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Show -N E \V S- Spanish Fork Advice for new moms Using all of your toothpaste WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008 • A3 Covering what matters most Life After Birth Janene Baadsgaard New mothers often ask me for advice about how to nurture or raise their children because I'm the mother of 10 and I've written lots of books full of parenting information and ideas. What I think a mother needs most is renewed confidence in her own instincts. I vividly remember trying to follow my pediatrician's advice to keep my newborn *s feedings at three hour intervals. I was pacing the living room with a hungry baby one day trying to hold her off for another hour when I suddenly realized how ludicrous my actions were. I knew my baby was hungry and that if I fed her she'd be happy. Why was I allowing some "expert" to tell me whatto do with my own child? I immediately sat-down and fed my hungry baby. We both stopped crying. I whole-heartedly believe that mothers should read all the latest information they can find and be willing to listen to other's advice. Then neatly tuck all that material in the file drawer for later reference and look into your child's eyes. No matter how incompetent you fgel as a new mother, you are the one person in the world that spends the most time with this totally unique new person — the one person who knows and loves your child best. On those hard days, if you pray and ask God to help you understand and act on your child's most vital needs, you will be taught by the only true expert who knows and loves both you and your child. Feelings of perpetual incompetence are part of being a mother. They start at birth with feeding and sleeping issues but soon grow into discipline and independence issues. Though the issue's change, the feelings of mothering incompetence remain constant. You're never been the mother of this child at this stage in their development before — until the day you die. The truth is, even if you don't have all the answers and know just what to do, you have made a commitment to be there for your child and care — forever. There will be times when your baby, toddler, teen or married child will come to your with a tummy ache, a skinned knee, friend problems or a broken heart and you will not be able to take all the pain away. So you will hug each other and cry together. In the end, knowing someone cares is what children need most. Maybe you'll never become a nutrition expert, understand the current discipline techniques or get over the empty-nest syndrome, but you will always be vital to your child's sense of well-being. You move from diapers to Ready or Not Dawn Van Nosdol Janene Baadsgaard driver's licenses to dorm rooms and back to diapers faster than you think. While I was walking out the door after visiting my daughter who had recently given birth to her third child, she looked into my eyes and asked, "What do you do when you feel overwhelmed, Mom?" "Get on your knees and pray," I told her. "Have a good cry. Then get up and go back to work." Janene Baadsgaard is the author of many humorous and heartwarming books for families including Families Who Laugh ... Last, On the Roller Coaster Called Motherhood, Winter's Promise, Financial Freedom for LDS Families, The LDS Mother's Almanac and her most recent publication 15 Secrets to a Happy Home - available at local book stores or on-line at www.springcreekbooks. com. She can be reached at janenebaadsgaard@ juno.com. Last week when I wrote about being frugal I began to think about other things that I do to make sure that I am using everything that I have paid for. One of the funniest cartoons, that has stuck with me for years, was only three panels long. The first picture was of a man with his face all screwed up like he was really concentrating^ on something, the next panel was of him looking even more intense with his tongue hanging out of his mouth, kind of like a small child really concen-_ trating and trying to figure something out, and in the last panel you saw the whole picture; the cartoon character was trying to get the very last bit of toothpaste out of the tube. I laughed! Not because the cartoon had an incredible punch line — but there I was, being depicted in the funny papers. I don't really care if you squeeze the toothpaste neatly out from the end or if you just squeeze randomly in the middle (we have both types in my house), as long as you put the cap on and don't make a mess of the lid. But when it gets down to. the end I do insist that we use all of it. I have seen those cute little toothpaste tube rollers, but I prefer to use the comer of my cabinet instead. It doesn't cost me Appreciating the 13 folds in the flag There and Back Again Shirlene Ottesen In the past few weeks, we have had ample opportunities to show our patriotism and especially respect for our flag. All the countries around the world have their ownflag,but ours is the most recognizable and I think the most beautiful flag in all the world The -flag is truly *a symbol of the spirit of our nation and has been displayed and served as