Our June Newsletter & Notes are out. If you're not a subscriber yet we'd like to blatantly tempt you with a sneak peak at what we've included in this month's issue.

If we've tempted you to join here's the link. If not, let us know below what would get you to join. 

PS - We'll keep trying

1  You'll Only Have One Stop 
Your time is valuable. When you Subscribe you don't have to go looking all over the internet for the things you need, when you need them. We cover a lot of things so this will be your go to LDS lifestyle source.

2 You'll Have Files Stored for You 
It's hard to keep track of things so we pay for a place to keep all the ideas. (One of the reasons we ask that you pay.) Our issues are packed with photos and detailed instructions which create large files. When you Subscribe you won't have to store all that content on your computer.

3 You'll Have the Ideas Before Anyone Else Will
When you Subscribe you'll get original ideas and be the first ones to get them. We hold back the ideas from our blog for at least 6 months up to a year. When we finally send them out in our blog or ebooks you'll already be on to our new ideas.

4 You'll Be in a Private Place
When you Subscribe you have a private place to gather. You're not bombarded with dialog or dissension that distract you from what you do or how you want to feel.

5 You'll Have Ideas to Help You Lead
We serve a lot in the church. When you Subscribe we share with you leadership and service ideas that are usually adaptable to whichever Auxiliary you serve in. 

When you Subscribe to our content, you'll realize we're not just another blog. We're distinct and different and you'll be delighted and inspired every month with the ways we bridge the gap between Relief Society and Real Life. Want to join us? Subscribe here. We'd love it if you did.

On a previous post I shared some ideas on how to put JOY in Motherhood. It was awesome to hear how you wonderful moms put joy in motherhood, so thank you for sharing! First idea on my list was "take pictures." 

If you're like most moms, you're usually the one taking the pictures and rarely in them. This past week I tried to change that and I think you should too! 

All I did to get these pictures was put my camera on the ground facing us, set the self-timer to a 10-second release, pressed the button, and played with my boy until the camera took a picture. They aren't posed or perfect, and my feet are totally dirty, but I love them. That way when your children look back on your photos and they ask, "Mom, where are you?" you can say, "Look, I'm right there."

Try it out! Make a conscious effort to be in the pictures, not just taking the pictures. Post one to our Facebook page!

Don't underestimate the non verbal. 

Despite its lack of words it's still saying something. YOU'RE saying plenty to your mate without even speaking. 

To help with your non verbal language here are 5 secrets to connect with your spouse, besides the obvious one, sex.

1. MAKE EYE CONTACT • Eyes say so much. That's if you're looking. So look. Really look at each other. In the eyes. When were mad at each other we often don't want to look at each other (unless it's glaring) because it can break down barriers. Sometimes we can't say something, or don't say it right. Looking into each other's eyes can communicate feelings without the barriers of words. There's intimacy in looking into someone's eyes with intent. 

2. SMILE AT EACH OTHER • Smile at your spouse. A real smile. One that comes from the happy memories you share. Everything may not be perfect in your relationship but a genuine smile says that this is a pleasant or playful moment. Moments can add up. 

3. LAUGH TOGETHER • Laughing isn't always preceded by speaking. Sometimes, it's something that just happened and you look at each other and just bust out laughing. Don't hold it in. Laugh. Men like women who laugh. If funny things aren't obvious, find comics, videos, or people watching to get you going. My husband and I laugh a lot, often in bed. (No reflection of what goes on there.) He often says he hopes that our kids hear us laughing together because it's a reflection of what we have together.

4. SIT NEXT TO EACH OTHER • Find opportunities to sit next to each other. Restaurants. Church. Home. When you walk into a room go sit right next to your spouse, even if you have to displace someone else. You're a pair. It's the unspoken message to your spouse and everyone else in the room that you belong together.

5. MAKE BODY CONTACT • Without explaining all the biology, know that our brains like touch. Hand holding. Knee touching. Head resting. Random hugging. Back rubs. Leg wrapping. Something. Anything. Your body registers it and your brain files it. And your spouse feels it.

BONUS • Do them all at the same time. 

On the hierarchy of relationships a spouse comes right after God. That's how important the bond is. In light of that, spending time strengthening that tie, with verbal and non verbal ways, is worth the effort.

I'm always up for knowing more ways to connect with my spouse. What non verbal ways can you share?

Just over two years ago I held a newborn niece and said excitedly, “This is the first time I've wanted to hold a baby since my little brother, Reece, was born!” That was 18 years prior to that moment. Considering the fact that I was due with our first child in three months, I was relieved that I actually wanted to hold a baby again. 

I never understood the importance of motherhood, thinking that women were made just to have babies and raise them. I never wanted to be a mom.

Slowly I’ve learned that motherhood is more than having babies, changing diapers, and gaining weight.

“Motherhood is more than bearing children....It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us.” –Sheri L. Dew

There is more to motherhood than simply having children. It does not matter if you are single, childless, young, or old; every woman can have the refining power of motherhood. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! Please share what you've learned about motherhood in the comments!

PS. I hope you read last weeks post about how to put JOY in Motherhood. If you didn't you can here!

Our LDS NEST Newsletter & Notes went out today. It's our second issue and we're learning as we go. But thank you to those of you who've signed up, we appreciate your vote of confidence. We also hope you're enjoying what we've shared. 

For the rest of you who aren't Nestie members yet we'll show you a peek at a few sections. 

The Newsletter Subscription has basic ideas without a lot of fluff. The Notes Subscription has the bells and whistles. Many of the ideas we have can be adapted to other uses. For instance, the Many Hats of Mom can be used as a Primary Sharing time. Or use Hearts Knit Together as a FHE lesson. Even though we title their use that doesn't limit you. So there you have it. Some of what we do behind the scene.