Mother-Daughter Night at AMI

We had a fun time with our daughters this month for our AMI meeting. The highlight of the evening was making Princess crowns to give to the hospital for the little patients who need to feel like a princess. 

Moms and daughters show off their Princess crowns they made for the children at the local hospitalWe also played a fun shoe game where everyone took off one shoe and put it in a pile. Then we chose a shoe and found it's owner. We asked the owner why she wants to be a mom or why she likes being a mom. Thanks for the fun idea, Myriam.Our collection of shoes for our shoe game

Tamara and her daughter read a great book about values in a way that children can understand.  Each value is presented in the context of making and eating chocolate-chip cookies. The book is called “Cookies: Bite-Size Life Lessons” by Amy Krouse Rosenthal, illustraed by Jane Dyer. Then they passed out chocolate chip cookies to everyone. YUM!!!!

Tamara and her daughter share a great book about values

Danielle Kennington, Utah Young Mother of the Year, gave her speech that she will be presenting at the National AMI convention in April. She appreciated the feedback and support.

Danielle shared her speech she will be giving at the National AMI convention

Thanks to everyone who came. We missed those who weren’t there. See you next month.

Kathleen and her daughter make princess crowns

Emily and her princess daughter

Rachelle and her daughter will take the crowns to the hopsital with a card saying they are made with love from American Mothers and their daughters.

A day at the Capitol with the Governor

I had such a neat day at the Capitol building yesterday on March 4.  I felt very appreciated. But I know I was just representing all you amazing mothers out there as Utah Young Mother of the year.  I wanted to share a few things with you so you could feel loved and appreciated too.
I met up with Dixie Clifford, the Utah Mother of the Year, Arelene Kennington and Sharon Allred the two Merit Mothers of the Year, and a few members of the State Board of American Mothers at the Utah State Capitol Building.

We has to wait for a few minutes while the Senate finished voting on a bill. Then we went in to the Senate Chambers.  My senator, Curtis Bramble, and Dixie’s Senator, John Valentine, introduced us to the Senate.  Everyone stood and applauded us and smiled at us. I was impressed that the Senate took time from their busy schedule to recognize mothers.
We then got to meet with Governor Huntsman. He was very warm and personable. He took time to talk to each of us and asked about us and our families. He said we were doing a great job and how much he appreciates the mothers of Utah.  He supports American Mothers platform to strengthen Utah families.
Then we were whisked up to the House of Representatives, where my Rep Stephen Clark, and Dixie’s Rep Stephen Sandstrom introduced us to the House.  Representative Clark read my biography where I had written about how we adopted a child and are hoping to adopt another child.  I feel like I am representing women who are mothers through adoption.  I’m also hoping that we can find our next child to adopt through this experience.  So now the Governor, the Senators of Utah and Representatives know we are hoping to adopt another child. If that doesn’t help us get a baby, I don’t know what will. : >(Check out Danielle’s adoption website )
The Senate gave us each an “Official Citation Honoring American Mothers Inc, Utah Association”.  I wanted to share a little bit with you:
“Whereas the presentation and strengthening of family values is of great importance to many Utahns who share the ideals of American Mothers, Inc., Utah Association.  The Legislature of this state of Utah recognizes the efforts of American Mothers, Inc., Utah Association to strengthen the moral and spiritual foundations of the family and the home.
Be it Further known that the Legislature expresses its appreciation for the tireless devotion and hard work demonstrated by all Utah mothers in the care and nurturing of their families”.

I thought you would like to know that you are appreciated by the Utah Legislature as well as the Governor.  You are all doing such great, important work as mothers. 
-Danielle Kennington, Utah Young Mother of the Year, 2009

Mothers of the Year meet with Governor and the Utah Legislature

Dixie Clifford, from Orem, Utah Mother of the Year and Danielle Kennington, Provo, Utah Young Mother of the Year, meet with Governor Huntsman

Sharon Allred, Utah Merit mother, Dixie Clifford, Utah Mother of the Year; Danielle Kennington, Utah Young Mother of the Year, Arlene Kennington, Merit Mother meet with Governor HuntsmanThis was the whole group who met with the Governor. Members of the Utah AMI board as well as Mothers of the Year and Merit mothers