a rallying cry in all kinds of wars, conflicts, disasters and is a constant reminder that freedom is not free. I was presented with such a flag at the cemetery when Hy's military service was honored and our family watched with reverence as the flag was taken from his casket and folded. I had a close-up view of the ceremony and have always wondered the significance of each fold. I recently read an article which answered my question and I would like to share that with you today. "The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks and who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. "The fourth fold represents bur weaker nature; for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for, in .the words of Stephen Decatur, *Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.' 'The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that'we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic. 'The eighth fold is a tribute UVU Professor seeking lease on small home/apartment/duplex beginning August 1st. Must accommodate a small, clean, well behaved pet. 615-319-1099 to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day. The ninth fold is a tribute to woman hood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded. 'The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of Christian citizens, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost. After the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, 'In God We Trust.'" I'm sure this information about the flag is common knowledge to many of you and especially the Boy Scouts because of their frequent participation in flag ceremonies. As a family, we appreciated the service and honor extended to Hy by the American Legion Honor Guard who give so freely of their time to participate in the ceremony. The next time I see a flag folded I will know that each fold has a significant meaning that it is more than just merely folding it up in a neat and convenient package. Happy July 24 to all of you. As you participate in the many activities during our Fiesta Days celebration, remember those early settlers who laid the foundation for this valley. We are truly the recipients of their many labors, determination and commitment to establish a home "in the mountains" for their families. anything and I think that the jar full of soap ends it does a better job of get- and pieces and then fill it ting all of the toothpaste with water and the soap to the tip. Just grip the would melt together and tube firmly by the end you could scrape it out and "scrape" it along the and use it. It was a discorner of something hard gusting idea and when from the end up and you my mom wouldn't even can keep using the tooth- use the contents, because paste for another week, or it was disgusting, she finally threw it away. even longer. When I started attend>. If you ever run out of toothpaste (maybe you ing college (a.k.a. being forgot-to stock up in your poor), I suddenly found food storage, tsk, tsk.) that those little slivers of You can use a mix of bak- precious soap were very ing soda and salt. You can important. Purely by acuse baking soda alone, but cident I found a way to my grandpa used the soda reclaim them. I set a very and salt mix for years and small piece of the last of when he died at 80 some- the old bar on top of the thing, he had never had a newly opened bar, when cavity. I don't care for the they were both wet. When non-peppermint taste, but I went to use it the next day they had fused toit works in a pinch. The next money sav- gether! My dilemma had ing idea that I use is using been solved. You might the soap bar up — com- have to experiment a little pletely. I was talking to a with your soap as to the friend the other day about optimum time to join the this and the conversation two bars together, but it just made me laugh. I always gives me a little asked her if her mother ... joy when there is a sucand she interrupted and cessful union. said, "Yesr My friend found an I replied, "You don't easier way to use the soap even know what I am go- up by just putting it into her loofah glove. Brilliant ing to say." She said, "Yes I do. We and yet so simple. You are talking about bar soap could also put it into those and you are going to ask terry cloth bath gloves. I was also thinking that for if we had the soap jar." I laughed because that small children you could is exactly what I was sew a bath rag together thinking. I can hear some in envelope fashion and of you out there chuck- stick the small pieces in ling while you remember there for the children to that Mason jar full of dis- use. All of these ideas and gusting little soap pieces not one of them is ooey, that nobody would ever gooey or disgusting, and use. The thought behind you are being frugal. it was that you would fill Madison's Avenue by"BigArand"Farnzy" &ne ©ay fflfille (Srassfoa tieWains... O "Are we there yet? Are we there yet?... I have to go to the outhouse." SNACK „ ATTACK !! now at [1. ^Jr-3 eve got Dons' Sports Broadcast LIVE on ... 1480 Listen locally at AM 1480 and anywhere in the world at www.KHQNradio.com you covered _ |