids, I knew that there would be hard days. Obviously 'hard' is a relative term here. But as only a pre mother can, I figured I knew mostly what was in store. Relatively accurately, I did predict there would be the suck-the-life-outta-me exhausting days, the heartbreaking days, the so frustrated I can't even see straight days. I didn't know that hard could take on a whole new meaning. But I also figured on the great days. I knew there would be days of unbelievable joy, the days of soaking in their every tiny movement and gurgle, the days of cuddles and giggles and kisses and happy beyond describing. In all honesty; I had no idea what I was jumping into. There are just certain things that have to be learned with experience. All those days have happened and more. And what I didn't know then was how sharply those moments would etch and carve and bind themselves into my heart. What I didn't know was how much those moments would give breath...

I love how much social media has enhanced our ability to share things with each other. Links to news, videos, websites, blogs, songs, support groups, petitions, pictures, and all things YouTube provide me with more information than I know what to do with. There are funny things to be enjoyed, support to be lent, and facts to validate. Unfortunately there is a lot of mindless drivel too. And I don't know why we seem to like that the most. I'm sure I've shared or liked my fair share of it. But I also want to be able to share things that are of value, because that's part of the awesomeness of social media. There was a group I was invited to on Facebook that wanted us to share a testimony of truth all on the same day. I didn't, mostly because I have a thing with Facebook groups. But I want to encourage anyone who reads this to share something that is of personal significance in your life, rather than forwarding somebody else's latest meme. To make a break in the ...

I simultaneously celebrate and lament the temporariness of the drawings on the walls, the crusty applesauce on the floor, and the screaming in the air. These kiddos are my favorite part of life. And also the reason I want to escape it for a day or five. I love them more than the capacity they have to understand it. I do more for them in a single day than they can possibly know. And somehow they do more for me than I ever thought possible. Even in the hardest moments, those most filled with stress, fatigue and angst, I know I wouldn't change a single thing. (Disclaimer: 'A single thing' does not include the early sleep patterns, I will always want to change those :) ) Most days I wake up abruptly, And much too early for my liking. My kid's resemblance to a banshee Is what you might call 'striking'. With puffy eyes and raw emotions That rarely have time heal I sigh exhaustively and Get up against my will. It's another day, though it's hard to ...

I believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. At approximately the time of the prophet Jeremiah, another prophet named Lehi was commanded by God to take his family and leave Jerusalem. They journeyed across the ocean and came to the American continent. The Book of Mormon is the record of the prophets among Lehi's posterity. It records prophecies of the coming of Jesus Christ, his birth, life, death and Atonement. It records the visit of the resurrected Lord to these people. It is called the Book of Mormon because Mormon was the prophet who compiled and abridged into one record all the separate records made by prophets through the years. Because I have studied it and prayed about it, I know it to be true. So I'm grateful to be able to identify with a nickname derived from this book of scripture along with approximately 15 million other people. And that is 'Mormon'. Being a Mormon, or more correctly, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, i...

Relatively recently, a group of Mormon women has formed called Ordain Women. The purpose of this group is pretty self explanatory. At first I thought it all seemed ridiculous. (Wear pants to church if you want to, what's the big deal!?) But the more time has gone on and the more I've found out, the more I've come to realize that this Ordain Women idea is anything but flippant. Their mission statement is:  'The fundamental tenets of Mormonism support gender equality: God is male and female, father and mother, and all of us can progress to be like them someday. Priesthood, we are taught, is essential to this process. Ordain Women believes women must be ordained in order for our faith to reflect the equity and expansiveness of these teachings.'  Many of these women have been hurt by priesthood holders they should have been able to trust. Many of these women feel neglected because they cannot bless, baptize or ordain their children, and therefore feel they are not ...

I wrote this a few years ago. In fact there was probably a week straight in hygiene school where I was writing this poem rather than paying attention in most of my classes. The first person I shared it with was the girl sitting next to me that semester. And she is still one of the few I have shared it with. I didn't ever come up with a title that I actually liked. But I liked the poem, so I stopped caring what it was named. Then the other night, I was reading an  article in the Ensign , and President Utchdorf said something that completed the thought behind this poem so perfectly for me. It's beautiful. And not to mention, he provided a much better title. “[Heavenly Father] didn’t send you on this journey only to wander aimlessly on your own. He wants you to come home to Him. He has given you loving parents and faithful Church leaders, along with a map that describes the terrain and identifies the dangers; the map shows you where peace and happiness can be found and will hel...

All my life I've been surrounded by women. Wonderful, strong, and just as human as I am women. These women have taught me, strengthened me, laughed with me, cried with me, and at times disappointed me, only to come back and teach me through that too. I mention that because suddenly I'm one of those women. The one that is in a position to mold and form and teach and worry about messing it all up. I think about the daughter I have, and the ones that still may come. Through my effort and tears and prayer for them, I am coming to understand how much more effort and tears and prayer have gone into me than I ever knew, than I ever could have imagined I was worth. It'll be a while yet before that daughter of mine discovers this about herself.  I think about all I want her to know; (there's so much I want her to know), and then think, 'how do I teach it? How do I know I'm not messing it up?' I wish I could just plug her in to my brain and upload what I know, th...

A little while ago I was reading in the Book of Mormon. And something struck me differently than it had in the multiples times I had read the same story before. The story recounts the struggle of the people of Limhi while they are in bondage to their enemies, the Lamanites. In years past, this group of people (or Nephites) left their homeland of Zarahemla to inhabit another part of the land. When their leader Zeniff dies, his son Noah becomes a wicked king, and likewise the people become wicked. The Lord sends Abinadi the prophet to them to tell them to repent. After King Noah and his priests kill him for prophesying against them, the Lamanites (enemies of the Nephites) come against them. His priests end up killing Noah, and his son Limhi becomes king. The people submit themselves to be the Lamanite's slaves rather than be killed. Limhi is a righteous king, and the people begin to turn away from their wickedness while they are in bondage. However, they suffer much in the years tha...

It's true. At least, if sources are to be believed, it must be true. Being fairly new to this parenting arena, I had no idea how many awful and child-ruining mistakes I've been making. And boy there are some whoppers. I should be surprised that my kids are as normal as they are. Three years in, and now that I've recognized some of these mistakes, I can start fixin' 'em. According to my research, odds are you're a terrible parent too. But no worries, I'm here to help. Using articles I've read (some reputable, some....not as much) books, discussions, anecdotal evidence and social media campaigns, I've compiled a list of the most common mistakes a terrible parent makes, and the (not so) sure-fire ways to fix them. Here you go. You are a terrible parent if: 1. You let your babies cry themselves to sleep. Everybody knows that every time your child is crying, she needs your undivided attention. Deny her that attention and you are setting her up for a...