I take this seriously.

No wordless Wednesday today...in fact, I have a lot to say about something I've been thinkin' about lately. Let me explain. The other day while out...I was "people watching". Something I LOVE to do. A little too much maybe. And I became very interested in this mother, her young daughter, and the daughter's boyfriend. It was VERY evident from their communicating that the mother/daughter relationship was lacking respect, love, and patience. Sad. And even more sad...this daughter was pregnant and clearly not old enough to drive.

And this got me thinking...

I started to think about myself at her age...clearly not old enough on any level to give birth or even raise a child and deal with motherhood. I was still into Beauty and the Beast and playing barbies for crying out loud....ok that was a huge exaggeration...but you get my point. mmkay.

And then I started to think about just how dirty the world has become. And I'm not talking about the stuff under your nails or skipping a shower or two. Seriously...FILTH ALL OVER. And then I had a real eye opener....My boys. I thought about how they are NOT always going to be little. They are going to grow up and have to deal with all this evil. And that's when I realized and decided that my role as their mother is SERIOUS business. I have to teach them. I have to tell them about all this before one of their friends in Kindergarten beats me to it.

I want the best for my children. I want them to be successful. I want them to be leaders. I want them to be righteous examples. I want them to be a light in a world full of darkness. And I realize that I have to teach them a few things first. The difference between good and bad....what's right and wrong. I have had GREAT examples in my life, but have also had some NOT so great examples by those close to me. But I have learned from both the good and bad. And I am grateful for this.

For my children's sake I am going to be bold. I have already decided this. No more beating around the bush. My children are going to KNOW and not walk the line because they were not told directly. And in relating this to the pregnant girl above, my boys are going to know all about their bodies and that of the opposite sex. They are going to know about SEX. I want them to know that it is and should be pure and special, saved for that special someone that they will one day marry. And by that I mean AFTER and ONLY after they are married and sealed in the Temple for eternity. I want my boys to respect women! I want them to know that they are special. They are daughters of God. And should be treated no less.

And while I'm at it...I'm going to teach my boys about pornography. And I share this quote from a this talk,

I warn against pornography. It is degrading of women. It is evil. It is infectious, destructive, and addictive. The body has means by which it can cleanse itself from harmful effects of contaminated food or drink. But it cannot vomit back the poison of pornography. Once recorded, it always remains subject to recall, flashing its perverted images across your mind, with power to draw you away from the wholesome things in life. Avoid it like the plague!

I've known far too many that have been affected by this filth. It destroys families and souls. I want my children to know that it is NOT ok to have an affair. It is not ok to mess with married individuals! That's wrong. It causes so much pain and heartache to many...and even children. And last, but not least...drugs. I want my children to know that they are harmful to our body and soul. They are addictive and just evil. It's all about education. Is it any wonder why we have so many families that are torn apart and seperated and children that are confused??

I hope and pray that I can go about this in the right way. And by that, I mean following the Spirit at all times and doing the will of the Lord. After all, He is the one that gave me these boys. They are His too. And to my little ones, I hope that they will follow those PERFECT examples that have gone before them. Their great-grandparents...the Stouts, the Browns, the Petersons, and the Payzants. All are righteous examples. Married to their spouses and have been faithful everyday of their lives. And then their grandparents...Russ and Jeri Payzant and Cary and Annette Stout. Some of the BEST people I know. Who have worked so hard to get to where they are now. Who are selfless and devoted to the work of the Lord. And were married in the Temple for time and eternity. And are doing so much good. And last but not least...I would hope that my boys would follow in their father's footsteps. I feel Evan is a perfect example of the kind of men my boys will become. And I am oh so thankful for this influence in their lives....fathers are important.

Now, I understand that we are all mortal and are far from perfect. I understand that my children will make mistakes and may possibly stray from the principles they have been taught and know to be true. But I would hope that when encountered by evil, that they would run the opposite direction. Choose good over evil. And come off conqueror.

This is my hope. The desire of my heart. I am a mom. And I have a lot of teaching to do IN the home.